Oh The Places You'll Go.....

"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."

-William Feather

One of the greatest blessings of playing baseball over the past three seasons has been getting to travel all over the country. Another player might view the traveling we do as a means to an end to play a game of baseball, but I see it as an opportunity to see, experience, and enjoy all that a place has to offer. I have found that you get out of something what you put in, and for those of you who know me, I like to throw my whole heart into things.

Now, you might be asking when does he have time to do anything when he plays 140 games in 152 days, and the answer my friends is...you find a way! I have lost sleep occasionally, almost missed the bus for a road trip once or twice, but in the end it's worth it for the memories. More than the wins and losses, it's these moments with my teammates and host families below, along with many others, that will etch the walls of my memory for years to come...

On the beach in Vero Beach, Florida





Cliff jumping in Ogden, Utah




At Bear Lake, Utah with my host family from my first season



Swimming in Lake Michigan with my host family from the last two seasons

Canoeing with Paul De Pree on the Rifle River in Michigan

Hiking Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ




Hot Air Balloon ride with my roommate Jordan over Midland, Michigan



At Wrigley Field watching the Cubs play in Chicago


Maybe Dr. Seuss was right all those years ago...?

Fireworks and Freedom

Independence Day! For many, this day of celebration means picnics, boat rides, 3 day weekends, and special memories with friends and family. But for a minor league baseball player, the 'show' must go on. I have spent many July 4th's on a diamond all over the country, this year being Fort Wayne, IN. Even though we play 140 games throughout the season there is something extra special about this one. The stands are always packed with a sell out crowd anxious to watch America's favorite pastime as well as the one tradition that is shared by all, fireworks!

Following the game, I stayed in the dugout to watch the beautiful array of colors, patterns, and explosions from a front row seat. As I sat there I began to think about the celebration at hand. Two teams, thousands of fans, and all the stadium employees sharing the joy of our freedom together by looking up in 'awe and wonder'. In that moment there was nothing else that mattered; who got a hit that night, which pitcher won the game, what our record was on the year, or all the frustrations that this life brings. Just the excitement of the fireworks being shot in the air in response to what happened on July 4th, 1776. Not to sound cliche, but it was kind of a 'freeing' feeling.

In the hotel room that night I began to think about this being bigger than just a few cracks and pops in the air. I wonder what would happen if I just stopped and celebrated my freedom more often? Not freedom that can be given and taken away at the hands of men, but a freedom that is eternal. When I get anxious, frustrated with situations, or just overwhelmed with something, if only I just stopped and celebrated my freedom. In the same way as that 'freeing' feeling that watching fireworks brings, there is a weight lifted when I realize all that was done for me and given to me by the One who gives us the only freedom that we're looking for.

July 4th is just one day a year, it ends and the fireworks are put away until next year...

The freedom I'm talking about, makes me look up....in 'awe and wonder'!!