| I started playing baseball so long ago (I think I started in first grade); I forgot most of my first baseball experiences. My first Little League was Pinto, and the team was the Indians. We completed the regular season win 18 wins and 0 losses. It was really cool. Too bad I was too young to really appreciate it, because I never had another team quite that good. But of course, we ended up losing our first playoff game. Once again, I was only in first grade, so I do not remember much, but I do remember that our two best hitters struck out on the tee. ON THE TEE! Even I as a rookie did not strike out on a tee, but our best hitters managed to. I do not even remember if it was a close game or not. I only remember we played the Reds who were 9-9 in the regular season. So they had won half the amount of games that we did during the regular season. But, they won when it counted. Anyways, I played in Pinto League one more year after that. Then I moved onto Mustang League for two years, after which I moved onto Bronco League for two more years. Finally, I played in Pony League for three years. The last year in Pony League I also played on my high school baseball team, the West Chicago Wildcats. During my Little League years I played on the Red Sox, Astros, Rockies (several times), Orioles, Tigers, and of course, as I mentioned before, the Indians. I will have to check on all the specifics. I forgot a lot. Luckily I never had to play for the Cubs or Yankees. That would have been demeaning. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to play on the White Sox. Anyways, I made it to the Championship Series one time. It was either in Mustang or Bronco, and I am pretty sure it was when I was on the Rockies. My friend Jarett Worth(less) was on the opposing team I believe. That was the closest I came to tasting ultimate victory in any of my official League experiences. I remember my year with the Astros was particularly bad. We barely won any games that year, but we did at least win some. Oh yeah, I think that was the year my team was sponsored by the funeral home. Coincidence that we got killed almost every game? Perhaps not. Despite frequently being on sub-par teams, it was still very very fun. I never regret and I never will regret playing baseball ever. I also made it to my fair share of All-Star games. Out of my 9 years in Little League I was in 5 All-Star games. One in each of Pinto, Mustang, and Bronco, and two in Pony. |
| White Sox Logos, New and Old |
    |
|
| Let’s see… what positions did I play? Well, I played most every position: pitcher, catcher, first, second, left, center, and right. I rarely played third or short stop due to the fact that I am lefty. Lefties never play those positions in real games. Too much time is taken to turn the extra step to throw. I mainly played second base though. I also liked to roam the outfield if need be. Yes, I also pitched a lot in my day. I had a pretty good arm as a youngin’. Plus, I am a lefty. It is always good to have an extra lefty lying around. Especially for pitching. Especially, in Little League. Lefty pitchers throw off batters easily in Little League. I had pretty good heat as a kid; I remember my dad had a secret code for me when I was pitching. My dad was always there at my games. He always helped out coaching every year. It was great, he is a good coach. Of course my mom was always cheering in the stands as well too. But, he would yell, “RIGHT DOWN THE PIPE!” and that would mean to throw it as hard as I could. In Little League this was often the best strategy, because speed of the pitch was directly correlated to how hard it was to hit. So against those tough batters it was best to let it rip. If you walked or hit them, so be it. Better than a hit. I remember an ump actually came to the mound once, and accused me of doctoring the ball, because he kept seeing strange movement on my pitches. Of course, I was not doctoring the ball, I was just super dope. Moving on though, I caught pretty much every game in Pony one year. Our team was lack of a catcher, and coach thought I could be good, so he went out and bought me a lefty catcher’s glove, something I have never seen before and maybe never will again. Not often that you see a lefty catcher. In fact, I never have seen a lefty catcher, save me. But, not to brag, I turned out to be a pretty good catcher. I played more first base as a younger player, basically because I could catch real well. As younger players, throws to first were often off target, so we needed a good glove at first. But, as throws became more accurate, I was better used at different positions. I played mostly second base in my career in Little League. I moved onto the outfield predominantly in high school ball, but also played outfield a lot in Little League. I was an all around player. Set me down in a position and I’ll be okay. I also have had my turn at coaching, as well as scorekeeping. My little sister Kelsey played softball for a couple years, before she inevitably quit, like everything else she does. But anyways, her team’s coach flipped out or something, and the next in line needed help, and I gave her some help. I do not exactly remember the whole situation, but I know I helped coach. I would definitely coach my son’s baseball team, like my dad did with me. Baseball is so great. But anyways, I think I mostly just helped keep the books for my sister’s team. I also did a lot of scorekeeping in high school. I actually enjoy keeping score, because it keeps you involved even if you are not playing, and you know exactly what is going on at all times. My sister’s team ended up winning a trophy for third place I believe, and I also received a trophy. So, if you catch a glimpse of my trophies, you will find one trophy with a girl on top, from my coaching days. So, on and off the field I have held many positions on baseball teams. |
| White Sox uniforms through the times |
      |
      |
|
| Must see baseball movies |
| Field of Dreams |
Arguably the greatest baseball movie of all time, and very well might be the best that ever will to come. Field of Dreams makes you love baseball all over again. It brings back the infamous “Black Sox” and the Reds team which won the 1919 World Series in which the “Black Sox” were accused of throwing. That “Black Sox” team was one of the most dominant teams in baseball history. The White Sox had won it all in 1917, and built up even stronger by the 1919 season. They were feared throughout the league, and were the only team left who could take down the Yankee empire. Anyways, Field of Dreams brings back this great White Sox team for the sake of pure fun baseball. It really brings a love of the game for what the game really is. The players are not blinded by contracts or money; they just play because they love to play baseball. The magic of baseball prevails with this classic movie everyone should see. It really gets you to respect and love the game all over again. |
| The Sandlot |
Not only an awesome baseball movie, but a must see for any kid. The Sandlot captures the baseball spirit of the neighborhood kids. They play everyday in their run-down sandlot no matter what, that is unless they do not have a ball, or enough money for a new one. The Sandlot has all the cool stuff kids do with their summer vacations (sleepovers, urban legends, and even fun at the pool), and brings back memories for those who have left their youth behind, and gives ideas to kids for their summers. |
| Bull Durham |
Classic baseball movie, although this one is not for kids. Very raunchy and crude at times; it is a man’s man’s movie. Baseball and women. Period. That is the basis for this movie. It also gives you a good picture of what it takes to get to the big leagues. It also parallels baseball with many aspects of life, such as religion. This makes for very interesting ideas and thoughts about baseball. Bull Durham is relatively new to me, in that I have only seen it once, over the summer of 2004, but I want to watch it again real soon, because it really is a great baseball movie. |
|
|
More to come...stayed tuned.
