Subscribe* YFC, Day 2
Subtitled: “Still Standing”
The day started at 7, when we loaded the first of two buses to take us to George M. Steinbrenner Field. I must say I am very impressed with the level of organization. Prior to camp we had filled out forms re: sizes, and number preference, so when we arrived, everything was in readiness. A pinstriped uni, batting practice/road jersey, T-shirt, belt, socks, windbreaker and hat.
We all put on the pinstriped for the first in what will undoubtedly be many many many picture sessions. This was followed by a buffet breakfast, after which it was back to the locker room for an orientation session and to change into our uniforms of the day. For my team the Bombers, it was the home pinstripes.
Gary, the head trainer
Among these fine gentlemen, including clubhouse guys, trainers, photographers, and videographers, we met our next best friend, Gary — the trainer. He warned us to start slow and taper off. No joke. Some of these guys down here are quite competitive. It is my understanding that an entire team came down together. Jumping ahead here, but by days end, Gary told me he had seen at least 25 out of the 60 campers. One poor guy — one of the other Jewish players, in fact — lost a pop up in the sun at short and it hit him square on the nose. It wasn’t broken, but it did leave him with several stitches and a great story to tell.
So after a slew of photos, with our team, solo shots with our coaches, baseball-card type poses, etc., we got down to business.
The Bombers took on the Blanchards (named after the late Yankee back-up Cather who made several fantasy camp appearances). With 11 guys on our team, and no one offering to catch, I volunteered to do so, with no prior experience (which is why they call the gear “the tools of ignorance,” I guess.) I am proud — and relieved — to report that I made it through seven innings in the warm Tampa weather handling former major leaguers on the mound. Oh, who am I kidding — these guys were throwing from the bottom of the mound at batting practice speed. The rules here are designed for maximum enjoyment and minimum embarrassment. Campers pitch the final three innings, I suppose to move the game along at a brisk pace.
I took a foul ball off the mask, one of the thigh, one off the hand and totally flubbed a high pop-up that I could not locate. It landed about five feet from me, in fair territory, of course, and the runner made it to first safely. Still it was a good experience. I caught one camper-thrown inning, and he was bringing it faster than the coaches and figured I better quit while I was ahead. The Yankees actually provide “real” catchers for just such a circumstance.
At the plate, I went 1-3 as a clean-up hitter (totally arbitrary line-up) with a run scored in a 7-4 win. The hit came against Jesse Barfield, who was known for having one of the most powerful arms during his tenure in the Majors.
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After a brief lunc
h, we hit the fields again. This time, we hopped on the bus to take us to the Yankees’ minor league facility a mile or so away where we took on the Clippers. This time I started at first base and served as the leadoff hitter. No doubt because of my blazing speed. Not. Went 3-5 including, depending on who you’re asking, a bases-clearing triple (the ball got by the right fielder on a tricky hop) as we swept the day’s games, 20-8.
Following a quick shower, I took in a Fantasy version of home run derby. Each team put up a couple of players to vie for the title. Then it was some bonding in a Yankees mini-restaurant (one of my teammates had a birthday today, so cake was served. Nice touch.) then back on the bus for the ride to the hotel for a well-deserved rest. Can’t wait to see how we all react tomorrow.
Hi Ron
I’m loving your recaps and I want to thank you for doing so. I’m a 5 time camper myself…I’m actually one of the guys from the Blanchards (previously called the BATS) who come down every year. Unfortunately, to your point about injury…I’m the poor slob who took a line drive in the mouth on the 2nd to last day in nov 08. I’m still recovering, if you can believe that- so at home I stay…missing camp terribly and feeling oddly out of sync with the time of yr I’m usually enjoying the sun in Tampa. A little advice to you from one who knows…it goes incredibly fast. You’re in game 3 right now (10am on Wed) and you’re probably beginning to feel that. ENJOY EVERY MINUTE. That begins by staying until the last bus leaves…I used to call a cab before meeting people…then bummed a ride back. The best part I’ve now learned after 6 years is the time in the clubhouse… stay as long as possible- heck, be the last guy out when Dave shuts the lights. You’ll thank me for it next week. Same thing in the am…be the first to arrive- walking in and seeing all the jerseys hanging in an almost empty locker room is surreal. Just wish I could be there with you…but thru your tweets it almost feels like I am. OH and you played his team yesterday…find a guy named Warren Sherman…he’s been to 200 camps (ok, 50) and is a great guy to know. Give him a big hello from me.