I am excited to announce that we completed a successful season and won the championship! After winning a game and losing a game at our home field, we were able to win both games on saturday and win the series 3-1. It was a great series between the two first place teams, and we came out on top. It was an amazing feeling to know that we dominated throughout the regular season and finished the season at the top.
So sadly, this will be my final post. It has been an amazing journey, and I can't believe 6 months are over. Although I won't be home for another month, I will not have my computer and be able to post about my travels. It makes sense to really reminisce about my time here, and evaluate what this has meant to me.
First, baseball. I originally decided to come here because I felt I had something to prove to myself. I love this game, and I wasn't ready to give it up. I sincerely didn't know what to expect, and coming to a different country with a completely different culture wasn't enough to deter me from wanting to play the game I love. I was lucky enough to be on a team with amazing teammates, great talent, and in a great area. I was truly blessed to be taken in by a great organization, and given the opportunity to contribute to a championship. The organization took a chance on me, waiting until the last minute for me to get my Italian passport, and I will always be thankful for that. I have made friends on this team that will be friends for life, and collectively we were able to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning a championship.
More than anything, the experience of playing baseball here made me love this game. Don't get me wrong, I loved playing baseball at Quinnipiac, but it is a very different situation. At school, the pressures of both school and baseball, as well as expectations can wear on you. The game is here is at its purest form. Most of these guys play baseball not because they have to, but because they want to. They have regular lives, with regular jobs and families, yet they come out every day and play. This makes the game pure, and it helped me find that true love for the game that had been suppressed over the years. For the first time in a while, I had the greatest time playing baseball. In turn, it effected the way I played, and I had the best statistical year of my career.
Being here has also taught me a lot about the person I am and the world around me. I wanted to come here and challenge myself, both in baseball and in life. I wanted to see if I would be able to step out of my element and adapt to a new culture. I wanted to see if I could make it on my own, and be able to learn and appreciate what I had in the past and what is in my immediate future. I have learned so much since being here, and it has made me a better person. Between living in Reggio Emilia and traveling around Europe, you learn a lot about yourself. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I have changed. I just think I have become a little more cultured, allowing me to be more understanding of others and more open to different views. Most importantly, it just showed me that I can step out of my element and what I'm used to, and be able to succeed.
On the other side, it also made me realize not to take for granted what I have at home. When your away from something long enough, you see things from a different perspective. I am truly blessed that I have a great family at home, both immediate and extended, that loves me and worries about me. My family has been nothing but supportive, and throughout the 6 months have done everything they can to keep in touch. I am truly thankful for that, and it doesn't go unnoticed. I am also lucky to have a group of friends who make me feel as though I haven't been gone at all. Whenever we speak, it's as if we pick up right where we left off. Although there lives are all getting started and moving in different directions, they have not faded away. It's a true testimony to how great of friends they really are. Everybody here also loves New York, and there eyes light up when you say you live there. All of this has made me appreciate where I am from, who I am, and most of all excited for my future.
So now that the season is over, what's next? Well, this is my last week in Reggio-Emilia. I will most likely hang out with my teammates and just enjoy the city for my final stay. I will play a couple of games in the Coppa Italia (Italian Cup), which really has no significance at all. It will be fun to practice with the guys this week for the last time (at least until next season?). On Sunday, we head up to Munich for Oktoberfest. It's the 200th anniversary of the festival, and should be a great, great time. From Oktoberfest, we start our 3 or so weeks of traveling. This includes Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Istanbul, Athens, and Ios (Greek Island). On October 17th, I fly back to Reggio for a couple of days, and finally head home to Long Island on October 19th. I'm very excited for the little tour of Europe, and I look forward to meeting amazing people and seeing amazing cities along the way.
Overall, this experience couldn't have gone any better. I was able to accomplish everything I wanted to. I proved to myself I could still play this game, and I was able to contribute to a championship team. Being here opened the opportunity for me to travel a bit of the world, and expand my network. I am excited to come home and see my family and friends, and get back to life in New York. I would lastly like to thank both my mom and dad. My dad was able to come and visit me and witness the championship. It was great to have him there like he always has been, and I'm glad he got to see us win it all. My mom couldn't make it, but she has supported me no matter what the situation, even if she didn't like it. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here at all. She helped me immensely with getting my paperwork for my passport, and I can't thank her enough. I love all you guys, and I will see you in a month! I hope you enjoyed the blog, and thanks to everybody who supported me! It was truly a pleasure writing the blog, even though I slacked towards the end, and I appreciate everybody that took the time to read it. Anyway, have a great week and talk to you soon!
Reggio Baseball: Pro Days in Italy
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
We are going to the championship
After three grueling games, both emotionally and physically, we are going to the championship. I would go into elaborate detail about the games, but honestly I am exhausted. Catching 27 innings in 2 days will wear you down. This all on top of celebrating after the game. So, I will give you a brief run down of each game. It is important to note, that I did not swing the bat well. Actually, I hit like garbage. It doesn't matter now, because we are going to the ship!
Game one. We took an early lead of 2-0. Fillo threw a great game, and our defense seemed to be on point. The at bats were mediocre, but we were confident in our abilities. Milan came back and was able to put up 2 runs, thanks to a very controversial call on a ball down the line. In the bottom of the ninth, with runners on first and second, our number 3 hitter hit a game winning double down the line. A moral victory, and up 1-0 in the series.
Game two. This is where things got interesting. With both foreign pitchers starting, we thought it would be a close game. It wasn't. Luis got hit hard, and before we knew it Milan was putting a lot of runs on the board. After a few bush league maneuvers by there first basemen and shortstop (Foreign players), it finally boiled over. The Milan first basemen was going from first to third, and when sliding into third, he went in spikes high and cleated our third basemen. Before you knew it, the benches were cleared and the brawl commenced. Coaches and players were throwing each other to the ground, and this went on for about 10 minutes. It was pretty intense, and almost ended badly. It was finally broken up, and we ended up losing 9-2. Not the best. We used it as motivation for game three, which would start at 3:30 the next day.
Game three. What I like to call redemption. Milan scored two runs in the first inning. Little did they know that we had a lot of life left in us. It all started thanks to our centerfielder Paul. We scored two runs in the second inning to tie the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, Paul came up. On a 2-1 count, Paul took a tenacious swing and launched a ball over the left field wall for a grand slam. Our team erupted, and the score was 6-2. From that moment on, the momentum would not leave our dugout. We kept putting up run, with no regard. We wanted to prove a point, not only to Codogno, who won the other division, but to Milan as well. Our pitcher, Tito, threw a great game. He held them to those 2 runs they scored in the first, and when the final out was made, the scoreboard read 15-2. It was a great victory, and the celebration began. We are going to the championship.
So, that's where we are today. Game one and two will be at our home field on Saturday. Games three, four, and five will be at Codogno. Codogno is a good team, and it should shape up to be a great series. Our team has really come together as of late, with the help of some great moral victories and a little brawl action. I know that every one of my teammates and coaches are on the same page, and each one of us wants it as much as the next. I look forward to playing in the championship not only for myself, but for my teammates and the organization that took a chance on me.
Game one. We took an early lead of 2-0. Fillo threw a great game, and our defense seemed to be on point. The at bats were mediocre, but we were confident in our abilities. Milan came back and was able to put up 2 runs, thanks to a very controversial call on a ball down the line. In the bottom of the ninth, with runners on first and second, our number 3 hitter hit a game winning double down the line. A moral victory, and up 1-0 in the series.
Game two. This is where things got interesting. With both foreign pitchers starting, we thought it would be a close game. It wasn't. Luis got hit hard, and before we knew it Milan was putting a lot of runs on the board. After a few bush league maneuvers by there first basemen and shortstop (Foreign players), it finally boiled over. The Milan first basemen was going from first to third, and when sliding into third, he went in spikes high and cleated our third basemen. Before you knew it, the benches were cleared and the brawl commenced. Coaches and players were throwing each other to the ground, and this went on for about 10 minutes. It was pretty intense, and almost ended badly. It was finally broken up, and we ended up losing 9-2. Not the best. We used it as motivation for game three, which would start at 3:30 the next day.
Game three. What I like to call redemption. Milan scored two runs in the first inning. Little did they know that we had a lot of life left in us. It all started thanks to our centerfielder Paul. We scored two runs in the second inning to tie the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, Paul came up. On a 2-1 count, Paul took a tenacious swing and launched a ball over the left field wall for a grand slam. Our team erupted, and the score was 6-2. From that moment on, the momentum would not leave our dugout. We kept putting up run, with no regard. We wanted to prove a point, not only to Codogno, who won the other division, but to Milan as well. Our pitcher, Tito, threw a great game. He held them to those 2 runs they scored in the first, and when the final out was made, the scoreboard read 15-2. It was a great victory, and the celebration began. We are going to the championship.
So, that's where we are today. Game one and two will be at our home field on Saturday. Games three, four, and five will be at Codogno. Codogno is a good team, and it should shape up to be a great series. Our team has really come together as of late, with the help of some great moral victories and a little brawl action. I know that every one of my teammates and coaches are on the same page, and each one of us wants it as much as the next. I look forward to playing in the championship not only for myself, but for my teammates and the organization that took a chance on me.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Playoffs Preview - Semi Finals: Milan vs Reggio
Finally, after what seems like a year, the playoffs begin tomorrow. After lots of good times, great travels, and relaxation, I came back knowing that it was time to redirect my energy and focus back to baseball. So taking the initiative, my teammates and I started hitting everyday. After some great practices, a couple of friendly games, and some extra work, the playoffs are a day away.
The playoff system is very strange in Serie A baseball. Actually, it doesn't make much sense at all. I'll explain. The top two teams from each division make the playoffs. In our division, we are the 1 seed and Anzio is the 2 seed. In the other division, Codogno is the 1 seed and Milan is the 2 seed. Instead of playing Anzio and meeting the other division champion in the finals, the have the 1 seed of one division match up with the 2 seed of the other division, hence why we are playing Milan. Then, the winner of the series plays the winner of the other series. If your following, that means we have the possibility of playing Anzio in the championship, which originally is in our division. I find this to be silly, but Italian baseball seems to enjoy doing strange things like this.
The first series is a best of three. Tomorrow, we will play 2 games at our home field. If for whatever reason we split, we play Sunday at Reggio Field as well for game 3. The championship is a best of 5 series, and will be played at both fields. This is a great advantage for us, and I'm happy to be playing at home. Milan needed to win 6 straight games in order to make the playoffs, and they were able to do so. I'm excited to play a team from the other division, just to see what the competition is like.
From what I know about this team, they have a few foreign infielders and a foreign starter from Venezuela. He played as high as Triple A in pro ball, and pitches for the Spanish national team. I'm looking forward to facing him and testing my merit. The first game of the series is Italians only, and the second game is foreign. The third game is free. This is where management and proper use of your pitchers becomes very important. Ideally, we would like to take two games on Saturday and not have to play that Sunday game.
The playoffs are what playing sports is all about. During the regular season, you are able to play a different style of baseball. It's more relaxed, and the mind set is completely different. In the playoffs, each at bat matters. Every little thing you do on the field can directly correlate to your teams future. It demands that you are concentrated and in the game at all times, and everybody on the roster is of value and meaning. You could strike out your first 3 at bats, and in the fourth at bat get a big hit and change the outcome of the game. Stats don't matter, just what you do for your team and how you contribute to a win. I'm very excited to the pressure and challenge of playoff baseball, and I can't wait to get out on the field. I feel great, my team is ready, and hopefully I can come back to New York with a championship.
The playoff system is very strange in Serie A baseball. Actually, it doesn't make much sense at all. I'll explain. The top two teams from each division make the playoffs. In our division, we are the 1 seed and Anzio is the 2 seed. In the other division, Codogno is the 1 seed and Milan is the 2 seed. Instead of playing Anzio and meeting the other division champion in the finals, the have the 1 seed of one division match up with the 2 seed of the other division, hence why we are playing Milan. Then, the winner of the series plays the winner of the other series. If your following, that means we have the possibility of playing Anzio in the championship, which originally is in our division. I find this to be silly, but Italian baseball seems to enjoy doing strange things like this.
The first series is a best of three. Tomorrow, we will play 2 games at our home field. If for whatever reason we split, we play Sunday at Reggio Field as well for game 3. The championship is a best of 5 series, and will be played at both fields. This is a great advantage for us, and I'm happy to be playing at home. Milan needed to win 6 straight games in order to make the playoffs, and they were able to do so. I'm excited to play a team from the other division, just to see what the competition is like.
From what I know about this team, they have a few foreign infielders and a foreign starter from Venezuela. He played as high as Triple A in pro ball, and pitches for the Spanish national team. I'm looking forward to facing him and testing my merit. The first game of the series is Italians only, and the second game is foreign. The third game is free. This is where management and proper use of your pitchers becomes very important. Ideally, we would like to take two games on Saturday and not have to play that Sunday game.
The playoffs are what playing sports is all about. During the regular season, you are able to play a different style of baseball. It's more relaxed, and the mind set is completely different. In the playoffs, each at bat matters. Every little thing you do on the field can directly correlate to your teams future. It demands that you are concentrated and in the game at all times, and everybody on the roster is of value and meaning. You could strike out your first 3 at bats, and in the fourth at bat get a big hit and change the outcome of the game. Stats don't matter, just what you do for your team and how you contribute to a win. I'm very excited to the pressure and challenge of playoff baseball, and I can't wait to get out on the field. I feel great, my team is ready, and hopefully I can come back to New York with a championship.
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