Back In The Swing Of Things

This week marks the first week I'm back playing in all three I signed in April to compete, and MY KNEES ARE KILLING ME!

My doctor gave me clearance to play two weeks before, and so far my finger, which I broke in May, is holding up well. I still have my cast in case I want to bind it to keep it safe while I sleep. The wound dries during the day, so I must moisturize it and let it heal properly. It feels like a spine of a small book is inside my finger, but in a few months things should return to normal.

Bryce Harper. Source: FederalBaseball.com

Bryce Harper also made a emphatic return to the Washington Nationals lineup after ending his stint on the disabled list with a broken thumb. His RBI single against the visiting Rockies opened the scoring midway through the night time contest which resulted in a 7-3 victory for the Nats.

A broken finger on either hand effects everything you do, therefore seek medical attention immediately should you experience discomfort, pain, or an obvious injury. The doctor said I was "fortunate" to only be away from the game for six weeks, when you consider the type of injury I had. I was quite close to losing my left index finger outright! o_O Yes, you heard me: AMPUTATION. O_O

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and support this past two months. It means a lot, plus I'm back to doing the things I like: Guitar, drums, keyboards, and...umm...oh yeah, video games...and baseball. Bending back my finger or bending the tip of my finger to press buttons are all but impossible, but I don't mind it. I'm just glad the worst parts are behind me. I have a follow up appointment with my doctor in August, so everything should be good as new by that time. ^_^

Question: Does Bryce Harper always take off his helmet when he's running around the bases?

Life On The DL: Update

I explained on my Facebook and Tumblr pages how the doctor will remove my cast a week ahead of schedule, but not here. Sorry about that! o_O

Yes, I suppose that's good news, which should include a hashtag reference of some kind, but my sports playing friends, who broke their fair share of bones over the years, tell me I have some work left to do in the therapy and rehab department. So, while I'm officially off the disabled list, the next couple of weeks should be my rehab period. So far, I missed only one game this year, but our team captain designated me as the third base coach, and team yeller. o_O LOL I have another game the day after the doctor removes the pins from my finger, so I'm excused from that game.

Before the injury, I practiced my slight of hand and "sell job" tactics for the upcoming season. However, my skills are nowhere near impressive as this Texas youngster at a Rangers game in Arlington last weekend.

Life On The Disabled List

I broke my finger on May Day at a construction site, so I get to start the softball season on the fifteen day disabled list. What joy! ^_^ (Tears everywhere...)

I thought this Sunday was my first game of 2014, but instead it looks as though June, if not the week following the May Long Weekend, will be when I make my triumphant return to the glorious game (I'm Canadian).

Michael Cuddyer, like most Major League ballplayers, is no stranger to injury,
and the DISABLED LIST. Blogger Phil Wood shares his first experience
on the dreaded list, and what that could mean to him personally.

There is something quite romantic and tragic about awaiting the return to the game, and literally crossing the foul line, or entering the batter's box to start a softball game. I'm leaving emotional baggage, stress, physical restrictions, my job, car payments, credit card bills, lack of a long-term and meaningful partner, the demands of my parents, and my identity behind to play a sport, and become a new person - a useful person. Since 2008, I stepped over the foul line, and became a different person each time...

• #7 NITRO
• #10 KNOCKOUT
• #19 JUDAH
• #22 McCUTCHEN
• #66 STEAMPUNK
• #74 MERLIN
• #82 HOLLYWOOD
• #87 MONDAY

As long as I wasn't me, things would be alright. With this injury, however, I can't help but be me. It will be a new sensation to watch your team win, lose, coast, or struggle and not be in the trenches alongside them. I found a note in my kitbag, which I scribbled years ago, during a team practice a couple of weeks before my injury.

1. Goals for the Summer:
1. Improve fielding
2. Improve batting
3. Better communicator
4. Better person
2. Don't take things personal: 
1. Your actions will/won't bring the world crashing down around you.
2. Stay in control.
3. Trust people.
3. JESUS is a cool guy who saved the world and brought it back with the "fundamentals" (Matthew 22:36-40: Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18)

At the bottom of my note, I drew a picture of a dude dressed as one of the Kansas City Royals. He is wearing a catcher's mitt, and he has a giant nose. I'll scoot down to the game Sunday night, and support the team if I can. I'm also on painkillers, so coupled with the injury to my hand I can't drive for a couple of weeks, and that's crazy! >_<

Aroldis Chapman Injury: What Do You Do?

Aroldis Chapman, 2010 (From Wikipedia)

Imagine you have a son, and he has a hobby. It's a good hobby; you know this because he enjoys doing it, and loads of people tell you he is really good at it. Soon enough, some people who represent that hobby approach you and your son about taking part in an annual contest centred around that hobby. You would feel really proud, not because people want your son to participate in this contest, but because your son excelled and did something wonderful with his hobby. ^_^

Such was the case when the father of Cincinnati Reds star closer Aroldis Chapman went to Arizona to watch his son participate in a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals. Baseball is a big deal in their native land of Cuba, so for Chapman to play in the majors is a big deal. However, a seemingly proud moment for father and son was almost taken away by a freak accident.



In the video, the man in the white striped shirt arriving at the scene was Aroldis' father. The comebacker ricocheted off the star reliever's face just above his right eye.


I don't have kids, but my Dad witnessed some of my early sports moments as I grew up in Southern Ontario. I don't know what it's like to be on the outside watching someone you love go through something like that. The baseball world family and its fans is certainly with Aroldis Chapman tonight, and so is his father, too.

Dear Ryan Braun...

I defended you. When the accusations poured in, I said I would wait for the courts to decide. When they decided in your favour and believed your story, I thought things would be alright. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

You lied to them, your fans, your critics, the Milwaukee Brewers, the baseball world, and to me. Your sentence should begin at the start of the 2014 season, when the punishment will be a chorus of boos that follow you wherever you go.

May God have mercy on your soul.

A former follower,
Phil Wood

Losing Hits Like A Ton Of Bricks

Take that feeling, and multiply it by ONE MILLION.
That's how I feel.

I'm sitting in front of the computer soaking wet, knee torched, and without answers for the simplest of questions.

I don't know what to do.

Every so often, you have one of those weeks when you can't hit or field or play in the right spot. Well, my week was this week.

I had a period when everything clicked, which was the first two weeks, actually. I hit with power, had a home run in my first at-bat, triples, doubles, singles stretched into doubles, infield singles, RBIs, easy catches, diving catches, you name it. This was going to be my best season...EVER.

Then...

I don't know what to do. I don't know where it went.

It's a saying he acquired from his football days at Harvard University, but actor Tommy Lee Jones said, "It takes eleven players to make one mistake". When you have the game on your bat, or in your glove, you must deliver, and if you can't do it, then what are you doing?

Side note: I just remembered I didn't shower yet o_O Post-game tradition, win or lose.

The disappointment of defeat should, because it SHOULD, last one day and a half. Any longer, and nothing will stop it before it destroys you. I saw it happen too many times in my life, and while I don't want to trivialize it to sound as though I'm an expert, it almost happened to me. You have too many people depending on you to say or do something to bring them back up. Keep your chin up, because the will to win and exceed your limits is within you. It's a brand new ball game, and you are at the plate.

As you can tell, the past couple of weeks playing in three leagues is beginning to take its toll. I play in four games next week, all on consecutive days: Sunday night, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I don't know how that works, but it works. o_O Hopefully, I can figure something out by then, and build off of that. I just need something to read or write in case I feel this way again. Thanks for reading ^_^

Are You Serious?

Brewers infielder Jean Segura (left) makes a stolen base attempt
against the Cubs.

Help me out...

What is worse: The Chicago Cubs fielding or the Milwaukee Brewers coaching?

Brewers speedster Jean Segura stole second base against the Cubs during his Brewers' regular season tilt on April 19th. After Ryan Braun drew a walk, you would think that was the end of it. Alas, no... I wasn't a big supporter of Brewers manager Ron Roenicke to begin with, but with Milwaukee languishing in last place in the National League Central Division, baserunning and managing errors like these will have Wisconsin baseball fans second guessing the man in charge.