A long hibernation has ended and baseball season has returned. Who would have thought I’d still be doing it since 2014? I am no spring chicken but there is gas in my tank.
This season I am in Charleston, WV playing for the Dirty Birds. The Twins did not make an offer for me to come back and no other affiliate baseball team did either. The offseason was an interesting one because I was back to not knowing what was going to happen. Does doubt creep in when I check the minor league transactions? Of course it does. I can’t block out all the doubt but that is part of my process year catching those thoughts early and dealing with them.
I do not want to bore people with the details of the offseason. It was a typical offseason. Weddings, babies being born, wondering if your career continues and where the career will continue, normal stuff.
The original plan was to try to get to winter league baseball in Puerto Rico to showcase myself for teams. That did not work out, and then I thought of going to Arizona again for a pro day, but that also got set back with the MLB lockout. There was a pro day hosted at the new and and improved K’s Academy. We exhausted the options presented this offseason but none of them worked out to get a spring training invite.
After spring came and went for affiliate ball it was time to find the best option. The option presented to me is playing independent ball in West Virginia. I need to rephrase that, it is called “MLB Partner League” baseball now, but everyone I know still says independent ball. Anyway, there are 10 teams in this league and it will be good baseball. The way I look at it is if you want to play affiliate, it is hard to get signed sitting on your couch.
The Dirty Birds season opened April 21 against a new team in the league, The Staten Island Ferryhawks. They went out on a limb and signed the first female player to the Atlantic League. She pinch ran on opening night and as far as I know is the first woman to play in this league. It was cool to see and hopefully she gets more chances to show what she can do.
Before I start recapping and chatting I want to explain independent baseball again for those who do not know. Last year I was in affiliate baseball which means the team I am on is associated with an MLB organization. The team I am on now, Charleston, is not associated with any MLB organization. There is no getting sent up, sent down, etc. The way out of this team is to play well and get your contract purchased back to an affiliate team. The old buyout for contracts was $5,000, and when the league saw too many players getting scooped, the buyout is now $15,000. I am interested to see how the price jump will affect signings. Future problems for everyone but cross that bridge later.
The league has 10 teams and Charleston is in the southern division. This used to be a Pirates affiliate and most recently a Mariners affiliate. The Toast man throws toast when we strike people out. The facilities aren’t what they were in Wichita, but the old baseball adage of “If you don’t like it play better” rings throughout the locker room. That does not mean anything about the talent level on the field. From what I have seen most guys have AA and higher experience, as well as many ex MLB players.
There are a few guys here who are entering independent baseball for the first time. I know how easy it is to feel a million miles from the MLB, (Pittsburgh is only 168 miles), and that nobody is noticing the work we do, but my understanding is that this league talks with the MLB a lot. They send reports, have data available for teams, and they make money when guys get their contracts purchased. The more players that get purchased the more players that want to come to this league for their path back to the MLB.
As I continue my career the more names recognize on opposing teams. The Staten Island team had quite a few guys I have played with, trained with, or played against. Two of my teammates from last year and one teammate from 2017 were on the team. That is a benefit of continuing the career here is that I will be able to say hello to familiar faces from the past.
Dirty Bird opening weekend is in the books and we are 4-0. I’ve thrown twice, felt good about how things are going, and know that I’ll ramp up as the season goes on. I know in my heart that a lot will happen between now and the end of the year in October. There is a ton of baseball to be played and I know what I need to do.
It starts with being here and being present. The guys in the bullpen are great and so our my roommates. With a good group it is easy to drive to the field everyday knowing it will be a good time. I know my agent has my back and will be advocating for me to the best of his ability, and then it’s up to me to handle my side of business. Everyone who reads this and everyone who supports me back home I know that good or bad they have my back too. The situation isn’t perfect, but it’s part of my process. Also have some fun along the way would be nice.
This upcoming week we have a three game home stand and then it’s on the road for three. It isn’t quite six games in one spot like it is last year, but we have most Mondays off which is amazing. I’m interested to see the vibes during the “dog days” and as the summer moves along.
I’m happy to be back playing that is the first thought on my mind. The second thing is taking care of business as a team and individual. I thank everything who is still following along, and I’m excited to report about 2022.
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