February 18, 200818 yr Author You going to that BBQ dinner thing with the marlins and Cards this year? If it's the one being hosted by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, then I'll be there since I'm a member of the Commission. In related news, pitchers and catchers have reported and for the sixth consecutive season, SoFlaFish (along with Little SoFlaFish and EvenLittler SoFlaFish) tagged along -- camera in tow -- to see the Boys of Summer begin their training. There isn't much one can really garner from the first day of spring. Everyone looks like they'll contend on this day and that's the beauty of baseball. For what it's worth, Daniel Barone was hitting his target consistently, Mark Hendrickson and Andrew Miller are tall, and it was nice to see Wayne Rosenthal and Mark Wiley back. But who cares about that, what you all want to see are the first Spring pictures of 2008! We walked along with the pitchers from the clubhouse to the back practice fields. Say, "CHEESE!" There is a whole lot of height in that picture! Mark Wiley dropin' some knowledge on the Marlins pitching brain trust. Logan Kensing getting in his long toss. Scott Olsen getting in his long toss. Daniel Barone was among the first group of pitchers to hit the mound today. Two first rounders getting in their long toss (left) Brett Sinkbeil and (right) Chris Volstad Mark Hendrickson getting some time on the mound. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/SpringTraining018.jpg Scott Olsen was looking good . . . but then again, who doesn't on the first day of Spring! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/SpringTraining026.jpg Third base coach Bo Porter doing some serious bunting instruction to Dallas Trahern. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/SpringTraining028.jpg Up close and personal with Matt Treanor (who recognized EvenLittler SoFlaFish from FanFest and came up to him to say, "Hi!"). http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/SpringTraining027.jpg Little SoFlaFish getting Chris Volstad's autograph. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/SpringTraining021.jpg EvenLittler SoFlaFish always loves the close proximity to the players while watching the practices. This year, being a year older, he actually listens to the coaches giving instructions. Shortly after this picture was taken, we was emulating the pitchers bunting.
February 20, 200818 yr I know it's a geeky question, but what type of camera did you use. Those are great pictures!
February 20, 200818 yr Author I know it's a geeky question, but what type of camera did you use. Those are great pictures! I have a Canon PowerShot S3 IS
February 22, 200818 yr I know it's a geeky question, but what type of camera did you use. Those are great pictures! I have a Canon PowerShot S3 IS Thanks for the picture of Dallas! If you happen to get one of him pitching Id love to see it.
March 1, 200818 yr Author DAY ONE JUPITER, FLORIDA: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. FLORIDA MARLINS Todd Wellemeyer (STL) v. Dallas Trahern (FLA) First stop of the Second Annual Spring Training Road Trip was our traditional "kick-off" stop, our "home" park of Roger Dean Stadium (just about 25 minutes from my home). Slow moving game as most of the regular starters sat this game out for both teams. Marlins won it in the bottom of the ninth, 3-2. Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs signing autographs while joking around with EvenLittler SoFlaFish. Everytime someone would give him an 8x10 to autograph, he'd turn to my son and say, "Does that look like a good swing to you?" Advantage of having those "bullpen seats" is the close proximity to the players. Above, Marlins closer Kevin Gregg. Cameron Maybin walking past the bullpen early in the game. Someone left behind one of those mini-helmets which they serve ice cream in thrown away under our seats. It was a Tigers "cap." I got Maybin to autograph it right on the bill. Pretty lucky! Early spring training means a full bullpen -- "overflow" seating in the Marlins bullpen! Again, you gotta love those "bullpen seats". There is nothing between our seats and the Marlins bullpen. Game action -- as I said, it was pretty slow out there, so the game action was quite lame. The Marlins won on three unearned runs. Finally, most of you have seen EvenLittler SoFlaFish grow up here on these pages. Above is a little "before and after" photo shoot. The top picture is from EvenLittler SoFlaFish's first spring training (2005) and below is our traditional "fountain picture" taken at the entrance to Roger Dean Stadium. Wow, how time flies!
March 2, 200818 yr thank for posting your day at park when i get better car i going try make it up their
March 2, 200818 yr Great pictures. You'll find it surprising 10 years from now that your son will remember almost none of the details, and little of the overall, but he will remember the time spent with Dad. You're to be commended for taking time off from work to spend with your children. Have fun.
March 3, 200818 yr I went to the Nats-Orioles game in Ft. lauderdale today. Got Matt Wieters, the top prospect in the Orioles system and 5th overall pick in 2007 draft, to sign his name next to his write up in my Prospect Handbook. :mischief Could be worth some money some day. The guy can hit and he has an absolute rocket for an arm beind the plate
March 3, 200818 yr Author DAY TWO VERO BEACH - New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Match-up: Oliver Perez vs. Derek Lowe Another beautiful day for baseball and the weather couldn't have been any finer at baseball's little slice of heaven, Holman Stadium at Dodgertown. The Mets were in town to play the Dodgers. All of the Mets regulars stayed behind in Port St. Lucie for this game. Before the game, fans were allowed on the field to get Dodgers players autographs. Among those signing were Brady Penny, Nomar Garciaparra, and Andruw Jones. Enjoy pictures from Day Two of our trip: Brad Penny getting mobbed on the field for autographs. Funny story - my son and I finally made it down to the field after waiting in line (the field was open for autographs with Dodgers players). In one of the Penny mobs, Brad doesn't see all 40" of my son standing in front of him and skips him over. We then walk over to another part of the field and get some other autographs when Penny is walking back towards the clubhouse. I yell, "Brad, hey, you missed him back there! C'mon we're Marlins fans!" He smiles and walks over to us. We he gets to where we are he tells me, "Wow, you guys must really be diehards if you're still Marlins fans!" I reply, "Hey, I'm a season ticket holder!" He finishes that off with, "Wow, you and the thirty-four others!" The good thing, though, is that he signed my son's baseball card . . . and only my son's card ignoring the other kids that had gathered around us! The mob around new Dodgers' skipper Joe Torre Gotta love those "old school" Holman Stadium "dugouts" Nomar approaches the dugout. Dodger legend (and a man I HATED when I was younger . . . back when I was a Cubs fan) Steve Garvey tossing the ball around during pre-game festivities. Derek Lowe pitching in the first. He was throwing BB's today! Mets starter Oliver Perez, who gave up two runs early in the game. A blast from Marlins' past: Juan Pierre laying down a bunt in the first inning. He got on board when nobody was covering first. New Dodgers CF Andruw Jones batting in the first. He doubled in a run with this shot. Nomar got a hold of this one in the fifth inning. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/Dodgertown030.jpg Young Dodgers RF Matt Kemp gets nailed in a strike 'em out/throw 'em out double play. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/Dodgertown035.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/Dodgertown036.jpg By the eighth inning, we had moved down from our Row 14 seats to Row 1 behind the Dodgers dugout! I love the intimacy of Dodgertown!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/Dodgertown038.jpg Had to put the "earmuffs" on EvenLittler SoFlaFish when the Dodgers blew a lead in the ninth, thanks to Admin Bowa's temper! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/Dodgertown043.jpg So much history going away after this spring. It's really sad. Tomorrow will be more of a treat for you Mets fans as we visit Tradition Field in Port Saint Lucie for the Braves and Mets. The rest of my trip pictures will be posted next weekend as we'll be driving to Clearwater after the Mets game. We won't be back in South Florida until next Sunday.
March 3, 200818 yr Author Wonderful write-ups So Fla. Just out of curiosity, what did Admin Bowa say? He dropped several F-bombs towards the umpire, "commenting" on balls and strikes. What was most funny was his banter with Mets third base coach Sandy Alomar!
March 3, 200818 yr Great pictures. You'll find it surprising 10 years from now that your son will remember almost none of the details, and little of the overall, but he will remember the time spent with Dad. You're to be commended for taking time off from work to spend with your children. Have fun. Damn right. I don't remember a single game, but I still remember going to the old Astrodome with my Grandfather when I was a little kid. Great times. I just wish we took pictures.
March 3, 200818 yr Props on the thread, Mr. SoFlaFish; it's coming along quite nicely. Thanks for sharing.
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