Here are a few more pictures from the Frontier Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
Frontier All-Star Pictures
Category: Funtimes
Frontier League All-Star Game
While everyone else sat at home and watched the MLB All-Star game one night and then no baseball at all the next night, I joined some friends to watch the Frontier League Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
The Home Run Derby was fun. For the first round, Haley and I sat behind the plate and watched guys hit dingers mostly to right as the wind was really blowing out. For the final round, we moved to the berm where Haley’s husband Matt and son Walker were trying to catch some of the homers. Walker managed to get one. We were very proud of him.
I’m not going to lie, it was scary out on the berm. First of all, these balls were crushed. There’s a dent in the side of the clubhouse to prove it. And I was having a hell of a time seeing the ball. Until twilight, as soon as it came off the bat, I lost it. Then there was the herds of people tracking the balls. I’ve never been in a stampede, but I bet it feels a lot like that.
Russel Moldenhauer of the Lake Erie Crushers won. And with good reason. He murdered many baseballs that night.
The next night we took in the East vs. West division All-Star Game. We were rooting hard for the West (the CornBelters division) and it wasn’t looking for them early as the East very quickly put up five runs. Apparently, they didn’t use up all of their home runs at the derby.
The West rallied a few times, but couldn’t outscore their pitching. They ended up going down 9-6. I’m proud to say that one of those West runs was knocked in by a Belter (Pat Trettel).
Despite the loss, the game was a good one and we had a lot of fun. Reggie the Purple Party Dude, Corny, and the Fun Crew kept the fans entertained. Haley and I and our mad dancing skills made the jumbotron a few times.
It was a great two nights in the Corn Crib. Happy for our players that made the team: Pat Trettel, Pat McKenna, Alvaro Ramirez, and Rich Mascheri. Normal did a great job as All-Star hosts. Made me proud to be a Belters fan.
Heat Wave
Last week temperatures in the Cornfield climbed to the 100-105 range. My house has two A/C window units, one in the living room and one in the dining room. In order to cool more of the house, my room is shut off. No A/C for me.
Usually this is fine. Ice water, periodic trips to stand in front of the A/C units, and cold showers at night made spending most of my time in my room bearable.
However, not everything in my room appreciated the heat. Apparently, there was a defect in one of my candles and this defect mixed with the heat and well…
I think a lot of us felt like that by the end of the week.
Recipes: Shrimp Pizza with Spinach and Roasted Tomatoes
In the winter time, I like to make a shrimp pasta dish with rainbow rotini, spinach, and roasted tomatoes and I’ve often thought that the ingredients (minus the pasta) would transfer well to a pizza.
I was so right. Here’s the recipe if you’re into trying new things.
INGREDIENTS
-1 bag of thawed, jumbo pre-cooked shrimp (cocktail shrimp)
-2 thin pizza crusts (store bought or make your own)
-2 bags of shredded cheese (I use Kraft 4 Cheese Pizza Cheese)
-1 bag of baby spinach
-roasted tomatoes (store bought or make your own; I’ll include my recipe for my own)
-1/2 tablespoon of butter
-1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
-olive oil
-red pepper flakes
INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-heat oven to 425.
In a skillet on medium heat, melt the butter and add the garlic. Add the spinach and wilt, giving it a good toss in the butter and garlic. Set aside.
Drain and prep the shrimp by pulling off the tails (pinch the tail from the top/bottom instead of the sides and the shrimp should pop right out with a little tug). Season with red pepper flakes (use as much or as little as you want; I usually use 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp).
Spread a thin layer of olive oil on the crusts. Use about a third of a bag of the shredded cheese to make a thin layer on one of the crusts (you’re going to use a bag a pizza). Top each pizza with the spinach, shrimp, and tomatoes. Use the rest of the bag of cheese to cover the toppings.
Bake for 9-11 minutes directly on the rack, until cheese is melted and a little brown and the crust is crispy.
The recipe makes two pizzas. It’s easily doubled or halved. I make two because if I don’t, I don’t get a piece. It’s very popular in my house. But it also keeps well, so it’s great for lunch the next day.
My recipe for roasted tomatoes.
INGREDIENTS
-3 or 4 medium tomatoes
-2 to 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
-olive oil
-salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400.
Slice the tomatoes into fairly small wedges and seed them (aim for about 8 wedges a tomato). Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet (I use a pizza pan covered in tin foil for easy clean-up). Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper (about 1 tbsp each) and the chopped garlic. Give it a quick toss.
Roast (bake) in the oven for about 20 minutes.
I typically double this and make a big batch at once because I use them in several of my recipes. They keep really. Just make sure you let them cool before you stick in them in the fridge in a container.
Enjoy!
First CornBelters Game of 2012
On Sunday my friend Haley and I, along with her two kids, attended our first CornBelters game of the year. The season opened last Friday against the Windy City Thunderbolts and our game was a rubber match between the two teams. Unfortunately, the Thunderbolts weren’t the only storm in town. The game was stopped due to lightening after 3 1/2 innings and after a lengthy delay (most of which we waited out in the stands with only our freebie blankets to keep us dry!) the game was suspended.
The game will be finished when the CornBelters meet up with the Thunderbolts again in at the Windy City home field. However, for us damp fans, our tickets are comped for another game at the CornCrib because the CornBelters always take very good care of their fans.
Even though the game ended much earlier than we wanted and not the way we wanted, I still got a few pictures.
Casino Night 2012 Pictures
Between Harry and me, we only got a handful of pictures to share. I’ll be honest, I didn’t whip out my phone until the end of the night and the three pictures I managed to capture reflect that.
Honestly, I need a professional photographer to accompany me to these sorts of things because I am terrible.
Also, it’s easy to tell the difference between Harry’s pictures and mine. Harry’s are the good ones. I also thanked him in every caption.
Casino Night
Wednesday night, by virtue of the fine people at Wrigleyville Magazine, I and my friend Harry attended The Dempster Family Foundation Casino Night. It’s a fundraiser to help raise money to help those with 22q disorder, a chromosomal disorder. It’s very classy, very expensive, and very fun.
The first hour was the VIP experience where we got to mingle with the players, past and present, and other athletes and local celebs. I admit that I did more people watching than mingling. I’m not a good mingler anyway, but put me in that situation and I was a little overwhelmed. It’s an interesting experience to be waiting in line at the bar with Bryan LaHair or have to scootch past Matt Garza or Dale Sveum to get somewhere. Just surreal. And a little intimidating when the players would group together for conversation. It’s daunting for a not good mingler to approach that.
We moved to the gaming room at 7 where the players and others worked the tables. There was also an auction, a silent auction, and a raffle. Since Harry and I knew we wouldn’t be able to participate in the big stuff (there were things that sold at the auction for 20 grand), we each bought mystery bags. We also got little goodie bags as we left the VIP room with a t-shirt and shot glass.
John Vincent and Crystal Bowersox both performed sets. I never head Crystal Bowersox before and I have to say, I quite enjoyed her.
Theo Epstein was a hit at the blackjack table as he would intentionally bust his hand at times by pulling a card, then throwing it away. Ian Stewart’s table seemed pretty popular, too. Harry and I played at a less popular table and our dealer, a lovely woman, was a tough one! But we still managed to leave the table winners, always managing to come back from the brink of bust.
We were two of the stragglers reluctant to clear out at the end of the night. I was pretty impressed with the guys that stayed the whole time. Chris Volstad, Paul Maholm, James Russell, Darwin Barney, Kerry Wood, even Theo Epstein were still around after the lights came on (obviously, Ryan Dempster was still around).
It was a great night for a great cause and I know I’m not doing it any justice (I’m writing this on four hours sleep and a three hour drive).
Just take my word for it. I’m thrilled to have experienced it.
Cubs vs Nationals 4/8/12 Pictures
A gorgeous Easter Sunday spent in the bleachers at Wrigley. Can’t beat it.
Cubs vs. Nationals 4/8/12 Recap
My family has been in and out on Easter celebrations since my grandmother died. Last year, sitting at home, watching the Cubs play the Dodgers, I thought what would be a better way to spend Easter than at a ballgame? So this year, I made that happen. Well, actually Dad made that happen since he’s the one who bought me the tickets for my birthday, but still, dreams come true and all that.
I am one of those people that likes to get to a game in time for batting practice because that’s when the most interesting things happen.
For example, Sunday I watched Tom Gorzelanny and another Nationals player finally give into a woman’s demand for a batting practice ball, but on one condition: she had to catch it in her beer. She did. Then Gorzelanny and the other Nats player encouraged her to chug what was left of the beer (not a whole lot; she was now wearing most of it). She did. Never did I realize Gorzelanny had such a wicked streak in him when he was with the Cubs.
The Nationals pitchers were working out during most of Cubs batting practice. Gorzelanny chatted with Ryan Dempster, James Russell, and Shawn Camp before getting into his long toss. His former teammate Paul Maholm spent quite a bit of time chatting with him. That was kind of nice to see.
For those hoping that Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol were feeling like shit over their two blown performances, they surely didn’t show it during BP. Marmol was having a good time messing with Marlon Byrd, Alfonso Soriano, and Rafael Dolis. Kerry Wood showed off some agility shagging balls, making a couple of nice running catches, and using James Russell as a way to stop by chest bumping his shoulder and nearly knocking him over.
The boys were definitely in high spirits during BP.
The game started with Jeff Samardzija giving up a double and I figured that was just how the game was going to go. My hope was that he could go at least six innings and keep things close. I did not anticipate him getting within one out of a complete game and throwing 97 MPH in the 9th. Those thoughts weren’t even remotely near my brain.
But it all happened.
I’m not fond of Samardzija. I think he comes across as an arrogant, egotistical jackass with poor hairstyle choices, but I can’t deny that I was cheering for him on Sunday. Impressive performance to be sure.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of Marmol coming in to get the last out, either. I wasn’t one of the fans booing him, but I admit to groaning. I’m glad he got the out and the save. Despite the boos, the crowd was actually pretty behind Marmol. The bleachers did not like some of the ball calls on the Jayson Werth at bat that resulted in a walk. I have no idea what Bob said about them, but the bleachers definitely thought the ump was wrong.
I’m hoping that this successful outing will do what it did for him back in spring training after a couple of bad outings and get the Marmol Coaster back on the tracks.
I saw three fantastic diving catches, however the one made by Soriano was the most impressive because it was Soriano. A couple of years ago, he wouldn’t have even attempted it. He’s feeling good this year. I think that makes a big difference in how he plays.
The aggressive baserunning is a lot of fun to watch in person. It’s something Cubs fans are used to seeing. So when you see Starlin Castro steal second and then take third on a wild pitch, particularly in a tight game, it gets the adrenaline going. It feels like you’re watching a real live team that could win.
A few other random points from the game:
-People in the left field bleachers did the wave when the game was 2-1. Apparently, they thought that since we got Theo from Boston, they should behave like Red Sox fans.
-I sat behind the most well-behaved group of teenage boys I’ve ever seen. Not once did they get out of line or cause any trouble.
-I didn’t have to yell at anyone during the National Anthem. In fact, I watched one guy start to go get beer and when he heard “God Bless America” start, he came back out and waited until both songs were done.
-I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to spill beer while wearing a Mark Grace jersey. That said, Gracie was up and down the stairs forty times with at least two beers and I’m pretty sure he never made it to the front row with both of them full.
-Several of the people sitting around me in the bleachers were eating fruit. I thought I missed the memo on something. It’s weird to be sitting there and suddenly you smell orange along with beer.
-It was a gorgeous day for a game.
-Pictures coming Friday.
Thank you Easter Bunny for such a great day.
Monkees Music
In the weeks since Davy Jones passed away I’ve been listening to my Monkees albums and reading articles about him. What struck me was the music was typically discussed more than the show. Not to downplay the show at all (it did when an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series and truly is pretty outstanding), but considering how critically derided the band was for being created and not playing the instruments on their first two albums that’s quite an accomplishment.
In listening to the albums I have from start to finish several times, I realized just how much good music The Monkees made, a credit not only to the studio musicians and songwriters they worked with, but also to The Monkees themselves. Remember, after the second album, they took over creative control of their music.
I’m also reminded how much of their music ISN’T played today. My local oldies station did a Monkees music weekend in honor of Davy Jones and they played so many songs that never get airtime. Good songs. It occurred to me that when people think of The Monkees, they think of “Last Train to Clarksville”, “Daydream Believer”, and “I’m a Believer” first. Then maybe they remember “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, “(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone”, “Mary, Mary”, and “Valleri”. Maybe.
Not wanting to let good music go to waste, here are the songs (a few from each album) that I don’t think you should miss:
From The Monkees: “This Just Doesn’t Seem to Be My Day”, “Take a Giant Step”, “Papa Gene’s Blues”
From More of The Monkees: “Auntie Grizelda”, “Look Out” (Here Comes Tomorrow)”, “Sometime In the Morning”
From Headquarters: “You Told Me”, “Sunny Girlfriend”, “Randy Scouse Git”
From Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Jones LTD: “Daily Nightly”, “Love Is Only Sleeping”, “Star Collector”
From The Birds, The Bees, and The Monkees: “Auntie’s Municipal Court”, “PO Box 9847”, “Tapioca Tundra”
From Head Soundtrack: “Circle Sky”, “Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again”, “As We Go Along”
From Instant Replay: “Teardrop City”, “Someday Man”, “I Won’t Be the Same Without Her”
From The Monkees Present: “Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye”, “French Song”, “Listen to the Band”
From Changes: “Oh My My”, “Ticket on a Ferry Ride”, “99 Pounds”
From Pool It: “Heart and Soul”, “She’s Movin’ in with Rico”, “Gettin’ In”
From Justus: “You and I”, “I Believe You”, “Unlucky Stars”
Bonus Tracks: The Rhino re-issue CDs feature some really good bonus tracks. Two of my favorites are the live version of “Circle Sky” on Head and an alternate take (with different lyrics) of “Mommy and Daddy” on The Monkees Present.
My further unsolicited advice: All of their albums deserve a listen (including Live ’67, which has my favorite version of “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” ever, and Then and Now…Best of the Monkees, which features three new tracks, “That Was Then, This Is Now”, “Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere”, and “Kicks”), but if you’re looking to start somewhere other than the beginning, start with Headquarters and then listen to Pieces, Aquarius,… as those two, I think, are two of their best.
You won’t regret it.
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