This is Different
So I have found out more about our 2 new guys - Marten and Brandon. Marten is the 6'6" guy from Philly who offered for me to stay at his house. He had been offered a full ride baseball scholarship to Temple U. They got a new athletic director who pulled the baseball program the summer before he started. So he went to Tampa Community College, but because he was a late addition and a freshman, he was behind another player for his position and did not get much playing time. He subsequently went to a small school in Alabama and another in Oklahoma. He just finished the year at Lewis-Clark College in Idaho. He didn't think too much of the coach there, so he is planning on going to Valdosta State in Georgia this fall. When I asked him what he was majoring in besides baseball, he said, not much.
Brandon is from Wenatchee. He was wearing a WSU sweatshirt, but he goes to Tacoma Community College, majoring in business. He just wants to play ball. They all do. Baseball is such a cruel game. These boys love it and would give anything to play in the pros. So few of them will make it, and it is a very capricious sport. If the coach likes you, if he doesn't like you, if he has other guys that he brought with him from his last school, all that factors in. Even if you have a better batting average or ERA. Then there are the injuries which can end their dreams so fast.
I was looking up Dutton's history. He was the Oregon High School baseball player of the year in 2016. This year at U of Portland, he played every game, had an outstanding batting average and good fielding stats. It was devastating to come here and be relegated to 4th string catcher. You hear these stories over and over.
On Sunday night after serving our new guys (and Nick) some pizza we had made, I went to bed early. I heard female laughter in the kitchen. Dean came back to the bedroom shaking his head. One of the girls who is a food runner for the Lefties concession had come to pick the boys up for a party.
I have a feeling this crew is going to be more of a fraternity party. They still like their milk. The Washington State Dairy Association should make them poster boys.
I found out yesterday that we will probably get a 3rd guy whose host father had a stroke. Maybe he saw his water bill.
Nick left yesterday morning with a big hug. I will miss him too.
Then I cleaned out his room last night and found his pillow, and all his socks and underwear. A little trip to the UPS store this morning so he doesn't have to go commando the rest of the summer. I sent a text to Dutton who found it hilarious as Nick was always so cool and put together.
Tomorrow they leave on a short road trip to Walla Walla. Dean and Perry left today so they can play golf there with our former club pro. Marten just about begged to go with them instead of riding the team bus.
I for one am glad that Marten is here as he can help pick my cherry tree, without a ladder.
Nick and Dutton
Brandon is from Wenatchee. He was wearing a WSU sweatshirt, but he goes to Tacoma Community College, majoring in business. He just wants to play ball. They all do. Baseball is such a cruel game. These boys love it and would give anything to play in the pros. So few of them will make it, and it is a very capricious sport. If the coach likes you, if he doesn't like you, if he has other guys that he brought with him from his last school, all that factors in. Even if you have a better batting average or ERA. Then there are the injuries which can end their dreams so fast.
I was looking up Dutton's history. He was the Oregon High School baseball player of the year in 2016. This year at U of Portland, he played every game, had an outstanding batting average and good fielding stats. It was devastating to come here and be relegated to 4th string catcher. You hear these stories over and over.
On Sunday night after serving our new guys (and Nick) some pizza we had made, I went to bed early. I heard female laughter in the kitchen. Dean came back to the bedroom shaking his head. One of the girls who is a food runner for the Lefties concession had come to pick the boys up for a party.
I have a feeling this crew is going to be more of a fraternity party. They still like their milk. The Washington State Dairy Association should make them poster boys.
I found out yesterday that we will probably get a 3rd guy whose host father had a stroke. Maybe he saw his water bill.
Nick left yesterday morning with a big hug. I will miss him too.
Then I cleaned out his room last night and found his pillow, and all his socks and underwear. A little trip to the UPS store this morning so he doesn't have to go commando the rest of the summer. I sent a text to Dutton who found it hilarious as Nick was always so cool and put together.
Tomorrow they leave on a short road trip to Walla Walla. Dean and Perry left today so they can play golf there with our former club pro. Marten just about begged to go with them instead of riding the team bus.
Nick and Dutton
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