Baseball Trip 2008

This years baseball trip was another long one, but seemed to fly by as we had so much fun. We crossed Lake Michigan by taking the S.S. Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc, Wi, and then the Lake Express from Milwaukee to Muskegon for the ride home. We had a great time in Wisconsin, and everyone was great to us. Here's the rundown:
May 13-Mt. Pleasant, MI: We started off our trip watching the Central Michigan Chippewas beat Michigan State 14-6. Great game with a lot of scoring. Weather was nice, but a bit windy. Really a nice stadium, with a lot of brick which gives it an 'classic' ballpark feel. I was able to get some game balls for the kids here, too. Sault native Billy Anderson went 1-4 with an RBI in the win.
May 14-Milwaukee, WI: Our first trip to Miller Park in Milwaukee was one to remember. This is probably the best modern ballpark I've been to yet. The closed roof kept is nice and comfy thoughout the game. I was kind of in 'awe' of the place, it is so nice. Too bad the Brewers couldn't hold the lead late in the ninth, and ended up losing to the L.A. Dodger 6-4.
May 15-Milwaukee, WI: This game was just as fun, but went by too fast. I love getting up in the morning and hitting a game at noon, though. Eat. Sleep. Baseball. That's all there is too it. Again, the Brewers were roughed up by the Dodgers this time 7-2. The game was tied at 0 when L.A. scored six runs in the seventh off three home runs. We did get to see Ryan Braun hit one out for Milwaukee, though, which was cool. I would love to come back to Miller Park and watch another game. Good fans and a great baseball atmosphere. Beloit, WI: We then headed south to watch the Beloit Snappers from the Midwest League. I didn't know how well I'd be recieved there wearing my Whitecaps gear, since the 'Caps beat Beliot for the Championship last season. Everyone was super nice to us, nontheless. Pohlman Field is just that: a field. Not a stadium or ballpark. A field. Dont' get me wrong, it's more than we have up here. We got to meet Kaptain K who sits behild the Snappers dugout and counts the strikeouts with his 'K' signs. They also sported the big guy who brought his tuba to the game and the handfull of drunk guys who sit in the last row and hagle the players and umps. No profanity from these guys, just good natured ribbing. Not 40 people in the stands, but a fun experience for us. Again, the people there were just really nice. Another loss, unfortuneately, as the Snappers fell to the Clinton Lumber Kings 4-2.
May 16-Grand Rapids, MI: We ended the trip with a double header at our 'home' field with the Whitecaps taking on the Lansing Lug Nuts. The 'Caps won game one 6-3, with pitcher Alfredo Figaro earing the win to improve to 5-1. In the second game, the 'Caps failed to score and got beat 5-0. A beautifull night for baseball, though, and it was good to be 'home'. We'll be back down for some more Whitecaps this summer.
Can't wait until next year's trip. We're thinking of either going up to Toronto, or hitting some minor teams in Indiana. Will be fun no matter what.

Lily's Ballet Production Huge Success

Creative and visually stunning, Lily's balet production 'Send In The Clowns' was a huge success. All the kids involved were great, and it was a fun weekend. Lily had dress rehearsals last Tuesday and Friday. Her shows took place on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Really a long weekend for all of us, but it was worth every second. Lily looked beautiful up on stage, and was the perfect birthday cupcake. It's hard to see in the video which one is her, but it's a nice dance number that they did. Next year Lily wants to take up tap dance, and maybe even Trevor, too. Can't wait to see what they come up with for next year.

LSSU Lakers Update

It's graduation day at LSSU, so it's time to say goodbye to three Lakers seniors. Dan Eaves, Justin Gutwald, and Sault native Jason Blain will all recieve their degrees today. Blain will even recieve an acedemic award. Eaves was an alternate captain this year, and ended his career with 29 goals and 34 assists for 63 points. Gutwald played sparingly his first two seasons, but earned a goal and 2 assists in his senior year. Blain transfered from Northeastern, and totaled 3-7-10 in his two seasons as a Laker. The Lakers will also be losing Ben Kitzmiller and Nik Sellars who were cut from the team. It's unkown if they will stay in school here, or look at other opportunities.

The Lakers, however, will add seven to next year's roster. Forward Brad Cooper is a transfer from Providence College, and played junior hockey in Texas (NAHL). LSSU will add three freshman to the blue line. Two come from the Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) in Stephen Simms and Kyle Haines. Michigan native Kyle Pobar will also join Lake State from the South Shore Kings (EJHL). The Lakers best recruit my be forward Fred Cassiani from the St. Michael's Buzzers (OJPHL). He led his team in scoring with 32 goals and 57 assists for 89 points. Dan Barczuk was the first to sign his letter of intent back in the fall. He played forward for the Ohio Blue Jackets (USHL).

Also joining the Lakers next season will be family friend Nathan Peterson. Nate stayed with us while playing for the Blind River Beavers (NOJHL). He enrolled at LSSU last season, and played in the Lakers Blue/White game. He was also a practice player for the team. The year before, he played defense for the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL). Good luck next year to Nathan.

Brian Attends First Hockey Game

Thursday was a special night, as Lily, Trevor, and I
took Brian to his very first hockey game at Taffy Abel Arena.
The Lakers took on U.P. rival Northern Michigan.


This was the final home game to the season. Brian did great, but slept through most of the game. He was a big hit, as everyone wanted to hold him and commented on how cute he is. My friend Harry from work took a good pic of the 'fantastic four' all together.
Brian must have been a good luck charm, as LSSU won 3-2. After the game the team throws free t-shirts to the fans. Chad Nehring skated over to us, open the rink door, and tossed a shirt up to Brian. I thought that was cool of him. Something to remember the game by.

Lots more games in Brian's future, and we'll try to get him to a baseball game this summer, too.
Here is my article on the game at Michigan College Hockey:
http://michigancollegehockey.blogspot.com/2008/02/lakers-sneak-past-wildcats-3-2.html

Three Amigos On National Television

Anyone watching last night's broadcast of the LSSU Lakers taking on the Michigan Wolverines on Fox Sports Net Detroit, may have been in for a suprise. During the second intermission FSN did a question/answer segment featuring Lakers fans that was taped on Jan. 11 here in the Soo. That just happened to be Brian's day of birth. The first question showed all Three Amigos (Lily, Trevor, and I), but the remaining questions was just me. I was able to answer four of the six questions correctly, missing an obvious one. Trevor was also shown with the Lakers and the rest of the kids who participated in the Have Fun/Play Hockey clinic here in the Soo. They all yelled 'happy hockey day' for the camera. Unfortunately due to poor officiating the Lakers were screwed out of another win in Ann Arbor, and lost 4-2 with U-M scoring an empty-netter. It's been a good media year for us so far, as Trevor has been on the front page of the Soo Evening News (hockey clinic), and the kids were in the Community Voice for Brian's birth announcement, and now on TV.

Kids Have Fun At Skating Party

Lily and Trevor were able to go to one of Lily's classmates birthday parties at the Big Bear Arena. Free skating for all, and lots of fun. Lily is doing a lot better, and skating without help. Trevor is doing better and breaking in his new skates. Plan on doing lots more skating before the end of winter. Had to leave a little early, though as I had my MRI tonight, too.

Spring Training Starts For Lily and Trevor

Today started spring training for Lily and Trevor, as we headed up to the college for some fun. The kids took some swings off the tee, and we played catch getting ready for the upcoming baseball season. We also kicked the soccer ball around, played some floor hockey, and played on the mats. All in all, a great day for the kids. With this being such a brutal winter, they really needed a day where they could run around and play for awhile. In the video, is Lily working on her hitting. We'll try to get some footage of Trevor next time. Don't know if spring will ever come, but if it does we'll sure to be ready.