Hail on the Orioles

 

The view from 332
OPACY, Baltimore, MD
April 16, 2022

Happy Easter!

The sun is shining although, at 46 degrees, it is a bit cool this Easter morning. 

Last evening Chris and I attended an Orioles game. It was our first Orioles game in two years! I have to admit it felt good to be back at Pickles before the game and then to enter the stadium to see the team. We ate a pork sandwich from Boog's before the game and even had seats in the section where I used to have season tickets.

Looking Out of the Tunnel at the Hail Storm
OPACY, Baltimore, MD
April 16, 2022

The game suffered a rain delay before beginning--it was not much of a storm, that was to come later in the evening. The weather radar was not kind to the Orioles on this Springtime evening. After securing a 2-0 lead, I experienced something that I have never experienced before at an MLB game--a true hail storm. 

Walk to the Car
Baltimore, MD
April 16, 2022

The hail continued for some minutes and actually collected on the field, then it turned to rain and dampened our spirits. We waited for a break in the action, as it was getting late, and made our dash for the car--which was parked about 3/4 mile away--a distance we covered in less than 15 minutes.

We did not run as the rain, fortunately, held off. 

The Orioles ultimately lost momentum, likely due to the rain, and then lost the game 2-5 to the visiting team from the North, whose name will remain unwritten. 

It was good to be back in the park and, I have to admit, there was not a COVID-19 related mask in sight--all night. It was like old times (OK, it was like 2019): the Orioles losing a baseball game and no one seemingly concerned about a pandemic.

Again--Happy Easter to all. May you enjoy the blessings of this special day wherever you are. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Return to the Ball Park

 

Roger Dean Stadium
Nationals vs Cardinals
Jupiter, FL
March 25, 2022

I took the opportunity to celebrate the end of the MLB Lock-out by attending a Spring Training game yesterday. It was a beautiful day for baseball and I went to Roger Dean Stadium right here in Jupiter, Florida. Well, the stadium is really in Abacoa with a Jupiter mailing address. 

Although the thermometer said 73 degrees, sitting in the sun it felt more like 80. It was, therefore, a beautiful baseball day. The interesting thing about the game was that both teams were dressed in red jerseys and that made it a bit difficult to track who was on base and where they were. The players were a sea of red everywhere. The difference was the pants: white for the Cardinals or gray for the Nationals.

The game was close--5-4 with the Cardinals winning, but the real winner was me. I attended the game with three friends and we enjoyed a baseball game in warm temperatures. The stadium was not full and amazingly, the parking was free in a downtown Abacoa parking garage. The parking was even better because the car was out of the sun and not roaring hot when I returned after the game. 

Baseball and sun. Wow!

Another great Florida day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Sky

 

Final Light of the Day
Severn, MD
November 4, 2021

The Severn Seminoles 14U conducted their final practice of the Fall Ball season last evening. Almost as if to wish the team well, the sky provided a stunning display as sunset happened.

I took a moment and captured the display in the sky across the sandy infield. It was cold and as the sun continued below the horizon the temperature dropped with it. I think the boys were luckier in that they were at least moving the entire evening. Coaching and not moving around much made it colder. My toes even grew cold.

The practice moved along well with the boys fine tuning some of our plays, but with the cold and the recognition that the end of the season is upon us, it was a bit hard to keep them focused. I understood, I had trouble staying focused upon the plays and the practice and not how cold I was even with four layers of clothing.

The season ending doubleheader is Saturday against two 15U teams. Should be an interesting and fun day of baseball. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Game 6

Will it end tonight?

The World Series is an exciting slug fest. I wonder if the Astros can stave off defeat in their home park and force a game 7. There really is not much more exciting in sports than a Game 7 of a 7-game series to decide the champion. It brings everything into play. There is no tomorrow and the teams throw everything and everyone into the game. In baseball I have seen starting pitchers come in a relievers to help win the Game 7. 

I will likely stay up late to watch the game, but probably not all the way to the end. I get up too early in the morning to see the ending of evening sporting events. 

I hope the Braves win!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rain

 Today is a washout.

It is supposed to rain all day and into the evening which will effectively rainout the ballgame scheduled for tomorrow because youth fields do not drain. The water puddles and the field becomes a muddy mess. It can take days to dry out. 

If that happens, it appears we will be playing Tuesday night as a make-up.

The youth baseball season is ending, just as the MLB season is ending. Winter is on the horizon--but, at least I will be wintering in Florida and enjoying the sun and sand instead of the clouds and snow! I had heard, however, in contrast to the woolly worm prediction that I posted during August, that the winter in the Mid-Atlantic region is supposed to be mild!

But today--rain!

A cold Autumn rain that portends the Winter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fall Classic

The final MLB games, there are at most 5 remaining, of the season are being played. The series is ties 1-1 between Atlanta and Houston. Each of the games thus far have been full of offense. I am not believing that there will be a 1-0 or 2-1 final score in the series. These teams can hit!

I wish the Severn Seminoles 14U could hit! The team came up short in a game last evening against Crofton 6-4. And it was close, we had the bases loaded and were poised to tie the game when the final out was recorded on a solid play from the outfield.

The fortunes of the Seminoles are a series of painfully close losses. The boys are in every game, but just fall a few runs short. There are three games remaining on the season and I expect that they may soon break out and get back onto their winning ways. 

And the World Series will be over soon as well--and then it is a baseball hiatus until the Spring, when we get to do it all over again. Hope springs eternal at Spring Training when the teams show up and prepare for the grueling 162 game season. 

On to Atlanta for the next games of the Series!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fall Ball (yup, baseball)

It was cold last evening--in the 50's. Yet, we held baseball practice for the Severn Seminoles 14U, why? Because it is Fall Ball and if it is not raining that means we practice!

The field was a disaster from the torrential rains the night before and so we confined practice to the batting cage. I felt bad for some of the boys because their hands hurt when they hit the ball because the bats were cold. 

Another Example of Fall Ball

The first game of the World Series was played last evening as well and it was a slug fest with 20 hits. I especially likes the statement the lead-off hitter for the Braves made as he hit the first-ever top the First Inning of the Game 1 of the World Series leadoff home run.  I found it hard to believe that no one before. It is also a difficult record to comprehend.  

Sadly, the Astros have now disappointed their faithful fans by losing the last 5-straight home World Series games. My view? At least they are in the World Series--the Orioles, by contrast, have been watching every World Series form their living rooms since 1983!

By the way, I am officially cheering on the Braves in their quest to with the World Series.

Play Ball! Who cares that its is in the 50s and the leaves are falling form the trees?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Cold Autumn Rain

 The rain that fell yesterday afternoon was definitely a cold Autumn rain.

How do I know? I was out in it coaching baseball and I was cold and wet as the rain soaked through my shirt.

Although Severn Seminoles 14U managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in both games, we were able to complete the second game despite the rain beginning during the 3rd inning. The rain stopped and we were able to play the 4th inning. 

I mostly dried out and warmed-up by the end of the 4th where the Seminoles a 3-2 lead and were playing up to their potential.  The rain began again during the 5th inning after the opposing team had taken a lead. Unfortunately as the rain fell harder, the play of the team began to get as sloppy as the field. 

In the end we lost. The rain fell harder and the play got sloppier. I was wet and cold. When I finally got to my car and took my hat off it was dripping and created a huge wet spot on the seat. 

It is Autumn after all and we have been having some really warm and great weather. The low 50s temperatures of this morning and the rains were to be expected some weeks ago. 

Today is crisp and clear! Exactly the weather expected after a cold Autumn rain. All that is missing are the brightly colored leaves of Autumn.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday Night Lights

Severn Seminoles 14U Working Out
Severn, MD
October 14, 2021

 It was Thursday, also known as Friday Eve, and I was out under the lights of the baseball field with the team preparing for the Saturday's doubleheader. I realized that just a two short months ago it would have been daylight at 7:30 PM, but last night the cool evening air had already arrived and the lights were illuminating the field.

I used to enjoy practicing and playing games under the lights. It reminds me of playing high school football in and all of the excitement of a Friday night game. Lately though, it has become apparent that my contact lenses do not work well under the lights at night. I find it hard to see the ball, I remember thinking as a foul ball whizzed by my head.

But the workout last evening was good and the effort should result in some wins on Saturday during the scheduled games. 

At least the games are "day" games!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Day 2 of the Tournament

 

Early Morning on the Diamond
Pasadena, MD
October 2, 2021

Well, the seeding part of the tournament did not end as well as it could. The Severn Seminoles 14U lost the second game 10-1, although the game was much closer. The bats just never got hot and we had a couple really difficult plays which killed our offensive spark. 

Batter interference is a show stopper. A double play on the bases is also a killer--and we had two of those. 

Today will be better. We can still win the championship--we just have to do it the old fashioned way: one game at a time.

Show time is 7:30 am again! Full sun and chilly weather. We get a do over--playing one of the teams we should have beaten yesterday. Not looking ahead--but here's hoping the bats show up.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Early Baseball

 Baseball tournaments start early and eat the whole day. This morning the Severn Seminoles 14U baseball team had its first game at 8:30 am with a 7:30 am show time. 

In the Batting Cage Between Games
Pasadena, MD
October 2, 2021 

The grass was wet and the temperature was in the low 50s as we warmed up and it was clear that the boys were up too early. Lethargy was the word of the morning. I do love baseball and being on the field just after dawn was a great start to the day. 

The first game was a loss, 7-3, although it was because of two disastrous innings: the first and second. For the remainder of the game we outscored them 2-0. 

Waiting now for game 2. We have a two hour plus break. 

More fun to come. 

— Bob Doan, Pasadena, MD

Rolling into the Weekend

 Happy Friday!

There, I am being more positive. I was informed that my end of September post was a bit depressing.

I am encouraged that the government shutdown did not occur. They kicked the can down the road again, until December 3, but at least cooler heads prevailed and solid bipartisan action prevented a disastrous government shutdown.

I dearly hope that the Congress can get their act together and move forward--the people want a function government not a dysfunctional one.

This weekend the Severn Seminoles 14U will participate in its first tournament of the Fall Season. The first game is tomorrow at 0830--and it should be cold. That is what Fall Ball is all about--playing baseball despite the onset of cold weather. We believe that we will compete very well.

And then there is the end of the MLB regular season and the plans for the playoffs coupled NFL Football. 

Wow--it is gonna be busy!

Monday will be back again before I can even begin to think about it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Successful Opening Day

Jax and I on the Field Game 1
Severn, MD
September 11, 2021

Photo by Nicole Haslup

Baseball opening days are full of hope and promise.

Yesterday was opening day for the Severn Seminoles 14U in Chesapeake Baseball Association (CBA) play. It was an opening doubleheader for Fall Ball, which is the developmental part of the season leading to the real season in the Spring--but it is still baseball and the games matter to the coaches and players. Scores and records are kept.

Opening Day was a perfect baseball day with temperatures in the 80s and a partly cloudy sky. The field was a bit of a mess, but we worked hard to get it ready for the games. Yes, games. The team had a doubleheader against Southern Maryland Sliders 14U. 

This opening day doubleheader was the tale of two games.

The first game of the doubleheader was full seven inning affair that the Seminoles won with a walk-off run in the bottom of the 7th, 4-3. It was an exciting game which saw the Seminoles overcome a 3 run deficit to win the game in a somewhat dramatic fashion. 

The second game was completely different with the Seminoles winning via the Mercy Rule in the 5th inning, 17-2. The bats showed up for the second game and the Seminole pitchers were able to control the other team. As well, there were some dazzling defensive plays that prevented the Sliders from getting anything going on the base paths. 

It was a great start to the Fall season. I hope the boys and coaches can keep it going.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Seminoles on the Warpath

 Playing in the heat of a late-Summer afternoon, the Severn Seminoles 14U baseball team displayed grit and enthusiasm while coming from behind to overcome a determined Severna Park Hornets 14U team. 

It was the last pre-Fall Ball Season scrimmage, but the boys demonstrated solid fundamental baseball. The pitching staff did an admirable job getting out of jams as there were multiple times the Hornets had bases loaded and one or less outs. As the two teams combined for 22 walks and 2 hit batsmen, the game was slow and plodding. 

That the team scored in each inning was a great achievement. It showed that they are unselfish and willing to work together to score runs. And in the field, as well--the boys followed-up plays and looked for the continuation to get additional outs defensively. 

The season starts next week and the hope is that the team will continue to build off the success seen so far. 

I am very happy to be back on the dusty diamond.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball--In the Park!

National's Stadium
Mets vs Nationals
Washington, D.C.
September 3, 2021

 I went to a Major League Baseball (MLB) game in person last night. 

It was my first in-person professional baseball game since Spring Training in Florida during February 2020. And it was my first regular season MLB game since some time during 2019. 

It was great to be out at the ball park with the crowd. We had great, no we had awesome seats four rows from the field behind home plate. I took the image in this article from my seat while sitting. We heard the crack of the bat, the whump of the ball bouncing off the plate, the sound of a 101 mph fastball smacking into the catcher's mitt, and we saw an incredible play at the plate which resulted in the Mets catcher leaving the game.

We were part of the action. I noticed how loud it is with all the other fans above and around us. 

The game went into the 10th inning, which was incredibly exciting as the Nationals scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the game. Sadly, however, the home team gave up four unanswered runs in the top of the 10th and the Mets ended the evening with a 6-2 victory. 

The only downside was that we did not make it back home until after midnight. Even though the Nationals, like the Orioles, are cellar dwellers, it was fun to watch competitive baseball. Did I mention that Jeremy, our son, scored premium seats that included food, drink, and parking? That also added to the great experience. 

Baseball in person! Wow!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

1st Outing, 1st Win

 

I stepped back onto a baseball field as a coach for the first time since Covid-19 this morning in Severn. I am helping with the Severn Seminoles 14U team. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the thrill of coaching in a game helping to mould young ball players. 

As can be seen from the partial box score to the left, the Seminoles were successful in their first outing. It was a great first outing and the boys actually had fun and enjoyed the game even in the oppressive heat of the morning. 

It was a bit weird playing a baseball game when there were football games happening on a nearby field--but that is what Fall Ball is all about. Keeping the baseball skills sharp while developing into well rounded baseball players. 

The box score is really very good. Everyone contributed and since it is Fall Ball we used 5 pitchers to give the most opportunities to everyone to get back onto the mound and deliver a pitch for the team. 

The game ended due to the time constraint--but the two teams were fairly evenly matched. 

Most importantly, we all had fun coaching or playing a game that we love.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday Morning at the Ballpark

Jax Swings and Misses
Pasadena, MD
May 23, 2021

 Well, it wasn't really a ballpark, it was a field with fences and dugouts behind a middle school in Pasadena, MD. That is where Chris and I found ourselves in the heat of Sunday morning watching baseball with other parents and relatives. And that is probably the truest form of baseball--a rough field, two teams, boys living a dream that may not be their own, and dedicated fans.

As Chris and I walked across the dry grass of the adjoining playgrounds to the baseball field, I though about the many other players and parents across the country who are doing the same thing this morning, other mornings, and evenings to enjoy the game of baseball. And I do enjoy baseball. The boys are getting to the age where the game is much more than try to hit the ball and hope something good happens. There are plays and calls and strategy. And often just plain old good hustle will turn into a great play. It is fun and frustrating because we want the boys to play like professional baseball players and sometimes forget that they are still boys who are learning. 

But it was on this Sunday morning that I realized how special it was to be able to enjoy the game of baseball as it was being being played on a hot, dusty field full of hopes and dreams.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Write History

 

John Means Throwing Complete Game No Hitter
Seattle, WA
May 5, 2021

It happened yesterday in Seattle--John Means threw the first no hitter of the 21st Century for the Orioles. 

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first non-perfect no-no in Major League history that didn't include a walk, a hit by pitch or an error. This marked the first career complete game for Means, who tied a career high with 12 strikeouts. (MLB.COM)

What kept the game from being a perfect game was a batter reaching base on a dropped third strike who was subsequently thrown out attempting to steal second. 

There have been 10 no hitters in Orioles history--6 since moving to Baltimore for the 1954 season. There is even a no hitter in Orioles history where the two pitchers combined for a loss. The last no hitter was thrown during the 1991 season.

Last evening, the Orioles won over Seattle, 6-0.

The Orioles are sitting one game under .500 and 3 games out of first place!

Congratulations to John Means on the game of his life!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday Again

 It has been a very busy couple of days. 

Jax at the Plate

Severn, MD

April 18, 2021

Of course, with Chris enjoying beach time in Florida there is more to accomplish around the house--but I seem to have something scheduled for every day and evening.

Last evening, for instance, I enjoyed a great massage to soothe the muscles I abused on Saturday. 

During the afternoon after work, I rode my studio cycle through Switzerland on a 44 minute, 10 mile, uphill ride. Ugh! And this was after working full day. 

Sunday's game with the Severn Seminoles was exciting. Jax had a productive day and it was nice to sit in the warm sun and to enjoy some baseball. 

Important note: Chris is not just enjoying beach time, she has been working hard at planned projects and repairs in our Florida condo. 

Tonight looks to be busy again! At least the time passes quickly.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Day at the Course

From the Tee Box at Hole 4
Timbers at Troy
Elkridge, MD
April 17, 2021

 The important thing is that I survived 5 hours of sports activity.

I played racquetball in the morning for an hour followed by just over four hours of golf at Timbers.

I had an OK golf outing, considering that it was only the second golf outing this year. 

It was a beautiful day, just a bit on the too cool side to be called a perfect day, but when out golfing almost any day is a perfect day. My game was ragged--which was to be expected, but there were a few pars and at least one good look at making a birdie--which I missed but was left with an easy tap-in. On the down side, I totally collapsed on the second hardest hole on the course (12) after missing a par put and making a bogey on the hardest hole (9). Ugh. That is golf!

It was a great sports day. Today, sadly, I must devote mostly to business, although I am going to a Severn Seminoles 13U baseball game in a few minutes. 

I do enjoy weekends!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD