1st Annual Hardball Heaven Trip



First Row:  Mark Porcher (Baseman), Randy Stovall (Halfway Hardballers)
Back Row:  Juan Torres (Blind Squirrels), Michael Jones (Ageless One), Tommy Coleman (Tennessee Hitters)

 Here are the band of brothers that made the trek for the 1st Annual Hardball Heaven trip to Cincinnati.  What a monumental day this was after 9 years of Hardball Heaven being in existence!  We can only hope that more of us can get together in the future as even a deeper bond is established.  No longer is there the virtual relationship among men, but the opportunity to see what great guys we truly do have in this league.  I have to reaffirm with Juan and Randy that once we met each other in person for the first time, it was like a brotherhood in that it seemed we knew each other for years.  What a great time!  Yes, I am truly hoping more of us can meet up next year.  It would be a trip that wouldn't be forgotten.

Anyway, let me share some of my moments at Great American Ballpark.  First, my dad and I got to the park at 2:00 with gametime being 4:10.  Randy, Tommy, and Mike were to meet us out front at that time as I picked up the tickets at WillCall.  Never did I think that it would have been best to mail the tickets to each person ahead of time, but hindsight is 20/20.  The reason I say this is that my dad and I got an up close and personal view of about everyone entering the main gates for about 2 hours in 90+ degree heat with high humidity.  I kept looking for Randy and the rest of the gang, but no luck.  I even went up to a couple of people who I thought looked like Randy as I was grasping at straws at that point.  So, I called my wife to get Randy's number from my computer at home.  I thought what a bone headed move by not putting his number into my cell ahead of time.  She did manage to give me the number and after calling Randy that is when I found out the boys got stuck in construction.  Thank God for the team shop to go cool off in as it had air conditioning.  I think I was so delusional due to my blood sugar dropping out of hunger that I almost bought an autographed Jay Bruce bat for $600!  No, not really, as I still had some sense!  Instead I went for the $100 sweat stained Edison Volquez game worn hat. 

So, it came down to 4:00 before I spotted Juan, who made the 7.5 hour drive from Buffalo with his buddy who so graciously drove.  Spotted him right off when I saw him and is Juan ever an easy going conversationalist.  One of the nicer guys you will ever meet.  Whenever a guy gets off work and makes that long of a trek with no sleep, you know he was excited to make the trip.  That was awesome! 
At about 4:15, we spot Randy, Tommy, Mike and Tommy's son and two boys.  The team was now assembled and ready to watch some ball. 

It was unfortunate we all didn't have more time to hold conversation as was planned as it was hard to talk to everyone as much I wanted, but due to the unfortunate circumstances on the road, that is how it went.  In addition to Juan, I really enjoyed my time with Tommy, Mike, and Randy.  Got to know them even better a little more and make connections.  All the guys are great and funny in their own way.  We did like ribbing each other about fantasy players on the field that day! 

The day was one I will never forget, and would love meeting more of you in this great league if ever possible!  Improvements can be made to maybe where we spend a little more time with each other, but I think we all walked away fulfilled with personal memories. 

Here's to our 2nd Annual Trip next year!  Details coming in the future.

BASEMAN