Talking baseball

Good morning! Cupcake is in the house! That's right...my little fairy god daughter is hanging out with Tink and Diva dog while her momma, Buttercup returns to school to become an interior decorator. Let me tell, ya...she can begin here in this house.....Ok, what's up? Not much....although every time I say the word "Cupcake" to speak to the baby, I get a powerful urge to bite into a vanilla vanilla cupcake...just sayin'...the power of suggestion.....

How are things in the mountains? Well, hmmmm......Today the team has a home game which will be broadcasted nationally. Yes, this is true. The team is 6-21 and they will be on television. Buddy has not pitched in over ten days yet I know that he will be on the mound today...rusty....perhaps unable to find the plate....OR maybe he will surprise all of us and just mow them down.

Why hasn't he pitched in so long? It seems that the coach does not have a plan of action. When someone does not pitch in a game, he should be in the gym or pitching cage throwing as if he was in a game. But since the guys do not know when they will be placed in any game, they can't pitch in between because you should only throw full force twice at week at the most. Otherwise, they will ruin their arms. With that said, none of the guys can pitch their bullpens unless they start the game. The other guys sit there watching the grass grow wondering if they passed their Botany tests.

Watching this from a parent's perspective is frustrating. Thinking that he signed on for a decent team with coaches who would develop his talent was wrong. They are not doing what they promised. I am not sure why. Perhaps they do not have the tools to translate what they know to their players. After all, to coach well means that you have to be able to communicate fundamentals, expectations, and standards. These hitters cannot even bunt which is one of the easiest things to do. The batter squares, turns the bat, and just nicks the ball so that it drops a few feet away from the catcher...then he

runs...these guys run then square up.....again....huh?

Ah....it's all about learning. They are learning.....they are learning what to do and how to advocate for themselves. Dad and I are not involved. The coaches would not know us if they fell on top of us in the rest room.

Although Dad has made one suggestion each day for the last three years....talk to the coaches. That's it. If he wants answers...if he wants coaching...if he wants advice...he cannot use his non existent powers of mental telepathy. He has to formulate sentences and open his mouth. Then he has to politely ask the coach for assistance in developing his skills. Does that make sense that he has to ask? Well, he does.....sadly....Until he asks, he will remain in the bullpen, rusty, dull, and unable to strike anyone out. Is that what the coaches want? I don't know...ask them.....

Later....

Pre-game preparation

Monday, Monday, Monday! Hey....it's Monday!

During the last post, I shared with you about the Coach's attempt to stop the losing streak. He suggested that each player go to the bars on the main street and get drunk....but be home by curfew. Still scratching my head about that suggestion, the guys jumped at the chance and ran to the nearest watering hole. I guess that they had a really good time and toasted to their losing streak. I really don't know since I wasn't there as I returned home without even seeing my son. Not even a photo opportunity....nothing....

And so, yesterday, they won.....OK, before we jump up and down and call Joe Torre and Charley Manual about this new type of game preparation, let's look at who pitched against them.....This guy had an ERA of 7.75. So, it's not like they were going against Steven Strasburg. They were going against a guy who had a pulse and was thrown out there onto the mound.

Although they won the game easily, they still had three errors. In fact, I am surprised they could see the ball at all. I talked with the big kid today....actually he spoke to me since I did not offer any words of wisdom. He just wanted to chat. He reported that some of the guys were so drunk that they were vomiting in the dugout during yesterday's game. Further, their heads were splitting....the coach then suggested after the game, that the guys make this their pre-game ritual from now on....

With that, I just can't comment. Buddy reported that he drank too much and was not really in a good way prepared to go into the game. Naturally, he never made it into the game.

Is all this great coaching or major stupidity....what is the saying....."What good is it to gain the world but lose your soul?" Perhaps that is a bit dark, but the sentiment is there. Suggesting that these undergraduates should alleviate their anxiety with alcohol is a great disservice. They are young and naive....this can come back and haunt all of them.

Do I imbibe? You betcha....but I joke about it more than anything else. Granted, there are days when a glass of merlot will do the trick....but these days are rare. After all, we are big people who can control our urges. The younger guys have to develop tools to deal with their stress. Suggesting that liquor will do it is mind boggling.....

And so, I will continue to watch from the bleachers and work with the only person on the team that I may be able to influence.....Let's just say that this one is not over....not yet.....nope....

Don't take my granola bar

It is a beautiful Sunday in the northeast and Tink and I are recovering after our epic trip to and from the mountains to watch a game yesterday.

Let's start with the specifics...with Weight Watchers 360 program, there are no Skittles on the menu so we brought Easter malt balls and  pretzel M&M's instead...

After driving three hours to the stadium, we were met at the box office with no tickets. That's right. According to the ticket agent, the big leftie forgot to leave us tickets (again)...now that this guy knows us, he just hands them to us and I make a face like I am gonna kill the big guy......

Tink and I are known for bringing our own granola snacks to the stadium. After all, I honestly cannot eat a hot dog or dry soft pretzel. So we bring our Kashi bars and wait for the 6th inning to eat them. Yet, one of the students who was manning the gate decided to go through my bag of contraband and tell me to get rid of my granola bars because nothing extra is allowed in the stadium! Nothing, eh...what if I needed insulin for diabetes? How about nitroglycerin of I have chest pain? Valium for anxiety? My rosary? Come on, dude...it's a granola bar. "No ma'm...league rules..." Really, a granola bar is on the list of contraband items? I was allowed to keep my orange Tic Tacs.


I knew already that this would not be a good game. So Tink and I switched our seats to a more sunny spot thinking that we could offer better mo jo....Nope.....and here is what happened.....

The team is on a 13 game losing streak. That's right. They have not won a game since they returned from Texas. I have sat through Bad News Bear baseball all season.....

Buddy has gotten into a handful of games and has not had great success like he had freshman year. Of course, the coach waits until bases are loaded with no outs, does not let him warm up and tells him to throw strikes....OK, what's wrong that that picture? I'll tell you...it is what happened in Ohio. They would not pitch him for a week, place him in the outfield and as he settles comfortably into the quiet of the night, they wake him, and tell him to strike the next three batters out. An amazing feat if you can do it....

An so, granola bar-less, Tink and I proceed to watch a game where there were more errors than runs. In fact, the infield had at least 7 errors......only 3 were recorded are were by the short stop but nonetheless, the errors were plentiful (unlike my granola bars). The fundamentals are missing from the team and according to the guy who was sitting behind me: "embarrassing..."

 

Tink and I made it through the game as we watched yet another loss and waited for the kid to join us. I was thinking about taking him to dinner for a steak and give him the contact lenses that he needed as well as the baked french toast that I brought for the guys....yet.....the coaches had another idea....

Immediately after the game, I asked him about dinner and his reply was.....you're gonna love it.....

"Mom, the coaches told us to go to the bars and relax and get back to our houses early....I can't join you. I am going to the bars with the guys....."

Hmmmm....yes, indeed. We are on the longest losing streak in history and the coaches suggest the guys get drunk...toasted....lit...inebriated.....sloppy drunk....but be home early for curfew.....OK and Mom and Tink who drove and brought goodies for the guys should go their merry way 'cause Dr. Coach prescribes vodka and cranberry juice for what ails them.....

How can I be "PC"? I guess that I can't so here is my rant....you have a losing team....they don't even know the fundamentals of the sport and I have not seen any swagger or confidence in weeks, so you send them to a bar? Yep...that's all I have to say on this one.

Not having the words to properly express myself, Tink and I got into the car and drove down the mountain. First, I stopped at a sandwich shop that had a big banner "Best sandwiches in the northeast." I was going to treat Tink to the best sandwich ever. Sadly, this shop was closed....so down the mountain we rolled with a granola bar in our hands. No one took it from us and it did not cause us to act silly or speed. In fact, it was just what the doctor ordered....have a great day!

Who's the leader?

Good morning! The sun is out and the weather looks like it is going to warm up to a balmy 48 degrees. No complaints....just chilly....

Yesterday I had the privileged of cleaning out my desk of all of the mouse droppings left from earlier this month. When I was the chair of the department, not only did I create and manage the budget and staffing, but I also set the mouse traps and actually captured three of them, ridding the office of these creatures. However, my predecessor seems to like the little guys, so they have made a home in my desk drawer. Anyway, after donning a mask, gloves, glasses, and a hat, I pulled the drawers out and took them to the outside. There I disposed of everything from pens to empty wrappers to mouse poo. Then I used the clorox towels and let is dry. There you go...done....on my way out in my haz mat attire, I noted the student worker whom we pay to assist faculty and staff was sitting at an empty desk studying for her test as I cleaned the drawers.....I tried to be quiet so that I did not disturb her....after all, how many of us get paid to do our own work on the job? Just sayin'.....

On to the big kid....oye....the team is now 5-19. That's not a good record. He's salty especially after sitting on a bus to and from Ohio without getting into the game. The team had one hit in nine innings. Ouch....three errors...double ouch.....

And so, dad came home and asked me the question: "What would you do if you were the coaches?"
What would I do, indeed? Yeah...what would I do?.....Hmmmmm...

First, I would never call any of my players 'psycho' with a snear and expel gas into his face.
Second, I would sit down all of the starters on the bench for at least two games.
Third, we would start at fundamentals and work our way up to the more advanced concepts like bunting or stealing bases.
Fourth, I would get the sports psychologist in there to talk to the guys 'cause they are down in the mouth.
Fifth, I would never yell...'cause that does not work. People remember that you yelled and not what you said. A coach has to be a teacher....

Speaking of teachers, the Rutgers basketball coach was fired for some of his strong armed tactics. People are calling him a bully with the way that he spoke and treated his players. Not too many people understand that often coaches have no idea how to speak to their players. They are products of the game and just because they were good players, does not mean that they can communicate expectations. Buddy's coaches suffer from the inability to get their points across without being crass or using profanity. The players want to play but they are constantly humiliated by their coaches and leaders. It's not a good system. Yet, as long as the team is winning, then the coach is safe. Now that Buddy's team is on the skids, there may be an issue with the coaches' employment.

The team has everything a team could want as far as facilities, equipment, and uniforms are concerned. They have a state of art scoreboard, spacious stadium, and super extras. They fly to most of their games and their food stipends are more than sufficient. And so, after this season of losing, I would hope that the coaches will have an evaluation by the athletic director who should scrutinize their recruiting strategies and methods of coaching.

It seems to me that coaching is more than putting the right player in the right spot. It is the ability to motivate and lead. A good coach can move a player to do more than he ever thought possible.

After Saturday's loss,  Tink and I sat in the empty stadium waiting for the big kid to stop running in the outfield. The rest of the guys went home. What does that say to you?

Now, he is making plans for the summer. He has convinced dad to send him to Houston to some sort of program that will teach the player to add 5 miles per hour to their fast balls. At 88 mph now, he could top 90+ this time next year. However, it is not the coaches who have talked about this camp, he found out by himself....will fund it....will live in Texas for a month and improve on his own.

Time to look at who the real leader is on this team and stop breaking wind in his face.....

What's in drawer number 1?

Good morning! Hey...it's April and cold....time to wake Mother Nature from her nap. I am so tired of wearing a heavy coat, that I decided not to yesterday AND paid the price. I guess that I cannot defy the weather. No one can....although I did try.

So, whazzup? Hmmm...not much. The guys leave today at 11 am for one game in Ohi-ooooo. The game is at 6 pm and they will probably return home in the wee hours of the morning, knowing that their 8 am class looms large. As a college professor, I DO see when students sleep in my class. One student's eyes would roll to the back of her head when she was going down. At first, I thought that she was having a seizure, then I realized that my witty teaching banter was not enough to keep her going. Another student rather than sleeping, which he did on several occasions, would play games on his iPad or surf the Internet. Once he placed his head phones in his ears and listened to music. Offended? Sure. But guess who barely eeked through the class? On hindsight, I should have sent him packing, but it is his money and if he wants to sit in a class, be bored, not listen nor get anything out of the discussion, then he wastes his money. Also, I know deep down that I am torturing him more than he is torturing me. I am not into revenge, but he was miserable each week....especially when I asked him to comment on some vague and confusing concept.....

Sorry, I have to stop smiling now....just the thought of my teaching being used to waterboard international spies is something that I have never considered. But I am sure that many of my students think that they are being tortured unnecessarily. After all, they are earning their college degree. I do not give it to them for free. If it was so easy, then everyone would have one. Yet, about 1/3 of the nation holds a bachelor's degree. I guess this population would rather have root canals than listen to one of my lectures....

Enough about me. I do have a few meetings to attend today. It's a never ending battle as I catch up on work, attend a meeting and drop back into a hole....

By the way, I believe that I have to clean the mouse excrement out of my work desk today. Yeah, let me tell you this story....my former assistant always gave me candy as a gift. But I never ate it and placed it in my desk for a rotten day. Since I work at home 90% of the time, I forgot about the candy.

Two weeks ago (don't judge me) while I was at work, I finally opened my desk drawer to retrieve a note pad. Guess what I found? That's right....remnants of a full and happy mouse or mouse family and the candy wrappers. What did I do? Well, I closed the drawer and asked if housekeeping would clean it out. Sadly, they don't clean mouse doo-doo out of personal desk drawers. So, I decided that I had to do it myself. I bought Clorox wipes, a plastic bag ('cause I don't care what is in the drawer, it could be my credit card....but it is getting tossed), and gloves. As I was about to embark on cleaning the desk out, a friend told me to wear a mask. Ooops. I don't have one. So, she thought I should tape a Bounty paper towel onto my face.

Let's consider that one. I looked at her and was surprised that she did not suggest that I staple a piece of paper to my ears. Sheeesh.....so, I did not clean the drawer out last week since I needed the mask. So, the drawer remained closed. Later in the day, I received a neat card from a student thanking me for not boring her in class and opened the second drawer of my desk to store it. Guess what? Mickey Mouse had attacked my toothbrush (ew) and toothpaste (double eew). He/she ate through the tube of toothpaste leaving half of the tube and eating the contents of my Crest toothpaste (super whitener). Yeah....I closed that drawer too.

Now all of this mouse poo has a silver lining to it. One of my colleagues was feeling blue and out of sorts. In order to cheer her up and say life could be worse, I brought her into my office, opened the drawers and watched her laugh until she cried. Yeah, I am glad that someone is laughing about this, 'cause today is the day when I have to clean it. And yes, everything in those drawers will be deposited into the dumpster. I wish that I could also put the drawers in there too, but it is work's desk not mine. So I have to take care of it.

What will I find when I finally don my mask and gloves? I don't know, but I do know that I am not going to eat anything before or after this project. Time for me to tackle the mouse....I happen to know that this is NOT in my job description....Have a great day, 'cause I have a feeling that I am not going to....

Rally Time

Good morning! I hope that the weekend left you refreshed and ready for the week. We had the family stop by for a few hours to eat, drink, and be merry. Did I mention eat? Yep...that's what we did and what I continue to do until I come to my senses again. After yesterday, I believe that I am a food addict and need a 12 step program to overcome the addiction to vanilla vanilla cake. Yum!

So, how is the big kid? Well, we listened to the game yesterday and he did not get into it. In fact, they 'road' LW until the 8th inning when his fast ball was in the 70's and the other team tee-d off on it. The score was tied until then...then pop...pop...pop....loss...again.....

How many losses? Sadly, they have not won since the Texas trip although they were close in a few. Let's just say that this is not a winning season and there will be no play offs this year. Buddy called yesterday dejected and just begging for a win. Hey, don't talk to me about it....although if you want my opinion....here it comes...

From my limited vantage point, they lost 3 guys to the major leagues at the end of last season and some of their leaders. The guys need someone that will push them and motivate them to go beyond their comfort point. I think that they have become accustomed to losing. I suggested that the big leftie step up but his comment was that the guys generally tell him to shut up. So, rather than face their wrath, he puts on his cap, sneakers, and running shorts and runs in the outfield for 20 minutes after practice. Yes, I said "after"...he believes like I do that actions speak louder than words. As St. Francis of Assisi says (and believe me, I am NOT comparing the big kid to a saint....heaven forbid) "Preach the gospel and when necessary use words...." In other words, be there...role model....work hard....people will notice your actions rather than some lame words.

"nuff said...I have to figure out how to stop eating in a hurry....any help would be most welcome.....gotta run...or should I say 'waddle?'
 
Later!

Hoppy Easter

Hoppy Easter! It's a wonderful day in the northeast. Yeah, a little overcast with the promise of rain....but who cares...it's Easter and the BP extended family are on their way....late...but on their way.

So, what's going on? Well, I dropped my 11 year old SUV with 172,000 miles on it in Buddy's driveway at school. How did it get there? Did I take the Mega Bus home? Nope....it boiled down to me trusting our Tink to follow me closely on the turnpike and through the mountains. Yep, we had a caravan yesterday as I sweated this one for three hours. She did great! But I have to say, I was a nervous wreck. it's not an easy trip and I needed her to step up and she did! We stopped a few times to re-group and buy some Skittles and Starbucks....then we got there in time to see a game.

The temperature was mild yet I was perspiring in my team attire. After all, it's always freezing at those games. ....but first....Tink and I stopped at the leftie's house to drop off the perishable food that I brought. While there, I knew that I had to remove the long johns so I made the journey up to his bedroom....does the word "ew" say anything to you? Well, that's all I could think of as I toured the house. It's pretty gruesome. The walls are banged up and in....the bathroom floor has so much dirt in it that I could take a swab of it and grow multiple strains of bacteria that could be and could not be identified. They have their own germ farm in that place. I guess you expect it with guys who have two jobs....going to school and  playing baseball. When do they have time to clean? Dunno....crazy though. I would never sit down nor take my shoes off in there....ever....ever...I mean it....never....

On to the game.....may I say that with the beautiful day, I did not care if the kid made it into the game or not. True....I loved sitting in the sun and watching a pretty good game, so there was no worries as to whether he got in or not.

Yet, as you know, I am BP mom and always wait until he makes an appearance in the game. So, we watched, and watched....watched some more...hey...who is warming up? Rats...a right hander....watch the game...watching....the righty is in trouble....can't close out the game....they go to....Yahoo!

Here is what happened. The starting pitcher made it through 7 innings and they called a senior right hander in. By the top of the 10th inning he had two outs, but could not close the deal, let a run score to take the lead, and walked the next two batters. When he faced another and threw a ball....who was brought into the game? That's right...top of the tenth inning ....he runs in and his name and face are put on the jumbo tron.....the only problem is that they misspelled the name...now I am calling him the Rodney Dangerfield of the team...he gets no respect....none whatsoever. But at least he made it into the game.

He battled with the hitter until the count was 3-1....threw his slider and jammed the kid....he popped it up and the inning was over. Yep, we waited ten innings, traveled three hours, watched the game and he threw 3 pitches to end the game. Another good day......as his confidence makes a return.

I was grateful that the guy made it into the game and we were able to see him. He seems happy and thrilled to have the car. With that said, it's time to prepare for the onslaught of the masses. I can listen to this afternoon's game on the computer as we delve into the malted eggs, Hershey kisses, and chocolate bunnies. Weight Watchers is not going to like this one.