Hundreds of years ago, Ponce de Leon explored and discovered what is now called Florida. Although legend says he was in search of the legendary Fountain of Youth, history (and Wikipedia) says he was looking for “the Isles of Biminy”. According to the almighty wiki, de Leon first landed on the East Coast of Florida, somewhere between present-day Saint Augustine and Melbourne Beach. After a few days, he and his crew went south along...
Hey folks, I have a big announcement: My job is sending me to Afghanistan for a year in late January / early February. After being unemployed for most of 2011, I decided to take a job working for a military contractor out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The job was contingent on my ability to go to Afghanistan for a year. So after I take my physicals, get my shots, do my...
I made it back to Dunedin after the rained out game of last week. I once again brought my video camera. This video has a little more game action because of course there was more game action to see. Thanks to the staff at Dunedin for letting me bring my camera and enjoy their wonderful stadium. Enjoy.
I just returned from a summer road trip. My wife and I journeyed through ten states. The only live baseball action I saw during this entire time was viewed from 630 feet above the action. Astonishing. I still don’t know how this happened. The purpose of our trip was to visit my family in Kansas. We brought our eight-year-old son with us, and left him with his grandparents for an extended visit. I had...
Nearly a year to the day before he died, Brian, Eric, and I discussed the idea that I should interview Randy Poffo about his brief minor league career. Poffo, better known as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, played ever so briefly for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals, the Gulf Coast League Red Birds, the Orangeburg Cardinals, and the Tampa Tarpons. As other people have mentioned, he didn’t play long and after an injury, he changed...
On Sunday, I woke up with a hankerin’ to take my son to a minor-league baseball game. Living in central Virginia, we have several options at just about any level of affiliation, but not one of the teams is located less than an hour’s drive from my house, so I try to spread the love around. My first thought was to go to Salem, VA, where the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox) were visiting the Salem...
Part 2 of my interview with traveling baseball fan Tug Haines. Bus Leagues Baseball: You told me you have been getting a lot of support from players and front office personnel. Could you tell me a little about that? Tug Haines: I knew it was a special thing. It was exciting for me. I sort of kept it under my hat and kept it close to my vest. I started planning last June in...
As I mentioned via video in the previous post, traveling baseball fan Tug Haines is visiting the Florida State League now. I caught up with Tug in Dunedin during last week’s game against the Clearwater Threshers and talked to him during the game. Bus Leagues Baseball: Who are you and why drive around the country watching baseball? Tug Haines: Ok, well, my name is Tug Haines. I’m a cranberry farmer for most of my...
A week ago, we caught up with Tug Haines and asked him a few questions about his travels. We will have the referenced Q&A with Tug up tomorrow.
OK, confession time. Don’t tell my spouse, but I sneaked away for an hour today to see my mistress*. She wasn’t even home, so I had to content myself with driving by her house, but I felt that connection and excitement, so I was satisfied. Don’t get me wrong. Things are great with my spouse. She’s my hometown sweetheart, she’s still beautiful and exciting to me, but we’ve been together a long time. Over...
2012 05 14 Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox
