My husband Paul and I just got back from a trip to Randy Hundley's Fantasy Camp in Mesa, AZ. I sent him as a 25th anniversary gift. Since we have two kids in college, the timing wasn't the best for something like this, but I am so glad I was able to talk him into going. He surprised me by letting me tag along for the second part of the week. It was a fantastic experience for both of us. He said he felt like he was 12 again and that he was so involved with the games he didn't think of work at all. It was an absolute thrill for me to finally get to see him play. He had to quit playing when he was 15, a couple years before we met, so I had never seen him play. Sorry for the length of the post. I also see that VegasCubFan beat me to it, so sorry that much of this is repetition.

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About a year ago I read the book Touching Second-The Science of Baseball (1910) by John J. Evers and Hugh S. Fullerton. Don't quiz me on it. I have a frightfully bad memory. What I do remember was thinking that although some of it was almost quaint, quite a bit seemed like it could still be said today. I couldn't help but think of this book the other day when lookingdeadred joked that we should get Frank Chance for manager. I had a flashback of reading Evers' version of how the team that won 116 games in 1906 and won back to back WS in 1907 and 1908 was put together.

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I'm thinking of sending my husband off to Randy Hundley's fantasy camp as a 25th anniversary present. Yes, I am the best wife in the world. Just wondered what you guys thought, especially those of you that have already been there. Is it worth it? He's in good shape, but hasn't played since high school-unless you count going to the batting cages at Sluggers on Opening Day or playing catch with my daughter. Will it be intimidating? One of the things included is an authentic personalized uniform. What number would you (or did you) choose and why?

I can't think of any other specific questions offhand, but any input would be helpful deciding whether or not to do this.

On a quest for better baseball than the parent club has been offering lately we decided to check out some minor league games as our family vacation. I know it's usually boring to look at other people's vacation pictures but since this trip was mainly Cubs/baseball related I thought a few of you might be interested.

Our destinations were Peoria to see the Chiefs and Des Moines to see the Iowa Cubs. We also stopped at Little Cubs Field on the way home. We found that most of our other stops along the way could be tied into our "baseball" theme too. For instance a living history farm we visited had a baseball field for old time games and one of the restaurants had a "Thai Cobb" salad that I just had to try. Our weather was pretty bad so my son picked a movie for us to see. He picked "The Conspirator" which I had forgotten was backed by Joe Ricketts until the final credits rolled by, so even that fit the theme. It was a very good movie BTW. We also visited the Field of Dreams movie site.

The day before we left I received my copy of "Ron Santo-A Perfect 10." My husband thought I bought it for him so I am letting him read it first. He started it on the trip and judging from the expressions on his face and the literal laughing out loud it looks pretty good. He's really enjoying it. Can't wait to read it myself.

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I have been following BCB since 2008. I have never seen so much name calling and personal attacks on this site. Seriously, it seems like it is becoming epidemic. I'm wondering what on earth is causing this. Why are people being so obnoxious to each other? We all want this team to win. What difference does it make how full each of our glasses are or what our glasses are filled with? Can't we all just get along? 

Last year my husband Paul bravely and patiently tried to teach me how to keep score. After finally learning the player position numbers (something that took me about 2 years-yes, I'm that bad with numbers) I thought I was ready. I asked him to teach me. I tried. Really I did. I felt like I was trying to pick up a foreign language that I should have learned when I was a child. He kept score at every game we went to last year and I followed along.

However, whenever he left me on my own to go for a beer or run to the restroom I was pretty much at a loss. I could record simple things like 1B or 4-3. That is if I didn't space out and miss the play. As soon as there was more than one man on base or anything remotely out of the ordinary I found myself at a loss and ended up writing question marks or notes off to the side so I could explain what happened to Paul when he got back.

Maybe I should just forget it and stick to something I'm better at like drinking beer. No. I REALLY want to learn. It's been an amazing way to notice things during a game that I might otherwise miss. Like that so and so seems to strike out all the time or shhh...it's the sixth inning and so far the pitcher hasn't given up a hit.

The last week of the season I finally got the brainstorm to keep score with games on TV. Replays kept me from missing things. However, I still was rather stuck when the game got complicated.

I'm guessing quite a few of you have taught your young children. Does anyone know of a good EASY website to learn from? I imagine that there are many ways to keep score so hopefully this won't confuse me more. But I'll ask anyway on the hope that I may find a way that is easier or more fun.  Paul admits he's got his own way of doing it. I'd be curious to know the "official" way?-Zeke...maybe you can help on that one.

Also, do any of you record any other fun things on your scorecard? Sometimes I write goofy things like the weather or who sang the National anthem or stretch. I've even written down some of the bad puns on that beer billboard across the street. No wonder I'm missing plays.

Well now that I've erased any doubts as to how dumb I am...any help or advice is appreciated.

Like many of you, I am saddened today by the news of Ron Santo's passing. I found out via a text message from my son. My response was "Oh no!" A short while later it hit me how fitting that response was-as it is one of his most often uttered phrases on the radio (unfortunately for the Cubs). It came out without my even thinking. It made me realize that listening to him day in and day out all summer has not only been a treat, it has affected some of my speech. :) There has been many a time I have caught myself saying things like "What is going on?!" or "gee whiz!" Which truth be told, is quite an improvement over some of the nastier curse words I used before.

Obviously, that is a silly example of his good influence. I know he has inspired others in much more profound ways. He is truly a great role model, especially for those suffering from any illness or disability.  I just thought this might be a good place for us to talk about Ronnie and how much we loved him by sharing some of our own stories, memories or just  funny things we remember him saying on the air.

He will be sorely missed.

Katie

Last weekend my family and I went up to Big Bend, WI to a see a couple of vintage 1860's base ball (yes-it was two words) matches (games). It was a nice break from the type of ball the Cubs have been giving us lately. I just thought I'd share some of the experience with any of you that may be interested. 

We went to see the Milwaukee Cream Citys, the Milwaukee Grays and the La Crescent Apple Jacks. They try to present the game as historically accurate as possible in regards to the rules, equipment, uniforms, field specifications, customs, and language of the period. They apologized for the bleachers and chain link fence as that is not authentic to the time period, but they are planning on using it for a little league team.

The flag only has 33 stars.

Vintage bats.

The umpire explains the rules.

The visiting team doesn't necessarily get to bat first. The decision is made by a coin toss of the umpire. Before they got underway, they very politely asked for permission from the ladies to roll up their sleeves as it was rather hot outside. We readily consented. It was evident to us cranks (fans) immediately that this was indeed a gentleman's game.

It is the hurler's (pitcher's) job to deliver the ball as near as possible over the center of the dish (home plate) and to the striker's (batter's) liking. It would be ungentlemanly of him to try to deceive. He pitches the apple (ball) underhand. The behind (catcher) wears no protective gear and none of the ballists (players) wear gloves.

The hurler-I believe his name is Stache.

Some of the rules were as follows...

• Foul balls do not count as strikes.
• The striker is out after swinging and missing 3 balls if the behind catches the third strike on the fly or first bounce.
• If the behind does not catch the 3rd strike on the fly of first bounce, the striker may try to make 1st base.
• Any ball first touching the ground or touched by a player within the base lines is fair, even if it goes a foul thereafter.
• Hand outs (Outs) are made when any ball, fair or foul, is caught on the fly or first bounce.

When a tally (run) was scored the player reported to the tally table and requested an ace (run) be recorded. He would get to ring a Tally Bell and they kept the score on a chalkboard.

There is only one umpire. He makes no calls of hands out (outs) unless the ballists cannot come to an agreement. Ballists are either out or not out, the word safe was not used. If there is a disagreement and he didn't see the play he'd discuss it with the players and even ask the cranks what happened in order to make his decision. Replay-what's that?

The umpire, the striker and the behind.

The language also made it entertaining. One particularly enthusiastic rooter yelled things like  "nice daisy cutter" (ground ball). There were lots of compliments like "well played" and "well struck". The ballists had great names like Handlebar, Butterfingers and Skunk. The outfield was called the garden.

If anyone is interested in going to a vintage game or learning more The Vintage Base Ball Association has all kind of info. If you are looking for a team in your area it has a list of their members most of which have websites of their own with their playing schedules. The Cream Citys Handbook is also interesting. Along with the rules it has more info about the equipment, uniforms and at the end it has a fun list of reasons not to swear which is pretty amusing.

Hip Hip Huzzah!

katie

This fanshot Al posted yesterday about Wells using his photo got me wondering what it would be like if we knew for sure some of the players were actually reading what we wrote and/or were posting here.

Would it change your posting habits in any way? I for one think I'd feel a little self conscious or awkward. I'm guessing I'd be more respectful and complimentary and much more cautious before hitting post. But then judging from the funny photos, etc. that were being posted in that same fanshot maybe we'd all just post the same way.

Which players would you most like to talk to on BCB? What would you want to say to/ask them? I think I'd enjoy talking to Dempster most. I'd love to hear stories about some of his pranks. He sounds like a fun guy to me.

before the broadcast switched to TBS on Saturday was "Titanic"?! When the game shut off on TNT it was right at the scene where they showed a panoramic view of the whole ship going down half in and half out of the water. When it happened I just screamed "noooo! Don't show me this now!" in a fit of denial and quickly put on TBS. Now it just seems fitting. Maybe someday I'll even find it amusing.