Baseball Mondays

Turning the page

2010-09-20T08:14:00.002-04:00

Now that hockey season is approaching, it's time to close the books on our 2010 Summer of Baseball. For the second season in a row, Colin and I made the most of his summer vacation taking in games, primarily within the Florida State League.

Though we like to show off the fruits of our labors, this seasonal blog is more than a brag book. It's a chronicle of a father and son forming another deep bond over our national pastime. It's eating hot dogs and Cracker Jack. It's chasing foul balls. It's teaching him the game.

More than anything else, though, it's simply hanging out.

For the record, here are three things that made our time together special:

~ Teaching Colin how to keep score in baseball;
~ Making a big hit with the Tampa Bay Rays' Rocco Baldelli; and
~ Colin scoring team-signed balls from all 12 FSL teams.

As always, thanks for stopping by. God willing, we'll be back next spring.

Better than autographs

2010-08-30T08:07:00.003-04:00

In the grand scheme of things, getting autographs really isn't all that important. There are times, like last Saturday night, when it's more important to just sit back and enjoy the moment. Besides, you never know what will happen.

Sure, an hour-long rain delay before a Florida State League game between the Tampa Yankees and Dunedin Blue Jays was a bit of a factor to keep the Sharpies and ballpoint pen tucked away. I didn't want to expose any baseballs or cards to the elements. So, too, was that we've hounded both the Blue Jays and Yankees this season.

As the 2010 Summer of Baseball nears its end, it was time to simply be a fan. I didn't want to spend an inning trying to identify unfamiliar signatures scribbled on a baseball. I didn't want to think about where Colin and I would have to go, at game's end, to snag a handful of signed cards. All I wanted to do was watch a baseball game -- all nine innings -- and enjoy an evening with the family.

Before the game, as well as the rain delay, I found that I wasn't the only one with that goal in mind. Minutes before the Dunedin Stadium gates opened, I gave away some of our remaining ticket vouchers. A pair went to a couple who made the trip to Dunedin to cheer on the Yankees. Their trip, however, has far longer than a ride from Tampa. In fact, it started in Nebraska.

The Vendittes, Pat Sr. and Janet, were attending the game to watch a son, Pat Jr., possibly pitch in the game. Some of you may have heard of Pat Venditte Jr. , as he's an ambidextrous pitcher, something of a rarity in baseball.

As you would expect, the parents are very proud of their son. Even if the FSL is only at the Advanced-A level, it still must be something to watch a child, even if he's an adult, perform in a professional setting. Before the game, I spent time talking with Pat Sr., soaking up his stories about his son, his career and living in Nebraska.

During the game, The Missus and Colin walked over to the Vendittes and gave them a couple of FSL balls that we'd brought to the game. Their souvenirs, however, got better. Pat Jr. entered the game in the seventh inning and, ultimately, earned his fourth win of the season.

After the game, we saw the Vendittes. Their smiles, understandably, were a mile wide.

Grinding it out

2010-08-23T08:21:00.001-04:00

If there was any disappointment during our 2010 Summer of Baseball, it was the inability to complete a significant portion of the 2010 Florida State League Top Prospects set.

Give the developmental nature of the FSL, it's easy to understand that players move on. This season, the July release eliminated many autograph opportunities.

A couple of weeks ago, Dunedin's Travis d'Arnaud and Anthony Gose, part of a Phillies-Blue Jays deal that brought him from the Clearwater Threshers, added only the fifth and sixth cards of the 24-player set.

Just last month, Gose, an outfielder, was featured on the Threshers' game programs.

Not all minor leaguers

2010-08-23T08:13:00.003-04:00

I'm sure I said this last summer, but it's possible to find former big leaguers serving as coaches and managers in the Florida State League. Just a couple weeks ago, Dunedin Blue Jays pitching coach Darold Knowles, a 15-year big-league pitcher and a member of the 1973 World Series champion Oakland Athletics, was nice enough to sign these four cards as well.

Paper work

2010-08-23T08:07:00.002-04:00

For the most part, we haven't placed much of an emphasis on getting cards signed this summer. That changed a couple weeks ago, when we made a dent in the 2010 Dunedin Blue Jays team set.

With at least two more games (weather permitting, it's been raining most every evening lately), we should come close to completing the set, save for those who moved up or along.

Kicking off this season's set were:

Top: Travis d'Arnaud, Chuck Huggins, Mike McDade; and
Bottom: Brad McElroy, Mark Sobolewski and the ever-obliging D-Jay on a 2006 team set card.

Disney over D-Jays

2010-08-16T10:28:00.006-04:00

At first, we were seriously considering taking in this Saturday's game between the Clearwater Threshers and Dunedin Blue Jays. Now, though, as our trip to Orlando rapidly approaches, I'm thinking our time would be better spent with another day at Disney World rather than rushing home for a Florida State League game.

Of course, weather and a certain someone's behavior will dictate whether or not we spend an extra day in Orlando. I'm sure he'll be on his best behavior. Besides, we still have a game Aug. 28, when the D-Jays hold their fan appreciation night, as well as at least one playoff game Sept. 8.

Using the noggin

2010-08-16T08:03:00.013-04:00

Not content to score team-signed balls from all 12 Florida State League teams, we stumbled upon another project for our 2010 Summer of Baseball with a trip to the souvenir shop at Dunedin Stadium.

Normally an air-conditioned respite from the heavy summer air, we also find it useful for getting cards sets and checking in with friendly staff. One trip, though, we happened upon some Dunedin Blue Jays game-used batting helmets. At $25 a pop, I figured why not. One helmet would make for a good summer project.

It took Colin a few trips since mid July, but he's added 31 players to the helmet. I'm thinking, too, there's room for a couple more.

Another thing, too. That blue paint pen pops, doesn't it? Some of the D-Jays players thought so, too.

Boomer Potts, from middle left, Darrold Knowles (pitching coach), Brad McElroy, Matt Daly and Mark Sobolewski; and

Unidentified, from lower left, Shawn Hill (in Dunedin on a rehab assignment), Mike McDade, Brian Van Kirk, Justin Mashore (hitting coach), Welinton Ramirez, Joel Carreno (way up top), Chris Hopkins and Yan Gomes; and

Travis d'Arnaud (above logo), Clayton McCullough (manager, on brim), Frank Gailey, Ryan Page (lower right, on brim; and

Ross Buckwalter, from left, Chad Jenkins, Jon Talley and Chuck Huggins; and

Dan DeLucia, from left, Ryan Goins, unidentified, John Tolisano, Justin McClanahan and Tyler Pastornicky (now in Atlanta's organization).

There's more work left

2010-08-09T08:05:00.005-04:00

Just because Colin completed his Florida State League team-ball project, it doesn't mean we're done hounding during the 2010 Summer of Baseball. Nope, we're far from it.

There are a few other projects and tasks to keep us busy, as we cash in the rest of our ticket vouchers at Dunedin Stadium over the next month:

~ we'll put the finishing touches on the Dunedin Blue Jays team-signed batting helmet;
~ we'll try to knock out the D-Jays' 2010 team card set; and
~ Colin wants to do a team sheet for the D-Jays.

Mission accomplished

2010-08-09T08:00:00.008-04:00

It may have only 16 signatures -- the minimum requirement for a team-signed ball (in my opinion,) -- but it represents a summer's worth of effort. When Fort Myers Miracle pitcher Brad Tippett signed this Florida State League baseball, it capped Colin's main project for our 2010 Summer Baseball -- getting a team-signed ball from all 12 FSL teams.

Starting in late May, with a team ball from the Dunedin Blue Jays, we've used our near-weekly boys' nights out to chip away -- team by team -- at the project. And, as of July 28, with five weeks left in the season, Colin fulfilled the project requirements.

Granted, FSL players, for the most part, are willing signers. That alone made the project easy. The hard part, if you will, was the logistics, making sure we put ourselves in front of every team this season.

We attempted this project last season, but fell one team short. This summer, however, it was an entirely different story:

Jake Mauer (manager); and

Brian Dozier, Shooter Hunt and Tippett; and

Jonathan Goncalves, Chris Herrmann, Nathan Hanson and Steven Blevins; and

Deibinson Romero, Allan De San Miguel, Evan Bigley and Matthew Williams; and

Nicholas Romero, unidentified, Ramon Santana and Angel Morales.

A big hit

2010-08-02T08:20:00.002-04:00

As former Tampa Bay Rays player Rocco Baldelli begins his comeback with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, there are certain milestone along the way. Getting his first Florida State League hit was one of those moments.

Thanks to good luck and a quick finger on our camera's shutter, we were able to capture that moment on July 22 when Baldelli, serving as a designated hitter for the Stone Crabs, cracked a double against the Clearwater Threshers.

Not content enough to simply capture the moment, we wanted to get Baldelli to sign the photo. In the process, we also wanted to share a copy of the photo with him.

Last Thursday, with the Stone Crabs in Tampa to play the Yankees, we succeeded in both aspects. Not only did Baldelli sign one of the 8x10s, but he also gave Colin a wide, warm smile and a rock-solid fist bump when Colin gave him a copy.

"What's this?" Baldelli asked Colin as he handed him the photo folder.

"It's your first FSL hit, a double against the Threshers last week," Colin replied.

"Really? That's cool," Baldelli said before delivering the fist bump. "Thanks, buddy"

Star attraction

2010-08-02T08:10:00.010-04:00

Every so often, a Major League Baseball player heads down to the Florida State League for some sort of rehabilitation assignment. As you can expect, the player's presence not only piques our interest, but he also draws a crowd.

Take Tampa Bay's Rocco Baldelli. After spending the first part of the season serving as a roving instructor throughout the Rays minor-league system, Baldelli, one of the Rays most popular players ever, began a comeback attempt with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Rays Advanced-A affiliate.

We caught up with Baldelli in his first week with the Stone Crabs, when the team was in Clearwater to play the Threshers. Though a crowd gathered near the visitor's dugout before the game, Baldelli told us that he'd signed after the game. Last week, we saw Baldelli again, this time in Tampa. Again, he said he'd sign after the game.

In both instances, Baldelli kept his promises. Not only did he add to our single-signed baseball collection (above), but he also signed an 8x10 of his first FSL hit for Colin as well as our work-in-progress Rays mini helmet (at left).

The old standby

2010-08-02T08:05:00.002-04:00

Regular readers of our hockey-hounding exploits know just how much stock we place in Colin's team sheets. Colin likes drawing them. The players like signing them. And, in the grand scheme of things, they're true 1-of-1 items.

With that in mind, as well as the completion of his Charlotte Stone Crabs team ball, Colin decided to use a tried-and-true favorite for the Florida State League club before last week's Florida State League game against the Tampa Yankees.

The results, as in signatures on the sheet, showed it was well worth Colin's effort. Among the 15 players and coaches who signed were Stephen Vogt, Reid Fronk, Kyeong Kang and Tim Beckham, the Tampa Bays Rays' top pick in 2008.

Besides all of the autographs, Colin also said three Stone Crabs complimented him on his artwork. Going forward, I wouldn't be surprised to see Colin use a couple more team sheets before the end of our 2010 Summer of Baseball.

Three-trip ball

2010-08-02T08:00:00.004-04:00

For the most part, Colin tries to knock out a Florida State League team-signed ball in a single visit. This one, from the Charlotte Stone Crabs, took three visits.

It all begin in early July, when we made the trip to Bradenton. After loading up on a team ball from the Marauders before the game, Colin turned his postgame attention on the Tampa Bay Rays' FSL Advanced-A affiliate. That first effort landed nine signatures.

A couple weeks alter, we caught the Stone Crabs in Clearwater. There, Colin added a significant number of autographs, including one from former Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli, who was just beginning his comeback attempt. Still, there was one signature lacking.

Last Thursday, in Tampa as the Stone Crabs played the Yankees, we got the final signature from Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in 2008 by the Rays.

In all, the three trips netted 22 autographs:

Jim Morrison (manager);

Tim Beckham, Joseph Cruz, Shane Dyer and Marquis Fleming; and

Chris Andujar, Neil Schenk (we believe, though it could be Nick Barnese), Michael Sheridan, J. Stranz (whoever that is) and Greg Sextion; and

Stephen Vogt, Matthew Moore, Kyeong Kang, unidentified, Frank De Los Santos and Rocco Baldelli; and

Jake Jeffries, Christopher Murrill, Matthew Hall, Anthony Scelfo, Reid Fronk and Frank De Los Santos (yes, twice).

Summer sizzler

2010-07-26T08:10:00.004-04:00

Earlier this year, as I was planning our 2010 Summer of Baseball, taking in a matinee game wasn't high on the list of priorities. It's usually Summer Camp Day, meaning there's a couple hundred kids, and what all that means, in attendance. And, living down here in Florida, it gets awfully hot during summer afternoons.

As our plans took shape, though, Colin's goal of snagging signed team balls from all 12 Florida State League teams meant attending a matinee game would be necessary. And, wouldn't you know, none of our local FSL clubs play in a domed stadium.

Last Wednesday's game between the St. Lucie Mets and Clearwater Threshers at Bright House Field in Clearwater certainly didn't disappoint. Yes, there were hundreds of kids. Save for a handful, most were well-behaved and respectful.

And, yes, it was hot. Very hot. Three-bottles-each-of-Powerade hot. Running-out-of-Italian-ice-in-the-fifth-inning hot. It's amazing, I say, we saw no eggs frying on the concourse.

Though the center field scoreboard showed temperatures in the mid 90s, our readings, taken by a digital thermometer placed along the right field wall, didn't fall below 109 degrees from the time we started hounding (about 11:15 a.m. for a noon start) until the final out (about 2:45 p.m.). We hit the hot spot in the middle of the eighth, when it reached 113.4 degrees, nearly 3 degrees warmer than last summer's game.

If it was that hot near the field, I can only imagine how hot it got standing at shortstop or out in center field.

Because this wasn't our first "How Hot Does it Get" rodeo, which, amusingly, involved the same two teams as the inaugural effort, we were prepared. Besides staying hydrated, we wore hats, used 85 SPF sunscreen and, for the most part, didn't stay in the sun for extended periods of time.

Here's a breakdown from the brutally hot afternoon:

Pregame hounding: 112.2 degrees
First pitch: 110.6 degrees
Middle of first inning: 110.6 degrees
Middle of second inning: 109.4 degrees
Middle of third inning: 110.4 degrees
Middle of fourth inning: 111.4 degrees
Middle of fifth inning: 111.6 degrees
Middle of sixth inning: 112.6 degrees
Middle of seventh inning: 112.2 degrees
Middle of eighth inning: 113.4 degrees
Middle of ninth inning: 112.2 degrees

Average temperature per inning: 111.5 degrees

Nineteen on No. 10

2010-07-26T08:05:00.002-04:00

After getting 26 autographs on an overloaded team ball from the Lakeland Flying Tigers a couple weeks ago, there was only one direction to head in Colin's latest effort -- down. I'll tell you what, though. We have no complaints.

Colin's more than happy to score 19 autographs from the St. Lucie Mets last Wednesday, completing his 10th team ball out of the 12-team Florida State League. It took quite a bit of effort, too. Not only did Colin add signatures before and after the game, but field-level temperatures also topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don't worry, though. We were prepared. Lots of sunscreen, floppy hats, sunglasses and plenty of Powerades to stay hydrated in the sizzling summer sun. The ball and Colin's pen held up pretty well, too:

Hector Pellot, Eric Beaulac, Nicholas Carr and Joey August; and

Eric Turgeon, Rafael Fernandez, Scott Moviel, Stefan Welch and Rhiner Cruz; and

Kyle Allen, Scott Moviel (yes, again, twice, from before the game), Wilmer Flores (shown above signing for Colin) and Edgar Alfonzo (manager); and

Brandon Moore, Jose Bierd, Elvin Ramirez, Jeurys Familia, unidentified and unidentified.

Taking what I can get

2010-07-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Any time we hound at a Florida State League game, I play the supporting role in Colin's bid to complete another team ball. Basically, I keep an eye out for players, let Colin know and thank them for their time.

Every so often, I remember that we carry extra items for signing. Or, like last Wednesday, I hear from two people that I really ought to get a player on a single-signed ball. Well, that's exactly what we have here.

St. Lucie's Wilmer Flores, a top shortstop prospect within the New York Mets organization, accepted the sweet spot honors on a FSL game-used ball. Teammate Jeurys Familia, the game's starting pitcher, signed the 2010 FSL Top Prospect card.

In the name of science

2010-07-19T08:20:00.010-04:00

In what's becoming a tradition during our Summers of Baseball, we'll conduct our second annual "How Hot Does it Get" matinee experiment this Wednesday. And, again, it'll involve the St. Lucie Mets and Clearwater Threshers.

Last year, the first time for this experiment, the hottest temperature we recorded in the stands was 110.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, we were sitting in the shade during the Florida State League game. Still, though, it was a real broiler.

We'll take it a step further this year. Instead of placing our digital thermometer on a seat a few rows in front of us, we'll set it as close to the field as we can get. Readings will be taken every innings, when the teams switch positions.

Of course, we'll brave the likely heat and sun -- with shady hats, sunglasses, SPF 50 spray-on sunscreen and ice-cold Powerades -- to work a team ball for the Mets before the game. Conditions, hopefully, will be better Thursday night, when Colin will try to complete his Charlotte Stone Crabs team ball before a game against the Threshers.

Even better, from our point of view, is that Tampa Bay Ray Rocco Baldelli is attempting a comeback and is on the Stone Crabs roster. I think we might have a few items for him.

Running out of room

2010-07-19T08:10:00.004-04:00

The pitchers for the Lakeland Flying Tigers must have gotten a late start on the off-day workouts recently. For the first time over the past two Summers of Baseball, we found the group still on the field when the Dunedin Stadium gates opened. Usually, the pitchers are in the clubhouse by the time we arrive, scour the stands for batting practice balls and find a prime hounding spot.

It's not that we're complaining, though, as Colin made good use of our fortune to put together a 26-signature team ball, the ninth of our 12-team Florida State League project this season. Usually, the team-signed balls average 19 signatures each.

Brent Wyatt, Rob Waite, Jared Gayhart, Jacob Turner, Luke Putkonen and Daniel Fields; and

Jose Ortega, Billy Alvino, Jon Kibler, Brandon Douglas (shown above, signing for Colin), Jon Kibler (yes, we know, that's twice), unidentified and Gustavo Nunez; and

Tyler Conn, Erik Crichton, Joe Coleman (pitching coach), Ben Guez, Wilfredo Ramirez, and Alexander Moreno; and

Brayan Villarreal, Bryan Holaday, John Murriam, Carmelo Jaime, Chris White, Larry Herndon (hitting coach) and Billy Nowlin (signed sideways).

Worth a Google

2010-07-19T08:05:00.005-04:00

Here's the reason why any hound worth his or her salt should do homework before any hounding visit. You can get a single-signed, game-used Florida State League baseball from a top-rated prospect.

In this case, it's from Lakeland Flying Tigers pitcher Jacob Turner, taken ninth overall in 2009 by Detroit. In January, Baseball America ranked him as the Tiger's top prospect and 26th best

Hard to fill

2010-07-19T08:00:00.002-04:00

As much as I like working these Florida State League Top Prospect sets during our Summers of Baseball, there's one improvement that I'd like to suggest: Issue the set quicker.

By the time the set's released in late June or early July, some of the players have been promoted, rendering the task of a signed set to my "never-get-done" list. To me, there's no reason -- technological, financial or legal -- why this set couldn't be published by mid to late May.

It's no surprise, then, that Detroit Tigers pitcher prospect Luke Putkonen, pitching for the FSL's Lakeland Flying Tigers, is the only player I've been able to have sign a card over the past few weeks.

There's still time left. Let's just hope the remaining players are still around.

Didn't even have to ask

2010-07-12T08:05:00.001-04:00

Want to know what's neat about the Florida State League? Sometimes, players like Dunedin's Travis D'Arnaud walk up to a kid and hand him a bat. That's what happened Saturday night after the Blue Jays beat the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Hitting the road

2010-07-12T08:00:00.008-04:00

At 39 miles away, old-school McKechnie Field, the home stadium of the Bradenton Marauders of the Florida State League, was the farthest we'd travel during our 2010 Summer of Baseball. Thanks to mostly highway miles and the Sunshine Skyway, it really was nothing more than a hop, skip and a jump.

After last Thursday's visit to watch the Marauders, the Pittsburgh Pirates Advanced-A affiliate, play the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Tampa Bay Rays' FSL club, I'm expecting we'll make a few more trips to Manatee County in the years ahead.

Though it would have been nice to get top Pittsburgh prospects Tony Sanchez and Starling Marte, this 20-signature team ball, the eighth of the 12-club FSL team ball project, works just fine:

Nathan Adcock, James Skelton, Aaron Pribanic, Jeff Locke, Melkin Laureano and Brock Holt; and

Robbie Grossman, Adam Davis, Jose De Los Santos and Adenson Chourio; and

Quincy Latimore, Casey Erickson, Wally Whitehurst (pitching coach), Brian Leach and Jordan Newton; and

Erik Huber, Greg Picart, Austin McClune, Milver Reyes and Eric Fryer.

Nice job

2010-07-05T08:25:00.004-04:00

You have to give the Tampa Yankees staff a well-deserved round of applause for salvaging what could have been a bad night. A band of strong thundershowers soaked George M. Steinbrenner Field, rendering the outfield unplayable in the eyes of the umpires, on the Florida State League club's pre-Fourth of July Night.

Rather than sending fans home damp in disappointment, the team had the players line up across two dugouts for an autograph session, allowing fans to easily work a team item. In Colin's case, it was 21 autographs (albeit in three different inks) on his seventh team ball of the 2010 Summer of Baseball.

Shaeffer Hall, who signed before the game was rained out; and

Myron Leslie, Zoilo Almonte, Jose Pirela and Dellin Betances; and

Mitch Abeita (I believe), Melky Mesa (I believe), Ray Kruml and Adam Olbrychoski; and

Walter Ibarra, Corban Joseph (shown above, signing for Colin), Ryan Baker, Trent Lockwood, Jonathan Ortiz and unidentified and;

Manuel Banuelos, Jack Rye, Trent Lare, Bradley Suttle, Noel Castillo and Juan Marcano.

Pinch-hitting appearance

2010-07-05T08:20:00.003-04:00

After a short, but long, day at work Saturday, as well as a mad dash to the rink to watch Colin play hockey, I had little energy left for hounding of any sort. That's when Momma stepped up to the plate and got these three cards signed by Tampa's Dellin Betances and Corban Joseph in the post-rainout autograph session last Friday.

Summer project

2010-07-05T08:15:00.004-04:00

Before every game we attend at Dunedin Stadium, I make a point of poking my head inside the team store to inquire about a 2010 Dunedin Blue Jays team set. Up until last Thursday, I've left empty-handed.

Even though the team set isn't due to arrive until later this season, I believe this 2009 game-used D-Jays batting helmet, size 7 1/4, will keep us busy until the cards arrive. At $25, it's on the high-end of any autograph platform we'll use this summer. Still, though, it'll be a nice team piece and memento of the campaign.

I'm not sure whether we'll knock it out in one trip, as we'll be chasing team balls for Lakeland and Fort Myers in our next two trips to Dunedin. Chances are, we'll take the rest of the season to complete it.

Making new friends

2010-07-05T08:10:00.001-04:00

Who says you need nine innings of baseball to be entertained? Sometimes, all it takes is a friendly, curious lizard. Emerging from a rolled-up field tarp, this little critter kept Colin occupied for quite a few innings last week as the Brevard County Manatees played the Dunedin Blue Jays.

That's not to say, though, that Colin didn't score his sixth Florida State League team ball of the 2010 Summer of Baseball. Nope, he knocked that out of the park before the game, getting 20 signatures to reach the halfway point of his 12-team goal.

Bob Miscik (manager) in the sweet spot; and

Sergio Miranda, Sean Halton (who also gave Colin a bat), Scott Krieger, Mike Ramlow and Matt Cline; and

Jeremy Jeffress, Josh Prince, Corey Frerichs, Cody Scarpetta and Andre LaMontagne; and

Michael Fiers, Michael Roberts, Angel Salome and Juan Sanchez; and

Fred Dabney (pitching coach), Steve Braun, Evan Anundsen, Peter Fatse and unidentified.

Back-to-back bats

2010-07-05T08:05:00.003-04:00

Even Colin recognized a developing trend. After coming up batless during the first five Florida State League games of our 2010 Summer of Baseball, Brevard County's Sean Halton, a first base prospect within the Milwaukee Brewers organization, gave Colin the second broken bat of his campaign in as many games.

While the first broken bat, from Daytona's David Macias, looks like a generic model, it's pretty neat to see a personalized bat for an FSL player.

Got one

2010-07-05T08:00:00.003-04:00

For the most part, I've spent the 2010 Summer of Baseball in an advisory capacity, helping Colin fill up team balls for Florida State League clubs. Now that the FSL has released its Top Prospects 2010 set, I have something to do.

Brevard County's Cody Scarpetta, a pitching prospect within the Milwaukee Brewers system, was the first to sign. I hope to add a few more later this week., with trips to Bradenton, for the Marauders, and Dunedin, for the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

We got the set for $10 at the Dunedin Blue Jays team store at Dunedin Stadium.

Completing the Advanced-A set will be difficult. Already, some players like Daytona's Brett Jackson have been promoted and Kentrail Davis, another Brewers prospect got sent down from Brevard County to the Midwest League (Class A).

One in the books

2010-06-28T08:15:00.002-04:00

When it comes right down to it, the biggest reason we went to Saturday's game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays was to hear the Barenaked Ladies perform after the '90s Night game.

Even after the hour-plus-long show by the Toronto-based band, the biggest thing I'll take away from the game is Colin's effort to score an entire game. Sure, it was fun hearing the band's hits If I Had $1000000, One Week, Old Apartment, Brian Wilson and Who Needs Sleep, but for the kid to satisfy one of our goals for the 2010 Summer of Baseball -- learning how to score a game -- was decidedly more cool.

Having had to work until five minutes before the 4:05 p.m. start, I didn't join Momma and Colin in Section 308 until the top of the second inning (The paper's offices are a good 10- to 15-minute walk from Tropicana Field). He'd scored the first inning without a hitch, even writing the players' last names in cursive.

It didn't take long, though, for me to realize that he was in this game for the long haul. Usually, we go for a two-inning walk during Rays games, checking out souvenirs and other amenities at the Trop. This time, however, he took a pass.

Inning by inning, he kept score, remembering to write a backward "K" if a player struck out looking, telling me if a double play was 6-4-3 or 4-6-3 and asking about fielder's choices and getting an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

As much as hockey forms a strong bond between us, it's quickly becoming apparent that baseball, too, will be a fluid line of communication for this father and his son. I couldn't be happier.

Plenty of energy

2010-06-28T08:10:00.005-04:00

One would think after four full days of ice hockey camp, with all of the skating, passing and shooting drills as well as daily off-ice conditioning sessions, that Colin might not have enough energy to sit through nine innings of Florida State League baseball, let alone work a team ball.

Well, nothing could be further than the truth. Not only did Colin make it through all nine innings, but he loaded up his fifth team ball of the 2010 Summer of Baseball, getting 19 autographs from the Daytona Cubs before last Thursday's game against the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Chris Siegfried, Matt Matulia (coach), Rebel Ridling, Kyler Burke, David Macias and Luis Flores; and

Smaily Borges, Brett Jackson, Christopher Archer and Dae-Eun Rhee; and

Tom Pratt (pitching coach), Mark Reed, DJ LeMahieu (shown above, signing the ball), Jose Valdez and Mike Perconte; and

Jake Opitz, James Leverton, Ryan Flaherty and Junior Lake (we believe).

David Macias was also kind enough to give Colin this broken bat, even returning to the Cubs' locker room to find the souvenir.

Funny moment

2010-06-28T08:05:00.003-04:00

Beyond the team balls, broken bats and baseballs we pick up at Florida State League games, there's often a moment that makes our outings much more memorable. Last week's came when the Daytona Cubs visited Dunedin for a Florida State League game.

Brett Jackson, Chicago's No. 1 pick in 2009, drew a lot of attention from the handful of autograph hounds at Dunedin Stadium. Of course, Colin was among the group, working his fifth FSL team ball of the season. He made sure, too, to add Jackson's autograph to his effort.

It wasn't that, though, that provided the memory. It was Jackson's farewell, so to speak, that drew chuckles as he handed the ball back to Colin.

"Here you go, stud," he said.

My bad

2010-06-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

As part of a break from hockey during Colin's first hockey camp last week, we planned to take in a Tampa Yankees-Dunedin Blue Jays game last Wednesday. Well, it didn't happen.

After camp closed for the day Wednesday, Colin and I joined rush-hour traffic and headed north to Dunedin. About 45 minutes later, we pulled into Dunedin Stadium. The parking lot was empty, the ticket windows were closed and the gate was locked shut.

At first, I thought I'd mixed up who was the home team. Once I got home and checked my schedule, I discovered my mistake. The game started at 11 a.m., not 7 p.m.

After blowing off the Tampa Yankees a few weeks ago to get an autograph from Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito, Wednesday's trip was to be our last chance to get a team-signed ball from them. Now, we'll try to get one July 29.

An old friend

2010-06-28T07:55:00.000-04:00

A trip to Dunedin Stadium to watch the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, wouldn't be complete without a visit from D-Jay, the Florida State League squad's mascot.

Special thanks to Miss Laura, one of my colleagues at the newspaper, for taking this picture of Colin with D-Jay during Karate Kid 2 Night against the Clearwater Threshers earlier this month. In case you're wondering, that's Colin, on the left, clutching a bag of Cracker Jack

We'll be busy

2010-06-21T08:15:00.001-04:00

With three games scheduled for this week -- actually, three within four days -- you'd think we'd be busy enough. Ha! I wish that was the case. No, we're not content enough to take in two Florida State League games as well as a Tampa Bay Rays game.

Starting in about an hour, Colin hits the ice, taking part in his first-ever summer hockey camp. For the next five days, he'll work on his skating, stickhandling, shooting, passing and conditioning at the Pinellas Police Athletic League camp in Clearwater.

On Wednesday and Thursday, after spending nearly four hours on the ice, we'll head north to Dunedin to watch and hopefully get team balls from the Tampa Yankees and Daytona Cubs of the Advanced-A Florida State League. On Saturday, a day after Colin's hockey camp ends, we'll watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Rays. After that game, the Barenaked Ladies (one of my favorite bands) will perform.

Sounds like a full week to me.

Hey, we remember you

2010-06-21T08:10:00.005-04:00

It was a bit weird, in a sense, viewing the Clearwater Threshers as the visitors. Over the past few summers, we've taken in quite a few games at Bright House Field, the home park of the Philadelphia Phillies' Advanced-A squad. This time, though, it was different.

Rather than hang out along the left-field seats in Clearwater, Colin took his customary spot near the visitor's bullpen at Dunedin Stadium, home of the nearby (it's only 6 miles away) rival Dunedin Blue Jays, Toronto's Florida State League affiliate. It's no surprise, either, that the outcome was the same -- plenty of ballplayers willing to make a kid's day.

All told, Colin snagged 16 signatures for his fourth team ball of the 2010 Summer of Baseball campaign:

Cody Overbeck (that's him, above, signing for Colin), Korey Noles, Kevin Jordan (hitting coach) and J.C. Ramirez; and

Darrin Ruf, Jesus Sanchez (we believe), Derrick Mitchell and Brian Gump; and

Tyler Cloyd, Justin DeFratus and Jon Velasquez; and

Chris Kissock, Steve Susdorf, Korby Mintken, Harold Garcia and D'Arby Myers.

Game-used souvenir

2010-06-21T08:05:00.007-04:00

More than a month ago, when the Clearwater Threshers were hosting the Jupiter Hammerheads, our game tickets put us in the first row behind the home team's dugout -- a good spot for getting a game-used ball.

As a result of our prime perch, Clearwater infielder Korby Mintken tossed Colin a ball as he made his way back to the Threshers' dugout.

Colin caught up with Mintken a few weeks later, when the Threshers made the short ride from Clearwater to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays. As you can see, Mintken willingly signed it, making it Colin's first single-signed Florida State League game-used ball of the summer.

Baseball lessons

2010-06-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

One of our goals during the 2010 Summer of Baseball is for Colin to learn how to keep score at a baseball game. We took another stab at it a couple weeks ago, during a Clearwater Threshers-Dunedin Blue Jays game. He got in a couple innings of practice, asking good questions ("It's a backwards K when the batter strikes out looking, right?" and "Can I have some Cracker Jacks?") early on before I took over for a few innings.

I know there are different ways to score a game, but I'm showing him the method I learned back in the mid-1970s. Either way, it provides another father-son memory that, perhaps, he'll pass on someday to his children.

We'll get in a few more practice sessions here over the next few weeks. Who knows, maybe he'll sit still long enough to score a complete game. If not, we'll have plenty of time together at ballparks.

Rays concert: Dierks Bentley

2010-06-14T08:28:00.004-04:00

Colin was all decked out Saturday for the Tampa Bay Rays' Country Night at Tropicana Field. The blue wig showed he's a Rays fan. The cowboy hat was a nod to Dierks Bentley, the postgame entertainment. The smile? That's all his. After all, the Rays beat cross-state rivals, the Florida Marlins, 6-5.

On select Saturday nights, the Rays host postgame concerts. Sure, the tickets may cost a little more ($18) than a midweek ($9) game, but it's a cool twist on a doubleheader. In a couple Saturdays, we'll see the Barenaked Ladies on '90s Night.

Bentley's show was our third Country Night concert. Trace Adkins kicked it off in 2008. Last year, it was Big & Rich. Maybe next year, the Rays will bring in Darius Rucker or the Zac Brown Band.

As the sign says, Bentley, who performed for more than an hour, was part of the Rays' Summer Concert Series.

Sitting where we were, the jumbo screen provided a much closer look.

The stage set-up that keeps folks from running through the infield. Our view from Row H in the 300s at the Trop. We'll go down to field level next time.

Staying cool

2010-06-14T08:18:00.006-04:00

For as hot as it gets in July and August down here in Florida, air-conditioning is a fact of daily life. It's pretty useful in June, too.

Had it not been for fortuitous timing Saturday, we might not have made it inside a local credit union, where the Tampa Bay Rays' Reid Brignac was putting in an hourlong signing session. At a balmy 90-plus degrees outside, we were, for a moment, soaking up the AC, one step inside the doorway.

After another family showed up, a credit union rep said the line might have to resume outside the door. Customers, you see, had to be directed to the "real" customer line.

In time, the line sorted itself out. In all, we spent about 25 minutes waiting for our turn. After getting these three items, it was time well spent, I'd say.

Brignac joined the work-in-progress Rays team helmet. That's his signature, just to the left of the logo. Pitchers J.P. Howell, left, and James Shields are among the others who've signed.

Not this time

2010-06-14T08:10:00.003-04:00

Last season, during our 2009 Summer of Baseball, we set a goal of getting team-signed balls from all 12 Florida State League teams. Well, we fell one team short, missing out on the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Advanced-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

With that in mind, we made sure we wouldn't repeat the omission, catching the Cardinals at Bright House Field in Clearwater. Not only did Colin score his third team ball of the season, but he witnessed first first-ever grand slam, hit by Xavier Scruggs, shown above signing a team ball for Colin, amid an 11-run inning during Palm Beach's 13-0 trouncing of the Threshers.

Devin Goodwin, Ramon Delgado, Kevin Thomas, Jarred Bogany and Oliver Marmol;

Scott McGregor, Joel Pichardo, David Carpenter and Tommy Phan;

Nick Derba, Mark Diapoules, pitching coach Bryan Eversgard, Matt Frevert and Xaxier Scruggs; and

Rich Racobaldo, a scribble from Phinley, the Threshers mascot, and Colt Sedbrook.

In case you're wondering ...

2010-06-14T08:00:00.007-04:00

That's an old Wilson A2514 Carlton Fisk catcher's mitt that serves as a backdrop for pictures of Florida State League baseballs that Colin gets signed over the course of the 2010 Summer of Baseball.

Back in the day, when I pledged by baseball allegiance to the Boston Red Sox, Pudge was my favorite baseball player, replacing my first-ever baseball hero, the late Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I had one of these gloves as a kid, but donated it to my hometown Casey Stengel League team, when I moved away from Machias, N.Y. I caught all of one game, realizing that I wasn't cut out to be a catcher when I couldn't find a foul pop-up ("Where is it," I kept asking) until the ball bounced off home plate, scaring the bejeepers out of me.

A couple of years ago, I found this mitt on eBay. After a mildly spirited bidding war, I replaced a lost childhood treasure. Even if it did remind me of an embarrassing moment.

Resourcefulness

2010-06-07T08:15:00.006-04:00

Part of our routine when we arrive at a Florida State League game is for Colin to patrol the grandstands along the outfields, looking for baseballs. Not only does it provide an instant souvenir, but it keeps us in supply for team-signed baseballs.

Case in point: Our first trip to Bright House Field in Clearwater, where the Jupiter Hammerheads. the FSL affiliate of the Florida Marlins, took on the Clearwater Threshers. It took Colin all of 10 minutes to find a ball, even if it meant summoning up the courage to crash through a spider web to get it.

Like any good hound, he immediately put his new-found treasure to work, getting 22 Hammerheads to sign it:

Corey Madden, Isaac Galloway, Kyle Gunderson, Steven Cishek and Daniel Pertusati;

Jose Ceballos, Johnny Dorn, Jake Smolinksi, Paul Gran, Kevin Mattison and Hunter Mense;

Jeremy Synan, Ryan Keady, Jhan Martinez, Jonathan Fulton and unidentified; and

Peter Andrelczyk, Andy Loomis, Steve Watson, Robert Taylor, Ben Lasater and Emilio Ontiveros.

First pitch

2010-05-31T08:15:00.008-04:00

It's always good getting in the first ball game of the season. In this case, it was even more special. Colin's grandparents, visiting from New Hampshire, joined us for what's becoming a tradition -- taking in a Tampa Yankees game.

Rather than drive over to Tampa, though, we made the drive to Dunedin, where the Blue Jays, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, played host to last year's Florida State League champions.

And though we left early -- it was a school night, after all -- Colin scored his first team ball of the summer campaign, getting autographs from 19 players:

B.J. LaMura, Yan Gomes and Henderson Alvarez;

Frank Gailey, Tyler Pastornicky, Darold Knowles, Ryan Page and Justin Jackson;

Raul Barron, Adeiny Hechavarria (we believe), Welinton Ramirez, unidentified; and

Travis d'Arnaud, Al Quintana, unidentified, Brian Van Kirk, Justin McClanahan, Kevin Ahrens and Dan Perales.

Change in the lineup

2010-05-31T07:50:00.003-04:00

At first, I wasn't going to bring Baseball Mondays back to life this summer. Too much going on, I thought, and too little time. After careful consideration, though, as well as people still checking in on Mondays, I feel an obligation to provide weekly postings.

I imagine, too, taking in a couple of Florida State League games over the past few weeks has helped. But, no, there aren't any plans to duplicate last summer's effort -- 312 innings spread over 35 games. We're looking at a much more manageable schedule of 19 games, including a day trip to Bradenton, for our Summer of Baseball 2010. If Mother Nature allows, we'll see all 12 FSL teams.

Of course, most postings will focus on hounding. Colin's already off to a good start, snagging team balls from the Dunedin Blue Jays and Jupiter Hammerheads, as well as a respectable number of game-used balls. On Saturday, we got rained out, as an early evening thunderstorm kept us from watching the Charlotte Stone Crabs play the Blue Jays.

Once again, Dunedin Stadium will serve as our home field. Bright House Field in Clearwater may be more modern, but you can't beat the ticket deal offered by the D-Jays: 2o ticket vouchers for $60. Even if it's $10 more than last summer, at $3 a ticket, it's one of the best deals in baseball.

About the only real project we'll have this summer, beyond snagging a team ball from every FSL club, will be teaching Colin how to score a game. We tried a couple of innings at a recent Clearwater Threshers game. Lots of questions, all answered, before the Phillie Phanatic, in town for a guest gig, interrupted our trains of thought.

A great summer

2009-09-14T08:43:00.008-04:00

Going back to April, when our Summer of Baseball began, there was only one goal -- to spend as much time with Colin as I could.

Through work and school schedules, our time together is limited for most of the year. And rather than send him off to summer camp, we decided to keep him home and make our own fun. Fishing. Ice skating drills. Visiting our local barber shop, not some hoity-toity salon, for our summer buzz cuts.

Mostly, though, baseball filled our summer calendar, as we attended 35 minor and major league games. You know something? Yes, it was pretty busy, but it went by fast.

Over nearly five months, we watched 312 innings of baseball, an amount reached after careful review and counting of our list of games. At one time, I thought we'd fall a few innings short of 300, but that wasn't the case. And, in something of a surprise, Colin loaded up on autographs, snagging 367 signatures, including getting team balls from 11 of the 12 Florida State League teams, as well as more than two dozen game-used baseballs.

The biggest benefit, though, can't be measured by innings, autographs or scuffed baseballs. It was, indeed, the amount of time we spent together, discussing the difference between two-run homers and two-runner homes, the beauty and efficiency of a quiet batting stance, and polishing off more bags of Cracker Jacks that I care to remember.

More than anything else, our Summer of Baseball was about bonding -- not just as father and son, but as baseball fans. Now, we both know why it's the American pastime.

Two will do

2009-09-07T08:00:00.005-04:00

If it weren't for Detroit pitching coach Rick Knapp and pitcher Casey Fien, the time Colin spent along the third-base line Saturday night would have went all for naught. No complaints, though. Two autographs are two autographs. Now, if only the Rays would've won. At the least, he got to hear the Beach Boys.

A good one to get

2009-08-31T08:02:00.006-04:00

If you're going to get one autograph at a Major League Baseball game, it might as well be a good one. Right?

At least, that's what Allan, Baseball Monday's correspondent in Toronto, relates after taking in a Tampa Bay Rays-Toronto Blue Jays game last week at the Rogers Centre. Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria signed this baseball for his wife just before the game.

It sounds like Longoria followed his pregame routine at the Trop:

"We missed batting practice, but did manage to get there when the players came out to stretch about 20 minutes before game time. We were on the Rays side and my wife got Evan Longoria's auto on a ball.

"Longoria signed for about a dozen people and then ran off to the dugout. I think everyone in the original crowd got an auto, but the secondary rush got shut out.''

Appreciate it

2009-08-31T08:00:00.006-04:00

It was billed as Fan Appreciation Night at Dunedin Stadium. A gas-sipping scooter was given away. So was a free year of pest control services. And kids got a backpack full of school supplies.

At game's end, though, after the Dunedin Blue Jays beat the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 4-3, in a Florida State League contest, we were the ones who were most appreciative.

Though we had to wait until middle August to get our grubby little mitts on the 2009 D-Jays team set, Colin made short work of it, getting 20 players (including D-Jay, the team's mascot) to sign their cards on our past two trips.

On Saturday, during our final visit to Dunedin in our Summer of Baseball, we added another nine cards (including one from the 2008 team set) from Alan Farina, Dumas Garcia, Jesus Gonzalez, Chuck Huggins, Jonathan Jaspe, Moises Sierra, Eric Thames and D-Jay.

And, for good measure, we had Thames, fresh off the disabled list, sign an official FSL ball. Provided he stays healthy, we're sure he'll make his way up the organization's ladder.

Smart move

2009-08-24T08:10:00.002-04:00

When we first walked down near the Texas Rangers' dugout Saturday, I never imagined we'd get an autograph. There were a ton of people, stacked two to three deep in places, along the third base line. All told, I'm guessing at least 75.

Rather than join the throngs, though, we headed farther up the line, moving closer to the bullpen and away from the teeming mass of humanity. The move, I believe, paid off as Colin, decked out in his big black cowboy hat for Cowboy Night at the Trop, snagged five autographs from members of the Rangers organization.

Perhaps, you've heard of some of these players, from left: Doug Mathes, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, Eddie Guardado and player-turned-GM-turned broadcaster Tom Grieve.

Toss in a Rays' 5-4 walk-off victory in 10 innings and a postgame concert by Big & Rich, and it's safe to say we all had a good night.

Gee, thanks, Raymond

2009-08-24T08:08:00.004-04:00

Rather than try to add to his Tampa Bay Rays team ball, Colin wanted to hound the Baltimore Orioles before Thursday's game. As a result, I made a game-dated team sheet for him, trying out programs on our new computer and putting a new printer through its paces.

It was working well, too, as five members of the Orioles squad took the time to sign the team sheet: Jim Johnson, from left, third base coach Juan Samuel, Chris Tillman, Chad Mueller and bullpen coach Alan Dunn.

Then Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays' mascot, stopped by. Needless to say, Raymond wasn't amused, as Colin, decked out in Rays gear, showed him the sheet. That's his big "X" crossing out the Orioles logo, as well as his autograph.

Between seasons, too

2009-08-24T08:06:00.005-04:00

I guess we're not the only hockey hounds passing the time during the offseason by adding to our baseball collections. Allan, one of Hound Central 4.0's correspondents, checked in from Toronto to share the rewards of hounding at a couple of recent Blue Jays games.

As you can see, this haul hasn't too shabby, adding balls (above) from Jays legend Roberto Alomar, top, and Scott Downs, currently in Dunedin on a rehab assignment, and John McDonald. Jays rookie Travis Snider signed the ball at left.

Let's try this again

2009-08-24T08:04:00.003-04:00

Earlier this season, I had the bright idea of using a foul ball, one of many that Colin has collected over our Summer of Baseball, to create a team ball of players named to the Florida State League All Star Game.

Though it got off to a decent start, my lack of attention led to a few non-All Stars signing the ball. Then, thanks to Brett, one of Baseball Mondays correspondents, I got my grubby mitts on a souvenir ball from the FSL All Star Game. The idea was that I'd use it for Daytona's Starlin Castro, the game's MVP. Well, Castro got promoted before I could have him sign the ball.

Rather than have it sit on some box, destined to be forgotten well beyond its usefulness, we brought it along last Wednesday to the Brevard County Manatees-Dunedin Blue Jays game. Though it's unlikely that we'll get the ball filled, we did add these players to it:

Brevard County's Eric Ferris, top and Dunedin's Raul Barron; and

Brevard County's Caleb Gindl.

On Saturday, we'll look to add Dunedin's Moises Sierra to the ball. And, if we can somehow fit in a trip over to Tampa before season's end, we might add signatures from Austin Romine and Jonathan Ortiz.

One at a time

2009-08-24T08:02:00.003-04:00

If there's one thing about Florida State League games, it's how easy it is to snag the occasional game-used ball from a player, coach or umpire. Over our Summer of Baseball, Colin's been able to collect more than two dozen balls.

We used some for the 11 team balls that Colin has accomplished over the course of the campaign. Others have been used to build a single-signed baseballs, or SSBs collection. Brevard County's Eric Ferris added this one before Wedsnesday's rained-out game against Dunedin.

It's all a matter of timing

2009-08-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

Ever since the Tampa Yankees came out with their team set for the 2009 season, we've kept our eyes out for team sets from our other local Florida State League clubs. Not too long ago, we picked up and, subsequently, worked one from the Clearwater Threshers. That left one for the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Last Wednesday, after repeated trips to the team's souvenir store over the past few weeks, we finally picked up a team set for the D- Jays. From what I hear, though, we should've went to Tuesday's game, as the set was given away to fans. Our one-day delay, however, meant we spent $10 for the set.

Though the game got rained out -- the third of our Summer of Baseball campaign -- we were able to snag a dozen autographs:

Top row: Kevin Ahrens, Raul Barron and Bobby Bell; and
Bottom row: Matt Liuzza, Adam Loewen and manager Omar Malave.

Top row: Bradley McElroy, Ryan Page and Mayy Rodriguez; and
Bottom row: Sean Shoffitt, John Tolisano and trainer Bob Tarpey.

We're heading back to Dunedin Stadium this Saturday, in what could be our final FSL game of the summer. If we're lucky, we'll add a few more signed cards to the D-Jays team set.

They all add up

2009-08-17T00:26:00.007-04:00

In all honesty, it's unrealistic to expect completing a team ball at any Major League Baseball game. The competition is tougher, the security less enabling and, quite simply, most players are, shall we say, more focused.

That doesn't mean, though, that you can't work a team ball a couple signatures at a time. That's exactly what Colin did yesterday before the Toronto-Tampa Bay game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

He worked his way into the crowd gathered near the dugout and along the first-base line, eventually earning front-row position, and snagged a pair of autographs from these two Rays players:

Pitcher Matt Garza, who worked the crowds near the Rays dugout about 45 minutes before the game; and

Outfielder Gabe Kapler, who, despite not being a member of last season's magical squad, signed right above the commemorative honor.

All told, Colin now has six autographs on his 2009 Tampa Bay Rays team ball. We have a few more opportunities, too, to add to the total.

At least Larry signed

2009-08-17T00:24:00.007-04:00

After getting shot down by Daytona Cubs batting coach Richie Zisk not too long ago, I wasn't sure if we'd add any more former big-leaguers to the Major League Baseball Alumni ball before our Summer of Baseball came to a close.

Thanks to Larry Herndon, a hitting coach for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Florida State League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, we now have seven signatures from former MLB players. If we can squeeze in a trip to see the Tampa Yankees, and that may be difficult to do, we'll try to add Luis Sojo.

Herndon, who signed before last Thursday's game against the Clearwater Threshers, played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers over 14 seasons.

In case you're wondering, that's an autograph from former big-leaguer Mike Heath above Herndon's signature.

Cards for Clearwater

2009-08-17T00:22:00.003-04:00

Now that we're nearing the end of our Summer of Baseball, and have completed a number of team-signed balls, we're turning our attention to working team sets from our local Florida State League teams.

In this case, it's the Clearwater Threshers, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Though I doubt we'll complete the set, given call-ups and such, we're happy to add another 16 autographed cards to the collection.

This batch came last Thursday, as we made what's likely to be our final visit to Bright House Field for the season:

Top row: Luis Arzeno, Javis Diaz and Michael Durant;
Middle row: Freddy Galvis, Chris Kissock and Derrick Mitchell; and
Bottom row: Carlos Monasterios, Joel Naughton and Cody Overbeck.

Top row: Arlon Quiroz, Matt Rizzotti and Yonderman Rodriguez; and
Bottom row: Michael Schwimer, Fidel Hernandez and manager Ernie Whitt.

For the record, we also had Threshers trainer Ichiro Kitano sign his team set card.

This took two trips

2009-08-17T00:20:00.003-04:00

I don't know what it is, but Mother Nature, mainly in the form of thunderstorms, nearly derailed Colin's efforts to get a team-signed ball from the Daytona Cubs, the Florida State League Advanced-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

We got the first batch of signatures -- nine in total -- before a rained-out game against the Tampa Yankees on July 9. Then, last Saturday in Dunedin, we had to dodge intermittent raindrops to add another seven signatures to the ball.

Perseverance paid off, though, as Colin completed the 11th team ball during our Summer of Baseball. The only FSL team he missed? The Palm Beach Cardinals. Still, it's a pretty remarkable feat.

Here are the 16 players and coaches to sign the Cubs' team ball:

Manager Buddy Bailey on the sweet spot;

Jonathan Wyatt, Josh Vitters, Craig Muschko and an unidentified player;

Robinson Chirinos, the since-traded Josh Harrison, Brandon Guyer and Mark Reed;

Ryan Searle, Tony Campana and Nate Sampson; and

Pitching coach Tom Pratt, James Leverton, Mike Perconte and Jericho Jones.

We had hoped to add an autograph from former big-leaguer Richie Zisk, now serving as Daytona's batting coach, but he declined multiple requests to sign before Saturday's game.

Beyond balls and strikes

2009-08-10T08:00:00.012-04:00

Most times, the action on the diamond commands our attention during a baseball game -- diving catches, double plays and one-hoppers off the left field wall.

But, have you taken the time to really look around at a game? There's more to one than hits, runs and errors. There's art and irony. Color and detail. Nuances beyond the mundane that a casual fan might overlook.

For the past few weeks -- using only a FujiFilm Finepix S1000 point-and-shoot digital camera, not some tricked-out, top-shelf model favored by professional photojournalists -- I've tried to capture some of these moments and scenes at three Florida State League parks in the Tampa Bay area.

It's these slices of life, captured in quick glances, that only add to the texture of America's pastime:

Yes, it does look like a few members of the Sarasota Reds might be taking part in some martial arts before a game against the Dunedin Blue Jays at Dunedin Stadium. Instead, it's just Sarasota's Jake Long, from left, Denis Phipps and Neftali Soto participating in pregame stretching.

The bargain of the summer: A replica Team Canada hat from this year's World Baseball Classic for just $10 from Diamond Outfitters at Bright House Field in Clearwater.

Even before the sun sets, tower lights come on at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

Watering down the infield is part of pregame preparations at Bright House Field in Clearwater.

A foul ball sits high atop screening at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

With his feet atop the Threshers' dugout, Colin kicks back at Bright House Field in Clearwater.

Lines, shapes and surfaces blend at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

Work on an infield practice field doesn't stop a game between the Sarasota Reds and Dunedin Blue Jays at Dunedin Stadium.

The infield gets a between-innings grooming at Dunedin Stadium.

Man, was it hot

2009-08-03T08:06:00.009-04:00

Knowing well enough to slather on sunscreen and keep ourselves well-hydrated, our initial inklings that summertime matinees in Florida can be played in brutally hot temperatures were proven true last Wednesday during a game between the St. Lucie Mets and Clearwater Threshers at Bright House Field in Clearwater.

After snagging a handful of autographs, including a couple from Dominic Brown, a top-rated prospect within the Philadelphia Phillies organization, we settled down -- in the shade -- to record just how hot it gets in Florida during the summer months.

No, we're not gluttons for punishment. If we had our druthers, we'd watch every baseball game from the cool comfort of air conditioning. In this case, though, we wanted to show how foolish it was for the Tampa Bay Rays, in search of a new stadium, to even consider an open-air setting, albeit one that proposed a sail-like covering that was supposed to protect players and fans from the elements.

So, armed with a digital thermometer, we joined a couple hundred kids from summer camps last Wednesday in experiencing what was, honestly, a physically demanding day of watching baseball.

Here, listed in inning-by-inning fashion, are our findings, taken every inning as the teams switched positions, of just how hot it can get during a matinee game:

First inning: 99.8 degrees, 12:04 p.m.
Second inning: 100 degrees, 12:13 p.m.
Third inning: 100.8 degrees, 12:26 p.m.
Fourth inning: 104.6 degrees, 12:47 p.m.
Fifth inning: 109.2 degrees, 1 p.m.
Sixth inning: 108.2 degrees, 1:14 p.m.
Seventh inning: 99 degrees (a huge cloud blocked out the sun), 1:35 p.m.
Eighth inning: 104.8 degrees, 1:51 p.m.
Ninth inning: 102.6 degrees, 2:11 p.m.

The highest reading of the day? How about 110.6 degrees, as the Mets batted in the top of the fifth?

Thankfully, the Rays have abandoned the silly notion of an open-air stadium, instead talking about one with a retractable roof. Until then, though, we'll be content to sit in the air-conditioned comfort of Tropicana Field, the Rays' home dome.

And, really, do you blame us?

Good call

2009-08-03T08:04:00.002-04:00

If you believe Baseball America -- and there's certainly no reason to doubt the publication -- Clearwater's Dominic Brown will be patrolling right field for the Philadelphia Phillies by 2012.

In fact, Baseball America has him as the Phillies' top-rated prospect.

Perhaps, then, it was a good idea to have Brown sign a Florida State League ball (another foul ball that Colin has collected) and a FSL Top Prospects card before Wednesday's game against the St. Lucie Mets.

Focused effort

2009-08-03T08:02:00.006-04:00

Now that we're nearing the end of our Summer of Baseball, and running out of teams to pursue team-signed balls, it's time for a little cherry-picking, namely top prospects within a team's organization.

In this case, it's St. Lucie's Reese Havens, the New York Mets' first-round pick in 2008.

As you can see, Reese, an infielder, signed a Florida State League baseball, one of the many Colin has picked up over the course of the summer, as well as this FSL Top Prospects card before Wednesday's game against the Clearwater Threshers.

Without even asking

2009-08-03T08:00:00.007-04:00

Our original intent was to add Clearwater Threshers manager Ernie Whitt to the Major League Baseball alumni ball before Wednesday's sweltering game against the St. Lucie Mets. Without even asking, hitting coach Kevin Jordan added the sixth autograph to the game-used Florida State League ball.

Bring plenty of liquids, sunscreen

2009-07-27T08:40:00.001-04:00

It wasn't all that long ago that the Tampa Bay Rays were pushing a waterfront stadium proposal in downtown St. Petersburg. Though the view would have been nice, the open-air concept would have meant one thing -- games would be played in Florida's sweltering summertime conditions.

Long gone would have been the climate-controlled conditions -- a comfortable 72 degrees -- at the Rays' current home, Tropicana Field. In its place, fans would have to face 90-plus degree matinees, stifling humidity and exposure to other elements that a planned "sail" over the playing field wouldn't subside.

Thankfully, the open-air stadium concept was confronted by the reality of Florida's brutal summers. Though efforts are still under way exploring the possibility of a new stadium for the Rays, this survival-of-the-fittest approach has been scrapped. The latest talk focuses on a retractable roof.

Still, that doesn't mean that Florida's summers won't become a factor sometime in the future. That's why we'll be conducting our own experiment this week, when the St. Lucie Mets travel to Clearwater for a matinee match-up.

In our test, we'll keep inning-by-inning track of the daytime temperatures at Bright House Field, using two sets of readings -- one from seats in the direct sunlight and the other from the comfort of shade. And, at the end of the day, I imagine we'll form the opinion that open-air baseball in Florida isn't the brightest of ideas.

Simply put, it's just too darn hot.

These work just fine

2009-07-27T08:36:00.002-04:00

With Colin securing another seven Florida State League balls, including five foul balls, over two games last week, we decided to use a few for single-signed balls last Saturday when the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, played host to the Sarasota Reds.

As you can see, three Dunedin players -- Kevin Ahrens, from left, Justin Jackson and Moises Sierra -- were more than happy to honor our requests. This week, we're hoping to add Clearwater's Dominic Brown and St. Lucie's Reese Havens to the single-signed ball collection.

Game-used baseballs weren't the only items we got signed as Jesus Gonzalez (#24) and Raul Barron (bottom right) were among the 11 players to add to the Dunedin Blue Jays mini team bat. Among those also signing the mini bat were C.J. Ebarb, Justin Jackson, Jon Jaspe, Lance Loftin, Bradley McElroy and Manny Rodriguez.

Hopefully, we'll find room and time for Tim Collins, Adam Loewen and Eric Thames before season's end.

Another one's done

2009-07-27T08:34:00.003-04:00

Here's another instance where a few minutes of hustle as pregame warmups came to a close, at the tail end of our double-dipping efforts for the visiting Fort Myers Miracle and the hometown Yankees, helped us knock out the rest of the 2009 Tampa Yankees team ball.

With these five signatures, we're closing the book on this ball at 19 signatures:

Damon Sublett;

Adam Olbrychowski, Walter Ibarra and Austin Romine; and

Daniel Brewer.

Making a dent

2009-07-27T08:32:00.004-04:00

Given that we picked up a free team set for the 2009 Tampa Yankees, we have plenty of cards for the players in pinstripes to sign.

The first three players to sign the team set, shown above, were, from left, Mitch Hilligoss, Austin Romine and Damon Sublett. And, as you can see, Romine, the No. 4 prospect in the New York Yankees organization, also signed a couple other cards for us.

Now, all we have to do is find time for one last trip to Tampa so we can knock out more of the set.

Better late than never

2009-07-27T08:30:00.004-04:00

Earlier this Florida State League season, when Colin's Nana and Babop, a couple of Yankees fans, were visiting from New England, we took them to see a Tampa Yankees game.

During the game, Tampa's Mitch Hilligoss, an infielder, tossed Colin a ball as we sat behind the Yankees' dugout. Last Wednesday, as part of our double-dipping duties, we were finally able to have Holligoss sign it for Colin.

A minor Miracle

2009-07-27T08:27:00.003-04:00

Most times, we try to stick to a single team when it comes to hounding at Florida State League games. Now that we're nearly the final third of our Baseball of Summer, though, we're finding it necessary, in the interest of finishing some team balls, to hound both teams.

Last Wednesday, with the Fort Myers Miracle in Tampa to play the Yankees, was one of those instances where we had to practice a little double-dipping. We still had some room on a team ball, started earlier in the season before a game against Dunedin, and we had a couple of cards we wanted to get signed.

That's why we split up our pregame hounding efforts, so we could add these to the Miracle team-signed ball, giving us a total of 18 signatures:

Joe Benson, Allan de San Miguel and Deibinson Romero, for the second time;

Estarlin De Los Santos; and

Dakota Watts and Evan Brigley.

Worth the effort

2009-07-27T08:25:00.002-04:00

I must admit that we squeezed in a little more time than planned for the Fort Myers Miracle during last week's visit to Tampa.

Though we had decent luck with them in our first trip, when the Miracle played Dunedin in a sweltering matinee, we still had a few items, namely these cards for Joe Benson and Ben Revere.

The bat, from Rene Leveret, was a bonus, one of two he broke during the game. And though he told Colin that the team doesn't want players giving away bats, he relented and signed it for him.

Mop-up duty

2009-07-27T08:20:00.002-04:00

Though this isn't a reflection of her efforts, we must give Momma all the credit for knocking out the 2009 Clearwater Threshers team-signed baseball last week. While Colin and I were busy working a Sarasota Reds team ball, Momma, armed with a roster and a short list of players, snagged autographs from these five players:

Steve Susdorf;

Carlos Monasterios and Dominic Brown, the top-rated prospect, according to Baseball America, in the Philadelphia Phillies organization; and

Michael Schwimmer and Michael Durant.

Change in plans

2009-07-27T08:17:00.005-04:00

Back in April, in the earliest days of our Summer of Baseball, building a collection of team-signed balls was not among the goals of the project. No, the project was more about hanging out, watching a ton of baseball and, if we were lucky, adding a few baseball autographs to the collection.

Initially, we figured we'd put together team balls from our three local Florida State League teams -- the Clearwater Threshers, Dunedin Blue Jays and Tampa Yankees. Yes, that was the plan.

Here we are, though, in the last week of July. Thanks to a seemingly never-ending supply of foul balls and 16 members of the Sarasota Reds, the FSL (Advanced-A) affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Colin completed his 10th team ball of our Summer of Baseball:

Jorge Orta and Rafael Gonzalez;

Jake Kahaulelio, Jake Long, Justin Reed, Josh Beal and Joseph Krebs (Like how everyone's first name begins with a J? Pure luck, I promise.);

Devin Mesoraco, Shane Carlson, Mace Thurman and Neftali Soto; and

Steven Otterness, Dennis Phipps, Kyle Day, Dave Sappelt and Jason Louwsma.

Remember him?

2009-07-27T08:16:00.001-04:00

Most every Florida State League team roster carries a former big leaguer on its coaching staff, hence our work-in-progress Major League Baseball Alumni team ball project.

Sarasota's batting coach Jorge Orta, who played for five teams in his 15-year career and won a World Series ring with the 1985 Kansas City Royals, became the latest ex-player to add to the project.

Pretty sweet signature, too, if you ask me.

Three-bagger

2009-07-27T08:15:00.004-04:00

Besides getting a team ball signed by the Sarasota Reds, we were also able to snag Devin Mesoraco and Neftali Soto, two of the squad's top players, on these cards. Cincinnati picked Mesoraco 15th overall in 2007.

This isn't brain surgery

2009-07-20T11:30:00.009-04:00

Even if it sounds like we're bragging, it's hard to argue against the simple methodology Colin and I use to fill up a team ball. Need proof? How about this team ball signed by 17 members of the Brevard County Manatees, the Florida State League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers?

Really, it was pretty simple. We show up near the visiting team's dugout just before the team begins its pregame warmups. Armed with a roster, I feed Colin the names of players heading out to the field. He then addresses them by name, asking politely if they'll sign his team ball. Very few, to date, have refused this requests.

We must confide, too, that we gambled a bit with this ball, believing at the time it was our final foul ball of the season. No need to worry, though. By game's end, in which the Manatees lost to the Clearwater Threshers, Colin had added collected another three foul balls.

Here's who signed the Brevard County team ball, the ninth of our Summer of Baseball:

Eric Ferris on the sweet spot;

Martin Maldonado, Brent Brewer and Logan Schafer;

Lee Haydel, Mark Willinsky, Brandon Rapoza and Roque Mercedes;

Alex Periard, Caleb Grindl, Derrick Alfonso, Chris Errecart and Zelous Wheeler; and

Pitching coach Fred Dabney, Rafael Lluberes, Omar Aguilar and Steffan Wilson.

A couple more cards

2009-07-20T11:00:00.004-04:00

Little by little, we keep knocking out cards in the 2009 Florida State Lague Top Prospects set. In this case, it was Brevard County's Eric Farris, left, and Caleb Gindl who added to our efforts before a game last week against the Clearwater Threshers.

Quick fill

2009-07-20T10:04:00.012-04:00

It's not so remarkable that Colin pulled in the fullest team ball of our Summer of Baseball when the Lakeland Flying Tigers visited Dunedin earlier this month. After all, this is the Florida State League, where the autographs come pretty easy, especially for a little kid.

What makes this baseball, one of the 15 foul balls (so far) that he's snagged over the summer, so remarkable is how he got the signatures on it. Dodging an occasional raindrop and ankle-deep puddles, Colin got the players to sign it within a 25-minute span before umpires and managers called the game because of rain.

All told, Colin scored 21 autographs from players in the Detroit Tigers pipeline:

Flying Tigers manager Andy Barkett;

Scott Green, Joseph Tucker, Audy Ciriaco, Christopher White, Justin Henry and Brett Jacobson;

Kody Kaiser (yes, it's upside down), Josh Workman, Michael Bertram and Chris Carlson;

For the sake of accuracy and clarity, here's Kaiser's signature viewed right side up;

Maiko Loyola, Andrew Hess, Jeremy Lasler, Devin Thomas and Adrian Casanova; and

Trevor Feeney, Jared Gayhart, Nolan Cain, Lester Oliveros and Chad Linder.

Chipping away

2009-07-20T09:41:00.006-04:00

Thanks to the release and our subsequent purchase of the 2009 Florida State League Top Prospect set, we found ourselves with a little project over the summer -- getting it signed.

Well, it didn't take long to realize that we wouldn't complete the set, given the promotion of some of the players as well as missing out on teams so deep into the summer.

Still, that doesn't mean we not trying to get as many cards signed as we can. Here, Audy Ciriaco , a member of the Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit's Advanced-A affiliate), did his part to help in our endeavours.

We have a couple more to show off, thanks to a pair of Brevard County Manatees players, but that will wait until next Monday. Also, with two games over the next week, conditions exist to add a few more.

Not a total washout

2009-07-13T09:12:00.007-04:00

Just because Mother Nature decided to go deep before last Thursday's Florida State League game between the Daytona Cubs and the Tampa Yankees, it didn't mean we didn't score a few autographs.

In fact, one of them came from Daytona third baseman Josh Vitters, a highly touted first-rounder, who's drawing rave reviews not just as a Chicago Cubs prospect but as a top 10 in Major League Baseball as well.

We also started a Daytona Cubs team ball, but the rainout kept us from completing the project. Weather permitting, we'll finish it Aug. 8, when the Cubs play the Dunedin Blue Jays.

It's a start

2009-07-13T08:49:00.009-04:00

Last year, Colin and I spent a long, muggy afternoon at the tail end of the All Star break working a team-signed ball from the Tampa Bay Rays. This season, however, the ball is going to take a little longer.

Colin scored the first four signatures of another of our Summer of Baseball projects before last Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, again weathering a fairly muggy day and a considerably bigger crowd of hounds.

Still, the four players who did stop to sign provided a decent start to the project:

Shawn Riggans, top, and Akinori Iwamura (top photo, signing for fans in the Rays' parking lot); and

Gabe Gross, top, and Carl Crawford.

The ball, as well as a few other items, were part of our so-called doubleheader day. After attending the Jays-Rays game, we traveled to Tampa to dodge some raindrops and hound the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League. After the Cubs-Yankees game was rained out, we turned our attention to hockey, namely the Tampa Bay Lightning's Young Guns camp.

Taking full advantage

2009-07-13T08:32:00.006-04:00

When it comes to getting autographs, Colin often employs an advantage that is often unfair to others.

First, he's a kid and that scores major points with big league ballplayers. He's quick with "please" and "thank you" any time he gets an autograph, too. His advantage, however, goes beyond that -- his handdrawn team sheets, especially ones with an old-school logo, are a big hit, so to speak, with players.

Granted, he may have had only four Toronto Blue Jays players sign his most recent work of art, but he was among the first to get an autograph from four pitchers before last Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Who signed? How about, from left, Brandon League, Jason Frasor, Jesse Carlson and Scott Downs.

Making the most of our time

2009-07-06T12:15:00.012-04:00

We took a chance, really we did, by driving up to Dunedin last Thursday. It had rained for nearly two days straight and the skies looked threatening. Still, though, we didn't let that, or the two inches of standing water near the Mets' bullpen, stop us.

Though we dodged raindrops before, during and after the shortened game, Colin, using a foul ball, was rewarded for our efforts, completing a team-signed ball from the St. Lucie Mets, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Mets, in less than 30 minutes of rain-free hounding.

The 17 members of the St. Lucie squad to sign the team ball, the seventh of our Summer of Baseball, were:

St. Lucie manager Tim Teufel, one of two balls he signed for us, on the sweet spot;

Phil Regan, Reese Havens and Kirk Nieuwenhuis;

Juan Lopez, Zach Lutz and Brahiam Maldonado;

Angel Calero, Manuel Alvarez, Jake Eigsti, Hector Pellot and Rafael Arroyo; and

Julio Rivera, Brant Rustich, Carlos Guzman, Jordan Abruzzo and Tim Stronach.

We didn't get rained out

2009-07-06T11:53:00.005-04:00

Just because a game gets rained out, it doesn't mean that you can't get autographs. Take this Dunedin Blue Jays mini bat, for instance. Colin was able to get 11 players, including John Tolisano, to sign it as umpires and managers gathered to call a rain-shortened game last week.

Others to sign were Kevin Ahrens, Alan Farina, Jesus Gonzalez, Darold Knowles, Andrew Liebel, Matt Liuzza, Omar Malave, Ryan Page, Sean Shoffit and Moises Sierra.

We also had Shoffit sign this card from the Dunedin Blue Jays' 2008 team set. Thankfully, too, there are a few other players remaining from the 2008 squad: Kyle Ginley, Gonzalez, Knowles, Malave and Kenny Rodriguez.

As we're starting to run out of items for the D-Jays, we're looking forward to the 2009 team set. That should give us something to work on during our remaining visits to Dunedin Stadium.

School ties

2009-07-06T11:39:00.007-04:00

One of the first things I check when researching a visiting Florida State League team is whether or not any of the coaches are former Major League Baseball players.

In the case of the St. Lucie Mets, the Advanced-A affiliate of the New York Mets, former big leaguer Tim Teufel fit the bill, becoming the third person to sign MLB Alumni ball.

I was able to easily call over Teufel after telling him that we were fellow alums of St. Petersburg Junior College, now known as St. Petersburg College, and sharing a memory of Ed Davis, Teufel's coach during his days playing for the Trojans.

"Wow, hearing that name has brought back some memories," Teufel said.

Next trip, though, I'll have to get Phil Regan, one of St. Lucie's coaches, on the MLB Alumni ball.

Not too hard to figure out

2009-07-06T11:14:00.007-04:00

Of all the teams playing in the Florida State League, one might think that a local team -- either the Clearwater Threshers, Dunedin Blue Jays or Tampa Yankees -- would capture Colin's fancy.

Nope, his favorite team -- the Charlotte Stone Crabs -- shows the extent of how deep his loyalties run. As the Advanced-A farm club for the Tampa Bay Rays -- his favorite MLB team, Colin says that's the biggest reason why he's a big fan of the Stone Crabs.

I'm sure, though, that after watching them play six times now is another factor. Given all of the times we've seen them play, it's no wonder that he's running out of items to get signed:

Colin got 15 players, including his favorite Shawn O'Malley, to sign his Stone Crabs alternate cap. Other notable signers included Cody Cipriano, Brian Flores, Emeel Salem and Gregory Sexton.

The only card we got signed during the Stone Crabs' visit to Dunedin came from outfielder Reid Fronk, part of the Florida State League's 2009 Top Prospect set.

We had another set card for Charlotte's Alex Cobb, and had asked him to sign it as he made his way from the dugout to the bullpen. He said he couldn't sign during a game (it never hurts to ask) and that he would after the game.

Given that FSL players routinely go out of their easy to sign, it was disappointing when Cobb didn't honor his statement.

Thanks, guys

2009-07-06T10:50:00.012-04:00

It may have taken a few days, from the time that Dunedin's Eric Thames gave this bat to Colin until the Dunedin Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter signed it, but it was well worth the wait. Especially, too, after this exchange:

Colin: Eric, can you sign this bat?
Thames: You mean you didn't throw that away?
Colin: Why would I do that? It's sweet. So, you gonna sign it?

As you can see, Thames did, indeed, sign the bat. That wasn't the only thing Colin got signed by D-Jays players during two visits to Dunedin Stadium to see his favorite Florida State League team, the Charlotte Stone Crabs:

Though we don't have too many cards to get signed, we were psyched that Dunedin's Kevin Ahrens, Andrew Liebel and John Tolisano knocked out what little we had;

Signing the Dunedin Blue Jays team ball during the Charlotte series were, from top, Sean Shoffit, John Tolisano and Kenny Rodriguez (yes, it's upside down); and

Ahrens, whose folks were in town for the series, also signed the D-Jays team ball.

Hearts of gold

2009-06-29T12:15:00.006-04:00

Last Thursday, following a FSL game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Dunedin Blue Jays, Colin gave one of the foul balls he collected that night to the father of Kevin Ahrens, a third-baseman for the D-Jays.

The father, in town from Houston for the weekend to watch his son play, was very appreciative, as his own efforts to collect one that night went for naught. I must admit, too, in a tremendous feeling of pride as I watched Colin make that dad's day.

I guess that's why I teared up this morning after reading this St. Petersburg Times story about another young fan's act of generosity.

Actually, it's been easy

2009-06-29T11:36:00.010-04:00

As we began our Summer of Baseball, we mentioned to a couple of Clearwater Threshers players that one of our hounding projects would be assembling a collection of team balls. Good luck, one said, telling us that it might be a difficult project.

Thankfully, it has been anything but that, as Colin worked his sixth team ball of the season, this one from the Fort Myers Miracle, the Florida State League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

Using a foul ball, one of the dozen that Colin's collected so far this season, he got these Miracle players to sign:

Ben Revere, Loek (it's pronounced Luke) van Mil, Steve Singleton and Chris Cates;

Nick Romero, Rene Leveret and Kyle Waldrop; and

Mark Dolenc, Spencer Steedley, Chris Parmelee and Blair Erickson.

Another half-dozen Miracle players, including All Star pitcher David Bromberg, also signed another ball for Colin. On July 22, we'll try to put the finishing touches on this Miracle ball.

My bad

2009-06-29T11:22:00.010-04:00

I should've been paying more attention. But, I wasn't. It was an 11 a.m. start, there were hundreds of kids armed with squirt guns (Camp Day at Dunedin Stadium) and it was hot, with a feel-like temperature of 100-plus degrees.

That's how Colin's so-called Florida State League All Star player ball gained a few signatures from Fort Myers Miracle players who didn't participate in the game.

Really, though, it's not a big concern. It was, and still remains, all about Colin having fun. An autograph is an autograph, no matter what's signed. Right?

Besides, we have one panel remaining. The next time, I'll try to pay more attention.

Good or bad, mistakes or not, here's who Colin added to the ball:

David Bromberg, who was named to the FSL All Star Game, Allan de San Miguel and Santos Arias; and

Jair Fernandez, Tyler Robertson and Henry Arias.

A Fort Myers Miracle team ball, however, does contain autographs from some of the Miracle's other All Star Game representatives: Chris Cates, Chris Parmelee, Ben Revere, Steve Singleton and Spencer Steedley.

A fan favorite

2009-06-29T10:37:00.009-04:00

Justin Jackson, a 2007 first-round pick by Toronto, gets our vote for the friendliest player on the Dunedin Blue Jays. He always stops to say hello and signs a ton of autographs before and after every home game. I suppose it helps, too, that Jackson's grandfather, a welcome fixture at Dunedin Stadium, is one of Colin's "buddies."

That's not to say, though, that Jackson was the only D-Jay to sign before a recent home game against the Fort Myers Miracle. Nope, these players added to Colin's work-in-progress Dunedin Blue Jays team ball:

Tim Collins, Marcus Walden and Andrew Liebel; and

Leon Boyd, top, and a smudged autograph from Ryan Page.

Brett's FSL Report No. 2: Fan Fest

2009-06-22T00:32:00.011-04:00

When the Florida State League All-Star Game rosters were released a few weeks ago, it looked as if it would be a great event with many future stars on hand. But, one by one the so-called stars began to get promoted to AA.

From Sarasota's Yonder Alonso, Fort Myers' Carlos Gutierrez, St. Lucie's Brad Holt, Jupiter's Michael Stanton, Clearwater's Dominic Brown and Kyle Drabek, and Tampa's Jesus Montero, the FSL has lost a ton of talent in the past few weeks. All in all, there have been 21 players named to the original roster who either were injured or promoted.

With what was left on the original roster, and the replacements, I made out better than I expected during the FSL's All-Star Game Fan Fest. The event, held at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, was well-organized by the host team Miracle, with many games for children to play, live music, food and player autographs.

For most of the event, players were just hanging around, mingling with fans, playing games with children and signing just about anything. Most everyone signed next to their player bio in the program and I got plenty of cards and other miscellaneous items signed. In total, I was able to get 206 autographs (editor's note: Jeezum crow!) altogether from this year’s All-Stars.

Among the players signing cards , shown above, were Tampa’s Austin Romine, Fort Myers' David Bromberg and Ben Revere, Palm Beach’s Adam Reifer and Shane Peterson, Jupiter’s Jeff Allison and Matt Dominguez, and Daytona’s Starlin Castro and Jody Davis.

Did you see this?

2009-06-15T11:44:00.005-04:00

Tucked within our baseball hounding activities of Shark Week between the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Clearwater Threshers was an interesting sidebar: It seems the Tampa Bay Rays took exception to a Threshers bobblehead promotion, featuring players from the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, the Threshers' parent club.

The St. Petersburg Times was all over the story.

Fitting the bill

2009-06-15T11:24:00.006-04:00

Of all the items pro baseball players are offered to sign -- from baseballs to cards to photos -- I imagine they appreciate a change in pace from the standard fare. At least, that's the reasoning behind Colin's effort to get a plastic hammerhead shark signed by members of the Jupiter Hammerheads during our two-game Shark Week hounding effort.

The shark, a former bath toy that reinforces Colin's inquisitive nature toward the creatures, proved to be very popular among the players. Even without prompting, many of the 13 Hammerheads players who honored Colin's requests said it was the first time they had been asked to, well, sign a hammerhead shark.

The baker's dozen, shown from left to right in each photo, to sign were:

Elih Villanueva, Kyle Gunderson, Spike McDougall, Geraldo Valentin, Gregory Burns, Jose Rosario, Hunter Mense and Jhan Marinez; and

Ryan Curry, Alejandro Sanabia, Osvaldo Martinez, Matt Dominguez and Brandon Tripp.

Catching Hammerheads

2009-06-15T10:36:00.019-04:00

As much as catching a shark would've been the big highlight of Shark Week, it was the Jupiter Hammerheads -- the baseball team, not a rare species found in Florida's tropical waters -- who sealed the deal for the shark fan in our household.

From pitcher Alejandro Sanabia, shown above signing the Hammerheads team ball, to 3B Matt Dominguez, the Florida Marlins' 2007 first-round draft pick who signed this card, the Florida State League team stepped up and made sure that Shark Week, our Summer of Baseball mini-project, was a success.

The team ball, however, wasn't the only item. We also added these:

~ a plastic hammerhead shark,, quite the hit with the team's players. Many said it was the first time they had signed such an item; and

~ Three of Jupiter's All Star Game representatives -- Jeff Allison, Miguel Fermin and Alejandro Sanabia -- on an All Star players ball.

All told, 18 players signed the team ball:

Spike McDougall and Jeff Allison;

Garrett Parcell, Jose Rosario, Miguel Fermin, Alejandro Sanabia and Kyle Gunderson;

Osvaldo Martinez, Gregory Burns, Elih Villanueva, Brandon Tripp and Jhan Marinez; and

Hunter Mense, Matt Dominguez, Ryan Curry, Geraldo Valentin, unidentified (anyone know who it is?) and Smelin Perez.

Part of the game

2009-06-15T10:28:00.006-04:00

Beyond all of the autographs Colin picked up over Shark Week, I believe this dugout lineup card, given to Colin by Clearwater Threshers coach Ramon Henderson after the team's 7-3 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads last Thursday, was the coolest item he received.

I'm sorry, though, I'm not sure what the black dots represent. I'm thinking they might be strikeouts.

Overindulgence?

2009-06-15T10:18:00.008-04:00

For good or bad, we've been told many, many times that we spoil our son, Colin.

Well, yes, I'd plead guilty to that charge. Willingly, too.

A case in point: This Philadelphia Phillies Gulf Coast League game-worn jersey of Clearwater Threshers 1B/DH Matt Rizzotti, plucked during Shark Week from a chest inside the team's pro shop at Bright House Networks Field.

As you can see, Rizzotti was more than willing to sign the jersey (it, as well as others, cost $50-$75) as well as verifying he'd worn it during a rehabilitational stint last season.

Just a couple

2009-06-15T09:19:00.007-04:00

We didn't fill up the Clearwater Threshers team ball as much as planned during Shark Week, focusing instead on the visiting Jupiter Hammerheads.

Still no worries. We'll make at least one more trip to Clearwater before season's end. This time, though, we'll pay homage to the home team. We missed out on Phils' top prospect Dominic Brown, an error on our part.

That's not to say we didn't add to the 17-signature ball. No, we did. What we lacked in quantity, however, was made up with quality, snagging signatures from two Florida State League All Stars:

~ Starter Yohan Flande, a lefty who, through today (June 15), is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA. His one-word sig covers part one from Phinley, the Threshers mascot. Tsk, tsk, tsk. The 17th signature, Flande had plenty of room to sign.

~ Pitcher Carlos Monasterios, a righty with a 4-4 record and a 3.48 ERA. He got lit up (three earned runs in two innings) by Jupiter during their four-game series.

Put to good use

2009-06-15T08:54:00.009-04:00

Considering the small crowds and fan-friendly approach of Florida State League games, it's been easy for Colin to collect a handful of official FSL baseballs, either through foul balls, players or umpires.

Rather than have them sit around the house collecting dust, though, we started a FSL All Star Game ball during Shark Week, when the Jupiter Hammerheads played the Clearwater Threshers. Though we won't be making the trip to Fort Fyers for the game, the ball, given to Colin by an umpire after a Charlotte-Tampa game, will become a staple for the remaining FSL games in our Summer of Baseball.

Three members of the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, were the first to sign: catcher Miguel Fermin, from top to bottom, and pitchers Alejandro Sanabia and Jeff Allison.

We hope to add a few more Wednesday, when we'll catch the Fort Myers Miracle, the Minnesota Twins' FSL club, play the Dunedin Blue Jays, a stop within Toronto's organization.

Signing bonus

2009-06-15T08:17:00.010-04:00

As we walked toward Bright House Networks Field on Saturday, we could hear the sounds of a baseball game going on - the announcing of a batter, the crack of solid contact and a smattering of applause.

At first, we thought we had arrived late to the Jupiter Hammerheads-Clearwater Threshers game, part of our Shark Week activities during out Summer of Baseball. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

Instead, we learned after arriving inside the park, it was a charity Legends game for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Among the former Major League Baseball players taking part in the game and nice enough to sign a foul ball Colin collected during the contest:

~ Pitcher Dick Drago, who played 13 years for the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Mariners.

~ Catcher Mike Heath, a Tampa native, who played 14 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Oakland A's and the St. Louis Cardinals.

It's Shark Week

2009-06-08T10:02:00.010-04:00

Living here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, it's no secret that the warm Gulf waters hold a variety of sharks Among them, you'll find bull, nurse, reef, hammerheads and threshers. With Colin being a big fan of sharks -- from a respectable distance, mind you -- he's always eager to learn more.

As a result, this week is one of the biggest of our summer baseball-hounding campaign. In what we're calling Shark Week, the Jupiter Hammerheads meet the Clearwater Threshers. Schedules allow us games on Thursday and Saturday.

In a stroke of luck, the Hammerheads, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, returned my repeated phone calls for a team logo ball. We're hoping to make it the fifth team-signed ball of the season. Even without one, we could've used one of the four Florida State League game balls that Colin has accumulated this season.

For the Threshers, we'll focus our efforts on finishing their team ball. Atop the list is Dominic Brown, the top-rated prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies system, and fellow FSL All Star Yohan Flande.

Now, we'll also do a little fishing during the week. Maybe, we'll even catch (and release) a shark.