Playing with a Purpose

photo by: Jim Addis

Express 4 (8-6)

Mallards 8 (8-5)

When I left my last post, I was on the bus ride back from Battle Creek about to go to sleep. These buses are a major upgrade from the yellow school bus, or “The Big Cheese,” we rode last year in The Valley League, but nonetheless, it is still hard to sleep on them. I can never get comfortable; the awkward headrests and lack of legroom always equals no sleep for me. On the past two road trips, Niko Fraser (Elon) and Justin Parr (Illinois) have shown me the best way to sleep on a bus- in the aisle, on the ground. You might think, “Ew, that’s so gross…Do you know who has stepped there before?” but I promise Mom, I will wash my pillowcase, so it’s all good. Despite occasionally being kicked in the face by a teammate, sleeping on the floor is by far the best way to sleep on a bus. I slept the last three hours of the trip and only got kicked in the face once.

Entering today, I had played three games at home and gone hitless in all three. It was about time to turn that around. My first at bat, I hit one to the warning track- getting closer. Second at bat, weak fly out to center. Third at bat, after being blown away by a 2-1 fastball, the pitcher came right back with it and I was fortunate to connect. I hit the ball hard, and being helped by some 30 mph wind gusts to right, my ball bounced off the scoreboard in right center for my first hit at home. I learned something today- the fans at Madison really love the longball. It was a packed house on a Tuesday night and the fans erupted. The bomb put the team up 5-0, and when I got back in the dugout our bat boy looked at me with big eyes and said, “Andrew, you just got us custard!” Everytime the Mallards score five at home, the fans can go to Culver’s after the game to get free frozen custard. It was such a cool experience. 

Jumpy Garcia (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) is a fan favorite in Madison 1) because his name is Jumpy and 2) because he drops bombs. He also had a big fly on the night, moving his total to three on the year.

After the game we signed autographs, which has not gotten old yet (and probably never will). One man approached me and asked if I had hit the homerun to right field during the game. I said yes and he asked me if I could sign the ball for his 3 year old son. That was such a cool gesture by him and I did it with delight! I also stayed up and talked to my host dad, who coaches baseball, for over an hour.

Tomorrow we have our first skills camp for the younger kids. Don’t make us out to be angels just yet…we do get a small amount for coaching at the camp :). I plan on using the money to replace my old, worn-down workout headphones. We have one more game with Eau Claire before going to Green Bay on Thursday. We still stand in second place, but I am sensing a winning streak coming up.

aB