Summer in the Cape
July 3, 2003
I never thought that I would get as many phone calls and emails as I did during my first week in writing this journal. There were a couple expected calls from family reading this for the first time, and a couple of emails that came as a complete surprise.
Before I forget, I wanted to use this time to say Happy Birthday to Brandon Camerdese whose birthday was yesterday. I’m sure if Shawn Valdes-Fauli were here, he’d have no problem singing Happy Birthday to Brandon from the pitchers mound in front of the entire town. I would have a problem doing that, so I thought it would be easiest to just call and leave a message.
While were talking about teammates, here’s some news from USA baseball and the Cape. My brother hurt his arm during tryouts and had made the team, but won’t play for them this year. He’s back in Miami resting up. Ryan Braun decided to go back to California after the tryouts and work out from there. Ryan and Danny were supposed to be playing here in Brewster. With an open spot, our coaches decided that we had enough infielders and needed to bring in an infielder. So, Jim Burt got the phone call and arrived here the other day. He’ll be playing left field. It’s great to have another friend here in the Cape. Jim said that he’ll be getting a car, so it will be easier to get around town.
One of the surprise emails this week came to me from my brother Danny. In it, Danny wanted to know how it felt to go 3 for 5 in my first game. He mentioned that he has been following my baseball career everyday since I became a player, but also mentioned that he’s the better of the two on the field. Well Danny, all I can say is that I got off to a great start. You forgot that I also stole 3 bases in that first game too. (I led the team after only one game.) I’m also leading the team right now in batting average. Oh, and about you being the better player? I’m here working on my game, you’re at home getting treatment and resting. We’ll see who’s better during fall ball.
Another email came to me from someone claiming to be a secret admirer. This admirer forgot to realize that his email address show’s up when I received it. He wanted to know if I was coping dealing without my coolest friend, #7 of the Miami Hurricanes. He asked that I stay strong, and to swing for the fences. For those who don’t know, #7 is Alex Blanco. Thanks for the nice words, Alex. I do miss you out here, but I think that I’ll get along ok. Just remember, you’re a pitcher know. Go easy on the weights, big guy. In all honesty, good luck in the Valley league. I’ll be checking out your stats online.
Kevin Clements had a question about whether or not the coaches give us the green light when we’re on first base. He wanted to know if we had to ask for permission to steal and how often do they put the brakes on us? Kevin, that’s a good question. When I first got here, the players told me that the coach has never given the green light to anyone. And for the first couple of games I played in, he didn’t. But after I got a little more comfortable, I asked him if I could have the green light to steal whenever I thought I could. He said that after seeing me play the first few games, he realized that he could trust me to steal at the right time and stay put when it was wrong. He does have a check off sign, though, that he gives me if he absolutely doesn’t want me running at all. So far, it’s worked out ok.
Joe Surface sent me a very nice email offering me best wishes and to represent UM to the fullest. Joe, I plan on doing that. Thanks for the email.
One of our biggest baseball fans, Betsy Trinz, also sent me an email. She asked some tough questions. First, what is the level of play like here compared to our regular season? Second, are the majority of the players as fatigued as I sounded? Third, if I could pass along best regards to Vince Bongiovanni and Brandon Camerdese. I would have so say that right now it’s a little harder than the regular season. Players at the Cape are usually some of the best in college baseball. Also, it’s a pitcher’s league since we have to use wooden bats. (Last week, I talked about the difference a wooden bat makes. If you haven’t seen last week’s journal, there should be a link to it on this page.) There are a lot of low scoring games. Some of the guys here, we’ve seen during the regular season. I’d say that right now, the players are getting a little tired but not as much as I am. A lot of these players didn’t player in the Regional, Super Regional or College World Series. When some of them first got here, they had nothing to do for about 2 weeks. So it was a nice rest from a long season. When I got here, the season had started. There had been a few rainouts since before I arrived, so we’re playing those makeup games on the dates that we would have had off. Also, Betsy, I’ll be sure to pass along your best.
Diana Parent wanted to know if it’s been hard adjusting to the new team, wooden bats and being far from home. Diana, it was in the beginning but it’s getting better. I don’t really feel homesick because I’ve got some good friends here in the Cape and we talk to each other quite a bit. And now with Jim Burt being here, things are only getting better.
Julie Biederman sent me a nice note. Jules, thanks for the well wishes and I’ll see you at the ballpark when our regular season starts again.
Finally, I just wanted to say hello to Ashley Crockett. Ashley was a fan from Winchester, where I played summer ball last year. Ashley, the Cape is a bit different but its still good baseball. The support you showed us last year made a difference and that’s one of the main things missing from this summer.
Well, it’s time to head to the gym to go work out with the team.
See you next week.
Paco Figueroa, #16
