Day One Thousand and Thirty-Four

The Homecoming Smiles

It was a long one yesterday. Adam's bus left the hotel at 4:30 AM for a 6:00 AM flight. I fell back to sleep till 7:30, worked out, and said goodbye to RedHawk Park in OkC. Then Tiff and I jumped in the car for a 4 hour ride back to Bentonville, Arkansas, and finally, I boarded my first flight to Dallas...then eventually home to NOLA at 7 PM. 

Though I can imagine that Adam was probably either just as tired as me or more, when I opened the fridge to put away the groceries, my sleepiness subsided for a briefly stunned moment. He had apparently picked these up for me after getting off the plane and though he couldn't find a vase to put them in, the thought was everything I needed to make it through the rest of the evening. 

Day Nine Hundred and Sixty-Three

The Scoreboard

Herschel Greer Stadium.

Home of the Nashville Sounds.

And somewhere around the 28th stadium I've sat in…in 2.5 years.

Although the stadium is quite old…

Nothing can beat their scoreboard. 

I didn't even care that they didn't have video. Or a posted velocity. Or pictures. Or even anything technologically current up there. In other stadiums, I might've balked. But not here. It was too perfectly Nashvillian to utter any sort of complaint.

This fan's hair, though. Uhm. If I were his lady friend, I might be able to find a few complaints about…whatever that is he has going on up thurrrr. Ha!

____________________

The Zephyrs took a tied ball game into the 11th inning last night…sadly succumbing to an ultra-lame and unexpected loss after a huge comeback late in the game. Because of the extra innings, we finally made it back to the hotel around midnight, and by the time Adam finally fell asleep, it was around 1AM. Which wouldn't normally be of any mention…except for the fact that the team bus left the hotel at 6:30AM for the airport. The guy is running on 5 hours of sleep and pitches in tonight's series opener against the Round Rock Express in Round Rock, Texas. Deep breath. GO ADAM!

Day Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four

The WWBA World Championship 2013

(A Perfect Game USA Showcase)

Apparently at Roger Dean every year, the complex's 13 fields play host to the largest - and most talented - high school prospect showcase in America. From all over the country, players pay big money and travel long distances to display their talents in front of - literally - hundreds and hundreds (a thousand?) of college and professional scouts. I've never seen so many golf carts or radar guns saturated in one place ever in my life. And I found myself like a broken record, repeating the same phrase, "I had no idea baseball was like this."

At every field, this was the scene. Only, here, I've just barely captured the front row of a "traffic jam" at least 5 carts deep. I couldn't believe my eyes. At Field 5 last night, two highly talented teams played each other in front of what seemed to me, the very largest crowd of scouts. I overheard one person saying, "There's at least $15 million in signing bonuses on this field right now." Come again? Yeah, these high schoolers are those kinds of draft picks. Just wow. I had no idea. 

85 teams play over the next 3 days, for a chance to compete in the final game in the actual Roger Dean Stadium, where all (scouts) eyes will be on them. Well, mine too. Because I want to see! (I gotta prepare myself for what it'll be like 20-something years from now when my boy's in the mix! Haha)

Day Seven Hundred and Twenty-Two

The Last Game

So, yesterday was an odd day at the field. Like, really bizarre. The whole thing. And it started with this. Yep, that's me. And oh yeah, that's a woman with a camera.

News Channel 4 was doing a story on the gravity of yesterday's game. It was a BIG day for the boys, and the news wanted every aspect of it covered. So, between innings, they meandered into the crowd and managed to find us. "Oh, looks like I've found the wives section," she said. "Who am I going to film?" And that's when the girls threw me to the wolves..."She's been here all season, ask her!" Thanks girls ;) I took the mic - sweating and shaking like a pig at the slaughterhouse - and mumbled some likely nonsense before pausing fifty times to figure out how to appropriately answer her questions. Did I ever mention that I HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING?! Haha :) I have even more respect for my husband now...and I used to have a lot! 

Let me set the stage:

Winner of THIS LAST GAME OF THE SEASON was headed straight to the playoffs...their season extended by at least another 5 games and the chance for a championship ring. I've never felt a buzz in the air quite like yesterday's. And everyone was on edge. We got a slow start to the game, went to our bullpen early, but eventually went ahead 4-2 in the third inning. Whew. It was after that this happened. In a fight between the two managers - arguing over stealing pitches - the umpire approached our dugout and started screaming at Andy. This, Adam said, doesn't happen often. 

Our short-lived 4-2 lead quickly became a 4-5 deficit in the top of the fourth, two innings before this happened (rain)...delaying the game for a solid half hour. Of course. 

We managed to tie the game 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth, and that's where the score stayed until the eleventh inning. With so many opportunities to take the lead, the Suns were retired back to the dugout 5 straight times. And so were the Braves. It was a stalemate. Until the top of the eleventh inning...when a Braves runner on second scored on an uncommon - and bizarre - throwing error by our infield. 

And in the bottom of the 11th, we just couldn't make it happen. The Braves took the W straight from us and celebrated on our field. It was really sad...and even harder to watch. Our boys fought their tails off, and in the end, only missed the playoffs by a half of a game. Rats. It was a rough way to finish the season, but gosh do these boys have something to be proud of. They're incredibly talented and the Marlins have a lot to look forward to in the future. Until then, happy offseason to the best team we've been apart of. We loved these guys and will miss them, truly!

Goodbye Bragan Field.

We learned so much in this place.

About life, love, baseball, and God.

It was one heck of a rewarding season...in so many ways.

Adam's final line for the YEAR:

11-7, with a 3.25 ERA

138.2 IP, 125H, 37BB, 129K

Incredible, Honey.

I'm infinitely proud of you.

Until next season, my friends!

We're all packed out of the clubhouse and ready to take on the offseason!

But...I am still a little (ok A LOT) sad that it's suddenly just...over.

Day Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight

The Most Romantic Sport

Mix romanticism and sport: you get baseball. And a happy, totally satisfied wife. I love this game. So so much.

These ladies too. I'm totally loving their company. It's been such a sweet week of sharing and living life with Jessica and Tiffany. I've learned and grown in my walk with the Lord more in this past week than I have in my two seasons of baseball, and I'm feeling more encouraged than ever.

Thanks for being my rock, Adam. You're a wonderful man.
(We went out for a night on the town in Pensacola last night!)

Day Six Hundred and Ninety-Six

The Pensacola Powwow

My girl Tiffany and I drove five hours across Florida to the stunning town of Pensacola. It was one of the best *truck* (not car) rides of my life (haha) and I'm infinitely thankful for the time spent with her. The Lord used those precious few hours in really BIG ways. I haven't been this encouraged in my faith in a long time. And when I read this post back to myself a couple years from now, I want to remember the freedom we felt in that truck, when I let the Lord use me, my testimony, and my words in complete honesty and without fear.

-Feeling so good right now-

!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Pensacola, home of the Blue Wahoos.

And yes, that's the ocean behind their stadium.

Good timing, one generous woman, and incredible tickets got Tiffany, Jessica, and I this view last night. Uhm...WOW. Just WOW. The free dinner, drinks, and desserts only added to our bliss. A girl could definitely get used to this ;)

(And yes, the stadium literally sits right on the ocean's shores. Homerun balls...they make a splash into the Atlantic)

Day Six Hundred and Ninety-One

The Jaguars' Open Practice

Yesterday, the Jacksonville Suns were treated like VIPs. They had on-the-field passes to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars' early morning practice, then were escorted away to tour the field, stadium, and locker rooms! 

I didn't get such special treatment. But this was just as good for me!

The Jaguars opened practice to the public, so I went to check it out. It sorta reminded me of pre-season practices with the Cougs...only these guys are about twice the size and run way faster.

EverBank Field: Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A pretty neat place, indeed. However, I still much prefer our stomping grounds at Bragan Field: Home of the Jacksonville Suns.

Baseball > Football

All day. Every day.

Day Six Hundred and Eighty-One

The Marlin and The Met

This is how you make it work on the road. 

Thank the Lord Sue brought extended stay hotels into my life. I seriously had no idea these budget and kitchen-friendly rooms existed. And when I found out that our hotel in Daytona would be equipped with a sink, stove, fridge, microwave, coffee pot, and utensils, I brought everything I'd need for my most important meal: breakfast. Sure enough, so did Sue! We both eat clean and are conscious of the calories and cost of food on the road. So this little kitchenette was certainly our little baseball oasis. Cheers to the little things in life (that make such a difference).

If you're in Daytona, you can't not go to the beach! So, we went of course. And after a couple hours of talking talking talking (there was a lot to talk about!), we packed up, posed for the camera, and headed to the field. But not before we earned ourselves both a couple of tragic sunburns...the extremely overcast sky played an evil trick on us! (But we're brown now!)

Welcome to Jackie Robinson Ballpark: home of the Chicago Cubs Hi-A team. 

Stadium fact:

Prior to 1946, segregation laws and Major League Baseball separated blacks from the game. But during Spring Training 1946, things began to change. And Daytona Beach was at the center of those changes: it was the first Florida city to allow Robinson to play.

I can't even begin to fathom all the stories and secrets this field holds. It's a historic treasure, and one I'm thankful to have experienced.

Aaaaaaaand...Kyle!

The Port St. Lucie Mets faced the Daytona Cubs last night in a doubleheader, and I finally got to watch my friend play ball. He's grown so much since I last saw him with a bat at WSU, but one thing thing's for sure: the dude is fast. Still. And now, he can smack that ball with authority. With those two components, his career as an outfielder is looking pretty bright! Go Kyle, Go!

A Met and a Marlin.

I love us.

Day Six Hundred and Sixty-Five

The First Relief Appearance

It was a weird game yesterday. Because of the rainout the day before, the Suns had a double header. And Adam was given the ball to finish off the first game - the one that had already been started. He picked up the ball and threw his first pitch in the fourth inning. So technically, Adam didn't get a "start" yesterday, but rather, threw in "relief." He went into the game with a score of 0-1...we were losing. And we never gained the lead. We lost 1-2...and Adam got the loss. It sucked. And I was sad. But we'll just forget about this one...because it was weird. Really weird. But at least the picture

His line:

4IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 3K

It was the third inning of the second game that the rain came yet again. HARD. The guys sprinted to the clubhouse for shelter when the umpires issued another delay. And if you look closely, there Adam is, in the absolute pouring rain, holding the door open for his teammates. He is wonderful.

The aftermath.

And yes, the game was cancelled for the third time.

Chattanooga, we have problems. But you are really pretty.

Day Six Hundred and Thirty-Six

The Birmingham Barons' Regional Field

Oh, this stadium. It's brand spankin new. And just gorgeous!

(I was warned heavily not to come to Birmingham, as the stadium used to be one of the very worst...not anymore!)

They cage the bullpen boys in like animals here!

So romantic. I love this game.

Hotel hangouts post game.

 I got a very abbreviated picture of what late nights on the road resemble...and actually, I was quite impressed. But I'm sure they were all on their best behavior ;)

Day Six Hundred and Thirty-Five

 The Twelfth Start

The Luiz Family

(And My First Away Game!)

Well hellooooo Birmingham! You're quite beautiful...just like my husband's outing last night! ;) Adam put on a show for all at the park in 6 innings of 1-run baseball in his twelfth start of the 2013 season. The Suns followed suit, scoring 11 runs and winning the ballgame. YES! His line:

6IP, 7H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 8K

And three of those Ks came in the 6th when he struck out the side. I was one happy (and loud) wife!!

And this concession stand just made me even happier. Healthy Hits?! Grilled chicken? Fresh veggies?! Are you kidding me! THANK YOU BIRMINGHAM!

I think it could be that Adam was trying his hardest to show off last night. I could be wrong...but I don't think so. Meet TJ and Rachel. You met their mom, Debbie the other night. These "kids" were Adam's host brother and sister while he was in New Hampshire during the summer of his freshman year...playing baseball in the NECBL league. Now, they live in Tuscaloosa...only an hour away from Birmingham!

 The whole family reunited! 

Here's a fun fact: the Luiz family (Adam included) lived on Kendall Street that year! I was apart of the family before I even knew Adam existed!! So fun.

Our much anticipated destination was dinner at Cheesecake Factory.

But their car was in protest to our hungry tummies.

It was dead...so I waved a man down and he served as our rescue.

It was 11:45 PM by then. And when we finally got to the Cheesecake Factory - at midnight - we ate as much as we could.

And then it was time to leave. But the car was in protest once again. Dead as a doorknob. So? We made a 1:30 AM run to Wal Mart. 

They bought a battery.

We bought jumper cables.

Thumbs up indeed.

While Tony worked on installing the battery, TJ took Adam for a ride in the truck...only the 4th person besides Adam and I to drive that thing. He must be special! ;)

Tony working away. This might not have been our ideal way to spend the evening together, but actually, I thought it sweet. And really funny. These people are absolutely wonderful. And I can only hope that one day, my family is as close and connected as the Luizs are.

Day Six Hundred and Six

The Views

A beautiful view of downtown Jacksonville from the third story of Bragan Field.

A most beautiful view of the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

And the most beautiful view of the ladies behind the Suns uniforms.