A few people have written to me asking about DK and I came up with this idea. Sharing experiences would be most helpful to those who might be interested in some of our players that have now turned pro. I also got a kick out of the fact that some of our kids who didn't play against each other will now be meeting up for the first time.

DK is in Batavia, N.Y via STL (4 planes in 2 days). Since he missed the Cardinal mini camp here in Jupiter he was directed to go to STL for his physical and to sign. For contract reasons, and after exam with the ortho he had to have contrast MRI's on his shoulder, arm and elbow, a 4 hour ordeal. All went well and very well for someone who has been pitching since he was 8. He was treated to a game sitting behind home plate, but since he had to catch an early flight in the am, he asked to be taken back to the hotel. Touring the facilities at Busch Stadium was "awesome" and a great incentive. He did find it quite odd that he had no blood tests or urine tests.
After traveling most of the day he landed in Buffalo and was taken to Auburn (BJ's) to meet up with his team. Rain out, game suspended, will continue on thursday. I realized last night that iitg's son and my son were in the same stadium and I think that is cool.

He received a "care" package from his advisor (someday to be agent) before he arrived, new running shoes and cardinal red nike spikes along with brochures to pick out a new glove and anything else he may feel he needs. He thought that was just awesome and could hardly wait to get there to see it. By the way, his advisor's help and guidance has been priceless and the best part is he told us we did not have to worry about anything, ever. It reminded me of his coaches words before I left son at college 3 years ago and that is comforting.

I finally got a call at 12:30 am but missed it after waiting until 12am. Seems like I just haven't been sleeping well not knowing when he would be leaving and where so I was tired. This whole process can take the life out of you!

When Dave called he had only been there about 12 hours and he said he liked it! He compared it to the Cape, small quaint town. What he said that he liked the most is that you are basically there to do your own business, no coach to tell you what you HAVE to do, just show up for the game and the bus. However, in the next sentence he said he was very happy he had been well disciplined by coaches who were there for 3 years to tell him what he needed to do and how to get it done. He also spoke with the trainer about his workout routine and the trainer (in broken english with a chinese accent) said he has been fortunate to have good trainers in college. I think that his college experience prepared him very well and he seemed confidant that with that knowledge, it will help him to move along. For that you can never take away what you might learn as a player in college.
The manager (skipper) seems to be laid back, and very much into making the kids feel like adults and very much wanted. Of course, we know that perception might change. I am thinking that his summer experience will be much like it was at the cape, and he said it seems to be pretty laid back, all former college players eager to play everyday and get PAID for it (not much, but paid).
Dave and another player have been fortunate to be taken in by a widower who has a 14 year old son who lives 5 minutes from the field. Fortunate in the sense that 14 of the players live in a 7 bedroom house, like a fraternity and he is not into that. He has already hooked up with 2 players and maybe will look for their own place. He will see how that goes. Would like to have gotten more info but he was off to the gym for his workout. I got a phone call a few minutes later, he forgot, he is headed first to Walmart to buy a bike for transportation, no one has a "set of wheels" with them. He is only 5 minutes from the field, but wants some mode of transportation to get around and reminded me that it is good cardio. He doesn't have to ask permission to buy anything, but I am glad he asked as he has always done. I look upon this as a good thing, humbling actually, he will definetly appreciate his truck more when he is once again behind the wheel.
As far as living expenses he had no clue and so I can't pass that along at this time.
#47 Clemson Tiger has now become #36 Batavia Muckdog and within just the last few short weeks, very much more of an adult.

Thanks for sharing...that is a great tale. Best of luck to him.

Thanks for the update on DK Muckdog Mama. Good points. I made a map of the northwest US and indicated towns that had teams in the NYPL. As my son and his teammates moved from one city to another I could better visualize where they were and the length of the next trip. I did a mapquest search and recorded the mileage from the different points. Cleveland to Brooklyn to Vermont and points in between makes for some long bus rides. Some years are better than others depending on how the away schedule is set.

Parents frequently get involved in the transportation aspect of MILB. This spring my wife and I made a trip to spring training and purposely planned it during the last week because we didn’t know where Josh would go after spring training. If he were assigned to any team other than Dunedin, FL it was mandatory that he fly out of FL. Since he went to MI we ended up driving his vehicle to Tennessee and then I towed my Jeep Wrangler to Michigan with his Tahoe and drove my Jeep back to Tennessee. There is always the possibility the player can be called up at a moments notice and he has to leave his car, some clothes and his household belonging (golf clubs, TV, and George Foreman) behind. Parents frequently are called on to come in and “mop up” after a move. I agree they may be adults but we are still parents ----- doing parental things.
Two more points I'd like to make. Parents need to practice on how to describe who their son plays for. Eventhough DK plays for the Batavia Muckdogs don't tell people this. You should tell everyone he plays for the St. Louis Cardinals in their minor leauge system. If they want more information then you can describe the short season A and the name the Muckdogs.

I might add that high school and college games were the high point of the weekend and I became absorbed in evey play of every game. MILB games are every single day and take up so much time that the play by play on the computer becomes more of "background music" in the house. "Who won and what did Josh do?" is a common question. Enjoy the MILB ride.
Fungo

I really love this site, and especially this thread. I predict this will go golden in no time.

There is so much for me to learn about college and pro baseball, and nearly every time I come in here I get something new. I truly feel lucky to be able to gather all this info and to have it to pass on to my son. Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise.

I too appreciate any information given on the whereabouts of "our boys". I try to keep up with HSBBW players and this really helps...hope others drafted this year will add to this thread.
It is almost unexplainable how much joy I get at their successes...on the field and off.

Fungo, great idea with the map!

We didn't feel the need for DK to have a car for short season, besides bike will save us lots of money.

Ther only place I have mentioned the Muckdogs is here. If I told anyone that son is now playing professional ball for the Batavia Muckdogs, I would most likely get a "say what".

Only people who really understand MILB would understand!

He can always hop a bus to Buffalo.

TPM ...

Love the recount of Dave's first days as a pro player. When our son made his first trek to Yakima, WA, he had no idea what to expect and the first thing he did when he got there (after settling into a hotel for a couple of days) was go to WalMart and buy SHOWER SHOES !!!!! With the little $$ they get (back in '04 it was $850), he couldn't afford the 'kangaroo court fines' for not having flip flops in the clubhouse shower.

His dad drove his truck up to Yakima for him, and when he was promoted, it happened to be during a week when Dad and I were there with our trailer. The team was away in Spokane at the time and so we drove him to Yakima to clean out his locker, and pick up his truck which WE drove back home while he flew to So Cal to join the Hi A squad in Lancaster. I drove the little truck while hubby drove the big one with the trailer behind it ... we won't talk about the tire blowing out on his truck with trailer in tow ... but as Fungo said, the parents often help with the mop up when time is of the essence.

Looking forward to following our HSBBW 'graduates' who have reached the next level in pro ball. Always fun to do. Perhaps we need a thread of 'where are they now' for the pro guys so we can link right to their team sites ... What do you think?

I remember those stories so it helped to plan ahead!

I like the idea, I would like to know where everyone is playing this summer.

TPM: Thanks for sharing and inspiring...
CatSureMom: That's Ditto for Me Too!!!

Batavia dropped two yesterday.

I have not spoken to DK, but appears that today they leave for first weekend road trip. I did a mapquest as suggested by Fungo, about 4 hours away.

Due to his contrast MRI, DK most likely will not be pitching for another week. So, we are eagerly awaiting his first outing.

Anyone else with info on their player?

Wow, thing sure do change fast. Once day we're watching DK in a college game and now we're hearing about his first pro experiences. How exciting for all of us. I can't imagine the pride you and Tiger Paw Dad must feel! Is there a name change coming TPM?


With Sully taking the Florida job it looks like DK's timing to go pro was perfect.

Best of luck!

quote:

Anyone else with info on their player?

quote:

Wow, thing sure do change fast.

Faster than I can keep up with and write about this minute, but I'll be glad to relate Matt's experiences as soon as I have time.

He traveled to Geneve, IL to join the A's affiliate Kane County Cougars on Wednesday, headed out on the
bus to Clinton, Iowa yesterday morning after filling out his first W-4 (yes, I'm embarrassed that he's never had a job, but I think most of you understand), and signed his contract.

Dropping a summer class for him and thinking about future transportation.

Liking TPM's bicycle idea a lot, but he drives a 450+ HP SS Camaro, I'm thinking I might not win the bicycle presentation......LOL

I kinda like driving it too.....

Without the glamour of the top round picks, his momma still wanted a picture of his signing that happened right after he signed the W-4.

"Dad, we're in the **** training room and the bus is waiting on me to go"

First call from the bus.

"We're riding throught the corn fields of Iowa"

First night in a local hotel, then four or five nights with the team.

"We'll find you a place to stay later"

quote:

riding throught the corn fields of Iowa"

"This ain't Iowa --- this is heaven!"

Now that there's so many websters sons in the minor league's.
Have you thought about were they live are how they get transportation.

I've often wondered how whould I do it if I had a chance.

How about an RV with tilt out's. and a RV park nearby the stadium?

I host Minor leaguers and sometimes they don't get much time to collect there things and catch a plane ride to the next assignment.
That way home just rolls in to there new town.
No packing, just rolling.
Be prepared to help them move.

Former Observer, can you send me a PM.
I can responed to PM, But I can't start a PM.
Go figure, It must be my PC. lol.
EH

So far, EH, I know that host families play a major role in housing the ballplayers.

"A" ball is a full season, so I think some of them split an apartment for the season.

In college they spend 4-5 nights a week in a hotel room.

Today he had lunch at a restaurant near their hotel.

They got to the ballpark at 2:30.

They had a spread in the clubhouse before the game.

They play six days a week which I knew, but I don't think it hits home for many.

I think there are 4-5 off days between now and the end of the season around 8/31 9/5.

If they are away half the time, that is only about thirty nights they would go "home".

I have been told that each organization and level are different.

He has said that he might need to have his transportation, but he is somewhat into cars, and that could be just him missing his car.

Lawd, TPM, I never thought I'd miss Gametracker...............

quote:

Originally posted by FormerObserver:
Lawd, TPM, I never thought I'd miss Gametracker...............

Don't you get the games on the radio?

My impression, they don't sleep much in their own beds or home enough to really notice where they are spending the summer. We told him to stay with his host family, I have no clue what he has to pay and I don't think he does either.

Let's see in 5 days he has been to STL, MO, Auburn, NY twice, Batavia,NY and now somewhere in Ohio. Days INN replaces the hilton family of hotels and 20 dollars a day for meals. Bus is not as comfy as Champion Coach lines. Food served before a game (he likes that).

It's definetly an adjustment.

Don't bring the car, you never know where you might end up, get him a bike.

Humbling experience.

Listening and just figured out that the box score is almost real time.

Minor League MultiMedia

You may have to fiddle with this a bit, as mine now recognizes that I want the Ems games, but the first time I logged on, it led me to all the Minor League games' broadcasts (tested it out with the Muck Dogs ). Looks like AAA has a video feed as well.