American Football in Poland

It has been awhile since my last post. For those that don't know, I have been in Poland for about a month now serving as an intern. I've been getting my sports fix from keeping up online with scores and video highlights (cause of the 7 hour time difference).

Today, however, was a cool experience. I went to an American Football game here in Krakow. One of the people that I'm working with is helping coach a team here and helped to get the program going. The team is called the Krakow Tigers and they play in a league against other teams in Poland. Today they played against their crosstown rivals, the Krakow Knights. On top of that, I was put in charge of helping to film for the game cause the one who normally does it is out of the country on vacation.

It was really interesting watching a game that I love being played here in Poland. The fans that were there were into the game. There was a public address announcer that would describe the action (he was rooting for the Tigers, it was a home game for them) in Polish and then get people to chant "Let's go offense" or "Let's go defense" in English. The wave was done several times and at halftime, there was a throwing competition and a kicking competition with some fans from the stands.

The game itself was pretty good. There was some sloppy plays on both sides with multiple false starts and offsides along with several personal fouls called. There were also some cool plays such as an onside kick recovered by the Tigers. They also took the opening kickoff of the second half all the way back for the touchdown. In the end, the Tigers were too much for the Knights as they ended up winning 44-8.

It was a cool experience and it has me excited for when I get back to the States and for football season to get started.

Fifth Royals Game...In Review

On Thursday, I went to my fifth Royals game of the year. This one was planned before I went to the one on Tuesday. This one was to be the last one I got to before I left for overseas mission for two months. It turned out to be a pretty good time. The weather was great (sunny, high 70s/low 80s). It was a day game matchup and Zack Grienke was pitching. Some highlights:

*Before the game, me, Kyle, Tyler and Dr. Cardoza (one of the profs at Midwestern) got to the park early and did some tailgaiting. This was the first time I ever tailgated at a professional game. It was pretty cool.

*The game itself was pretty good...except for the fact that Cleveland won. The Royals had a lead when Grienke left and the bullpen/defense let him down and cost the Royals a win.

The record of games I go to now stands at 3-2. The next game I'll be able to go to will be in August when I get back from being overseas. Hopefully at that point, the Royals will still be hanging around.

One of the Greatest MLB Games I've Been To...Fourth Royals Game in Review

Yesterday, I went to one of the best baseball games I've ever been to. The whole story behind it and the game itself was great and one worth retelling.

To preface, on Monday afternoon I was playing Star Wars: Epic Duels with some guys (Tyler, Kyle and Stephen) in the dorm lobby. While we were playing, Allen walked over and said something to the effect of "I know that you three (me, Tyler, Kyle) would probably be interested in this...I got some free tickets to the Royals game tomorrow night, would you like to go with me?" When I heard this, my immediate reaction was of course. Turns out, Dr. Roberts (president of the seminary) got these tickets from some unknown benefactor and gave them to Allen. These tickets were initally going to be given away during the Royals Chapel but weren't available then. So it ended up being me, Allen, Kyle and Stephen who went (Tyler had to pick up a friend at the airport that night and couldn't go).

So yesterday afternoon, the four of us headed out to the "K". On the way, looked at the tickets and found that there was free parking too. When we got to the stadium, it was several hours early. It was plenty of time to walk around the Outfield Experience, along with getting our free t-shirt (it was T-Shirt Tuesday so we got a free Royals t-shirt). It was a beautiful day at the ballpark and a perfect evening for baseball.

Since the rest of the stadium wasn't open yet, I suggested we walked down to the Pepsi Party Porch and watch batting practice taking place. We were early enough to see the Royals taking BP. It was the first time I had been out there and it was surprising how really low the porch is to the field. As we were standing out there watching, there was a ball hit on the field near where we were standing. One of the Royals pitchers (Ron Mahay) who was out on the field gently tossed the ball up to some fans about a few feet away from me. They missed catching it and it landed back on the field. I stood there and didn't see where the ball went. Suddenly I see a ball come flying up in the air and a little behind me. I turn back and took about two steps and with my right hand I caught it bare handed. It was completely unexpected and totally cool.

When the opened the rest of the stadium up, we decided to head over to our seats. On the way I saw someone signing autographs by the Royals dugout. I figure why not and decided to try and get my baseball that I just got signed. As I got about halfway down the steps, I saw that it was Trey Hillman, the manager signing autographs. I got down there and stood in a short line and waited for my turn. When it was my turn I handed him the ball and my Sharpie pen. As he was signing it I said "I wanted to thank you for coming to Midwestern Seminary last month." He said "You're welcome, I had a good time there." I then said "It was a real blessing." He then replied "Thank you, I appreciate that." as he handed me the ball and my pen. I walked away with a smile on my face.

I got over to where the other guys were sitting and saw the view from our seats. We were in the Dugout Plaza section, it was lower level behind the first base dugout near home plate, just right underneath the second level. They were some of the best seats I've ever sit in at a baseball game. It was an awesome experience and the game hadn't started yet.

The Royals were playing the Cleveland Indians. This was my second time this year seeing this matchup. Unfortunately, Trevor Crowe was not there as he is in AAA right now. The pitching matchup was Brian Bannister vs the reigning AL Cy Young Winner Cliff Lee. The game was a fairly close one. There was some back and forth going on and some exciting plays. One included at collison at the plate which resulted in the Indians player getting booed the rest of the game.

The game seemed to go the way of the Indians when they hit a 3 run homer in the 6th to make the score 5-1. The Royals scored a run and in the 9th were down 3 runs with the score 5-2. In between the 9th inning, me, Kyle, Allen and Stephen got on Crown Vision (the big screen). It was really cool and I was able to get a picture of it.

The bottom of the 9th was simply crazy. The fireworks started with one out and Mike Jacobs at the plate and Kerry Wood, the Indians closer on the mound. Jacobs worked the count to 3-2 and then proceeded to take a pitch out of the park. The solo HR made the score 5-3. The very next batter was Mark Teahen. On like the first pitch of the at-bat, Teahen takes Wood yard as he hits a home run of his own. The back-to-back solo HRs made the score 5-4. Miguel Olivo was the next batter and proceeded to take a walk. The Royals send in a pinch runner (Mitch Maier) and then have David DeJesus at the plate. DeJesus then hits a triple which scores Maier and ties the game at 5-5. The next batter was Willie Bloomquist, former Mariner and a favorite of mine. Bloomquist hits a deep pop out which allows DeJesus to tag up from third and score the game winning run. The Royals win in dramatic fashion 6-5.

The crowd was loud right after Jacobs hit the HR and kept getting louder and louder. It was a tremendous atmosphere. It ranks up there as one of the best MLB games I've ever been to. With that win, the Royals are 3-1 in games I've been to. It's the time of game that definitely is worth retelling the story.

Running Journal for Royals Chapel 2.0

Last month, Midwestern Seminary hosted the second Royals Chapel. Once again, manager Trey Hillman and GM Dayton Moore came and spoke in a dialogue format with the president of the seminary, Dr. Roberts. It was a similar format to last year's chapel.

It started off with a little humor as they were asked some things they were thinking on recently. Trey said that Dayton said to him "I'm the boss, you go (first)." Trey mentioned how he had been thinking a lot about family and the importance of being the spiritual head of his household. He also made mention of his wife being the glue that holds things together.

Dayton mentioned about how he was encouraged about the good start the team has done but that he wasn't satisfied. He also mentioned about there was harmony within the organization and the importance of that.

Trey followed up by saying that it is easy to feel excitement like the way the fans feel lately. He had two really good quotes at this point. One was one he mentions a lot to his team "Without hope and faith, we're lost as human beings." The other was "God bless critics. If we didn't have critics, we wouldn't have anyone to prove them wrong."

Dayton mentioned that he felt more pressure from ownership than the media and that Trey has more of a challenge with the media than he does.

Trey talked about how he is more at peace this year. He also mentioned something that was interesting. He said that "Sometimes its better to keep your mouth shut for the better of the group." He also mentioned about carrying a "reporter's notebook" where he writes down some of his favorite verses and thoughts that God has laid on his heart.

When asked about his greatest moment in a baseball uniform, Trey mentioned the championship parade that he was in after winning the Japan World Series. He also talked about his time in Japan where he was able to help with several missions groups that came to the country and how his position as manager there was a way to share his faith.

Dayton talked about how winning games was more of a relief than anything. He mentioned that his team is at home (meaning his family). He talked about how he tries to make a difference in the lives of family and the people he associates with.

They wrapped up by giving prayer requests. Dayton mentioned about maintaining being the leader God wants him to be while Trey mentioned balance in his life and also for his family.

After prayer, there were giveaways. Unfortunately, didn't get anything this year. Hopefully, they will do it again next year and I look forward to it.

Third Royals Game 2009...In Review

I was able to take in my third Royals game of the year today...it was also one where I wasn't rooting for the Royals. Yes, the Seattle Mariners were in town and I was rooting for the M's. It was a 1:10pm first pitch and I had a class that finished around noon so it meant getting to the ballpark right before first pitch. Here are some highlights:

*It was "School Day at the 'K'" which meant that there were 20,000 kids in attendance. What surprised me was the walkup for a day game in May. There were about 32,000 people in the stadium which made it loud. The Royals are starting to develop a nice little homefield advantage.

*The M's played tough. Jarrod Washburn pitched a really good game. They just couldn't cash in with runners in scoring position.

*The Royals put up a strong performance from Bannister. Juan Cruz had another good outing and Soria fought through in the 9th to get the victory.

*I was one of the few, the proud, Mariners fans in the stadium. I wore my old trusty Mariners hat along with my new Griffey jersey that I got recently. It felt weird cheering and there was no sound at times. I could literally hear myself clapping when the M's were doing something. I wouldn't be surprised if I got on TV back in Seattle since there weren't that many M's fans there.

*It was a bittersweet day. Dave Niehaus, play by play commentator for the M's was calling his 5,000th game, which was cool. The M's fought and got the bases loaded in the 9th. But the Royals held on for a 3-1 victory.

The Royals have won six straight now and are 2-1 in games I've went to seen. They might make it interesting for the duration of the season.

I'll recap the 2nd Royals chapel that took place recently at Midwestern seminary in the next few days. Until then, if you're in a MLB city, take in a game, it's a great time to do it.

Second Royals Game of 2009...In Review

Saturday marked the second Royals game of the year that I attended. I went with a group from church as a part of a fellowship event. It was also free jersey night so there's another Royals jersey hanging from my closet. Here's just a quick review of the game:

*The stadium looked great with a sellout. When it got loud, it really got loud.

*The game itself wasn't that great. Detroit hit two home runs early in the game and cruised to a 9-1 victory.

*This game did mark the first (and only time) I have left a major league game before the game ended. This was because the people I was riding with wanted to leave. I'm the type of person that if I pay the money to watch a game, I will sit there and watch the game through to the end. I guess that's just the type of sports fan that I am. Doesn't matter if it's a blowout or not.

So as it stands right now, the Royals are 1-1 in games I've seen them this year. Hopefully I can get out there for another game or two before I head overseas for two months...

Athletes and Televangelists

A few days ago, I saw on ESPN.com an article from their TV program Outside the Lines, which is an investigative show (kind of like 60 Minuties). It was on the connection between televangelists and athletes. Of course when I saw that, I had to read it and watch the segment. In the segment (which aired on TV and is online), it had interviews with Evander Holyfield and Kurt Warner along with televangelists like Creflo Dollar and Randy White. It discussed how athletes in some ways have been "targeted" by these televangelists and the celebrity status that these televangelists have recieved from having athletes in their churches.

Here's my breakdown of the thing. I personally don't like televangelists, especially the "prosperity" kind like these are. They are the ones who say that God wants to bless you not only spiritually but financially as well. This is nowhere in Scripture of course. The one thing they do get right is the importance of tithing for believers, no matter whether they are a minimum wage worker or an athlete making millions of dollars. But it should be out of a heart to give and serve, not as a means of thinking I'm going to get something back financially because of it.

I would hope that if I was a pastor of a church and had athletes in my church that a) they would feel welcome and feel a part of the community of believers, b) they would be viewed like any other person who walks through the doors of the building. I wouldn't want them to feel like they had to put on a persona because in the church is where people are to be real. I would hope that they tithe, but I also hope that they would serve in the church, teaching or leading a bible study, helping out in a ministry when they can. More than anything, I would want them to be a part of the body like everyone else, contributing with the gifts that God has given them.

If you would like to read the article, here is the link, and on that site you'll find a link to the video from the segment on OTL

Reflections on the Retirement of John Madden

Last Thursday, John Madden, former Oakland Raiders coach, color commentator and hall of famer, decided to retire from broadcasting. It was something that I knew at some point would happen and it happened to be now.

For me, football on Sundays (and for a while on Mondays) were defined in some ways by Madden. Growing up watching games, the big games had Madden calling them. When you turned the TV on and you saw and heard Pat Summerall and John Madden calling the game, you knew it'd be a good one. My favorite memories were during Thanksgiving when Madden would give a turducken leg to the player or players of the game.

Of course to be my age, Madden is also sinonymous with video games. I remember playing my first Madden game on SNES when I was about 11 or 12. I have owned several versions on several consoles and it was cool to hear Madden's commentary while playing a game.

It will be a loss not hearing him in the booth. Wish you all the best John in your retirement.

First Royals Game of 2009....In Review

Yesterday, I made it out to my first Royals game for 2009. I went with my friends Kyle and Lane to check out the team and the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium. Some thoughts and highlights from yesterday:

-It was COLD! It was about as cold as the game last year vs. the Twins. The temp was in the low 40s at gametime and was pretty much cold all night which made for a little shivering here and there.

-The stadium looks cool. It's a lot more open and the outfield part is very interesting. And the seats we had were awesome. We had left field seats right above the bullpen of the opponents for the evening, the Cleveland Indians. I hadn't set in true outfield seats since I lived in Seattle and the view was great.

-The game itself was a good one. The Royals won 4-2 thanks to a 3 run first inning along with a Home Run by Mike Jacobs. Zack Grienke struck out 9 batters in five scoreless innings and Joakim Soria came in in the ninth and got the save. There even was some good ribbing from some of the fans around where we were sitting of the Indians left fielder Trevor Crowe. It was really funny and has gotten me to adopt him as a player to like kind of like in football there is Sage Rosenfels.

Overall it was a great time and a 1-0 start to games I've been to. I've already got on my calender the next one I'm going to, April 25th. I will blog about that one as well and hopefully have some pics up as well.

Sad Day in the World of Sports

It is a sad day in the world of sports as Harry Kalas, longtime sportscaster of the Philadelphia Phillies, along with doing some NFL radio work and commercial voiceovers, died today at the age of 73. He had one of those classic voices that worked great as a broadcaster. My experience with him was listening to highlights from NFL Films with his voiceovers and then when I moved to Seattle listening to some of the NFL games that he would do the play-by-play. He will be missed. As a tribute, here's a sampling of his work: