So yesterday was an Italian holiday. It marks the day Italy became a republic. It is no Memorial Day Weekend, but the team had a BBQ anyway. It was good, and a bunch of the guys showed up with their girlfriends, wives, and children. It was cool to hang out with my teammates families, friends, and members of the society. It was like one big family. I do have to admit, Italy has great food, but nothing beats a good American BBQ on Memorial day or the 4th of July. Don't worry Americans, they can't claim that one.
After some beers, wine, and shots of mint vodka, we headed home. I relaxed the rest of the day, watching movies on my computer. I knew I had a busy day the next day. I woke up early to go to the gym. I thought by going earlier than I normally do, it would be less crowded. I was wrong. It was full of people. I got a good workout in, and then headed home. I had to get some food from the store, so I went to the Esselunga (their version of Stop and Shop). I have decided that I am going to do my best to eat healthier. I have been working really hard, and I feel like I should be showing more results. I know, I'm in Italy, but its worth a shot.
My roommate and I were asked to play in Parma against their IBL team. This week starts the Euro cup, and some of the IBL teams had to go to wherever to play in it. So Parma decided to put together a little scrimmage game so they had a chance to get some playing time in. They asked around the league for players, and I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to see what the competition was like, and also get an idea for where I would stand. So me, my roommate Chris, and our first basemen Claudio (who played two years in Parma), go in the car and headed to the field.
When we arrived, Parma had begun taking bp. They play in a brand new stadium. It's a nice field, and the playing surface is very well maintained. Anyway, we got changed and started to warm up. We then were told we would take bp and get the game started. While taking bp, I overheard somebody speaking English. At first, I thought it was their coach. It turned out to be a Colorado Rockies scout. He had been traveling around Italy to all of the IBL teams. I went up to say hello, mostly because he spoke English. He told me he had coached Parma in 1984, winning the Euro Cup. He was a nice guy, and very intense. After bp, I was told to go to the Parma dugout. The way they worked it, the Parma pitchers would throw to their own hitters, and the other pitchers would throw to the miscellaneous squad.
I know that sound confusing, so I'll sum it up this way. I was playing on the Parma team. I was hitting sixth in their lineup. I wasn't catching the Parma pitchers, however. I would be catching the assortment of pitchers from around the A2 division. The Parma catcher would be hitting with the other team, but catching the Parma pitchers. The good thing about this was I got to face Parma's pitching, which was the reason I came in the first place.
Parma's ace threw first. In my first at bat, I hit a decently hard groundball between third and shortstop. The shortstop made a nice play and threw me out by a step. At least I was able to turn on the pitch, so I was happy. Out on the field, I was feeling great. I was blocking every ball, and calling a good game. In my next at bat, I would be facing the same pitcher with a runner on second. After falling behind 0-2, I worked the count back to 2-2. He threw me a letter high fastball, and I drove it deep to right center. It short hopped the fence and I went in sliding for a triple. I would later score on a passed ball.
When I went back into the dugout, the scout and another member of the Parma organization pulled me aside. They asked me a bunch of questions, mostly about how I got to Italy and where I played college baseball. The Parma rep gave me his email, and asked me to stay in touch. It felt good to be noticed for my play, and I was very happy I went. I am not putting a lot of stress on it, though. I am just focused on playing well in Reggio and hopefully winning a championship. Whatever happens after that is just a bonus.
This Saturday we play in Vitterbo. I'm hoping it is a good series. I'm glad I got some extra at bats in this week, and hopefully it translates into this weekends games. I'll talk to everybody soon, and hope for some good news! Thanks and have a great rest of your week!
No comments:
Post a Comment