Trip to Israel

Hey guys I am back and coming to you live from John F. Kennedy airport in New York,where we are currently waiting for our flight to leave here for Israel. I say we because I am sitting with ten other players all of whom I met today. We have been hanging out getting to know each other since around 7:30 this morning and we are allvery excited to finally be heading to Eretz Yisrael and begin the historic journeythat will be the inaugural year of Israeli baseball.

It is always interesting to me how whenever you meet someone where baseball is a constant between you, a relationship forms instantly. We had never met but withinminutes we were joking around and talking like we had known one another for years. The dynamic formed by baseball players is one the can only be understood bysomeone who has experienced it for themselves. As a side note, I would like to put forth a challenge to anyone who is or willsoon be a Blue Sox Fan. I want to see the formation of “Blue Sox Nation.” Yes itmay be somewhat of a copy of the “Red Sox Nation” currently residing in Boston. However, “Blue Sox Nation” should have its own flavor and be distinctly different. It is always interesting to me how whenever you meet someone where baseball is aconstant between you, a relationship forms instantly. We had never met but within minutes we were joking around and talking like we had known one another for years. The dynamic formed by baseball players is one the can only be understood bysomeone who has experienced it for themselves. As for me personally, life has been good. I had been coaching a high schoolsummer team with my father, a very interesting experience and one that I reallyenjoyed. Recently I made a visit to a Jewish day camp in my area. I got to talkto about 50 five to 8-year-olds about baseball and the IBL. I think little kids are amazing and I swear I kept their interest for at least seven or eight minutes.

Also, if you looking at the website you saw that I was asked to throw out the first pitch at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays game last week. This honestly was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had. From getting to be on the field forbatting practice and being around all the players and coaches, to having my nameand baseball career announced in front of 13,000 people was something I willnever forget. I was lucky enough to have a lot of my family and friends there, thanks to all of you who came. Oh, and if you are wondering, it was a strike onthe inside corner.

After that I took a trip to Milwaukee to watch my cousin become a Bar Mitzvah. I think it was the first one I have been to in ten years. Being with all my familyright before I leave them for a couple of months was a really nice send off. Now to the present, I could not be more excited about getting things started. I am beginning to really understand how amazing this is going to be and how lucky I am to have this opportunity. I cannot wait to meet my team, coach the camps, enjoy the culture and take in everything the country of Israel has to offer. But mostly, I just wanna play some baseball.

Now it is time for “My Biggest Fan at This Moment.” This one goes out to someone who is very special to me. She is the love of my life, sheis my girlfriend Rebecca. Having her support while I am away andknowing how thrilled she is for me to have this opportunity makes this whole experience that much better. So this is for you Bex, because I love you. Thanks for all that you are and for being, “My Biggest Fan at This Moment.” Now that I am going to be in Israel and games are starting, I will be on the lookout for my next, “Biggest Fan.” I will be looking for fans at the games and, after I get to know them, will decide if they are worthy of the honor, ha-ha. So show up, show some support and maybeyou can be that person to start Blue Sox Nation.