Youth Baseball Spring Training

Although only about 50 degrees this evening, it was dry and Jax's GORC (Gambrills-Odenton Recreation Council) baseball team had its first practice. 

The field was in perfect shape, the evening air was cool and the boys were ready to play baseball.

It was good to be back on the field and moving up with the team from T-Ball to coach pitch.

I was in the batting cage pitching most of the evening--what a good way to get my arm into shape. But since the idea is to pitch the ball so they can hit it, it is a lot easier on the arm. 

The team this year is the Pirates--which is better than last year's Tigers because the Pirates do not directly compete with the Orioles. 

I was amazed how quickly the practice passed while I was in the batting cage throwing up home run balls for the boys. Some of them can really tag the ball. 

It is going to be a long season and I'm happy that it is finally underway!

I'm back from Spring Training in Florida and now it is time for baseball to really begin!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections on the 2015 Spring Training Trip

A sunny Florida March 2015 afternoon
 at McKetchnie Field in Bradenton

It is over. 

I wandered through the front door of the house about 9:30 PM last evening completing my four day 2015 Spring Training trip to Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida.

It was awesome to escape the cold of the north. The temperature this morning when I woke up at home showed 25 degrees on my thermometer. That is one third the average temperature that I experienced in Florida and it is about 61 degrees below the maximum temperature I enjoyed while not getting sunburned.

New Banner at Ed Smith Stadium

On the Orioles:

They look good. Solid. There was a lot of hustle and the pitching looks very strong. The hitting is coming around, but I am concerned about the fielding. I saw our starting third baseman commit two errors in one game--he seemed too casual making the plays.

I saw one starter really look in control yesterday! I was disappointed by our closer who had an off day and allowed two runs to score--but, overall he looked good.

Sharing the course with a Sand Crane

On Florida:

Great weather, good food, awesome golf courses and of course palm trees. Add that together with baseball and it is a recipe for fantastic! I do have to admit the traffic around Tampa at 5pm on a Tuesday evening was awful! I almost did not make it to the airport for my flight. The backup exceeded 10 miles--and it crawled.

Did I mention the critters? There were animals everywhere. It was refreshing to see so much wildlife--including more than one alligator and a snapping turtle that was taking a leisurely stroll across one golf course. The sand cranes were everywhere almost like the deer that populate on course I play near home.

Jeremy at the Tee

On Golf:

Golfing in Florida was a great experience. I'm glad that the northern courses do not have as much water. Seriously, I don't think I saw a water hazard that I couldn't put at least one ball into. Sometimes three or four. Yet, the courses were tough , but fair and fun! 

There is something awesome about having the first tee time of the day on a golf course and watching the sun wake the world for another day. Especially when it is warm and there is not a frost delay.

April is coming and I surely hope the temperatures begin to warm. I am anxious for baseball and warm summer afternoons--more so now that I have experienced a glimpse of what lies ahead from my short trip to the warm south.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gathering of Orioles

With the Orioles Bird 2015

Sadly, the last day of my short Spring Training trip has arrived. One of the Orioles fans has already flown north and the rest of us must return to the cold today.

At least we get to enjoy another baseball game this afternoon as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pirates. From there it is on to the airport to begin winging my way home.

It has been fun and exhausting at the same time. Three rounds of golf and three baseball games by the time it is complete.

Yesterday we were drenched by a passing rainstorm on the golf course, but after a short delay we were able to finish the round.

Tomorrow it is back to the grind and my short time away will be a memory. But a good memory.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Sarasota, Florida

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, FL

Green. I have been overcome with green after the long cold and monochromatic winter of my discontent in the north.

Outside my hotel window people are playing in the pool surrounded by lush green foliage. It is awesome. I don't really want to leave. The smells of life are everywhere.

Playing golf yesterday I enjoyed the wildlife everywhere.

I am more than ready to enjoy the warmth and green on my return to Baltimore

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Guy Trip Food

Why is it that when on a guy trip, I eat the wrong foods? The wings are so good. They smell good. But where are the veggies? No where in sight. Well there were some fried pickles.

Good food and a four day road trip to Florida.

I have not seen one snow flake since I arrive here. The 86 degrees yesterday erased all of my bad memories of March in Baltimore.

The food, it's guy food.

Baseball, the O's won yesterday. Golf this morning and baseball this afternoon. What could be better?

The food. How long can someone survive in guy food?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

It's just not Fair!

Daffodils in the Snow

Spring began yesterday and we suffered through yet one more blast from Winter.

Snow, cold, and messy roads.

I had hoped that the snow would have been melted before the end of the day, but alas, the weather forecasters steered me wrong. 

The daffodils in my gardens stoically stood their ground against the onslaught. Undeterred, they continued to repel the monochromatic snowfall with their determined green and reminded me that spring is not gone, it is just a slow starter!

Good-bye Winter, may this be your last gasp!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Start your Mowers--Spring is Arriving

Chris on the Tractor

Yesterday afternoon the lawn tractor took to the yard! It was the first sortie of the season and while it wasn't technically mowing, it was removing the accumulated winter's trash and leaves from the yard!

We worked in the yard even though there is snow in the forecast. The snow won't last long and we needed to clear the yard and get the reemergent fertilized down. 

Today marks the beginning of Spring, although we need to withstand one last punch from Winter before we can truly celebrate the passing of the season of cold and darkness.

The Yard after removal of the debris

It was really cold--my electric bill was $200 above normal as a result of our efforts to hold the cold at bay and maintain a warm, toasty home.

But Springtime is starting and the temperatures are moderating!

The yard is getting ready, as am I, for outdoors living.

Bring on the grill and the fire table!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Robins and Peepers and More, Oh My!

Robin in a Tree

During our walk last evening I took notice of the multitude of Robins which have returned and are looking everywhere for food.

I hadn't noticed them in great numbers before--but they are back and looking for critters in the thawing lawns.

And then, while on the walk, I heard the peepers for the first time this year. The arrival of their evening chorus is a sure sign of Spring's arrival although the official arrival is not until Friday.

The beginning of Spring is based upon the equinox, but the amount of sunlight available on the day is probably greater than 12 hours? It is really cool. The arrival of Spring is based upon the center of the sun crossing the equator--however, the amount of available sunlight (sunrise to sunset) is based upon the top of the sun either rising above or setting below the horizon. Hence, the first day of Spring for Elkridge is about 12 hours and 8 minutes from sunrise to sunset--Oh My! Who knew the sun was that big?

But the arrival of Spring is heralded by the peepers and the Robins. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a good picture of a Robin when the background is brown and gray? They blend.

Spring starts at 6:45 PM EDT on Friday, March 20th. 

Don't miss it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

I Took a Detour

Lifetime Racquetball Court

It seemed innocent enough. I played racquetball yesterday morning, but got done a early. I was excited about getting to work a few minutes early--about 15. 

I had talked to Chris, went over the plan for the day and had just hung up the phone as I approached the exit for my place of employment.

That is where it went bad.

There are three exits from the highway near where I work. I was a distracted as I was reviewing the day ahead of me and I turned early to exit the highway onto another four lane highway. Panic! There was no going back--suddenly, instead of exiting into the parking for my job, I was headed down a road to a destination I had not intended to visit.

No problem--I thought, the next exit is not too far, I'll turn around there and still be early to work. 

Then the car started telling me of a problem with the cruise control and lights. Ugh. I got distracted again and missed the exit! Darn. The next exit is a lot further--but I have no choice.

Traffic was beginning to build and I needed to keep my attention on the road, but the warning message on the console in my car was not only annoying, it was flashing as if it were important! Ugh, I was trapped. 

Time passed, traffic increased and finally the exit loomed. I made the exit and successfully reversed my direction and was not headed towards rather than away from work.

During the remainder of the journey I needed to stay extremely alert because traffic stopped completely on a number of occasions for no apparent reason. It can be somewhat scary to be in the middle of executing a lane change and suddenly everyone is stopped!

I finally, and uneventfully arrived at work. On time!

My detour had used up all of the extra time by driving around aimlessly on the highways. 

Moral of the story? Stay alert when driving. Bad things can happen!

As an aside, I looked up the earning message, and I need to replace the brake switch--but the lights actually do work!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Baseball Tuesday Update

Tuesday's are my days to write about the Orioles. 

Yesterday was a good day for the team. It has been a quiet Spring Training for the team, except that yesterday they belted 21 hits, 5 homers and won a blow out game 16-4 which finally saw the hitting, defense, and pitching all come together in one solid game!

Yes. Baseball season is coming and I am ready to see the team in person beginning this weekend in Sarasota.

So, do professionals enjoy games like this? Rock Kobatko reported about the Manager of the Orioles, Buck Showalter: "Did Showalter enjoy watching the offensive fireworks? You figure it out.
"You bet your sweet (butt)," he said. "Anybody who says, 'Oh, it's just spring training,' you like to see them have one of those days. They've been working hard. Get a return for it. You bet.""

The Orioles are now 4-11 in Spring Training. But the Spring Training record means nothing after April 5th. The Orioles are the defending American League East Champions!

Let's Go O's!!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD