We had a chance to sleep in today but I only slept for an extra 1/2 hour and caught the bus. Once at the clubhouse I again grabbed some eggs, bacon, and sausage for breakfast along with a banana and orange juice. Our team was scheduled to play the pros around 12:00 or 12:30. I took my time getting dressed into my home white uniform, it was our last day to suit up. My roomie Mark's locker was just down from mine and former Mets pitcher Eric Hillman was just across from us. Eric is a bit of a prankster so Mark had Canadian camper Shane climb into Hillman's locker and adjust the shirts/uniforms so he was well hidden. We waited for the coaches meeting to let out and Eric to return to his locker.

Our team playing the pros.
It was a wonderful day for baseball

Each team got to play the pros in a three inning game, starting with the Championship team, then down the standings. Mack's Smashers ended up 6th of 10 teams. During the game the pros are limited to 3 runs per inning and usually got all three. Most of the short games were 4-0 or 6-0 or close to that. The better you looked at the plate, the harder the pros played to not let you get a hit. If you were lucky enough to get a base hit, then you got to keep the ball. I watched most of the games to see my new friends hit.

Now batting... number 37

Our team got a few hits off pro Kevin Baez but Glenn was thrown out at the plate trying to score by Anthony Young in right field. The pros got us out without us scoring. Playing my now familiar position out in left field, I was checking the sun. It was just off to my right and not a big issue thankfully. I was hoping to get a catchable big fly ball but never got the opportunity. While leading off the second inning I stood just outside the batter's box. The public address announcer says "Now batting .. number 37 .. David Rowe". Surprisingly he did not say Kenny Rogers as I was expecting. I stepped up to the plate trying not to be nervous. The first pitch was outside but the umpire called it a strike. Again realizing that I should swing at everything, the next pitch was in my eyes and I flailed at it weakly. Now 0-2, not wanting to strike out, I was hoping Baez wouldn't throw some type of breaking ball. I got lucky with a fastball down the middle and I swung hard, lining a base hit into the left field grass for a single. As I hobbled my way to first base, I raised my arms up like I had just won the World Series with that hit. Then while hobbling to first I realized that I had better hurry so they would not throw me out from left field.

A single in my at bat against the pros
Thanks Matt for the photos!

While standing on first base they tossed the ball over for me. I gave a high five to Bobby Wine coaching first and then gave him the ball to hold on to. Someone yelled from the dugout about getting a pinch runner but I was going to run for myself. The next batter Stan also got a hit, a grounder between 1B and 2B in front of me. Again I hobbled the 90 feet to the next base. Standing on second I think the next batters made outs and the inning ended with a ground out as I ran towards third base. On my way to the dugout I got the "hit" ball from Bobby Wine and put it up on the dugout shelf with my phone and glasses. I grabbed my glove and headed to left field for the bottom of the second. There was a huge smile on my face and I saw my friend Noah yelling from the stands, giving me a thumbs up for the hit. As I got to left field I was out of breath, and nothing was hit to me. We got our last ups and then it was over. We congratulated the pros with handshakes and hugs, I was still smiling from getting that single. I stayed and watched most of the other games for awhile then went back to my locker to gather up everything and clean it out. Most of the other campers were gone already and the locker room was starting to look empty. Grabbing one last Budweiser from the cooler, I sadly headed to the bus.

Giving Coach Wine a high five after my hit

Skid out in left during the pro game

Getting a high five from Mets 3B coach Tim Teufel between innings

Awards Banquet

At the Awards Banquet each team picked a team MVP. We picked Joe King and he received a trophy. Our team sat together for the dinner as did the other teams. Awards were handed out for best rookie, most RBI's (our Joe King!), gold glove for best fielder (Phil Forman), best catcher, best pitcher and so on. Great hardware was given out, I don't know how the winners got them home! We all received a camp photo and a baseball signed by all the Pros. Once the evening was over, everyone started the sad process of saying good bye. Eric Hillman, whose baseball card says he is 6' 10", grabbed me and hugged me to his chest, holding me there for a few uncomfortable seconds, then just as he was releasing me, hugged me close again while I could not stop laughing. Being 6' tall myself, there are not a lot of people who could do that to me. Eric was a funny guy and a rocker too. He acknowledged my Blue Oyster Cult & Michael Schenker shirts I'd worn to the locker room.

Our team MVP Joe King
With Bobby Wine & Mackey Sasser

Gold Glove winner Phil Forman
With Bobby Wine, Felix Milan, and Doug Flynn

I congratulated Phil on his gold glove and winning the Championship. He was the only pitcher I struck out against, taking a called third strike. We became quick friends at camp and it was an honor to have my locker next to him. I thanked Cindy again for finding my website, showing it to Doug Dickey and getting the ball rolling on my attendance. When I thanked Bobby Wine and his wife Fran for the last time, I got a little teary and figured it was time to catch Ed's bus back to the hotel. On our last night, my roomie Mark and I went over how much fun the camp was despite all the aches and pains. We both vowed to be in better condition for next year.

Some baseball cards I had signed by the Pros.