Word from Tampa...

Hey everyone,

it's been a while since I've posted so I'm gonna throw out a quick update.
Well, I've been down here in Tampa since Feb. 5th. The weather has been gorgeous and I have a killer farmers tan!!! I'm currently in what they call "extended spring training". They kept me here after we broke camp (which is when everyone leaves and heads off to the affiliate cities) because they wanted to work with me a tad more. I was told that I made the Charleston Riverdogs squad, which is low A...but they wanted just to refine a few things first.

Over the last 3 weeks or so I've managed to go slightly insane. I moved into a hotel and am 1 of only 10 gringos here. They had about 25 Latinos come to extended camp...and it's been hell. Some of them are cool but most arent at all. I can't even begin to describe what its like being outnumbered by dominicanos but it's not too fun. They steal from you, talk behind your back, pretend they can't speak English to get out of shit, act like 11 year olds, and act gay in the showers! It's driving all us white folk crazy (not to sound racist).

I did get some pick me ups over the last couple of weeks though. I got to pitch in High A Tampa one day because they had a 20 inning game the night before and were out of pitchers. I did pretty well. I went 3 innings, K'd 2 guys, gave up 2 hits and one just happened to be a solo shot...so only one run too. Then the next day I was sent to Toronto to get my work visa finalized. I was supposed to stay the night then come back, but, they called me up the next morning and told me that I was going to Ottawa to pitch for the AAA team, the Scranton - Wilkes Barre Yankees. Apparently they moved some guys from the AAA team to the big leagues so they were lacking some pitching too. Quite a suprise to say the least. We were gettin crushed in the first game of a weekend series so I ended up going in in the 8th to try and clean up this other pitchers mess. 5runs had already come in, there were guys on 2nd and 3rd and only 1 out. I managed to K the first guy...the next guy hit a double (he was good)...the next guy i fisted but he blooped it over the shortstops head and the run scored...i walked the next guy and the final guy flew out! So, once again, I did pretty well, but because I only threw 2/3 of an inning my ERA is slightly inflated in AAA. hahahaha

Anyways, I just found out today that I'm going to Charleston. After we got back from playing the Devil Rays extended squad in St. Petersberg I was called to the side and they told me I was moving up. I'm actually leaving tomorrow and am currently packing up all my stuff. Looking forward to getting out of here and finally gettin some down time and not having to practice everyday at 9 am - 4 pm!!! It's been burning my body out like crazy...

Well, I'll get to see most of you fools that make it up. We actually have some home games during those dates, so you'll have to come out and watch and get drunk.

Peace homies...I gotta get packed.

take care

AX