HALLOWEEN AT THE BALLPARK!

Things will get spooky tonight when Jose Lima battles the Outlaws. Chico will be looking to continue their spell of dramatic victories.

Here are today's game notes:
http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F564/GAME NOTES29.doc

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Norm Hutchins DH
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Ryan Brown DH
7. Jason Crosland 1B
8. Bryan Silverman C
9. Jonny Ash 2B
SP - Jo Matumoto (4-3, 4.52 ERA)

LONG BEACH
1. Brandon Howard 2B
2. Johnny Kaplan RF
3. Omar Bramasco SS
4. Steve Moss LF
5. Napoleon Calzado 3B
6. Matt Edgecombe DH
7. Andy Bouchie C
8. Daryl Jones 1B
9. Josh Womack CF
SP - Ben Fox (3-5, 3.69 ERA) ...change of plans with Jose Lima

And that's Harry Caray. Who'd I'd dress up as for our Halloween Night at the Ballpark, but...I already imitate him for 4 hours a night, so...no need to go through the costume expense. I wrote a report freshman year in high school after Harry passed away, and my English teacher took points of for spelling "Caray" wrong. I spelled it correctly.

Check out ChicoOutlaws.com. There are mp3s in the game stories, and we'll have mp3s on the pre-game show. Had them yesterday, but the broadcast wasn't on for the first inning. Doh!

LATE LINEUPS

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins DH
7. Jason Crosland 1B
8. BJ Underkofler C
9. Jonny Ash 2B
SP - Mikael Ryder (3-0_2.76 ERA)

ST. GEORGE
1. Ryan Stevenson CF
2. Chase Leavitt LF
3. AJ Valentine 1B
4. Jose Rodriguez C
5. Cody Nowlin DH
6. Henry Calderon 3B
7. Gary Harris 2B
8. Eric Pringle SS
9. Yosvany Almario
SP - Luis Gonzalez (5-5, 5.20 ERA)

Mittwoch

We're speaking Deutsch today. Deutsch being German.

This is not my picture. But, it does a good job showing the rightfield line and all the big trees we have surrounding the field.

Here's the link to the game notes prepared for folks at the stadium. Left the office yesterday forgetting to link them off the server to the blog yesterday. Copy and paste link a new browser window.

http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F555/GAME NOTES27.doc

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins 1B
7. Ryan Brown DH
8. Justin Tellam C
9. Jonny Ash 2B
SP - Wayne Franklin (1-2, 4.43 ERA)

ST. GEORGE
1. Ruddy Yan LF
2. Chase Leavitt CF
3. AJ Valentine 1B
4. Jose Rodriguez DH
5. Angel Sanchez 3B
6. DJ Dixon C
7. Henry Calderon 2B
8. Eric Pringle SS
9. Yosvany Almario RF
SP - David Seccombe (6-2, 4.43 ERA)

It's hot...today.

CHICO LINEUPS
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins DH
7. Ryan Brown 1B
8. Justin Tellam C
8. Jonny Ash 2B
SP - Evan White (4-4, 4.87 ERA in 9 starts)

Sunday...so soon?

One week ago, at the time of my writing this, we had just wrapped up our five game series in Calgary. A reflective afternoon was spent in the Great White North as we geared up for travel day. Here's a picture of the Bow River that runs through Calgary, and snaked by our hotel. It literally was a 100 yard walk from the lobby to the banks of this fast flowing river. Canada was beautiful. This isn't the specific spot, but it sure as heck looks exactly the same.

Now, just a week later but for what seems like weeks later...we've got a big game at home in the heat of Northern California. Looking to win our first series in awhile today. The series itself has seen two great baseball games.

Here's today's game notes: (copy and paste in new browser window)

http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F554/GAME NOTES25.doc

CHICO (22-26)
1. Gailen RF
2. Swinford SS
3. Janeway CF
4. Cronin 3B
5. Mehl LF
6. Hutchins 1B
7. Crosland DH
8. Silverman C
9. Ash 2B
SP - Jo Matumoto (4-3, 4.43 ERA in 10 starts...)

YUMA
1. Rivadeniera 3B
2. Gomez SS
3. Rodriguez 1B
4. Villalobos RF
5. Castro 2B
6. Arroyo LF
7. Avila CF
8. Lozada DH
9. Del Rio C
SP - Ramirez

WE'RE BACK....

I think we're back on....8th inning , 4-4 tie....

time to win it again in the 8th....any confirmations we're rolling?

S-A-T-U-R D-A-Y ...NIGHT!

URGENT!!!AM TRYING TO CONTACT VISTANET NOW. The broadcast doesn't appear to be working tonight??!?!?!? Looks like the hosting website is not accessible??? I'm at a loss at what to do? I have no idea who or where that chicoonline site orginates from...I'll keep checking to see if the link comes back alive, and we canre-start the game then.

Here's a good shot at my office back here at home. The press box atop the Nett. It has an elevator, which is quite unique in the GBL. I think only Tucson has an elevator as well.

Looking for three in a row...here is the link to you game notes today: (copy and paste in a new browser)

http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F553/GAME NOTES24.doc

Lineups at the blog, and interviews for the pre-game today...6:45pm'ish for the start of the broadcast...

CHICO
1. Gailen RF
2. Swinford SS
3. Janeway CF
4. Mehl LF
5. Hutchins DH
6. Crosland 1B
7. Ash 3B
8. Silverman C
9. Luyben 2B
SP - Michael Martin (2-5, 6.96 ERA in 8 previous starts)

YUMA
1. Rivadeniera 3B
2. Gomez SS
3. Arroyo LF
4. Villalobos RF
5. Rodriguez 1B
6. Castro 2B
7. Avila CF
8. Balcazar C
9. Hernandez DH
SP - Correal (0-3, 8.77 ERA)

Tough Day...

Finally, we've returned to Chico. It was a long and wild trip, and changes have been made at the top today. Here's to a winning streak that lasts the whole homestand!

Here are today's game notes: (copy and paste link in a new browser window)
http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F552/GAME NOTES23.doc

Lineups coming soon...leaving the office right now...

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins DH
7. Jason Crosland 1B
8. BJ Underkofler C
9. Jonny Ash 2B
SP - Mikael Ryder (2-0, 2.85 ERA, 2nd start, 16th appearance)

YUMA
1. Deivis Rivadeneira SS
2. Adolfo Gomez 2B
3. Carlos Arroyo LF
4. Carlos Villalobos 3B
5. Reynaldo Rodriguez 1B
6. Ismael Castro DH
7. Diover Avila CF
8. Carlos Balcazar C
9. William Hernandez RF
SP - Julio Santiago (0-4, 13.2 IP in 5 starts)

Getaway Day - TO THE BEACH!

Here we are...final day in Fullerton until we returh August 10th. Mr. Alvarado has been in town since we arrived at LAX and he's certainly taken great care of me. Today, the day we have to kill some time after check-out of the motel, Mr. A called me up and said, "we're heading to the beach!".

Sure enough, the U.S. Open Championship of Surfing is taking place at Huntington Beach, and we got right down in the thick of it. Tons of people and tons of sunshine and great scenery. The ocean smells so amazing, and it was my first time in this big wide world's largest living organism since Thanksgiving 2006 in San Diego.

What a shot in the arm. Really turned around a so-so experience here in Fullerton. Now, all we need to do is get a WIN!! Guys taking BP right now...

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins DH
7. Bryan Silverman C
8. Ryan Brown 1B
9. Jonny Ash 2B
SP - Wayne Franklin

ORANGE COUNTY
1. Damian Jackson SS
2. David Bacani DH
3. Nick Guerra 2B
4. Julian Benavidez 3B
5. Jimmy Rohan 1B
6. Juan Senreiso RF
7. Travis Becktel CF
8. Jim Goethals C
9. Steve Boggs LF
SP - Mike Cosgrove

The Next Day...

Hello again everybody...it's Wednesday. A new day to start a new streak. Evan White to the mound, the back-to-back GBL All-Star is a good man to send to the mound for a bounce-back performance.

Above is a picture of me working during the Long Beach series. I enjoy the discussion here at the blog, even when it gets salty regarding the motel and the karma this team may or may not be carrying. This is an enjoyable outlet for me to share informalities with everyone and bring you all that little bit closer to the ballpark. Is there another team in the league that posts their lineup previous to the games for everyone to check in on?

Well, I've got another nugget to add to the fire regarding our peachy stay here in Orange County. The van company we'd leased out left us high and dry last night. The first group was taken to the hotel around 11pm, but that left 9 of us waiting outside the clubhouse for the van to return. A 15 minute, no traffic trip turned into an hour long wait and eventually the need for taxi's. Cash out of pocket on a long trip already...back to the hotel by 12:30 am.

Again...not complaining. That's just the story. The league on the whole has been fantastic regarding their treatment of the players and personnel. Take a look at "Playing for Peanuts" on YouTube. It's a documentary regarding the short-lived South Coast League that only operated in 2007 (and included our very own Blake Gailen). Just one episode into that show and you see stadiums with no clubhouses, showers, etc. Soooo....I don't think there's been a peep of complaint on a regular basis from yours truly...but a spade's a spade and I'll call it that. This is my outlet to talk with you folks informally, and what is...is.

I'll finish the stumping by saying, Vote Nader...and here's your lineups tonight: HA!

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Jonny Ash SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins DH
7. Jason Crosland 1B
8. BJ Underkofler C
9. Dan Luyben 2B
SP - Evan White (4-4, 4.86 ERA)

Here we are back in the United States, and in Fullerton, California. Goodwin Field is home to the very successful Cal State-Fullerton baseball team. They won the College World Series not too long ago. The Flyers manager Phil Nevin played here and won the Golden Spikes award, which is the Heisman of college baseball.

The trip has been alright. The motel is a pretty good distance from the ballpark. The last van, which I was on, didn't get to the ballpark today much before 5pm. The motel is also not the greatest. No internet, no shampoo...you get the idea.

But...it's time to get going on a winning streak. We play South division opponents until we return to Canada and play Edmonton in August. This is the third time we've matched up with Orange County. The Outlaws are 5-1 against the Flyers.

Lineups shortly...
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin 3B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Norm Hutchins DH
7. Bryan Silverman C
8. Ryan Brown 1B
9. Jonny Ash
SP - Jo Matumoto

SUNDAY FUN DAY

Final game here in Calgary this season...until we return for the playoffs....

Nice, sunny, spotty clouds, a breeze that is blowing somewhat cool.

CHICO
1. BLake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin DH
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Jason Crosland 1B
7. Bryan Silverman C
8. Dan Luyben 2B
9. Jonny Ash 3B
SP - Michael Martin

CALGARY
1. Fehlandt Lentini CF
2. Nelson Castro SS
3. Jorge Mejia 2B
4. Colin Moro RF
5. Caonabo Cosme 3B
6. Rick Guarno C
7. Drew Miller LF
8. Ivan Reyes 1B
9. Dillon O'Krane DH
SP - Joe Sergent

Freeeeee To Be Whatever I....

....Whatever I'd choose and I'll sing the blues if I want....

---- Noel Gallagher

Don't ask...We're double-dipping today in Calgary. Two 7 inning games. I predicted yesterday we will go extras in at least one of these contests. Time will tell. First pitch coming up in about an hour from now...5:05 MST.

Here are the lineups for Game 1:
CHICO
1. Dale Swinford SS
2. Jonny Ash 2B
3. Norm Hutchins DH
4. Shane Cronin 1B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Jason Crosland 3B
7. Bryan Silverman C
8. Matt DeJesus LF
9. Blake Gailen RF
SP - Wayne Franklin (0-2, 5.25 ERA)

CALGARY
1. Fehlandt Lentini CF
2. Nelson Castro SS
3. Jorge Mejia 2B
4. Colin Moro RF
5. Caonabo Cosme 3B
6. Drew Miller LF
7. Rick Guarno C
8. Ivan Reyes 1B
9. Dillon O'Krane DH
SP - Evan Greusel (5-1, 6.75 ERA)

Matinee Baseball

Here we are for an afternoon under the sun. And here's another picture of Foothills Stadium with McMahon Stadium in the background. Tonight, the Calgary Stampeders are hosting the Toroto Argonauts, and thus...we have the early game. Calgary won the Grey Cup last season and have begun the season 0-2, so it's an important game for them.

Back to what matters though...The Outlaws lost a heartbreaker last night. There won't be any flyballs lost in the twilight tonight though. We'll have to see if I can work on my computer as the afternoon soon sits right above the stadium.

Here are the lineups

CHICO
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin DH
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Ryan Brown 1B
7. Jason Crosland 3B
8. Bryan Silverman C
9. Dan Luyben 2B
SP - Evan White (4-3, 3.97 ERA)

CALGARY
1. Fehlandt Lentini CF
2. Nelson Castro SS
3. Jorge Mejia 2B
4. Colin Moro RF
5. Caonabo Cosme 3B
6. Drew Miller LF
7. Rick Guarno C
8. Ivan Reyes 1B
9. DIllon O'Krane DH
SP - Hideki Nagasaka (3-0, 6.63 ERA)

Second Half Starts....

Hey there folks. The second half of the season starts today with an important beginning to a 5 game set here in Calgary. Travel was good yesterday. I slept on both legs of the trip (shuttle to San Francisco/plane to Calgary) and it was a quick one. Got my own row of seats on the airplane as well.

There's a look at the stadium above. Foothills Stadium. It's right next door to McMahon Stadium, the home of the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders. Tomorrow we have a special matinee start, as there is a football game tomorrow at 7pm as well.

You can see the pressbox in the picture. The box hangs over the seats, and from the booth here, I am literally right on top of the action. Really cool. Feels like what I imagine Wrigley Field's press box is like. However, if I happen to fall out of the booth...it might be the end.

Calgary's more expensive than I would've thought. Big story in today's newspaper on how the Canadian Loonie has never been stronger against the US dollar. Exchange rate of $1.08....great. And did you know...Taco Bell serves french fries??? Me neither....

Here's the lineups. Tonight's first pitch is at 6:05 PST. Tomorrow's matinee will begin at 1:35 PST....

CHICO LINEUP
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Shane Cronin DH
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Ryan Brown 1B
7. Bryan Silverman C
8. Dan Luyben 2B
9. Jonny Ash 3B
SP - Jo Matumoto (4-2, 4.50 ERA)

Gimmie a ticket for an aeroplane...

CANADA...HERE COME THE OUTLAWS! After an All-Star break that saw our represenatives do well in St. George...the vans are heading to the San Francisco Airport before sunrise.

Can't wait. First time visiting a big Canadian city. I've been all over the world, and now adding this urban Canadian experience has got me excited. Brand new passport to break-in.

Weather should be nice and cool. Rain showers aren't in the forecast. It stays light out here in Chico for a longtime, but they say 10 p.m. and we'll have sunshine at the ballpark in Calgary.

Five games in four days in Calgary (known as The Stampede City), and then a return to Los Angeles. While we've ventured long and far on the bus in the first-half, this is our first true "two-stop" roadie. Three games in Fullerton, and then an overnight bus trip to get home for the opener of the homestand.

Unofficial stats on this trip:
July 15, 5 AM....until....July 24, 8 AM...
Miles covered: Over 3,000 miles
Countries: 2 Time Zones: 2
Flights: 3 or 4
Calgary Forecast : Sunny, highs range from 70-85F
Last leg: 500 mile bus trip. Fullerton, CA to Chico...500 miles...overnight

Rest, Rest, and ...more Rest...

Checking in with everyone. Got off the bus on Friday morning and have been on a 48 hour shutdown. My Cubs are playing their nasty rivals the Cardinals, and three of the four games this weekend have been on TV here in Chico. Watching game one of a doubleheader right now (Sunday afternoon).

Got to go to a ballpark as a fan last night. Went to see the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox. Lots of fun being just a fan in the bleachers. Good baseball game and a nice lakeside setting. They are a well run summer collegiate team, and of course, summer college woodbat baseball is where I got my start broadcasting baseball in Ohio last year.

Gearing up for the second-half. It's nice we've got an even 38 and 38 split, games-wise. Multiple trips to Canada in the second half, and that's exciting. I've been canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Canada (across the border from Minnesota), but never been to a Canadian city. Airplanes instead of buses, wa-hoo!

Lots of loose ends to tie up the next two and a half days before we hit the road for the San Francisco airport Wednesday morning. We're going to have our commercials back, along with player voicers, and bumper music. New computer, new half of the season, new ballparks...and a broadcast that'll strive to improve on all the first-half lessons learned.

So to close...some first-half one-liner highlights: Seeing my immediate family in Long Beach...Breakfast stops in Palm Springs...Walking through the campus and my old neighborhood in Tucson...Cadaret arguing after our bus was parked-in during a final stop of a return trip...Border Patrol boarding bus beyond Brawley...waiting on a slow train to cross 22nd Ave. en route to the ballpark, Tucson...late night burrito run in St. George...driving through Vegas with Gailen as tour guide...Best Movie: "Anchorman"...Worst Movie: whatever Katt Williams stand-up DVD we watched on the final leg of a Tucson marathon trip...Yuma was too hot...lightning storm in St. George, our only delay all season long...

Long Beach Opener

CHICO LINEUP
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dan Luyben 2B
3. Truan Mehl CF
4. Ryan Brown 1B
5. Shane Cronin 3B
6. Jason Crosland DH
7. Matt DeJesus LF
8. BJ Underkofler C
9. Jonny Ash SS
SP - Donald Brandt

LONG BEACH LINEUP
1. Josh Womack CF
2. Omar Bramasco SS
3. J.J. Sherrill DH
4. Daryl Jones 1B
5. Napoleon Calzado 3B
6. Andy Bouchie C
7. Jonny Kaplan RF
8. Casey Garrison LF
9. Steve Young 2B
SP - Hideki Irabu

Whew! Time To Get Back To The Park

Well...it was a nice and relaxing holiday weekend. After our firework theatrics on Friday night, I sat inside all day long and relaxed on Saturday, no joke. Did absolutely nothing...

Now though, we're here in Los Angeles not for the first time, but we are stopping and playing for the first time. The 8 hour ride seemed like a mere shuttle compared to the trips we have been on. Left after midnight and got here a little after 8 a.m.

Have the Michael Jackson service on the TV right now. Long Beach is hosting a Michael Jackson Tribute Night at the ballpark tonight, so that'll be interesting to see.

Excited to be here in LA. I've been here on vacation a half-dozen times my lifetime over, and there's something special about this city. It's overcast and cool for starters, so that's nice. Still haven't seen the ocean my entire time here in California, can't see it from the hotel.

My brother and his wife, as well as my Dad are coming to Long Beach tomorrow. They happen to be converging in San Diego for a wedding, so I'm real excited for that. I haven't seen my brother since October. Can't wait.

Here's a picture of Blair Field here in Long Beach. Many folks around the league have whispered this is their favorite setting for baseball in the league. Excited to check it out. They say the "roof" part of the grandstand can contribute to a noisy, boisterous atmposphere.

FRIDAY FIREWORKS!

Holy cow! We are expecting a jammed-to-the-hilt crowd at The Nett tonight. Can't wait to see it and hear it.

Here is a link to the Game Notes file for today:
http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F534/GAME NOTES22.doc

Did a lot of people have trouble with the clarity of last nights broadcast? I've had a couple of comments. Just wondering if the experience was user-wide...

CHICO LINEUP
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dale Swinford SS
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Jason Crosland 1B
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Bryan Silverman DH
7. Dan Luyben 2B
8. BJ Underkofler C
9. Jonny Ash 3B
SP - Jo Matumoto (3-2, 4.95 ERA)

EDMONTON LINEUP
1. Marcus Nettles LF
2. Kevin House CF
3. Darryl Brinkley RF
4. Joey Gomes 1B
5. Norm Hutchins DH
6. Chad Ehrnsberger 3B
7. Matt Ceriani C
8. Max Poulin SS
9. Mitch Graham 2B
SP - David Moraga (0-1, 7.88 ERA)

THURSDAY LINEUP

CHICO LINEUP
1. Blake Gailen RF
2. Dan Luyben 2B
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Bryan Silverman C
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Gabriel Riley DH
7. Ryan Brown 1B
8. Darrick Hale 3B
9. Jonny Ash 3B
SP - Evan White (4-2, 3.60 ERA)

EDMONTON LINEUP
1. Marcus Nettles
2. Max Poulin
3. Darryl Brinkley RF
4. Norm Hutchins DH
5. Joey Gomes 1B
6. Jorge Cortes CF
7. Chad Ehrnsberger 3B
8. Aaron Hornastaj 2B
9. Matt Ceriani C
SP - Lou Pote (3-0, 1.37 ERA)

My My, It's July...A Look Back

A new Outlaw to tell you about...Wayne Franklin has been signed and will start tonight on the mound against the Edmonton Capitals. Check out chicooutlaws.com for the story.

Here is a link to today's game notes: Copy and paste...
http://www.goldenbaseball.com/Files/F533/GAME NOTES20.doc

CHICO LINEUP
1. Dale Swinford SS
2. Dan Luyben 2B
3. Rich Janeway CF
4. Bryan Silverman DH
5. Truan Mehl LF
6. Jason Crosland 1B
7. Blake Gailen RF
8. BJ Underkofler C
9. Jonny Ash 3B
SP - Wayne Franklin

EDMONTON LINEUP
1. Marcus Nettles LF
2. Max Poulin SS
3. Darryl Brinkley RF
4. Jorge Cortes 1B
5. Joey Gomes DH
6. Aaron Hornastaj 2B
7. Chad Ehrnsberger 3B
8. Matt Ceriani C
9. Kevin House CF
SP - Trevor Caughey (0-1,)

And here is a picture of the special Green Bay Packer inspired jerseys the Outlaws will be donning tonight. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Chico Young Life organization. Email bids early in the evening will be accepted...



Hey Folks…our final TV game tonight, and what a special night. Aaron Rodgers will be our honorary guest of the Outlaws. The starting quarterback for the storied Green Bay Packers, Rodgers is returning home to Chico and coming out to the ballyard to raise money for Chico Young Life. The Outlaws will wear special green-and-gold uniforms (pictures promised), and they will be auctioned off after the ballgame for the fundraiser. Email bidding accepted…

The TV crew from Comcast HomeSports will be here, marking today as a special broadcast. The night will be captured on camera, and the whole crew does an awesome job. Fred and the crew of half-a-dozen arrive at the ballpark about 4 p.m., and by five, they’ve created a spiderweb of cables all around the ballyard. They have six cameras combing The Nett and a TV monitor in my booth!! So exciting!

As we’ve gotten to our third month, I’m ready to conclude that being on the road is quite the grind and the dog days of summer are ahead of us. Yes, the hotel rooms are calm places to work/relax. However, the days spent on the bus, getting near 10,000 miles, is starting to show. I don’t see how the players do it. I’ve seen some sleeping on the floor, some pool-rafts turned air-mattresses, a lot of Ben Shockey’s feet, too many action movies, and every mile on the Grapevine ten times.

The road though seems like a place to focus. The bus to the ballpark is a regimented time of the afternoon, and a routine of “I’ll get up for breakfast at 8 a.m. or not” is a decision to be made. I’ve loved all the cities I’ve gotten to visit so far, especially Tucson. I appreciate the travel as part of my overall job experience, and really enjoyed catching up with a previous host family, the Lauer’s in Yuma. They hosted me for six weeks during an internship with the GBL operated 2009 Arizona Winter League, and I ate way too many great stakes and porkchops not to be thankful.

Just sitting in a seat for 10+ hours is difficult. The bus is comfortable and our exclusive driver Art Gonzales is awesome. But, the miles have piled up. Coping is all about an Ipod, a newspaper, and some agreeability with whatever flick is not just showing, but shaking the bus-speaker above your head with all of 2009 action-movie, gun-firing sound-effects…at 2 a.m. or 8 a.m.

I don’t complain though. I feel very much a part of the traveling party, and enjoy the travel and spectacle of the different baseball cities we’ve gotten to go to..

So…We will have our last TV game and then get all the DVD copying together so folks (like myself) outside the Comcast customership can review the games. Great artifacts for a 2009 summer. We thank the Yuba City crew for traveling up the Hwy. 99 to work with us. No better time to start a hot-streak. The weather is going to remain a little bit on the cooler side of the 90 degree C mark, and the Outlaws will look to even the series.