CAMPING IN NEO

CAMPING IN NEO

I wanted to post something different besides Akron Rubberducks baseball games. Three weeks into the season and it's a ghost town in the campground. Even on the weekends, there are only a hand full of campers. I'm sure that will change after Memorial Day, but until then there is not much going on. We go to the Hartville Flea Market on non raining days, visit my parents once a week (to do laundry), walk around the RV park and both of us sit on our computers way to long. I guess the biggest adventure we have is seeing if our awning will remain in one piece. We have not opened it all winter and when we did water just pulled out and the bottom was filthy. When I opened the awning the pull down strap broke, so I had to get a new one. After the awning arms bars bent along with the release switch in Haslet, TX (during our workamping at Amazon) it took two guys to get it closed. 

After cleaning it I strapped and tied it down. With no one at the park and not knowing if Hiromi will be able to help me get it closed, we watch the weather to see when the winds will be high and watch the awning dance hoping that the straps and rope will hold. Either when my Uncle or neighbor returns I will have to ask for their help to see if I can get it to close. Until then ...(fingers crossed)... hoping the wind stays under 20 MPH. North East Ohio (NEO)weather is so unpredictable, one day it's sunny in the 80's the next it's raining in the 30's. It even snowed one day and stuck to the ground in some parts of Cleveland. June can not get here quick enough for me!

When staying in one spot for the summer it's a slower pace than what I'm use to the last two summers. When Akron RubberDucks are on the road everyday seems to have it's routine, and it feels like we're locked in the RV because of the unknown weather forecast. I just have to get out and do something. I have not felt this locked up since we lived in our apartment.Whatever the case I have to put an end to this dreadful so called routine and get back to having fun and adventures. I had enough and told Hiromi that I was taking her out to eat dinner. We only went to Grinders, but it felt good to get out of the RV even it was only for a few hours to eat dinner.

NEO weather changed once again, now it in the 70's and sunny. After seeing my parents (and getting our laundry done) I cut our lawn with a weed wacker (the only down side to staying at Cutty's). Cutty's had it's first pot luck of the season, Hiromi made deviled eggs.

The turn out was bigger than we thought, I have not seen this many people all year. They must have been locked in their rigs too because of the weather. Great company, meeting new people and rekindling old friendships.

Scheduling game nights are still in the works, but Wednesday morning donuts are set in stone, followed by midweek exercise Wednesday... Funny how that works! 

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 6

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 6

Week 6

9-11 May

Ducks are home for a short three game series against Erie Seawolves (Tigers). I was not going to go to game 2 and 3 as they are education days where the stadium is full of elementary students. However, I saw that my tickets had me sitting in club suits, so it was a no-brainer to go to these games now. There will be no BP as both games start at 10:35am and I'm not fighting kids for autographs so I will be just a fan this home stand. Hiromi has never been in club seats so I got extra tickets for her for both games.

Game one: I did not show up early for BP. With only one day to try and get Erie players autographs I focused on that. I have only two player cards and I got both signed. Each team starter had ERA under 1.50. I thought that it would be a good pitching dual, but both teams squared up on the ball totaling 13 Hits 10 Runs and 3 Home Runs in the first 5 innings. Both pitchers went 5 inning, but the bullpen would determine who would win this game. The Ducks pitching was better and their bats remained hot. Needless to say the Ducks won 12-5. I went to the game thinking no ball day, but got a game used toss up from Joe Sever (another ballhawk milestone career ball number 250). To top the night off I got a broken bat from Erie's Jeff McVaney.

Game two: Education day ONE had our seats in the Duck's Club Suite. Our view for today's game. Free food, drinks and no students in sight.

It rained most of the early morning and when we arrived they were taking the tarp off the field. First pitch was only 5 minutes late. A sell out crowed, saw all the Ducks runs in the first inning on a grand slam by Jeremy Lucas. That's all the Ducks need as they won 4-2.

Game three: Education day TWO had our seats in the Suite 212 above home plate.... or so we thought. When we arrive suite 212 was full, went to 209 full, 214 full, finally suite 216. Not sure why all the season ticket holders had tickets to suite 212? Check out our view.

Painting murals of Aeros, Ducks and Tribe legends line the walls.

After spotting Erie an early three run lead in the first inning, it was time to play ball. The Ducks would not die and tied the game three different times, but never got the go ahead run across the plate, until the 10th inning. With only one out, the bases loaded it felt like the momentum shifted and wouldn't you know the pitcher hit the batter and the winning run scored on a walk-off hit by pitch.. Another home series sweep for the Ducks and a 9-8 win.

Week 6 Haul

Ducks lead their division with a 22-9 record and a 7.5 game lead.

Week's total: 3 games, 1 balls (0 give-a-way), 2 autographs 1 bat
Games: 2 day  1 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 3-0

Akron's total: 14 games, 86 balls (34 give-a-way), 53 autographs, 1 bat 4 SGA Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 5 day  9 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 12-2

2016 baseball season total: 28 games, 127 balls (39 give-a-way), 129 autographs, 8 bats

WHO'S NEXT:
8 days on the road until a weekend series with Binghamton Mets.

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 4 & 5

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 4 & 5

WEEK 4
29 Apr - 1 May

After a rough road trip going 2-5 the Ducks return to Canal Park with a 12-8 record with a 2 game lead in their division. Akron will host Altoona Curve (Pirates) for a three game weekend series.

Game one: I was unable to attend the game as our campground opened for the season and we spend all day moving in, setting up and meeting our neighbors for the next five months. Ducks won 6-2.

Game two: I used my unused ticket from game one to bring Hiromi with me to get two SGA Jaret Wright Bobblehead.

There was a few season ticket holders who came early for BP. Not sure if it was because it was a Saturday day game, Jaret Wright bobblehead give-a-way or to try and get autographs of the Curves top two prospects in Reese McGuire and Austin Meadows. I did manage to get three baseballs at BP (gave 2 balls away), I got one game used ball off a foul ball. The ball entered the Ducks dugout and Pitcher Rob Kaminsky was looking for someone to throw it to. I yelled his name and he threw it to me. The rain started to fall so we moved up to the seats that where covered. There was two kids sitting an aisle over and when the players recorded the final out and returning to the dugout they where asking for the ball 20 some row up (no way are they going to get a ball).  I pulled two balls out of my bag and asked their father if I could give them the ball. The kids faces light up when I gave the balls to them. The father could not stop thanking me. I got 8 Curve autographs before the game and 4 Ducks autographs after the game. The Ducks feasted on some good home cooking with a total of 12 hits and back-to-back Home Runs in the 8th inning was the icing on the cake winning 10-3.

Game three: From the end of the game the night before until mid morning it rained. The game was not postponed, but I decided it was not worth going. More than likely there would be no BP and no one coming out early to sign autographs. Saved the ticket for a game with better weather... maybe next bobblehead night! Wouldn't you know, around noon the rain stopped and the sun came out. The game would go into extra inning and Ducks won in 12 inning on a walk-off single to center 3-2.

The Ducks swept the series 3-0 improving to a 15-8 record and increasing their division lead to 4 games.

Week's total: 1 games, 4 balls (2 give-a-way), 12 autographs, 2 SGA Bobblehead
Games: 1 day  0 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 1-0

Akron's total: 8 games, 57 balls (19 give-a-way), 38 autographs, 4 SGA Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 3 day  5 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 6-2

2016 baseball season total: 22 games, 97 balls (25 give-a-way), 114 autographs, 7 bats

WEEK 5
2-5 May

Trenton Thunder (Yankees) comes into Canal Park for a four game series. These two teams faced off last week in Trenton and the Thunder shout down the hot bats of the Ducks winning the series 3-1. Let hope the tide turns this series. Coming into the series the Thunder are riding a 4 game win streak with an extra day of rest as their game last night was postponed due to rain.

Game one: I got 7 balls at BP and gave 3 away to kids. I went for Thunders autographs, but with  the cold weather all the pitchers were wearing sweatshirts so I could not see their jersey number. I did get one autograph. Trenton held Akron to only 2 run on 3 hits. Thunder did managed to load the bases in the ninth to make it interesting, but Duck pitching struck out the side to close out the 2-1 win.

Game two: During BP the sun was out and I got 6 baseballs. I don't know what it was, but I felt guilty about something and have no idea why, so I gave all 6 balls away. After I got home I asked myself why did I give all six balls away? I did get a game used ball after the third out tossed up by Bradley Zimmer that I did keep (so 7 balls total). Still tying to get the visiting teams autographs, by the time the game stated the weather was getting cool and all the pitchers were wearing sweatshirts again. Could not see their jersey number. I did get one auto of Thunders manager Bobby Mitchell. After 5 inning of not getting a hit, Akron bats came alive batting around sending 9 guys to the plate in the 6th inning scoring 4 runs. Three run came on one swing of the bat on a Bryson Myles 3-run homer. Akron won 4-2 extending their win streak to five games.

Game three: Game was postponed due to rain.

Game four: Another good day at BP, I picked 14 balls in the first 15 minutes of BP. I could not fit anymore into my bag so I called it quits. Throughout the game I gave 5 balls away to kids. I got one game used ball, toss up from Nellie Rodriguez after the inning third out (15 total balls). I had only one Trenton player left to get autographed from. After BP he stopped and signed for me. Now I had time to get Akron players before the game and did not wast my chance by getting 10 autographs. RubberDucks bats remained hot pounding out 11 hit winning 6-1.  

Akron swept another series extending their win steak to 6 straight. Record stands at 18-8 with a 6 game lead in their division.

Week 4&5 Haul

Week's total: 3 games, 29 balls (14 give-a-way), 13 autographs
Games: 0 day  3 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 3-0

Akron's total: 11 games, 85 balls (34 give-a-way), 51 autographs, 4 SGA Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 3 day  8 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 9-2

2016 baseball season total: 25 games, 126 balls (39 give-a-way), 127 autographs, 7 bats

WHO'S NEXT?
Erie SeaWolves (Tigers)

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 3

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 3

Week 3
18-20 Apr

Binghamton Mets arrive for a three game series, before the RubberDucks head back out on the road for seven game in eight day road trip.

Game one: Once again I was there for Mets BP and on the third foul ball I hit another ballhawk milestone with my career 200th ball off the bat of Mikis De La Cruz. I finished the day with five balls and gave one away to a little girl (with her father) stand on the fence looking into the stadium watching BP. Being a season ticket holder I get the chance to get BP balls, while the kids watching outside the stadium do not. My goal is to give away 100 baseballs this season.

The RubberDucks had two MLB players back in the lineup for their rehab games. I moved from my normal location along the third base foul line to beside the clubhouse & dugout entrance and was able to get Michael Brantley to sign my SI cover, Lonnie Chisnhall to sign a MLB baseball and Indians number one prospect Bradley Zimmer on two cards.

There was one broken bat from a Mets player. After the game I asked him for the bat, but he already gave it to the bat boy... So close! The RubberDucks won 4-1.

Game two: Another double digit day of 15 baseball at BP. With a small crowd on a cool nigh it was hard to find kids to give away baseballs, but I did find 8 kids who where happy to take the baseballs from me (with their parents permission first). For the attraction of the night was an Alpaca in the left field course.

Chisenhall was back in the lineup playing CF for the second straight day. There was only 3 people seeking autographs so I went down and got Lonnie one more time on a MLB baseball and Indians number two prospect Clint Frazier on two cards. I think I will take a break from getting RubberDucks autographs for a while as the players start to see me everyday, they might stop signing for me. However, I will try to get any MLB player on rehab as they will not be in Akron for long. I don't have cards of any Mets players, but I do for next week when Altoona Curve arrive. I will try and get the visiting team for a few games then back to the Ducks. The RubberDucks won 7-2.


Game three: Did not make it to BP, just a regular fan tonight. Chisenhall no longer on rehab as he got called to the major today. Brantley remains in Akron and was in the starting lineup tonight. The first 5 inning took only an hour, but the next 5 inning (extra inning game) took two hours. In the ninth inning with the bases loaded, two out and full count Clint Frazier was at bat he striked out swinging and then broke his bat over his knee. Bottom of the Tenth inning was highlighted with Bryon Myles walk-off sac fly to left for a Ducks 3-2 win.

The RubberDucks sweep the series 3-0. Now with a  10-3 record first in the their division and holds a 3.5 game lead. 

Week 3 haul

Week's total: 3 games, 20 balls (9 give-a-way), 7 autographs
Games: 0 day  3 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 3-0

Akron's total: 7 games, 53 balls (17 give-a-way), 26 autographs, 2 SGA Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 2 day  5 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 5-2

2016 baseball season total: 21 games, 93 balls (23 give-a-way), 102 autographs, 7 bats

NEXT WEEK
Altoona Curve for three game weekend series. 

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 1 & 2

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 1 & 2

After spending the last two summers crisscrossing America attending baseball games, we are going to spend this summer in my home town.  It always feel good when I have the chance to return home. Since we are staying in one spot all summer I wanted to live out another dream of mine as a season ticket holder of a baseball team. Besides, Hiromi will need "her time" and "my time" will be spent at the ballpark. Only a half hour away from our campground is the city of Akron and the Akron Rubberducks. The Rubberducks are the AA affiliate of the the Cleveland Indians. Their roster this year is stacked with first round draft picks and prospects. Located 30 minutes (or so) from Cleveland, major leaguers on rehab assignment will head to Akron, perfect chance to get Major Leaguers autographs. As a season ticket holder I get to enter the gates two hours before first pitch where I can see batting practice and players before the gates open to non season ticket holders (the stadium all to myself for batting practice balls... look out!), my name on the back of my seat, head of line at concision stands and I get to throw out first pitch before a home game. Akron will host the AA All Star game with the Home Run Derby, both tickets are covered in the package. If the team makes the playoffs those ticket are free too. With their roster it looks to be a fun and wild season. 

Throughout the season I will highlight the week at the ballpark with games attended, baseball caught, autographs, stadium-give-away and promotion items. I know there are going to be games I will not be able to attend, but as a season ticket holder I can hold that ticket and use it to bring someone with me to another game. No ticket goes wasted. More than likely it will be Hiromi for firework nights and/or bobblehead give-a-way games (can't save the tickets for All Star week or playoffs).

PLAY BALL!

(Picture from 2015 season)

Week 1

Akron started the 2016 season on the road and don't return for their home opener until week 2 of the season.

Weekend series are Thursday or Friday - Sunday, to keep the games series in one post my stats for the week will run Monday - Sunday.

Week's total: 0 games, 0 balls (0 give-a-way), 0 autographs, 0 bats
Games: 0 day  0 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 0-0

Akron's total: 0 games, 0 balls (0 give-a-way), 0 autographs, 0 bats

Games: 0 day  0 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 0-0

2016 baseball season total: 14 games, 40 balls (6 give-a-way), 76 autographs, 7 bats

14-17 Apr
Week 2

All winter since I got the season tickets I was thinking that the first week or so there will be a lot of season ticket holder arriving early for BP.... I was wrong, I was the only one there.

 It will take a few games to see where the best place to stand to get balls. Is it in the right field bleachers for BP homeruns, along the first or third base foul line to get toss ups and BP foul balls or will it be around the dugouts? Do I get autographs at BP or after the gates open? Trail and error until I find out what will work best for me.

My seat for the next 71 home games.

For the 2016 season home opener the Rubberducks hosted the 2015 defending AA Champions Bowie Baysox (Orioles) for a four games weekend series.

Last week these two teams faced off to open the season in Bowie and Akron sweep the 3 game series (one game postponed due to weather).

Game one had Michael Brantley on rehab assignment, but did not sign for many fan. With the Home Opener celebrations not many players signed either. I did get two autographs, but I still have 70 more games to get more autographs. During the Bowie BP I got 8 balls. Stadium give-a-way (SGA) was 2016 poster schedule. RubberDucks won 3-2.

Game two had Lonnie Chisenhall on rehab assignment, this major leaguer made time before the game to sign for fans. I got 8 baseball during Bowie BP and gave 3 of them away to kids as they entered the gates. I got five RubberDuck autographs. I found a hot dog wrapper on the ground and inside the wrapper was a stadium instance winner slip of $2. I took the slip to customer service and they gave me a two dollar bill. Rubberducks won 8-5.

Game three I arrived two hours early and the game was already started.. did they change the start time? No, there was a high school game so I got to see the last three inning before the minor league game started. Because of the high school game there was no BP. so I did not get any baseball. I got 9 autographs, but just like in spring training in Arizona Brantley passed me and did not sign for me ( I have video on my GoPro to prove it now). Today's SGA was RubberDuck soccer scarf. Brantley and Chisenhall where both in the starting lineup. Even though the RubberDucks had two MLB players in the lineup and the defense causing six errors the Rubberducks lost 14-5. No more high school game before a home game... got to have BP and fielding practice it showed today how important practice is.

Game four and final of the series. There was no traffic so I arrived half hour before I could even get in. Instead of make a line and waiting, I walk along the canal outside the stadium in left field. There was 7 balls just sitting along the fence line. I then went into the park for Bowie BP and got 10 more baseball. My NEW one game total 17 baseball in one game (shattering my old record of 8 in 2015 in Mobile, AL and 2016 in Akron the first two games of this year).

New single game record ... 17 baseballs

I gave 5 of them away to kids as they entered the stadium. I got 3 RubberDucks autographs before the game started. With the RubberDucks pitching giving up 9 walks a three hit batters while the starter only going 2/3 innings and giving up four run not many teams could come back from that, but they sure tried losing 9-5.

The RubberDucks split the series 2-2 with an overall record of 7-3. They remain in first place in their division with a 2.5 game lead.

Here is this weeks haul

Week's total: 4 games, 33 balls (8 give-a-way), 19 autographs, 2 SGA Give-a-way $ ($2.00)
Games: 2 day  2 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 2-2

Akron's total: 4 games, 33 balls (8 give-a-way), 19 autographs, 2 SGA Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 2 day  2 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 2-2

2016 baseball season total: 18 games, 73 balls (14 give-a-way), 95 autographs, 7 bats

Next Week
Binghamton Mets come in for a three game series.

U TURN, THEN HOME SWEET HOME!

 U TURN, THEN HOME SWEET HOME!

We started on our way to West Virginia to stop by a few National Parks before heading to Ohio. However, when we started to see snow we started talking. Within a few minutes we got off I-77 N, made a U turn to warmer weather and headed  on I-77 S. We stopped in a small family own campground in Hiddenite, NC for a few day until the weather cleared to return north in the middle of next week.

At Hiddenite Family campground there are animals everywhere ponies, rabbits, goats and pigs. If you want to get away from it all Hiddenite campground is the place to be. Quite valley area with a flowing stream. We did not even have to unhook the car... just peaceful.

It was time to leave with lite rain in North Carolina. By the time we got to Virginia we had open roads and sunshine. We had to spend one night at the rest stop in Paradise City, OH. Next day... Home Sweet Home!

WHAT'S NEXT?
Summer in my hometown. Family, friends and lots of good times ahead.

RICHMOND & LYNCHBERG, VA

RICHMOND & LYNCHBERG, VA

We stayed at Langley AFB FAMCAMP about an hour drive to Richmond. We saw the Virginia Capitol Building and three National Park in one day. On our way out of Virginia we make a stop to see  The Cleveland Indians High A minor league affiliate Lynchburg Hillcats.  

State Capitol 

First stop was the Capitol Building. The dome is small and can't be seen from the street level. The entrance is unique then an other Capitol Building we have been. The entrance is from the street  where you walk underground until you reach the inside of the building. When the Capitol Building had remodel work done, there was rotten wood and water leaking behind the walls. This gave them the two year remodeling to place the underground entrance.  

3 National Parks

Next, we headed to Maggie L Walker, born in 1864 this African-American was born free. At an earl age she found her place in the church St Luck. She would go on to graduate high school, further her education at night after work all day. She was the key to the success of the community where she started black business in town next to successful white businesses. She would go on the be the first African-American woman to be president of a bank. Other while known African-American like Booker T Washington would visit  Maggie in her home. In her latter years, she was confined to  wheelchair, but that did not stop her. She had wheels placed on her living room chair so when other saw her at home she did not look like someone who could not walk, but someone who was still work hard for the community.

After a quick lunch break we were only a few block from the Chimborazo Medical Museum, We wanted to see the Richmond National Battlefield, but that is located in a different area. Chimborazo is part of the Richmond NBP so it was still good.  Wounded soldiers would stay here to recover. The wounded was separated in hospital tent by the state they were born. If the soldiers made it to Chimborazo after miles of traveling in house back wagons they had a 98% chance of recover from their wounds or amputations.  

The last National Park for the day was close to our campground at Colonial Parkway. There is a 23 miles driving path to several battle sites along the bypass to Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. If you see one open battlefield they all start to look the same open fields. However, the Yorktown National Park visitor center has a battlefield next to the building and is the location where the French along with the American forces fought to won the battle over the British.

LYNCHBURG

Arrived at Calvin Falwell Field two and a half hours before the gates opened. Good thing we did because when we arrived we went to the top level of the parking lot that was one way. I had to ask the worker in the ticket window to help me move the parking barrier gates so I could turn into the lower level of the parking lot. I missed the turn when we pulled in to go down to the lower level. They had us park on the far side of the parking lot on a hill. I had to use my tier block just to be safe that the RV did not roll down the hill.

There is a $2 discount of tickets with a military ID. Calvin Falwell Field marks my 60th different baseball stadium I have been to, to see a game.

I was hoping to see BP, but the weather must have been to cold. The team did not have BP on the field, they must have had BP inside the cage. I did find a ball while walking to the gates. I was able to get 10 autographs before and after the game. The Hillcats Anthony Santanders shattered his bat in three pieces during the game. After the game I asked him for the bat and he pulled it out of the dugout trashcan to give to me on his way to the clubhouse. The name on the bat was Francisco Mejia. He is currently the Cleveland Indians number ten minor league prospect. Now I got to get him to sign the bat. If I don't see him this season (currently plays for Lake County Captains in OH), definitely in Arizona spring training 2017.

It has been hard for me to get autographs and take pictures at the same time. So I got a GoPro chest strap so I could record getting autographs. The video turned out pretty good for the first time using it. I'm hopping to get enough video to make a really good baseball Youtube video someday. FYI, Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians) won 5-4 over Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox).

WHAT'S NEXT?

West Virginia, but saw snow and made a U Turn.