After a week in the DR and about 26 hours of wakey-wakey on the way home, I crashed Sunday and Monday. I figured that I had earned a respite from the call of the blog. But my loving mother-in-law (who once referred to my blog as a “blob”) got on me today via skype. So here’s to you, Boompa.
Kim and I are headed for some warmer climes. We board a flight early tomorrow that will take us to the sunny shores of Bradenton, FL. Don’t worry about the kids; Levi is 15 and can handle things at home, and Lilly has taken the YMCA babysitting training, so they should be good to go. (Dear concerned adults: there will actually be an adult staying in our home with the children, so no need to worry!)
Baseball has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I love the game–all its intricacies and nuances, the sounds and smells, the games within the game. Sometimes I’ll bring a glove up to my face, inhaling the aroma of the leather, feeling its coolness. So many memories and feelings come rushing back.
I always wanted to get an invite to Spring Training; I just thought that I’d be bringing my spikes and catchers’ gear. As one of the chaplains (Baseball Chapel) with the Pirates organization, I’m headed to Spring Training. All the chaplains in the Pirates ranks are going to camp to connect with the guys who will eventually fill the rosters of the the parent club and its minor league affiliates.
Some of the young men who will wear the uni of the State College Spikes haven’t even been drafted yet, but I’ll get to see those who are still part of the organization from last year. The Spikes are a short-season team, playing from June to September. All the other affiliates will begin their season in a few weeks. The chaplains want to hit the ground running, so we’re headed down to Bradenton to meet the players.
I promised to post some pics from the DR on my blog, so they’ll be below. All of my pics are on facebook, so if you want to see them all, send me a friend request…
2 Comments
Boompa · March 16, 2011 at 9:15 am
Thanks, Stac, I feel connected once again.
Brandon · March 18, 2011 at 10:12 am
Great DR pics. A friend of mine is taking a group to the DR this summer. I may have to do the same one day.