Its that time again to review my week in extended spring training down here in Dunedin, Florida. Probably my best week yet. It was an overall good week that flew by, only one more month until the draft and short season ball begins. I hope everyone that read last week's post didn't get that song stuck in their head for too long. To make up for it I have a new song I am currently listening to Gavin DeGraw, Sweeter.
The week started out with me pitching against the Pirates at home. I was scheduled to pitch three innings. The lead-off batter popped up to left field and fell in for a double; however, that runner would not score or even get to third for that matter. The first and second out were ground balls to third base. The third out was a soft ground ball back to me in which in my head I was thinking, "please don't throw it away," but I didn't and just lobbed it over. The second inning went just as the first did. The first guy grounded out, second guy walked, then a ground ball double play was induced. It was a fast three innings because the third went the same way as the first two. A walk, double play, and then another ground out. Out of three innings, all outs were ground ball outs. Only one ball left infield and that was the first batter of the game. Later that night a couple of us and some rehab guys had a bible study back at the hotel. A lot of good ideas and passages were brought up and discussed.
That next day was just as good as the one before. I didn't have to go on the trip but the team traveled to Tampa to play the Yankees. Later that evening, our bible study group and a couple other guys went to the local Boys and Girls Club to hang out and maybe play some ball with some kids. When we first got there the kids were sizing us up because we were obviously two, maybe three times the size of all of them. They were watching a movie and making a collage of dreams and goals they had. I made my own that included a Chevy Silverado, my dream truck. Justin Verlander represented my aspirations to make it to the major leagues. I also had Eva Mendez, not because she's my dream girl, but I want to be with someone like that. I didn't have time to finish because the kids wanted to head over to the gym to shoot the basketball around. We were probably in there for 30 minutes shooting the ball around and taking turns. Some other kids were playing volleyball, hitting it around in the air to other people. After we were done shooting we went over to a empty classroom to do arts and crafts. We made bracelets, puzzles, pictures, and some other stuff that I can't explain or I am not artistic enough to accomplish. After it was all said and done we left because it was time to go and we were starving. We went to Chick-fil-a and devoured some chicken sandwiches. Now, you can't go to Chick-fil-A without getting a milkshake, which I did. Cookies and cream milkshake to be exact. But a terrible turn for events happened when I got back to my room...... I DROPPED THE MILKSHAKE AND IT BROKE AND SPILLED EVERYWHERE. Now I'm not proud of what I did but I tried scooping some off the floor because it is so good, but I didn't drink it. Overall it was a good day, I love doing stuff like visiting the Boys and Girls Club. I have no problem doing stuff like that because it makes you feel great and there is nothing better than helping or hanging out with kids or people that don't have it as easy as I did. I'm not saying I have lived a great, easy life, but my life is a lot easier than others. And I know there are people out there that would love to be in my shoes and have the support I do.
I had a bullpen scheduled for Friday so I could have plenty of rest before my next start on Monday. My bullpen was a long one. When I was approaching my pitch count, Tony came over and saw my slider and how loopy it was, so I ended up throwing 30-40 more pitches trying to make improvements. I'm not complaining because I made a lot of improvements. A couple days later everything would click and I started throwing a tight, not loopy slider. I guess in a strange way I'm glad I'm here in extended because I have been improving and fixing things every week and I'm starting to become a complete pitcher. Now of course I do wish I was on a full-season team already, but I'm learning a lot and picking the pitching coachs' brains.
Another week is over and history. I don't even know what day of the week it is or even what the date is, but I guess that is what extended spring training does to a player. Don't forget,"every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." I should have another blog done Saturday night with two starts this week and a very progressive bullpen.
