Start of the Season

It's been a little more difficult to sit down and write since the season has started. But, my parents and an old friend (and reporter for the Republican American) that I just talked to today, Joe Palladino, have reminded me that I need to keep up with my updates. So here I am, now about a week and a half into the season with the Vermont Lake Monsters. It has certainly been a different experience for me than last summer, mostly because I'm playing in the northeast rather than the northwest. Last summer we opened up in Eugene, Oregon and I didn't know anyone of the nearly 5,000 in attendance. This year, our opening series was in Troy, NY where I saw my parents and my sister, as Troy is only about 90 miles from Torrington. Last summer it was a very big trip for my parents to get out to Vancouver, but this year they have already seen games in Troy, Vermont, and Lowell, Mass. Rather than walking to the closest restaurant from our hotel after a game, I've been treated to dinner by my parents. Needless to say, I have been a little spoiled thus far this summer (and I've pocketed some meal money on the road, which never hurts). Obviously I am very close to my family and spend as much time with them as possible, especially during a busy season, where it's usually a rare occasion to see them.

After a game in Troy, NY

When leaving the clubhouse tonight and letting my manager, Rick Magnante, know that I was leaving with my dad rather than the team bus for the 3rd night in a row he dropped a great line on me. He said 'Fab, you can't get enough of your folks, huh. You're going to be like a true Italian, living with your parents your whole life.' I couldn't help but laugh and to let him know that I have no problem with that..at the time being.

On the field, I have experienced some of the same things that I went through last summer - some successes and some failures. I played 2 out of our first 3 games of the season and had 2 hits along with a pair of walks and a HBP. I added a 2-rbi single in the next game I played, along with 2 walks. Most recently on Monday I went 0-3 with a couple of strike outs. But, those are the normal ups and downs of a long baseball season, we play 76 games in 80 days this summer. I haven't been an everyday starter, but there is plenty of time to earn that spot. For now I'm just enjoying being close to home and that my family and friends will get a chance to see me play. Some of whom haven't seen me play since high school, so this is certainly a once in a lifetime experience. We are playing in Norwich, CT tomorrow-Friday the 29, 30, and August 1. All of the games are at 7:05 at Dodd Stadium.

As always you can follow my stats or anyone else in the minor leagues at the Minor League Baseball website. Here is the link to my page: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=2B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=595195

Hope to see some of you soon. God Bless.

Extended Update

Before I left for spring training, over 2 months ago, many people asked me where I would be playing this season. I had hoped to make a full season roster and thought the most likely destination would be on Burlington Bees (low A) roster. That obviously didn't happen as I've been in Phoenix this whole time in extended spring training. This was a disappointment at first, and rightfully so, the goal is to move up through the minor league ranks and eventually make the big leagues. Little did I know that 'extended' might be a blessing in disguise.

Looking back now I don't know if I was ready to make one of those teams and I may have been a backup. Here in extended I have been able to play consistently, and get valuable experience at 3rd base, to the point where I'm comfortable at all infield spots except 1st base. I have made huge improvements in the past 2 months and I think being in 'extended' is a big reason for that. Most weeks we play 5 games and I have been getting consistent playing time. The biggest improvement that I've made is mental and the way I approach the games. I have always loved competition, but sometimes I would 'press' and try to perform too hard, which can negatively affect my play. I'm playing my best when I'm into the game, but also relaxed, both offensively and defensively. I have been able to play aggressively relaxed because the stats don't count here. I still want to do my best at all times, and there's no doubt at times I will be frustrated with my play, but I've become better at forgetting the failures and getting ready for the next play/at bat. When my real season does begin I plan to continue my mental improvements and I really expect that to pay off huge dividends.

Like I've mentioned earlier, there is a chance I will be playing for the Vermont Lake Monsters, starting mid June. But there are no guarantees where I will end up and that is out of my control, so I try not to worry about it. It would be an experience of a lifetime getting to play professionally in the northeast, but if an infielder at a higher level is injured or they decide to promote me, that would be great as well. No matter where I'm playing I'm excited about the summer ahead.

My former high school and college teams finished their regular seasons on a strong note. Torrington High won the Copper Division in the Naugatuck Valley League, with a record of 16-4 and will be playing in the league and state tournament in the upcoming weeks. JMU won the CAA regular season title for the 2nd straight year and this marks the 4th time in the last 6 years that JMU has won either the CAA regular season or tournament championship. Congrats to both THS and JMU baseball programs, good luck..I'll be following both teams closely.

Through the Fence Baseball

Through a mutual friend and former teammate at JMU, Chris Johnson, I was put in touch with the head of a new, up and coming baseball website, Through the Fence Baseball. You can visit the website by clicking the following link: www.throughthefencebaseball.com. I have been reading articles on the website ever since I heard about it over a week ago, it's a great website for baseball fans. TTF Baseball covers everything you can think of when it comes to professional baseball, from fantasy baseball, to trade rumors, to minor league baseball, that's where I fit in. Similar to what I have been doing on my blog here, I am going to have my own column writing for Through the Fence Baseball and sharing my professional baseball experience on the website. I will start posting within the next few days, so be sure to check it out. There is one other minor league player who is currently writing for the site, and they are trying to give fans an inside look into professional baseball. I'm excited for the chance to reach a larger audience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Technical Difficulties

Unfortunately it has been a while since I've been able to get on here. I've had some issues with my old Compaq computer, it definitely has had better days. My power cord broke, so I haven't been able to even turn on my computer and I have moved into an apartment where our internet wasn't working for some time. I'm actually using my roomie Jeffy Bercume's computer now. But, I've gotten a new power cord and will be able to start using my computer again.

I have some catching up to do. I was lucky enough to face another big league starting pitching, this time for the Angels. We faced Joel Pineiro over a week ago at the Angels complex. This time there wasn't the build up or anticipation as there was when we faced Ubaldo. The Angels took the field, then we heard that we were facing Pineiro. And he managed to get about 12 outs in the 3 innings that he pitched, including striking out yours truly..in 3 pitches. 12 outs in 3 innings, you may be scratching your head. Well the extended spring games aren't official games, so sometimes teams will end innings before reaching 3 outs because they don't want the pitcher throwing too many pitches (he may be rehabbing and be on a strict pitch out). In Pineiro's case, he was on a strict pitch count each inning and he would stay out there until he reached his limit. I think he recorded 5 outs in 1 inning. He doesn't overpower you, but he throws a ton of strikes and every pitch moves. In 2010 Pineiro was 10-7 with a 3.84 ERA. On another note, Jiminez has returned to the Rockies and had 2 starts since coming off the disabled list.

I've been getting updates from one of my best friends Matt Carbone about my former team, the Raiders of Torrington High School. THS is having a great season, they are now 10-0 and leading the Naugatuck Valley League. My former coach, Gerry Carbone collected his 300th win..congrats coach, I'm hoping for a big end to the season for you guys. I hear the weather is finally warming up some back in the northeast, perfect for baseball season..make the most of it every day.

Facing Ubaldo Jimenez

Two days ago started the same as every other day in extended spring training. Wake up at 6:30, get to the complex, eat breakfast, and do some early work hitting before our stretch. We had a normal morning practice working on baseball and defense followed by batting practice. We were scheduled to play the Rockies at our facility in the afternoon. During lunch there was a rumor circulating throughout our clubhouse..that the Rockies major league ace pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was starting against us. Jimenez started opening day for the Rockies but reported having some problems with his right throwing thumb. He is currently on the 15 day disabled list and is throwing in extended spring training until he will be eligible to return to the big league roster on April 17th. Last year Ubaldo went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA, came in 3rd in the National League Cy Young voting, and was the national league starter in the the all-star game. Oh, and he also threw a no-hitter against the Braves.

Jimenez delivering a pitch in the 9th inning of his no-hitter

Once we knew Jimenez was starting against us and both my roomie Bercume and I were playing, we decided to bring out Berc's flip cam to video tape our at bats off the all-star. I stepped up to the plate in the second inning with 2 outs and a runner on third. When the video starts it is an 0-1 count as Jimenez buckled my knees with a first pitch slider for a strike before the camera was ready. But, you can watch the rest of the at bat on the video below. Nice camera work by Josh Whitaker getting my swing, then showing Ubaldo.

As you just saw I lined a single into left field on a 4-seam fastball. I had another at bat off Ubaldo, but we didn't get that one on tape, and it wasn't as pretty. I ground out to 3rd base on one of the best pitches I've seen..a 2-seam fastball in the 90s that ran hard towards me. His fastball ranged anywhere from 88-97 mph. There is no doubt that he has great stuff, but we hit some balls hard off of him. 

In the first inning, my teammate, Zhi Fang Pan, hit a home run to right field off Jimenez. Everyone in the dugout was going crazy and deservedly so, he hit a home run off the guy who started in the all-star game last year. It was Pan's first professional home run and he returned to the dugout to say 'UNBELIEVABLE'...Pan speaks very little english and has a translator with him at all times. So I started talking to Pan through his translator and asked if he knew who the pitcher was. To all of our surprise he shook his head, no. We told the translator who the pitcher was, he knew the name Ubaldo right away and even recalled that he was in the Cy Young voting the previous season. At first Pan didn't believe it as his eyes grew big and he said 'no, no' and pointed towards the mound. His translator assured him it was the flame throwing right hander. I just thought it was great that he had no idea who he was facing when he approached the plate, and I had been hearing rumors about Jimenez over an hour before the game. 

Locker Room Talk

I remember walking into our minor league clubhouse in Phoenix, AZ last June just days after last year's MLB draft, it was an intimidating experience. I arrived last June at the end of extended spring training, which ironically is where I am now. There were about 50-70 players in the clubhouse, most of whom knew their way around and the daily schedule. I was one of the new guys and didn't even know where to go to get my equipment or meal money. Actually one of my fellow rookie teammates didn't even know that he was supposed to pick up meal money until the following week, when he was able to collect his money that had been piling up. With time everyone starts to find their way around and become familiar with the clubhouse rules, some of which are written, but far most are unwritten rules..locker room code.

Obviously the biggest rule of the clubhouse is to not go into anybody else's locker. You should never be looking through someone else's locker, that is definitely against locker room code. We have some other pretty obvious rules like there is no eating and no cleats in the clubhouse. For the most part, they just ask us to take care of the space that we have and treat everyone and everything with respect. There's also another unwritten rule, to take a shower after you finish your practice, workout, or game. This isn't something that's strictly enforced but some guys in the organization would say that we have a leader of the shower police, Jose Crisotomo. Jose is quite the character and a friend of mine that is always good for a laugh. He has been known to call out fellow teammates that he thinks haven't showered telling them to 'Take a shower hippie!' or 'Take a shower everyday'.

My roommate, Jeff Bercume, who I've talked about a lot in my posts interviewed Crisotomo about his showering habits. I actually stole this video from his blog, http://108stitchez.com/?p=765. Jose is from the Dominican Republic, but speaks English pretty well, and we always try to help the other out as I'm learning some Spanish. I don't think you will ever catch this baseball player being a 'hippie'..enjoy.

And wishing Bradley Shaban a happy 20th birthday..Bradley is a sophomore infielder at JMU, currently hitting .336 with 4 HR and is 7-7 on stolen bases..showing off the speed, smell ya Shaban!

Have a Purpose

Some of you may remember my post from the beginning of spring training describing a guest speaker who came in and spoke about having a purpose in life, baseball, and everything that you do. For me, baseball is a great way to learn life lessons because, just like in life, there are so many things that you can't control. However, there are some things you can control, like the effort and attitude you have and these are the important things to focus on. And it's impossible to get anywhere in baseball or life without a goal or purpose. This may seem like a simple and obvious statement but I've come to realize that when you're on the same routine everyday (i.e. spring training) it is easy to complete some drills without having a central focus. For example, every morning I hit off the tee to warm up and get my swing feeling right. It's easy to mentally check-out during this time and just get my body loose. But a new coach has given me a new focus while I'm hitting off the tee, and it's something that I think is useful for players of all ages. On a side note, I would advise young kids to hit off a tee as much as possible, the more swings you can take the better. You might even be able to set up a net in your basement so that you can swing all year round.

Our new coach working with hitting and infielders had an 18-year career in the major leagues, Tony Phillips. Tony played over 2,000 major league games and amassed over 2,000 hits throughout his long career. Tony was listed at 5'9'' and 155 lbs, which gives hope to the smaller players out there, like myself. He is a vibrant character and is always energetic about his work, he loves working with minor leaguers.

The piece of knowledge that Tony dropped on me and that I want to pass along was to focus on the head. What he meant by that was, like everyone else I would hit the ball off the tee and then track its flight down the length of the batting cage. Tony encourages guys to keep their head on the contact point and not follow the ball. He says that this will help you 'stay on the ball' and your head won't pull off the baseball. So, instead of just missing that pitch during the game, you drive it into the gap. I now have a new focus or purpose when I'm hitting off the tee..to make solid contact and keep my head on the contact point. We practice this same concept during side and front flips, and batting practice and hope this it carries over into the game.

But, this new found purpose during my tee drills has also carried over to how I'm approaching defensive work and other parts of the game. Every time that you field ground balls during practice you should have a focus on what you are doing. For me, I focus on getting a wide base and keeping my head down and seeing the ball into my glove. You're not really changing what you're doing physically, but mentally this will help to correct any flaws that you're most likely to make.

On another note, we start our extended spring training games tomorrow. I'm excited to get some more at bats in a real game setting. I know that Torrington High School started their season last week and are 2-0. It's an exciting time of the year with the start of baseball season and getting to see baseball highlights on Sportscenter. And of course, my favorite show, Baseball Tonight. Good luck to everybody starting their seasons!