6/09/09 @ Miller Park

On my walk to the stadium, I couldn’t help but notice the roof was closed.

Take a look…

 

…I didn’t think there was rain in the forecast. 
Was this a feeble attempt by the Brewers to cool off the red-hot Colorado Rockies??

 

The Rockies had just swept away the Redbirds in St. Louis during their 4-game series.  No easy task.

 

I arrived at the Beer Garden entrance around 5:26 pm.  The gates were set to open in 4 minutes (there’s rarely ever a wait in this area for those who don’t like lines).

 

When the gates opened, I ran up to the left-field loge bleachers.  The last pitches of the Brewers portion of BP were being tossed.

 

Bring out the Rockies.

 

I headed down to the field level down the 3^rd base side to play for a warm-up ball from one of the pitchers.

 

Veteran lefty ALAN EMBREE finished his tosses and started scanning the crowd.  He had two baseballs in his glove.  One went to a fan to my left and the 2^nd one was tossed to me- BALL #1.  Which, smelled like ICY HOT.

 

I headed back up to the left field loge bleachers.

 

None too many baseballs were being hit into the stands, so, I resorted to asking for them.

 

Rockies pitcher JOEL PERALTA was shagging BP in deep left-centerfield.  I waited for the appropriate moment (when a ball was hit to the wall) and said his name, followed by the polite request.

He turned and lobbed up BALL #2.

 

I headed to right field.

 

While I was in right field, the big lefties (Helton, Hawpe, Stewart) were jacking home runs all over the place…except where I was.

 

I resorted back to asking. 

Rockies speedy youngster DEXTER FOWLER fielded one near me and tossed it up for BALL #3.

 

Soon after, Rockies Bullpen Coach JIM WRIGHT tossed me BALL #4.

 

When BP was over, I headed over to the Rockies dugout.

When I got there, Rockies stud Ubaldo Jiminez was signing autographs…

 

 

 

 

Crappy looking autograph by a great young player.

 

I’m not complaining.

 

 

 

 

A minute later, I looked over to my right.  Rockies OF Ryan Spillborghs was signing autographs.

The signature…

…funny story.

Here’s the exchange between Spillborghs and I…

 

ME:  “Hey Ryan, how ya doing?”

RYAN:  no response

ME:  “Thanks for the signature.”

RYAN:  no response

 

I thought nothing of it-until he looked like he wanted to say something to me.  Finally, he spit out what was on his mind.

In a smug tone, Spillborghs said, “so, how many balls you get?”

I responded, “ahh, you were paying attention.”  I told him I had snagged only 4 baseballs.
Laughing, of course.

 

I decided to hang around the Rockies dugout for awhile…

…not because I was interested in the Cardinals/Marlins score nor was it because I like cowboy hats.

 

On to the game.

A special person was in attendance this evening.  In the 3rd inning, I headed for a visit…

…with my Uncle Marvin (on left) and his friend Russ.

Uncle “Mar” is a great fan of the game.  In fact, Mar has made quite the name for himself throughout the state of Wisconsin for his contributions over the last 50+ years to Little Leagues in the Pittsville/Marshfield area.

Mar was awarded a lifetime achievement award honoring those 50 years of dedicated service.
I’m proud of you, Uncle Mar!

 

Two more special attendees are pictured with me below…

…(from left to right) Brian, Jamie and I.

I met Brian for the 1st time.  Brian created one of the most popular Brewers fan sites around.
BREWERFAN.NET

If you’re a Brewers fan, you have to check out this site.

The man in the middle, BrewerJamie, assists with the operations of Brewerfan.net.  Jamie is a close and personal friend of mine. 

Both true diehard Brewers fans.

 

Finals…

                                                         …4 baseballs
        (3 are shown-1 was given to BrewerJamie to give to his 5 yr. old daughter Rachel).

 

 

2009 BALLHAWKING STATS

• 4 total balls 6/09/09

 

4 toss-up balls

ATTENDANCE:  32,464

2009 TOTAL BASEBALLS

4/7/09   = 5   baseballs
4/8/09   = 10 baseballs
4/9/09   = 10 baseballs
4/10/09 = 3   baseballs
4/11/09 = 5   baseballs
4/12/09 = 5   baseballs
4/13/09 = 11 baseballs
4/14/09 = 6   baseballs
4/21/09 = 5   baseballs
4/27/09 = 15 baseballs
4/28/09 = 9   baseballs
4/30/09 = 4   baseballs
5/01/09 = 7   baseballs
5/02/09 = 4   baseballs
5/08/09 = 11 baseballs
5/09/09 = 1   lousy ball
5/12/09 = 14 baseballs
5/13/09 = 12 baseballs
5/19/09 = 8   baseballs
5/22/09 = 3   baseballs
5/23/09 = 2   baseballs
5/26/09 = 3   baseballs
5/29/09 = 6   baseballs
5/30/09 = 5   baseballs
6/01/09 = 1   baseball
6/02/09 = 9   baseballs
6/09/09 = 4   baseballs
___________________

178 baseballs (27 games)
6.59 average per game