Summer Baseball

Well, I thought I would start the summer baseball updates by saying that besides working part-time and working-out, Andy is playing in two baseball leagues. The one league is a nationally recognized organization, MABL, Men's Adult Baseball League, and the other is the Benito Juarez Baseball League. His team, the Cicero Pirates, yes Al Capone did hangout there, plays in both leagues.

His team is made-up of college players, past and present, and some ex-minor leaguers, some of which are high school coaches. In the MABL games, they play on Wednesday nights and Saturdays against teams that are of similar talent, past and present college players as well. In the Benito Juarez League, they play on Sunday only and most of the players are ex-minor leaguers, both from our country, and also from the Mexican League. In this league the ex-pro has to be out of professional baseball for at least two years before he is allowed to compete here. My father played in this league in the 1940's under a different name, and has been a place where ex-pro and college players could still play quality baseball. The fields might not be the greatest, and some don't even have outfield fences, but then, does it really matter.

Andy is leading-off and playing centerfield like he has with the Yellowjackets. This past Sunday they played the top team, Orioles, and beat them 5-1. Andy was 1-4 with an rbi and a BB, and also a double play. He caught a fly ball and doubled-off a runner at first! But in his last at-bat he faced the Orioles fourth pitcher of the day, an ex-Dodgers righthander, that got him to strikeout swinging. Andy did manage to foul one off. For an "older" guy, he still could bring-it!! This team had ex-Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, and Washington Nationals players on it. These guys were good, but our pitcher, Andy's ex-teammate from high school, pitched a complete nine inning game. He was all-conference at Macalester College in Minnesota this past season. It's kind of funny that he was our number four pitcher in high school.

We know some kids that went to D1 schools to play, some of which were all-staters, only to find bench time! Many are either going to transfer, or might not stay on the team. We are so happy and thankful that Andy didn't want to do that and try and walk-on at some D1 school. He is very happy with UR and the Yellowjackets. Your kids have been great to him.

I hope everyone is doing well and relaxing a bit. This year went by quickly as I hope the summer won't. It's great to have Andy home, at least to sleep, sometimes eat, and ask for money. Next year I think he is going to stay and play ball in New York.

Keep in touch!!

Rich Cannon