Starting new series at home

We finished up in Xalapa with a win and moved on to Soledad, a small town, mostly agricultural. The field was really bad, bumpy, big holes filled with sand and rain. I started in centerfield the first game and played in left the next two, with a little time at short. The last three games have been rough on the body, because of the travel, the long hours on the bus, and the fields condition. We were all really tired by the end of this series. We took 2 of 3 games and every game was a hard fought battle. Yesterday, we had a day off and we were able to relax and rest. Today we start a series at home; I am looking forward to staying home for the week, i can get a lot of things done like; go to the grocery store, workout, read, write, study, check out the city, or just relax in my room. I am still playing well and I am unsure what position I'll play everyday, but I like that mystery. Last night as I was falling asleep I started to think about a utility player that played infield, oufield, and also pitched. My manager really likes to work hard and win, maybe I can convince him to let me start having a few innings in relief. I really think I can still get hitters out. Who knows, the journey continues and the hopefully I'll be able to put the pictures up soon.

Last game in Xalapa

Today we are finishing up our last game in Xalapa; the series is tied 1-1. It is a three hour ride each way. The six hours on the bus each day I won’t miss much, even though I do enjoy bus rides because they allow me to study and write. Right now I am reading some Bruce Lee, a little Gandhi, and the Bible. While I’ve been in Mexico, reading my Bible has really put me in a good place, especially strengthening my faith. I believe this is the reason I have been doing so well, while I have been down here, on and off the field. I feel everything on the baseball field is really coming together. Take for example my swing, I am able to be relaxed which allows my body to react and hit the ball. I see a simple picture of the swing right now and loosely get my barrel out to drive the ball. It is tough to get your barrel out quickly if you are tense and tight. I have been leading off a have started in centerfield the last two games, the coach told me last night that it was my position until they take it away. It is fun running around in center and getting to throw people out. It will help my value as a player to be able to play infield and outfield. Off the field the days have been flowing beautifully, I usually wake up and read a little of my Bible, eat breakfast, answer e-mails, and make phone calls. After that I might do a little work out, go to the grocery store, or hang out with my teammates. Then it’s usually about time to go to the field. BP has been going good; I’m relaxed and am very efficient with everything I do, which sets me up nicely for the game. I have been doing a good job of eating well throughout the day. I make sure I have food when I need it; yesterday I cooked up some chicken on the George Foreman Grill and cut up some vegetables for after the game, since we don’t get fed after the game. The guys are saying they need to start eating what I eat because I’ve been playing well. It’s not the food that’s been going into my body; it’s the guidance from God that has allowed me to do so well. If they think I’m doing well on the field they should see what my day is like off the field. I've taken some pictures, when I get a chance I'll put them up so everyone can see them.

1st week of the Season

So we just finished up the first eight games of the season with a record of 6-2. I've been leading off every game, starting at shortstop the first six games and the last two I've played in the outfield. I started in center today, not a lot of action, but I think that is where I'll end up. My manager, Victor Mesa, a former member of the Cuban national team in the 92' Olympics games in Barcelona, told me he wants to make me the centerfielder. He likes to work hard and he appreciates my work ethic, not all managers are like this, it's good to finally play for someone who is like me. Hard work, playing every out, and getting dirty!!! I use to have this one coach in high school who would tell me he would wash my uniform for me if I got it dirty during practice, I'm still diving all over the place Coach V! The first series we played the Mendoza Gallos, we took three out of five games, and by the end of the series they were calling me Ted, short for Ted Williams. haha... I guess this hitting that I teach really does work. It's reall pretty simple, while I've been down her I've been able to relax and the barrel is just finding the ball. I got a chance to go to the market in Cordoba, that was definately an experience, chilies, flowers, meat, poultry, fruit, vegetables, and anything else you could imagine. It looked like a picture out of a text book in spanish class. I've been pretty busy with baseball everyday, doing my best to eat right and keep my body fresh. The fruits and vegatables grow everywhere out here, one day I went on a walk with my friend and it felt every step I took there was a different type of fruit tree; mango, banana, papaya, avacado, coffee, and even almond trees. I hope everyone's life is as fruitful as mine right now... If you want to follow the season online the website is www.liv.com.mx... good luck navigating for those of you who don't know spanish, or even if you do, it's pretty iffy at times, I think there is a way to listen to the games, but again I don't think that always works. Let me know how things are going, God bless.