“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  -Maya Angelou

Last night I was in Madison for a Mallards game, I got to throw out one of the “Ceremonial First Pitches”. There was nine or ten of us, three adults and the rest were children. I felt goofy doing this with the children and in a way felt kind of demeaned. There I said it, the Mallards offered and I accepted to throw out the first pitch.  I enjoyed watching the kids doing it, some were excited and some didn’t understand why they were doing it.  The other two adults were a little nervous but also felt a little goofy.  I have thrown out one other “Ceremonial First Pitch” which was at a Montgomery Biscuits game, I enjoyed the entire experience in Montgomery, but not in Madison.

Maya Angelou said, “…people never forget how you made them feel”. In Montgomery, Ross Winkler made me feel like a “Rock Star”. He took an interest in my story giving me a tour of the entire baseball complex. He called me and texted me back after he reached out to me.  I never worried if I was suppose to be there or not.

I need to point out that my friend Roger Wilson reaches out to the media outlets and baseball teams that are on my schedule. He has done a terrific job in my behalf. I would not be getting any media exposure if it wasn’t for him.  I want to make sure everyone is aware that it is “Baseball Buddha” that is initiating the first contact.  Some teams respond and some don’t, I understand that they can’t accommodate every fans desire.  I don’t ask if I can throw out the first pitch, my goal, to be honest, is to get a free ticket and get exposure if I am going to finish this trip, I still need to raise some money.

After Roger sent out the email (typical a week before), someone from the Mallards reached out by email and asked if I would be interested in throwing out the first pitch. I responded that I would love to throw out the first pitch and asked what time I should be at the game. I heard nothing back from email, I called and left a message, still nothing.  I asked Roger to email them, thinking my email was being “spam” blocked, he didn’t get a response.

Yesterday was the day of the game. It was too late to find another game so I went, on my way over I called again, someone answered I asked for the person who emailed. I told the person who answered who I was, he put me on hold to get the other person. That person told the person who answered to tell me that “if it is regarding throwing out the first pitch, to just come”.  I asked about getting into the game and I was told, “just come to the ticket window any one of us can get you a ticket.”  I was invited but made to feel like I was an inconvenience.  I didn’t like how it all went down, they did have information on me.  I was told to show up on the third base area before the second game.  When I showed up I saw all these kids and asked what was happening, nobody could tell me. I checked in with one of the interns and was put in line. We walked out, in a line like we were in kindergarten and when our name was called we threw our ball.

Now, I understand that I could have decided not to do it, but part of this journey is to experience the entire fan experience. So as I was standing in line feeling quite goofy, I just told myself to do it, don’t be so self absorbed, etc.  I asked the other gentleman, who was representing an airline, about doing this. He kind of chuckled at it all, he told me he was a little nervous.  Maybe it was just me, but I wasn’t feeling very good about the whole experience.

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”  Maya Angelou

I bring all of this up because I have experienced awesome hospitality and jaw dropping “what did you say” hospitality.  On April 9th, I went to a Reno Aces game, I was “wowed” by the hospitality. Almost two months later I still talk about that experience. They made me feel great, they made me feel that I was special. I didn’t throw out a first pitch, I paid for my own ticket; but, from the moment I stepped up to the ticket window I was treated with a smile and “enjoy the game”. I walked into the stadium and a beer vendor smiled welcoming me to the game. He, also, had a few practice balls he was giving to kids. Everywhere I went in the stadium I was treated this way.  It made a huge impression.

I was recently at a Cincinnati Reds game. I was in their team store before the game that was located in front of the stadium.  I was talking to one of the people working the store, he proceeded to tell me that he didn’t even like baseball, that it was a “dumb” game and he liked football.  I was shocked. I asked, “Then why are you working for the Reds?” He stated, “it was good money.”  I didn’t feel like spending any money with the Reds.  I know that others might have taken it differently, but it was how he made me feel, baseball was a “dumb” game and thus I was “dumb” to be attending.

“When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.”  Maya Angelou (my favorite one)

To finish on a positive note, I need to say something about the usher that was in my Charlotte interview, that guy was wonderful. He seemed to know, or recognize, everyone.  He spoke with you instead of at you. He had his opinions and he wanted to hear yours.  I loved watching as some of the fans from previous years came over to say hi to him, he made everyone feel special. I am sure Charlotte is glad they have him.  I have experienced a lot going to all these venues and I am not even half way through this journey. Even though, I am sure I will experience much more.

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”  Needed to get a baseball related quote in!  R.I.P. Maya Angelou, thank you for being who you were!

Quick note, yesterday was the first time I was unable to get something posted, I didn’t have reception at my brother’s home when I got there after the game and it was past 11 pm.  Thanks for reading and supporting me.

If you enjoy this story and you would like to help me complete the “Baseball in America Tour 2014”, which is roughly 265 days, please click on the following link to see how you can help at www.baseballbuddha.com. Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page! Please share this on your Facebook page and Twitter. I appreciate all the help I can get!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will be short and quick!  Started my day near Cincinnati, drove to Fort Wayne, then to Chicago, and now I have just pulled into Milwaukee! Saw Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati last night, it was a sold out crowd, St. Louis was in town. Adam Wainwright was impressive for the Cardinals and they beat the Reds 4-0.  Today I saw the Fort Wayne TinCaps beat the Dayton Dragons, 14-9. Tomorrow, on schedule to see the Chicago White Sox play but I am changing that game. I will most likely see the Milwaukee Brewers play at Miller Park; but, I would not decide until the last moment, there might be a high school I will want to catch.

I had every intention of spending the night in Chicago, go to the White Sox game and then come to Wisconsin the day after. I even went to one of my favorite places for sushi on Clarke near Wrigley Field.  When I finished eating I thought screw it, I’m going home, except I don’t have a place to go home to.  So, I just pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot for the night.  My daughter and I are going to hang out some tomorrow, hopefully find her a summer job!  We plan on going to the Lakeshore Chinooks game on Thursday night, hopefully she won’t be sick of me by then!

I have all these ideas about promotions I would run if I was in charge of a ball club, my daydreams have gotten out of control!  I love thinking about how I would do things differently.  I do like some things I saw today at the Fort Wayne game and I made a mental note of why I thought it worked.  The Fort Wayne team is called the TinCaps, I know it doesn’t make sense until you realize that Johnny Appleseed is their mascot and he wears a tin cap, which is a tin pan.  I thought they were called the TinCups until one nice young lady corrected me after she had a good laugh.

We added a feature to Twitter, Roger will be Tweeting out trivia questions at Noon everyday, then revealing the answer at 5 pm.  I will send the person who correctly tweets the answer first a Baseball Buddha sticker, you can only get one sticker every week. I will send the winners the stickers on Tuesday of the following week, you will have to Direct Message me your address on Twitter.  I drove a lot today and I am extremely tired so I am going to call it a night!

I have been scrambling a lot lately with getting my daily blog post out and today is no exception.  I had a lot of maintenance work to do on the website which that took a few hours. I needed to organized an interview at the game tonight with a local television station in Charlotte. I was suppose to be on the stadium pre-game show but something got screwed up and that didn’t happen.  Anyway, here I sit trying to get it done last minute, my saving grace is that it is Memorial Day weekend and most of my loyal followers will be doing something much more interesting than reading my blog!

I have been sleeping a lot in my car lately since I have found that it is a lot easier everyday than checking into a hotel.  Tonight I was going to stay at a hotel so I could get a shower, but there is some kind of race happening in the Charlotte area. The hotels are full and the prices are high. I usually try and avoid staying at a hotel on a weekend night anyway, but I really needed a shower before the interview today.  I got creative and went to a Planet Fitness. I explained my situation to the lady working the front desk, she graciously let me shower and shave at her facility!  So tonight I saved some money and got clean!  I was thinking how I have adapted to being on the road, I find it rather liberating.  Besides missing my daughter and wanting to see her, I really have adjusted very well. There are times I wish I could just go to my own place but overall it isn’t as bad as one may think.

During the interview at the game today, I was asked how I spend my days. I pointed out that I am basically on the go from the time I get up until the time I go to bed.  I have said in the past that I have hit a wall, this comes and goes, I guess if I didn’t have to write everyday it would be easier but then I think what is the point.  Part of the reason I write everyday is to keep me focused. I have always said I have no expectations of this trip and at the end of it I don’t know what I will end up doing, but deep down I want to continue with something in baseball. I have learned so much and it would be a shame to waste it.

A guy I met, and only talked to for maybe five minutes, at the Nashville Sounds game a couple of nights ago gave me a lead on something. I checked it out and joined today. It is right up my alley with all the historical stuff I love.  His name is Al and it is chance meetings like that, which gets me excited. Al is following me on Facebook and has suggested another lead, which I am looking into. (I will tell you what it is once I look into it further)  I think eventually something will come up.  I feel that I am putting myself in the right position and have found my passion. I literally have nothing but some stuff at my sisters place, some in my ex-wife’s storage locker and I am completely happy living life out on the road.  Some of you will say, yeah but you get lonely. Well I got lonely when I had my own place, also.  It passes, I have slowed down a bit and have tried to smell the roses more often. I will continue to request suggestions of how I can capitalize on the experience I have gained. If you have a lead or someone I should talk to, don’t hesitate to let me know!

Well it is getting late, need to get this posted!  I can’t wait until the stars align and I can do the profile on Chris the KC Super Fan!  Let me give a little teaser, he has done something for 10 straight years, a very impressive feat.  That is all I will say!