FLEA MARKET FINES & JUST ANOTHER WEEKEND AT THE CAMPGROUND

FLEA MARKET FINES & JUST ANOTHER WEEKEND AT THE CAMPGROUND 

We try and go to the flea market at least once a week as long as it's not raining. Mostly we go to walk, buy fresh vegetables and to see if we can fine some great deals. This week was pretty good. I have not talked about life-in-RV or the campground in a while. Besides the normal route most expect I'll fill you in on the rest. 

HARTVILLE FLEA MARKET 
Normally all I find at the flea market are baseball/ hobby related or little stuff we need around the RV so nothing to exciting to talk about. Except for today.

First, I found a 1991 Mickey Mantle comic book issue #1 for only $1. There was only 2 issues made. All I have to now is fine issue #2 for the complete set. After reading the comic I found out that the publisher Magnum Comics have made several comics of baseball icons of Brooks Robinson and Duke Snider. However, from the research I have done Magnum Comics only release 4 total issues (2 Mantel and 1 each of Robinson and Snider).

Second, a few post back I talked a little about my dream hobby. I found a Kalimar 500mm lens for $10. Normally, these used lens sale for $50-$100 ish. I can start that dream hobby now. I have a starter telephoto lens to try it out next week when the Ducks return home. All I need now is a support stand to attach to the lens. It's long and hard to hold for long periods of time. When not using it for baseball I will still take it on the road with me and use it for nature shoots, birds or wild animals that are far and a safe distance away. Maybe. one day you'll see one of my pictures on a baseball card or the cover of Sports Illustrated. 

Before returning home we stopped by Maize Valley Winery only a mile and a half away from our campground to grab a snack and a sample glass of wine for Hiromi.

CAMPGROUND

Last weekend theme was anything and everything chocolate. Chocolate donuts eating contest and chocolate slip n' slide.

This weekend was animals. The headliner was barnyard animal petting zoo. Turkey, pig, rabbits, alpaca, turtle, chicken and more. I guess you can't pet them all, but we did stop by to take a look. To close out the night was the Disney's Zootopia movie. We left the campground to attend our American Legion dinner and drawing night, but we did not win any money.  

Sunday afternoon was origami. I had to talk Hiromi into going. She made all the easy kids stuff like hat that turns into a boat, balloon. snack cup, kid flip game and when all the kids left she made a crane.

 Just in case you might not have guessed, next weeks theme is Father's Day Weekend. I took a leap of faith and talked to the campground front desk to see if they need an event photographer. I told them I would do it for free and give them all pictures that I take. This way I can start working on my portfolio and the campground has photos of the 2016 season. They will forward the idea to the owner and I'll let you know what happens. I think it will be a win-win for the both of us. 

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 10 & MLB DRAFT

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 10 & MLB DRAFT

7-9 Jun

Coming home after a three game series that turned into a four game series with a doubleheder to make up a rain out earlier in the season. The Ducks split the series 2-2. Now the Duck return home to face the Reading Fightin Phils. Reading is the East division leaders with a 39-19 record and are 7-3 in the last 10 games, while the Ducks are 3-7 in their last 10.With the Ducks in a slump for the first time this year can they breakout and win the big games when needed?  At the end of the series this will show if the Ducks can win the big games against good team. 

Game one: Weather called for rain so I did not go. The rain did not arrive until a few hours after the game was completed. Good thing I did not go, because I would have probable left early since the Duck lost 11-1.

Game two: Summer game times have started and games now start at 7:05pm. Season ticket holders can enter at 5:05pm. I arrived around 5:30pm to see the the end of the second group and all of  the last group of Reading's BP. I got three baseballs and gave them away to two kids and one begging mother who said she never got one before. Not sure if she is going to keep it for herself or give to one of her kids. I have two Phils player baseball cards where I got one signed before the game (Rhys Hoskins Phils #19 prospect) and one after the game (Jorge Alfaro Phils #9 prospect). I also got a third out toss up game used ball for Duck's Nellie Rodriguez (I keep ALL game used baseballs). The game was pretty close where both staring pitchers pitched to the 7th inning where the score was tied 2-2. Both pitching staff where on their "A" game with the two teams totaling 35 strikeouts and giving up 11 hits. The game would go into extra inning and the Phils would win on a solo homerun by Rhys Hoskins in the 11th inning 3-2.

The Ducks need to find out what's going on. There has been a lot of roster transactions with Advance A players getting their first taste of AA pitching so, this might be the reason for them, but the main core group of players have been in AA all season. When you get only 4 hits and strikeout 17 times as a team something is not clicking.

Game three: Hiromi keeps telling me I have to many baseball, I took three with me to give away. As I got to BP I would get 9 more baseballs (two were toss ups after I called their name) and one game used foul ball toss up by Eric Stamets. I gave 10 balls away (half way to my season goal of giving away 100 baseballs)while still taking three balls home. Funny how thing workout, after walking around the stadium giving the baseballs away to kid with gloves (today's goal) I sat down in my seat and that inning is when Eric tossed me the ball. Give away 10 BP baseball get one game used. Like I said before I will keep ALL game used and any toss ups. I worked to get them by knowing the player name and asking for the ball (please and thank you), Most kids just yelling "here, here, here" or "hey number xx" then running off to show their parent without saying anything to the player. Clint Frazier has not signed in a few weeks, so I moved from my normal spot close to the dugout to mid field by the rain tarp. He was the DH today, so he is responsible for bring the ball bag back to the dugout after warming up and is the last player to leave the field. Most times since the player has the ball bag they just return to the dugout, but today I said "Mr Frazier can you sign for me please" and he came to me first. It's always good to get one of the teams top prospects. I would get a total of 5 Duck autographs.

Luigi Rodriguez made his AA debut and it was a good one going 2-4 with an RBI. The game was close (2-2) until the 3-run homer from Reading that took the air out of the crowd and the team, I saw another first when Akron pitcher Louis Head strikeout 4 batter in one inning. The first batter strikeout but the ball got away from the catcher and the runner advanced to first. The next three batter all strikeout swinging. The Ducks had a little rally in the ninth but a perfect throw from Reading outfielder Dylan Cozens to gun down Joe Sever at the plate to end the game. Ducks lose 6-2. The Ducks once again had more strikeouts than hit (10/8). That makes two nights in a row. Any time any team does that it not going to be a good night.

Week 10 Haul

Despite the slump the Ducks are in the last two weeks they remain in first place at 38-22 with a 4.5 game lead in their division. Let's hope they can turn it around on this four game weekend series in Harrisburg (against the team where the slump began).To start a winning streak you first have to win one.


Week's total: 2 games, 14 balls (13 give-a-way), 7 autographs
Games: 0 day  2 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 0-2

Akron's total: 25 games, 110 balls (50 give-a-way), 85 autographs, 2 bat, 6 SGA,

Games: 7 day  18 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 18-7

2016 baseball season total: 40 games, 151 balls (55 give-a-way), 170 autographs, 9 bats

2016 MLB DRAFT

The 2016 MLB draft was held 9-11 June and Kent State had three players drafted. New player to get baseball cards and follow around the US when I'm on the road.

1st round and 25th overall pick (LHP) Eric Lauer to the Padres. Previously drafted in 2013 17th round and 505th overall to the Blue Jays.

7th round and 222nd overall pick (RHP) Andy Ravel to the Blue Jays. Previously drafted in 2013 21st round and 630th overall to the D-Backs.

13th round and 394th overall pick (1B) Conner Simonetti to the Nationals. Previously drafted in 2013 35th round and 1,065 overall pick to the Reds.

(No picture with him  ... yet!)

All these players decided not to sign out of high school and attend college turned out better for them as they got coached by the Kent State coaching staff who are former Major Leaguers in pitching coach Mike Birkbeck and head coach Jeff Duncan.

Now I need pictures with them in there MiLB/MLB uniforms.

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 8 & 9

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 8 & 9

27-30 May

Coming home after a short three game road trip where the Ducks split the series 2-2 to the Altoona Curves. Akron will host the Memorial Day weekend four game series with Harrisburg Senators (Nationals).  This will be the only time Harrisburg visits Canal Park this season. 

Game one: There was a lot going on in the day and bleed over to the evening where I decided not to arrive early for for BP or to get autographs. I will leave that to the rest of the series. The Ducks had back-to-back home runs by Bryson Myles and Bradley Zimmer in the 4th inning. The only day I left my camera at home is the night I witnessed a little bit of history in my first every one hit game (no picture of the scoreboard). Michael Peoples went  6.2 inning before giving up the only hit (and run) of the night on pitch number 94. When the reliever came in the crowd gave Michael a standing ovation as he returned to the dugout. Two pitcher would pitch the last 2.1 inning to complete the combined one hitter.  Ducks won 6-1.

Game two: Indians major league pitcher Carols Carrasco was the staring pitcher on a rehab assignment. That makes the third major leaguer to make a rehab appearance in a Ducks uniform this year. Being the starting pitcher the likely hood of him signing before or after the game was slim to none, but I still tried with no luck.

I got to the park early and there was already a line even at the season ticket entrance. SGSA tonight was Bobblehead Happy Gilmore's Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald). The line was way to long to get him to sign his bobblehead.

 At BP I got 4 balls and 2 autographs of Senators player. When a minor leaguer has the chance to bat against a major league pitcher one of two things will happen; 1) the pitcher is on his game and the hitter looks like a minor leaguer or 2) the batters have no fear and wants to see if they belong in the majors. Over 4 innings of work Carrasco gave up two runs (1 earned) on 7 hits and had 6 strikeouts. If it was not for Senators trying to steal bases and getting thrown out (two times in back-to-back innings)by the catcher Eric Haase they could have had more runs. Once Carrasco was done for the night all the runs the Ducks need came on two swings of the bat from Nellie Rodriguez. In the 4th he had a 2-run homer to tie the game and a RBI double in the 8th to take the lead. Ducks won 3-2.  

Game three:I arrived early for BP, However, there was none as it was challenged baseball day at the stadium. I did get Lucas Giolito the Nationals 2012 1st round draft pick to sign his baseball card. He personalized it with "To Russ". I guess he dose that so no one will sell it. I like it, because I collect autographs and that just adds to my value of the autograph. All my Senators cards were signed, so I went to the Ducks side were I got 7 more autographs. Being an early afternoon start time I ate lunch at the stadium. I had chicken tenders and fries. There was just way too much food for me to eat it all. Hiromi would have loved to share this meal with me.

As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end". The Akron RubberDucks club record of 17 straight home game wins came to an end. Senators Left Field Cutter Dykstra had two highlight real diving catches to rob extra base hits that would have scored runs.The Ducks out hit the Senators 7-4, but when you strikeout 15 times as a team, your not getting on base and when there is no one on base those 7 hits drive in ..... no one!  Final score 2-1.   

Game four: Did not go to the game, spent Memorial Day at the campground and had BBQ dinner at my parents house. Ducks lost 3-2 and split the series 2-2.

Akron is still leading their division at 35-15 with a 6.5 game lead.

Week's total: 3 games, 4 balls (0 give-a-way), 10 autographs, 1 SGA
Games: 1 day  2 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 2-1

Akron's total: 20 games, 91 balls (34 give-a-way), 69 autographs, 1 bat, 6 SGA, Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 7 day  13 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 17-3

2016 baseball season total: 35 games, 132 balls (39 give-a-way), 154 autographs, 8 bats

31 May-2 Jun

A rematch of last weeks road game Altoona Curve with prospects Reese McGuire and Austin Meadows will invade Canal Park. The last meeting between these two teams in Canal Park the Ducks swept the three game series. No time like the present to start another long home winning streak.

Game one: Got to BP, but Altoona had a late start to practice as the gates opened they were still on the field 30 minutes before first pitch (visiting teams usually finish BP before the gates open). I got two balls that I gave away to kids. I also got two autographs of Altoona's prospects McGuire and Meadows on MLB baseball. Akron's Clint Frazier returned from the disabled list (DL), Todd Hankins and Eric Haase had 3 RBI's each while the team ran at will with 4 stolen bases and pitcher Shawn Morimando improved to 9-0 on the season. Ducks won 11-4.

Game two: I got all the player autographs I need for this series I don't think I'll be arriving early for BP and just show up close to first pitch. There was a lot of roster transaction before the game today. After 550+ AB in Lynchberg over the last two season Mike Papi a 2014 1st Round draft pick was called up to Double A. While well traveled Cole Sulser who pitched for ADV A, AA and AAA this season was also assigned to Akron. Justin Brantley was released (no longer with Indians organization and now a minor league free agent), while Jordan Smith and Bryson Myles were called up to AAA Columbus. This marks the first game where all three outfielders in Akron lineup are 1st round draft picks. This game had a total of six 1st round picks three on both teams. Two costly errors and Eric Stamets leaving the bases loaded twice recorded the last out of the inning while the Ducks as a team left 13 baserunners stranded. Ducks lost 2-0. I got two game used ball. One in the 2nd inning third out toss up by Nellie Rodriguez and second on a foul ball toss up by D.J. Brown in the 6th inning. To make the night complete I got a broken bat after the game from Altoona Erich Weiss (currently batting .288). I noticed that the bat company is Zinger. I never heard of them before so I had to look them up. They are an Arizona company based out of Chandler. Located about an hour away from where we spend our spring training days in Arizona. Now, I have to put it on my list to visit when we are in Arizona next time.

Game three: The rubber game between these two teams to see who will take the series. The weather was calling for rain around game time. Now that Papi is in Akron and if the sky looks clear I'll go early to try and get autographs. Got to the stadium with about 10 minutes left in Altoona BP. I got one ball (gave it away)I got 3 autographs from Altoona players and 4 from Ducks including Papi. Not a lot of fans at the game maybe because most stayed home to watch the Cavs vs Warriors game one of the NBA Finals. Mike Papi collected his first AA hit and RBI but that was not enough as the Ducks had four errors that lead to two unearned runs and lost the game 5-4. This is the first series lost at home this season. Simple things can cause a team to win or lose a game, take away the four errors the Ducks win. As the saying goes, "That's the way the cookie crumbles".

Saw my dream hobby at the game. With a camera lens like that I could use my own photos to get autographed. The down side to a sports photographer is the cost of the equipment, that lens alone is over $1,000 and being that big there is nowhere to store it when driving on the road. Have a dream, set the goal and one day I'll accomplish my dream hobby.

Akron is on the road for a weekend series in Bowie. Lets hope the long bus ride tonight gives them something to think about and turns this mini slump (1-4 record) around. The Duck's record stands at 36-17 with a 5.5 lead in the division.

Week 8 & 9 Haul

Week's total: 3 games, 5 balls (3 give-a-way), 9 autographs, 1 bat
Games: 0 day  3 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 1-2

Akron's total: 23 games, 96 balls (37 give-a-way), 78 autographs, 2 bat, 6 SGA, Give-a-way $ ($2.00)

Games: 7 day  16 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 18-5

2016 baseball season total: 38 games, 137 balls (42 give-a-way), 163 autographs, 9 bats

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 

The weekend was spent with family and friends to honor those who have giving the ultimate sacrifice so the rest of us could live free. When I sit back and think about it, I realize that I'm third generation American and third generation military veteran. My family have served America in ever major conflict starting with my Grandfather in WWII and Korean War, my father in Vietnam and myself in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the beginning to Operation New Dawn. To all my military brothers and sister you will never be forgotten.

We kick started the summer and the weekend off in style with a few BBQ's and baseball game thrown in the mix. After returning to the campground from our Friday morning running around whatever sites was open was now full of RV's. Friday, Saturday and Sunday I went to RubberDucks games (blog post to follow). Saturday was our first BBQ at the campground with my Aunt, Uncle and neighbors where there was more food than anyone could eat. Needless to say there was a lots of leftovers that we will be eating until next weekend.

Monday evening Hiromi and I went to my parents for a BBQ where my Aunt and Uncle from the campground came too. This time the food portions was better ratio with hardly any leftovers.

The sunset put the perfect ending to the weekend.

Spending time with family and friends is a change from what we have had the last few years on the road, but when it happens it makes it that much more special. If this weekend was a sign to what's to come this summer will be one of the best and I will have to step up my workouts to keep all the weight off. 

DAY TRIP: COLUMBUS, OH

DAY TRIP: COLUMBUS, OH

I guess it's really an over night two day trip to Columbus, OH. We left the RV and roughed it by staying is a hotel in downtown. With nothing going on we took the 2 and half hours drive south to see the Ohio State Capitol Building. While we are only 8 minutes away from Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians we also took in a game. 

CAPITOL BUILDING

We thought it was funny that we have been to 17 other State Capitol Building before we even got to see the one in our home State.

Sadly. Ohio's State Capitol Building is not much to write home about. As a whole I would rank it close to the bottom of our list, so far. The House and Senates Chambers are a single floor with the viewing gallery surrounding the outer Chambers. The House Chambers where in session, so we went to the Senates Chambers. 

Our total of Capitol Buildings visited now stands at 18. It feels like we have seen them all, but we are not even half way finished

HOTEL & DOWNTOWN

We stopped by our hotel to see if we could check-in early and they had our room ready so we could unload the car and walk around the area. Our room was BIG.

In the back corner there was a open area where we had our own dance floor.

We walked around the hotel area and stopped at Dick's Last Resort for lunch. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves as everyone else in the city was working their jobs is the high tower building surround the downtown area.

In most big cities we have seen the pay and ride bicycles.

Columbus was the first city we saw cars to go. Just like the bike, you rent the car and drop it off in a designated area in the city for the next person to rent.

CLIPPERS GAME 

The day before we left I spent a few hours going through my Indians baseball card collection pulling out player who are now in Columbus. The more players I take the better odds are of coming home with a few autographs. I also need to pick up a few team sets, this way when I go to Arizona spring training in 2017 I will have some minor league players cards they can sign along with all the major leaguers I collect during the year.

Hiromi and I walked 5 LONG block (Blue Jackets hockey arena took up three block in its self and counted that as one block) from our hotel and arrived a few minutes before they opened that gates. We walked right to the Clippers dugout where I waited for players to arrive to try and get autographs. Only myself and a young girl with her father was looking for autographs. It was the first time I have seen most of the players not wear a jacket or team hoodie, it was easy to read the player's number and find the ones I have cards for. Except for a small glitch in my plan. There is no player roster print outs like most other stadiums give out. I did not know that Austin Adams was called up to the majors and that Kyle Crockett was sent to Columbus. The other day when I puled out my Indians cards I wrote down the players name and jersey numbers, Number 22 was Austin Adams.  I kept calling Austin and he never looked up. Finally, he said, "I'm not Austin". When I got back to the hotel I looked up the team roster and noticed the roster moves. Today #22 was not Austin it was Kyle. Besides that, I did not do to bad as I got 9 autographs. I picked up a few ice cream and french fry helmet from the ground when the game was over. Not all the minor league teams have there own team logo on these helmet so I had to pick them up (of course I washed them when I got home). I'm not use to watching a home team lose this year, but the Clippers fell to the Bisons 7-4.

Game haul

2016 baseball season total: 32 games, 128 balls (39 give-a-way), 144 autographs, 8 bats

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 7

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS WEEK 7

20-22 May

Coming home after a 7 game road trip the Ducks went 5-2. Including a three game series against the Eastern Division leaders Hartford Yard Goats where the Ducks took the series 2-1. Akron is sitting pretty in their division at 28-11 with a 6.5 game lead in the division and now has the best record in the Eastern League.

Akron will host Binghamton for a quick three game weekend series before heading back on the road. The last time the Mets came to Canal Park the Ducks swept the three game series. I do not have any Mets players baseball cards and I keep getting the same Duck players on baseball cards. I think I'll try and get Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier on MLB baseballs. I'll take both the baseball cards and MLB baseball, I'll see what is easier to get signed when I get to the games. Akron will have a firework show on Friday and SGA on Saturday.

Game one: I arrived at the stadium 30 minutes before first pitch. I went to the Ducks foul line to try and get autographs. I got a total of six including Bradley Zimmer on a MLB Baseball. There was a group of teenagers in front of me and one girl, maybe 15-17 years old is Masklophobia (fear of mascot).

She was shacking, crying and she fell to ground and rolled into a ball. When the Mascot came to her row she jumped over the seats several row back just to get away from them. This was the first time I have ever seen Masklophobia in a teenager (only really young kids)and I felt bad for her as her friends were laughing at her. Back to the game...Ducks scored 6 run in the first 6 inning, then the relief pitchers came in and gave up 7 runs before getting the first out in the inning. The Ducks would come back scoring one run in the 7th to tie and one in the 8th to take the lead.  For the final play of the game was a foul ball near the visitor dugout were the catcher caught the ball, but fell on his but. He jumped up and threw the ball to third base to get the runner trying to tag up from second base. I moved to that side of the field to try and get a broken bat after the game (no luck) and the play happen just to the right of me. I' was looking for the video of that play, but nothing was posted on the Duck website. Ducks won 8-7. I did not stay for the firework show with music from Justin Bieber.                        

Game two: It rained on and off most of last night and today. Since I did not go to BP yesterday, I went today. Unfortunately. the tarp was on the field and no BP today. There was not much to do but sit in my seat and watch the clouds move in with the grounds crew on standby to roll out the tarp if it started to rain heavy again.

The rain never came, but it was chilly and the game started on time.  Saturday give away day and the  RubberDucks had it's 3rd Annual Comicon Superhero Shield giveaway.

I did not take any baseball cards or baseball as the rain would have damage the autographs. Just a fan tonight. Duck had their ACE Shawn Morimando on the mound. He is on the big clubs 40 man roster. After tonight's game he improved to a league leading 8-0 on the season. It took until the 5th inning for the Ducks to take the lead, but when they did they kept the lead and add more runs winning 5-2. The way I have seen them play this year there is no deficit the Ducks can't rally from. They may not come from behind and win every game, but it sure will be fun to watch them try.

Game three: It looked pretty dry at the campground so I left early for the day game to see if there would be BP today. The Ducks did not have BP and the Mets started late. There was only one ball that left the field during BP and I got it. That is not normal to have only one foul ball at BP. But, as my mom always said, "one is better than none". Sun was out and looked a lot better than game 2.

Before the game started, I saw a RV parked outside the stadium. Another RV'er who loves baseball... who would have guessed?

 The Ducks wasted no time putting runs on the board today, and they kept adding on the whole game. There would be no nail biting today. Ducks won 7-1 sweeping another series at home. That is now 13 straight wins at home. Ducks are 31-11 with a 7.5 game lead in the division.

Weeks 7 haul
Not a lot to show off this week, but the weather
played a big roll in the autographing game.

Week's total: 3 games, 1 balls (0 give-a-way), 6 autographs, 1 SGA
Games: 1 day  2 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 3-0

Akron's total: 17 games, 87 balls (34 give-a-way), 59 autographs, 1 bat, 5 SGA, Give away $ ($2.00)

Games: 6 day  11 night  0 doubleheader   Home record: 15-2

2016 baseball season total: 31 games, 128 balls (39 give-a-way), 135 autographs, 8 bats