Day Two Hundred and Twenty-Three

The Pitcher Beeps

Hey everyone, Adam again! 

In college, pitchers are pitchers, hitters are hitters. American league rules. Both teams use a designated hitter, and unless you're really a special athlete, pitchers don't hit. Your best shot at hitting in college if you are a pitcher is making some sort of deal with your pitching coach. It normally goes like this:

Player: "Hey coach, what if we sweep a series...then we get to take Beeps?" (Beeps is baseball slang for BP or Batting Practice.)

Coach: "Throw a shut out and pitchers get Beeps." Most of the time this is all incentive to shut people out, but this verbal contract rarely held water. 

In pro ball, you might have a better chance at pitchers BP, and because I was selected by a National League team, pitchers BP almost starts to make sense. After a few shut outs, we were promised some swings. Most guys spoke proudly about how good of hitters they were...key word: WERE. I can confidently say that we need some work. Many of us haven't seen a pitch in years. Some 3, some 5, or even 6. Luckily there is hope for us, a few of us have some pretty decent swings, and stung a few balls pretty good. It helps that we're only in A ball too; we get a couple seasons to get seasoned at the plate. I'm hoping I have to learn quicker rather than slower. I had a great time swinging it and will do what I can to get the Grasshoppers another shutout tomorrow...hopefully awarding the staff (pitchers) some more swings. 

Kendall has met a couple of really great people here is Greensboro, and I'm sure if it wasn't for the Marlins Jupiter facility, we would call Greensboro home for the off season. Kendall has been telling me about how historic the sights are, and how nice everyone has been. For me, with a career that is far from stable, I am very pleased to hear my wife speak of comfort, belonging, and relationship. If Mama ain't happy, nobody happy. Folks, I'm doing what I can to keep Mama happy, and luckily for me, the Marlins, and the people of Greensboro are also. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, and as always...GO MARLINS!