"Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd, buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks..." Is one of the famous songs (see bus songs) of America's best past-time sport.
Baseball...American's favorite past-time sport! I grew-up loving baseball since I was young-age? I grew-up behind a middle school in St. Paul, where there were baseball fields and softball fields....
My Morris' friend (Riana, who was visiting the Twin Cities-Minneapolis-St. Paul) and sister (Thelma) playing fast-pitch baseball (using a tennis ball) on the field by Battle Creek Middle School on Saturday, September 31st of 2006.
...That explains part of why I grew with a passion of this sport. Another reason was probably the Minnesota Twins winning 2 World Series (87' & 91') growing-up.
2004 Division Champs-3 Peat!
3 years in a row that the Minnesota Twins has won the Central Division in the American League! Wow, it's awesome to be a Minnesota Baseball fan. I just watched the Twins lose a hearbreaking game against the multi-million dollar New York Yankees club last night (6-7 in 12 innings). The series is tied 1-1 and the Twins have a chance (they will) to win the best of 5 at the "thunder" dome. No matter what happens, we need to tip our hats to an awesome year!
Why I like the Twins? They are a fundamental (all around teamwork), humbling (not many multi-million star players, but passionate-contented of the game), young (many young players)- ballclub team. Plus, I was born and raised in Minne-sota! Also, it's awesome to see players, like Corey Koskie, Matt Lecroy, Tori Hunter, etc... (Corey boldly shared his faith at the Luis Palau Festival at the St. Paul State Capitol Grounds this past summer, which he was with 2 other players) stand-up about their personal relationship with God.
You-Minnesota Twins-are always winners on and off the field. Thanks for being a role model to young and old, keep up the winning attitude in life!
Below is a letter of encouragement I sent=>
Hello Minnesota Twins,
It was tough to see you lose Wednesday night, but I want to "tip my hat" to you all for fighting to the end. "it's not over to the fat lady sings", so keep playing hard till it's over. I believe you guys can pull it in our home turf-don't compare it to last year because you are a totally different team then last year and the year before.
Praying and Playing-Baseball Fan (since 87') in rural college town-Morris, Minnesota,
Sal:)
https://www.angelfire.com/mn2/goodnewsumm/sports.baseball.html
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."-2 Timothy 4:7
Twins "Winter Caravan" Visit to Morris, MN 2005
Michael Cuddyer and Al prior to their 10 minute radio interview at KKOK 95.7 FM Morris Radio Station
Bert Blyleven chatting with the fans at the radio station
I chat with Riley before the Twins enter in the radio station
I'm in the background behind Bert getting ready for some autographs
Twins having fun throwing snowballs before they depart in their next city tour visit in Ortonville.
"Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield.
E-mail Forward
From : Sherry C
Sent : Wednesday, October 13, 2004 4:20 PM
To :
Subject : Fw: THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME...
Subject: FW: THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME...
This is good!
Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's
team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score
was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with
two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the
plate whose name was Love.
Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never
fails. The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because
Faith works with Love.
The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw
the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball
one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly
Wisdom never swings at what Satan throws.
The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told
him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate
stepped Grace. Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"
Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won
the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of
everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But
Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He
went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on
the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over
the fence for a home run!The Lord's team won!
The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly
Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Freddy answered
that he did not know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith,
and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by
yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base, but only My
Grace can get you Home. Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and
shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He
withhold from those who walk uprightly." Faith Test This is an easy
test, you score 100 or zero. It's your choice. If you aren't
ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Yeshua said, "If
you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father."
Not ashamed Pass this on . . . only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love
God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me
functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I am nothing, but with
Him can do all things through the Messiah who strengthens me. Phil
4:13
This is the simplest test. If you Love God, and are not ashamed of
all the marvelous things he has done for you. Send this to ten
people and the person who sent it to you.
Reccomended Resources
LOCAL
Did you know our local "Met Lounge" was started and named by a former New York Mets baseball player?
"Rusty Kath loves sports and loves talking. Those two gifts�along with a strong understanding of his audience�are the reasons the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) 2003 graduate in speech communication has been �called up� from the minors to the majors in the world of sports announcing. The former St. Paul Saints public address announcer is the new in-stadium emcee for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida. New baseball team, new city, new league, but Kath�s philosophy remains unchanged from his days as the voice of the UMM Cougars: �Keep fans informed, laughing and cheering, and even if the home team loses, they�ll show up again for the next game.�
Kath�s sportscasting career began as a first-year UMMer when he answered an ad for a Cougar baseball announcer in the student newspaper. �I liked baseball and needed a couple bucks to pay the bills,� recalls Kath. �After a week went by, I took my dad�s advice and went to the P.E. Center to make sure they received my application. I talked to Mark Fohl, athletic director and baseball coach. A few minutes later, I had the job. Had I not gone over there, I have no idea what I would be doing now. I can almost guarantee it wouldn�t be announcing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.�
From the �Fish House� (a.k.a. press box) behind home plate, Kath learned the ins and outs of baseball announcing from UMM�s sports information director. �Brian Curtis taught me a lot about the game and even more about announcing. He�s a talented guy who could be calling games in a number of major markets. I owe a great deal of my success to him.�
At the end of the season, Fohl asked Kath to announce Cougar hoops the following year. �He realized that basketball would allow my personality and talents to show through,� says Kath, �Had he not, I never would have developed the goods for the Saints or now the Devil Rays.�
The then struggling UMM basketball team gained a sixth player on the court with Kath announcing. �No matter how small, we celebrated Cougar accomplishments to the nth degree,� remembers Kath. �Plays and points by the opposing team were dramatically downplayed, sometimes disregarded. I provided necessary game information, and I also delivered stand-up comedy. The mike antics kept the fans in the bleachers.�
Kath credits his UMM experiences with giving him a head start in the real world. ��Motown� really put me ahead in this field,� he says. �It is often assumed that a large university is the best place to get exposure in media, theatre, or really any field. A place like Morris offers much greater opportunity. Being a smaller school, I announced as an undergrad. Receiving one-on-one attention from experts in their fields like Brian Curtis and Mike Cihak in Media Services goes SO much farther than slowly working your way up at a larger institution. Allowing me to show what I could do, and more importantly to make mistakes�and there were many�while still going to school was priceless. When I graduated, I was four years ahead in the game over my competition.�
UMM�s liberal arts curriculum benefited Kath, as well. �I�m not just a guy who knows how to talk into a microphone. I know a bit about a lot of different things. Media outlets don�t want voices they want personalities. UMM allows you to pursue everything you�re interested in, and give you support and experts to guide your journey. For me, it was a perfect fit.�
The Buffalo native is adjusting well to his new position under the dome at Tropicana Field with its 35-feet high video boards and 10,000-gallon aquarium, but family and good memories will keep Kath coming back to Minnesota. The Cougar alumni baseball game brings him back to campus in the spring. And even though his new team is the Devil Rays, he is still a big Twins fan, a former employee, in fact: �As a highlight logger, I watched the games in some of the best seats in the house�the press box, ate hot dogs, talked to local media, did about 15 minutes of work per night recording game highlights for Major League Baseball, and got paid to watch the Twins. One of the best jobs I�ve ever had!� Kath also enjoyed working for the Wild and the Swarm as an announcer.
And Kath will treasure memories of perfect Minnesota evenings at Midway Stadium, where he earned a great reputation as a fun-loving entertainer. �Before Saints games I made it a point to walk through the parking lot full of tailgaters,� remembers Kath. �I�ve never seen people so genuinely happy. Minnesotans realize that grilling, or having a beer with friends, or playing catch with their kids will all too soon come to an end. They soaked up every bit, because sub-zero temps are just around the corner. If I wasn�t up for the game, the tailgaters got me there. I understood how lucky I was. I may never again find a job that fits me so well as the Saints. Watching outdoor baseball, making fun of the opposing team, signing autographs, leading cheers, coordinating a chaotic amount of promotions, and getting paid for what I love to do.�
Kath will be back in Minnesota on Tuesday, August 7, 2007, for a �UMM and Rusty Kath Night at the St. Paul Saints Game� event."
*note: Rusty Kath, UMM 03' Alumn, won a spot to do "play by play"...
New Saints P.A. Announcers Get National Exposure
Rusty Kath, Maggie Faris featured on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" show
There's no business like it. The St. Paul Saints' new public address announcers got national attention Friday morning when they were introduced on ESPN2's morning show "Cold Pizza."
Rusty Kath, who got his start by doing the p.a. while a student at the University of Minnesota, Morris and Maggie Faris, a veteran of the local comedy circuit, will share the duties at Midway Stadium this summer.
Kath, Faris and team president Mike Veeck were on "Cold Pizza" Friday discussing the new job with co-host Thea Andrews. The segment includes clips of the auditions and showed past promotions at Saints' games.
"I thought everything went great," Veeck said from New York after the show. "It's flattering ESPN thought enough of us to bring us out. Rusty and Maggie bring a lot of energy to the job. I look forward to hearing them."
-Articles 6-foot-8 13 year old towers over foes , from Yahoo News (By GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press Writer
Sun Aug 20, 6:21 PM ET) "SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Aaron Durley towers over the competition at the Little League World Series. The 13-year-old first baseman for Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, stands an imposing 6-foot-8 and weighs 256 pounds.
""There's NO crying in BASEBALL!!""
Related Sites: Wikipedia " * Although many players enlisted or were drafted into the military, Major League Baseball did not shut down for World War II. As mentioned in the film, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that keeping professional baseball and football active, even with the necessarily depleted talent pool, would be good for the morale of American soldiers overseas.
* Children were not allowed in the dugouts in reality and only very special exceptions were made to have them with their mothers on the road at all- for exactly the reasons depicted in the film with Stillwell-Angel.
* The real AAGPBL, contrary to what is shown in the film, did not play regulation baseball. In the real first season of the league, they played with a softball-sized ball and the bases were only 65 feet apart. Subsequent seasons would see the ball gradually shrunk to regulation size and the basepaths gradually lengthened to 85 feet (regulation basepaths are 90 feet)."
Albert Pujols, of the 2006 MLB World Series Champions-St. Louis Cardinals
"Pujols married his wife, Deidre, on January 1, 2000. They have three children, Isabella (Deidre's daughter, adopted by Albert), Albert Jr., and Sophia. Albert and his wife are active in the cause of people with Down syndrome, as Isabella was born with this condition. In 2005 (appropriately on May 5, which would be 05/05/05, 5 being Albert's number), they launched the Pujols Family Foundation which is dedicated to "the love, care and development of people with Down syndrome and their families", as well as helping the poor in the Dominican Republic.[3] Pujols and his wife are very active Christians; as the foundation's website says, "In the Pujols family, God is first. Everything else is a distant second." A Heroes Worship, from CBN "Albert Pujols is one of baseball�s fastest rising talents, and he gives his credit to God.
�It doesn�t matter if I hit a home run. It doesn�t matter if we win a game. It doesn�t matter if I go four for four,� Pujols says. �Whatever happens at the end of the day, as long as I glorify His name, that�s what it�s all about.�
Albert made his Major League debut in 2001. Since then he�s in a league of his own, becoming the first player in baseball history to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first five seasons.
�I always say God doesn�t need me, but I need Him in my life to survive in this world and over temptation. That�s Who keeps me humble every time.�
Not long after graduating high school, Albert met his soon-to-be wife, Deidre. She had recently re-dedicated her life to Christ after becoming a single mother. Her daughter Isabella was born with Down Syndrome and was only a few weeks old when Albert and Deidre started dating. They began attending church together on a regular basis. While Albert believed in God, he knew he was missing something.
�I knew that it wasn�t about religion just a relationship with the Lord, and it�s one of those times when you�re ready," Pujols says. "You�re harboring and you feel it. You open new eyes, and I�m ready for it. I think I was ready to receive the Lord in my life. I�m telling you, after that it�s just been amazing. It�s been the best seven years of my life.�"
Daryl Strawberry, shared how Jesus has turned his life around after being in the media for doing drugs at TBN's Benny Hinn on 1/7/04-cool!
*Note: Played for St. Paul Saints for awhile between drug-rehab and MLB seasons.
"We scoured the Internet looking for what youth are doing to make a difference in their communities and around the world. This Ebook offers some of those ideas. It's our hope youth will look through this book and choose and/or adapt one or more of these ideas to take on in their own community. Or, if nothing in this book interests them, we hope it will at least get their "creative juices flowing" and they'll come up with their own project. Youth are powerful. They can (and are) making a difference in their communities and our world. We believe in them!
Thank you for visiting GoodnewsUMM! Please feel free to e-mail me
(Sal) at
goodnews_usa@yahoo.com on any comments, suggestions (e.g. any new websites),complaints, or anytype of feedback to improve this website.
This Website is dedicated to:
Marcelo-my brother
Thanks Marcelo for the good "ole" times playing baseball with many childhood friends in our backyard. Yes, we are all grown-up now, but don't forget to have that "child-like" heart (Matthew 18:3). I will never forget the good and bad times we had as we tried to live our dream to play professional baseball. It was fun going after this dream! Also, I will never forget the times trading baseball cards-you'll always be an expert in this trade! Bring this to your everyday life!
