53 days and counting from today until OPENING DAY! Anyone else getting antsy?

46 days for me. I'm already getting my "spectator" gear in order.

Roger I just checked and it looks like it is longer for me (us). More like 145-150 days at our house, end of May and a long ways from home!

I can't wait for the high school and college seasons to start! I can go to so many places this year!

Bob, I hadn't heard about Andy. Based on your post he's "back in the game", which is good to hear.

Where's he playing?

Where is Andy playing Bob?

Guys,
As of yesterday Andy is officially back in the game. He has worked out an arrangement to finish his degree, which he will do this coming semester and resume playing ball.

He signed a contract with the North Shore Spirit of the Canandian-American League. It is an independent league and the season doesn't start until after school is out. This had been a major stumbling block with some other offers.

He will be playing in Lynn, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston! The entire organization is made up of former Red Sox players and execs, or so it seems. He has been told that the Sox treat the Spirit like an unofficial farm club. Season is 92 games long.

Pay is equal to the low minors and includes a single room at the local Marriott and meal money on the road. They play in front of 2-3 thousand folks a night! Airfare to and from for the player is provided or $200.00 gas money each way if you drive up.

The team will not pay travel expenses for relatives but will comp the hotel rooms when visiting!

So he is oficially back in the game ... I guess that budding slow-pitch softball career will be put on hold!

http://www.northshorespirit.com/

Congrats to the newest pro ballplayer from the HSBBW!

So is ProBBW.com on it's way?

I may have something I can send him, and it's made of wood.

And did you say the Jolly one as well? Congrats!

So will you two be making the road trips together? It'll save on gas, and you could both get reimbursed!

Great news Bob! Let me say that again....Great news Bob!
Looking forward to frequent updates on Andy!!!!
Fungo

Excellent news Bob!!

That's really cool!

Congrats to Andy! As a wise one once said "Whooo Hooo" or something like that. As I've said before, life is short, I'm glad he's going for it. Sounds like a great deal to me!! Good luck and keep us posted.

Bob that is fantastic news. congratulations

Bob,
If you particulars on where to stay and dine don't hesitate to ask....Lynn is 5 minutes from the ocean...a working class city surrounded by very affluent towns...about 20 minutes rom Salem and its rich history(that's to the North) to the South about 10 miles away is the City of Boston and Logan airport is app 5 miles away...lots of great seafood retaurants locally....Fenway is about 20 miles away just outside Boston...best time to come would be around the 4th and take in the "Pops" concert on the esplanade...with the howitzers firing to the War of 1812 Overture and the magnificent fireworks over the Charles River...make sure you cruise up the coastline on RT1 to Marblehead and Swampscott...awesome views...my son will be playing at East TN state...we will not be going as I will not drive through those moutains again in WVA and MD....hopefully they don't have "hecklers" there as they had at UT last year...they ruined our whole trip ...onc again if you need any info do not hesitate to ask

Bob:
Congrats to Andy and your family. I know this puts a grin on your face. Hope to hear some updates

catchermom,

I think your son's team will find the atmosphere much better at ETSU. Sadly at the University of Tennessee the student heckling section is condoned and encouraged by the coaching staff!

Bob: I can not tell you enough how pleased and excited I am for Andy. I hope this stepping stone turns into a launching pad! Oh, BTW, we're happy for Sue and yourself. Look forward to seeing you later.

Roger-Humble pirate
http://skullandcrossbones.org/articles/jolly-roger.htm

Not to be confused with the Jolly One, the great leader of our band.

Bob,
I'm so glad that everything got worked out. Back in the game sounds so good.

Bob:

Congrats on the great news!

What a way to start the New Year by sharing this wonderful news with your friends. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear his baseball career will continue after college and I can still continue to follow one of my favorite baseball players. I hope they have a web site or it will be your job to keep us informed this summer.

Like others on the website I hope this will be a spring board to future opportunities for Andy. We are very proud of him and wish him the best with his new team!

A great big pat on the back to the mom and dad too!

Also I am very excited to have two sons playing college ball this spring and a step son who has an apartment in Nashville so I will get to see more games this year.

I can hardly wait till baseball season with Volunteer state starting on February 12th at Bevill State CC in Alabama and Middle Tennessee on February 18th in Murfreesboro against Ball State at Reese Smith field.



The annual Groundhog Day luncheon has been set for Wednesday, February 2, at 11:30 a.m., in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building on the Middle Tennessee campus. The event is sponsored by the Blue Raider baseball team and the BRAA and is a kickoff for the upcoming season.

"This luncheon is a great way to begin getting the fans excited about the season," said head coach Steve Peterson. "We have such great baseball fans at Middle Tennessee and it's good to see the numbers keep increasing each year."

The meal includes ham hocks, white beans, tomato salad, green onions, corn bread, chocolate cake and ice cream.

BOB

Give my best to Andy!!! that is great news--- The dream lives on !!!!

Perhaps we can coordinate one of your trips up to see him with our Norwich Showcase

Give me a call when you get the chance

TennDad

Even for a Northern boy that sounds like a great meal