Day 5

The big news of the day is that Team Traynor squeaked into the playoffs. There were 3 teams in our division that finished with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, at which point the tiebreaker is runs scored, of which we had the most.

On an unrelated matter, apparently Mother Nature did not receive the brochure from the Bradenton Area Chamber of Commerce, as the crappy weather this week continued today. It was blustery and rainy today, but we did manage to get in part of the baseball that was to be played.

Our weather shortened 5 inning semifinal game was against Grant Jackson's team, which we won by a score of 6 to 0. At the plate, I went 2 for 2 with 2 singles, one run scored, and one RBI. In the field, I played all five innings in the outfield and had one fly ball hit to me that kind of died in the wind, and as a result I was unable to make a clean play on it, but it turned out not to hurt us. 

By the way, prayers and thoughts out to Buck Jackson, he ended up in the hospital, and hopefully he is going to be OK.

The championship game has therefore been moved to Day 6, which was supposed to be the day that the Pirates fantasy campers faced off against the Baltimore Orioles fantasy campers. The 6 other teams for us will have that responsibility, while we play in the championship game.

Day 4

We knew that we would need to pick up 2 victories in today's games to make a playoff push, so Team Traynor was ready.

The skies were threatening in the morning, so they decided to shorten the game lengths to 5 innings and play them back to back, so that we could get both games in before the inclement weather. Our first game of the day was on field 3 against Team Waner, who was the other undefeated team left in the league. We came out swinging on offense and superb on defense and pitching and won the game by a score of 13 to 2. At the plate, I was 2 for 3 with a single and run scored, a triple with 1 RBI and a run scored, and a line out to the shortstop. In the field, I played 4 innings in the outfield with no chances.

Our final regular season game of camp was lengthened back to 7 innings as the weather must have cleared up a bit. This game was on field 1 against Team Wagner. Again, we had it all working as we won the game by a score of 8 to 0 and ended our regular season with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss. At bat, I had a fly ball out, a strikeout swinging, and a single, and in the field, I played 4 innings and made a nice running catch of a fly ball. Luckily this was one of our TV games, so hopefully it will be on the DVD.

Whether we make the playoffs or not is yet to be determined. We could end up with 3 teams in our division with identical records of 5 wins and 1 loss, in which case the tiebreakers would be runs scored and runs allowed. Stay tuned...

Day 3

Well the weather certainly cooperated on Tuesday, as warm temperatures and a sun splashed sky greeted us at McKechnie Field for our very important matchup with Team Vaughan. Both teams were 3 and 0 and looking to solidify their standings for a playoff position.

Unfortunately for Team Traynor, they had all the answers while we couldn't figure out what the questions were, and we lost by a score of 11 to 3. My troubles at the plate continued with an 0 for 3 day with 3 ground ball outs, including the final out of the game. In the field, I played 4+ innings in the outfield with no chances.

We need to win both games on Wednesday to lock up a playoff position. It is a daunting task, but one which we hopefully will be up to the challenge for.

Day 2

The morning looked a bit ominous with heavy rain showers in Bradenton, but luckily there is one turf field here at Pirate City that is ready to play almost immediately after the rain stops.

As a result, the morning game on field 3 was shortened to 4 innings in length. In our game, we played Team Carey and won by a score of 6 to 1. I only had one at bat and popped up for an out, and played 2 innings in the outfield with no chances.

Then, in our second game of the day on field 2, we defeated Team Clemente by a score of 7 to 3. In that game, I went 1 for 3 at the plate with a single and run scored, a strikeout swinging, and a ground out (again, bad call by the umpire, I think I beat the throw). In the field, I played 4 innings in the outfield and again had no chances.

Tuesday is the game at McKechnie Field, it should be interesting to see the renovations they have made there.

Day 1

Hello friends and family back up in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Yes, it is that time again, when winter doldrums turn to sunshine and baseball at the Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Camp.

There was not much sunshine today, as it was quite cloudy in Bradenton, with just a few misty sprinkles. And of course, much baseball.

For the evaluation game, I was assigned to team 8 and played on field 4 versus team 6. Since it was an evaluation game, the score didn't matter (especially since our team lost), but I went 1 for 2 with a single and a strikeout on a bad call by the ump. In the field, I played 3 innings in the outfield and made a catch on a long fly ball.

My team this year is Team Traynor, coached by Bruce Kison and Lee Lacy. Our first game was against Team Cuyler on Field 4, and we were victorious by a score of 16 to 1. At the plate, I had 3 singles in 3 at bats and was hit by a pitch, scored a run and had 1 RBI. In the field, I played 4 innings in right field and did not have any chances.

Tomorrow is a double header day, so hopefully the body will hold up.