Springtime Endeavors in Melbourne

As I write to you once again, I can't help but post this time with smile on my face. There are several reasons as to why this is but they all come back to one thing in particular: satisfied. Satisfied with where I am, where I want to go, and the direction my life is headed. What an exciting time its been so far here in Australia...

I've found myself involved in several different roles; all of which I am enjoying thoroughly. It's been quite busy here lately with playing, coaching, and working but it's all been very rewarding. I'm sure that many have been interested in what I have been up to Down Under and I have strayed away from consistent postings.

A few weeks back, I was named to the playing roster for the Melbourne Aces in the new Australian Baseball League. The league can be accessed here. In case you aren't familiar with the ABL, it's a newly formed winter league that spans all of Australia. There are several guys with big league time in Pete Moylan, Trent Oltjen, Luke Hughes, and Ryan Rowland-Smith (to name a few) and although just beginning, is said to be one of the best winter leagues in the world. I have not been able to pitch for the squad yet as my responsibilities for Essendon have not allowed me to.

Much like last year, I am pitching for Essendon and starting the weekend games. I'm 3-1 with 30 innings under my belt. Many around the club have labeled me as a much different player and person this year...I'd like to think of this as a good thing. There is no doubt that I am much more confident this season; confident in who I am and where I want to be. My presence on the mound is seen and I am going after every hitter I face...with much more vengeance. You can view my current stats here.



I have had the luxury of coaching a pair of teams at the Essendon club as well. I am serving as the Head Coach of the U-14 Major League squad and like it more and more with each passing game. I've designed a website for the kids and its made a substantial amount of positive noise around the club. The website can be seen here.The kids are really coach-able and listen to what I say. I've been trying to let them have fun but still maintain a seriousness within the game. We've already run the hidden ball trick (for an out!) and stolen home (didn't work...). Also, I am coordinating the T-ball program and there was 40 kids at the last session on Friday night. This is a challenge in it's own...I never knew how difficult it was to keep 40 kids (ages 4-10) entertained and happy! I'm sure they are enjoying our Friday night sessions as much as I am working with them. There isn't much better in this world than seeing a kid smile in delight after getting their first ever hit or watching the kids make friends with others in what may be the start of a life-long friendship. I see a lot of myself as a kid when I work with these kids...

They often say that everything happens for a reason. I find it to be a pretty overused statement but I can't help but wonder...would I have ever had this great opportunity if I had never been injured? Would Australia ever know me or would I have ever been able to spread my wings and fly over here? Am I better off for the person I am today? My window of opportunity sure isn't over and although my dream was deferred, my new path towards it has been a blessing in its own. I've learned to love who I am and now understand what it takes to be happy in this world.

I think there is no doubt I am a better person. I see myself as so much more seasoned and knowledgeable. The lessons I have learned have been beneficial to my life as a person and a player. I'm sure that I am a better friend, teammate, and family member for it. I can only smile and believe that I will one day be a better coach, father, and husband for it too.

I'm leaving for the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday and will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a few American friends from Virginia Wesleyan...Go Marlins! It's going to be a ripping time but I'm sure there will still be a little missing as this is my first ever Thanksgiving away from home. I know that I will be thinking at home on this day and can't wait to see everyone home soon. In the mean time, I'll continue trying to make my mark on this world...one positive step at a time...

God Bless.

Australia - Round 2

As I write to you today, I find myself on my second trip to Ozz as I am in the fourth day of my six-month stay in Melbourne, Australia. I'm happy to write that I am back in Bomberland with Essendon and ready to partake in another exciting year of baseball down under. This could very well be the year that Essendon can overcome all of the hype, jump the hurdle and hoist the trophy.

As for what I have done since Indy ball in America finished up at the end of August...

I enjoyed several trips to Ocean City, N.J., to spend time with my wonderful girlfriend. I also had the luxury to catch several good days of surf back home and put in a couple three to four hour sessions. The weather was good for the majority of my time home which meant family trips to the beach, relaxation, and a good suntan. I was able to keep physically fit with a monthly membership at West OC Fitness. As always in the fall, I became obsessed with the fantasy football buzz and found myself watching games, drinking beers, and tracking my fantasy teams all at the same time on Sunday afternoons. Luckily, I had a ton of great family times as well and enjoyed mom's home cooking several times a week. Being back home is always great and I cherish the quality time I can spend with my family and friends. It's those times I think the most about when I'm away.

And now for whats happening now in Australia....



I threw my first bullpen on Australian soil last night at training. I was a bit up in the zone with my fastball but was happy with my offspeed stuff. I forgot how handy those high seams can be on with my slider and curveball! I am scheduled for a few innings in relief on Sunday against Fitzroy before I make my first start next Tuesday against a much improved Blackburn squad.

There are a couple new things I have discovered in just the first few days that I have been here. First, the midweek training sessions have improved and are much more detailed. Everyone is getting their work in and I'm sure the situational drills will make for a much relaxed atmosphere once game time comes around. I've noted in previous blogs how important camaraderie is on a baseball team and I'm glad its such an important emphasis at Don Cornish Field. In just my first training session, I noticed that the jump was taken to another level as those that turned out for the session worked together even better than last year (impressive). I see a focused and determined team, thanks in part to the hard work of the coaches that have organized it.

I am coaching the Under-14 State team for Essendon. I start at the helm this Sunday. The team is already 2-0 and has picked up double-digit win against each of its first two opponents. This should make my job a little easier! I'm helping coordinate the T-Ball program at Essendon as well. They kids meet every Friday night at 5pm.



Essendon features a very experienced pitching rotation this year. There are three of us who have professional time on the staff and a few others who have pitched on the collegiate level in the United States. Also, there are several pitchers that have come up through the Essendon system and have made big strides in the off-season. The hitting lineup from last season returns just about everyone. The middle spot of the Bomber lineup returns as still being one of the most dangerous alleys to go down in all of Australian baseball.

God Bless.

Other key notes:

-I am now just over 10,000 words in my book that I began writing in periodically over the last year. Writing in this book has become very therapeutic for me and serves as a good vent. It's been written to detail my life before my near death experience in July of 2009, elaborate on what happened that night and the path of recovery I took, and the miracle I was blessed with when I was able to heal - both physically, emotionally and mentally. My next step is to contact a literary agent and hopefully give a strong enough pitch to have them sign me on. I plan to put short sections of what I've written in the book on this blog from time to time.

-It's funny how baseball works; particularly with making connections and networking. In a conversation that I was having today with the radio guy in El Paso, there is a total of nine former and current El Paso Diablos playing baseball in Australia at the time being. Of those nine, seven are playing in the premier league of the Vodafone Baseball League here in Melbourne. I guess saying that an Australian-El Paso pipeline has been established may be an understatement.

-The Australian dollar is on the rise. Last week, it had actually surpassed the American dollar at fractions of a point but has dropped recently to a few cents below the American. Currently, the Australian dollar is trading at 97.80 cents, down from 98.92 the day before. Experts predict this number should stay relatively the same for the near future.

-The American Association has added four new teams for the 2010-2011 in Fargo-Moorehead, Gary, Kansas City and Winnipeg. The inclusion of this quadruplet now gives the league a total of 14 teams, which makes it the largest independent baseball league in North America. Also, three division are now featured with five teams in the Central and Southern Division and four teams in North Division.

My Season Finale

There is no secrets in the matter that this past season was not one of my better years in baseball. It saw failures and growing pains, smiles and fist pumps. There was electric in the air and then there was a somber silence. But in the end of the race, that joy of overcoming what I have and being able to step back on the mound and suceed in that vary spot is enough for me.

As for the end of the season, it finished exactly how I wanted it.

I was handed the start in our home finale against Shreveport-Bossier, who had solified a berth into the playoffs with a first place finish in the first half. After overcoming some wildness to begin the game, I found my groove and settled down well. My final line was just one unearned across eight innings with four hits and five punchouts. We ended up dropping the contest, 2-0, but the loss didn't seem to sting all that much because I had that feeling again. Mmmmm Mmmmm...THAT feeling.

I've mentioned this certain type of emotion that I feel from time to time that only baseball seems to bring out in me. I really cannot seem to put my finger on exactly what it is but I can assure you it's good. It's that smile you get when you take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror after the game...the aura that overcomes you when you look around in the stands and know you've reached your childhood dream...even that emotion that sparks up under your skin when you sit in your chair and have to cover your face with your towel to hold back a childish smirk that you don't want anyone else to see.

It's the feeling of knowing you've done your job. The feeling that you've done well and put everything you have into it. The eerie feeling that you have lived to overcome a tragic accident, recovered, got back up and fell again, and somehow managed to make it across the finish line.


In a nut shell, those goosebumps that I felt on my skin proceeding our home finale as I watched the fireworks blossom underneath that El Paso sky were ones that came from the roller coaster I'd been down this past year.

I saw the good: Throwing three scoreless innings in my return at Pensacola, picking up my first professional save in front of a packed house, and high-fiving fans after coming in with the bases-loaded and no outs and stopping the Pelicans rally in our walk off win in August.

I saw the bad: Watching that grand slam I'd given up in the season opener sail over the fence, kicking the bullpen fence in frustration after losing to Ft. Worth, and the pictures of the intense meltdown I had following my third start in Sioux Falls.

and the ugly: My visions after being placed on the inactive list and looking out of the window on my plane ride home; hating baseball so much that I thought I would never return to the game.


The final thoughts were really the ones that did it the most for me. The ones that brought a beaming smile to my face. After being able to overcome what I have and fight through the adversity that I have faced only to return again, is enough for me. Baseball brings out that feeling and I'm starting to get those little feelings again. Those oh-so thankful, you better not try and take it away from me feelings again.

I'm one blessed kid - thats for sure.

Goodbye 2010 season. Thank you for the memories.

God Bless.

August 13th Magic

In the world we live in today, there are so many days throughout the calendar year where one can sit down and reminisce about what happened on which particular day. These days often feature a tragic event that has happened, a historic battle that occurred, or the birthday of someone famous. These days, which are often translated into national holidays, can be remembered for the exact date they occurred on years before.

I think the same can go for events that happened in your personal life. There are a few memorable instances that have been seen in my past and I will never forget the dates on which they occurred. This takes me to the reason for this post.

August 13th.

I go back ten years ago on a hot, humid day on August 13th, 2000. I'm 13 years old and only three months away from my next birthday. I had recently wrapped up my baseball from the summer and was gearing up for another football season with Berlin Pop Warner Football.

Being the active kid that I am, I was running around the neighborhood that day with a few of the local kids. Our neighborhood games consisted of all types of activities: backyard baseball, video games, capture the flag, etc. This day consisted of tennis and a few of us were going to play down the street.

I had been running in and out of the house all day and my dad was really getting annoyed with it. I kept leaving the door open and with the cost of air conditioning, my dad had to keep going to shut the door. On the last time I ran out of the house, I took what I needed and headed down the street. I then realized I had forgotten the balls and headed back in. My head was down and I charged back into the house. I looked up...only to see a four pane glass window directly in my way.

My hand reached to stop the door.

What happened next was a pool of blood, screams of terror, and shattered glass everywhere. My arm had been lacerated by the glass and my right forearm had been torn open nearly to the bone.

My parents remained calm as best as they could and made the call with 911 to have an ambulance sent to the house. A short time later, the ambulance arrived and took me to Atlantic General Hospital to be evaluated. I was told that the cut was severely deep and that they could not handle me there. They then sent me to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where I was looked at and seen by Dr. Vincent Perotta. They saw that my cut was millimeters away from the central artery and by the grace of God, I had missed many other vital areas. I had still severed several tendons. I would immediately go into surgery and after 50 stitches to my forearm, the healing process would begin.

I never realized until later how lucky I was. I had nearly lost my right arm and although I faced a few months of rehabilitation, I fully recovered.

Fast forward to the present and it's exactly ten years later. I find myself in the sixth inning of a 4-4 tie featuring El Paso against Pensacola at Cohen Stadium. The bases are loaded with no outs and I'm called out of the bullpen and into the contest. The first batter grounds out innocently to our shortstop before the following hitter swings into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. The crowd, which was nearly 7,000 strong, erupted in excitement.

I would go on to throw two more innings of shutout baseball and our 13-game losing streak would finally come to an end. It was the first win since I was injured on July 2, 2009.

My first win of the year on the day where I almost lost my arm 10 years earlier. My how God works in strange way.....

God Bless.

Free Falling in West Texas

We've been going through a pretty rough stretch out here in El Paso lately. The recent losses cannot be attributed to one particular aspect of the team but rather, the entire team itself. I noted in an earlier post that we were losing games because we couldn't put everything together when it mattered the most.

Well, now, we can't seem to put anything together.

The team is out of playoff contention but we still have things to play for. We are now playing for the love of the game. Regardless of the circumstance, I have never laid down to my competition. I've never given up in any aspect of the game and even though we are double-digit games back with less than three weeks left, there is still something to play for.

Pride.

Pride for yourself, your team, your city, your baseball career, your fans, etc.

If you look at the box score from last night's game against Grand Prairie, you would assume the El Paso Diablos have given up on the 2010 summer. It was one of the roughest games I have ever been apart of as a player or a fan. The drubbing was harsh to say the least.

This particular loss brings me back to a memory I have of the 2008 season. In my first game with El Paso, we took one off the chin in the season opener. The margin of victory of our opposition was much more and the crowd gave it to us a little worse than what was heard last night. There is some irony to this beat down as the following night we responded with a punch of our own...in the form of an 11 run victory over Shreveport.

I'm sensing a big game tonight for El Paso. To be honest, maybe a brutal loss like that was just what we needed for us to open up our eyes and our hearts.

God Bless.

NYSL Hall of Fame Inductee

I'm pleased to announce that I have recently been honored as a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame Class of the New York State League. This is my second award with the league as last summer I was honored with the 2009 NYSL Courage Award.

The NY State League was where I began my professional career. After I went undrafted following my senior year of college, I went to three different professional tryouts and was cut from each one. The NYSL then offered a tryout in Utica, NY and I was one of the first players to be signed from that particular tryout. I remember signing that contract and feeling like I was on top of the world. My dream of playing professional baseball had now become a reality.

The league was a jumpstart for getting into the Can-Am League with the New Haven Cutters and then with El Paso in the American Association. I'll never forget my days in that league and how I was given the opportunity to bridge my career from college to the professional ranks. I will be forever grateful of league commissioner, Jay Acton, for giving me that chance.

You can view the release here.

God Bless.

Superstitions in Baseball

As much as I don't like to admit it, I fall under the category of being a "superstitious" player. Baseball is a game of skill and chance but I don't think extraneous measures always need to be performed to change your luck. That being said, I'm a firm believer that some people are destined for different kinds of success and that one can create their own luck.

Here is a small list of my superstitions with baseball.

1. I never spit during the National Anthem. In college, I had a coach preach respect during the national anthem and that was one of his pep peeves. If I'm chewing gum or eating sunflower seeds, I'll hold them until the Anthem is over.

2. I like to talk to my dad before starts. It's something I've always done and although its just a good luck conversation or "try this"..I've been successful talking with him pre-game. It's a little different out of the bullpen because I don't know which game I will throw in.

3. If our team is scoring runs and I'm in the dugout, I won't change where I am at until we get an out. Silly superstition of having to remain in the same spot but it is seen all across the board.

4. I used to walk a complete circle around the mound before I started an inning and would them look up to the sky and say a prayer. I don't really do this as much anymore because my prayers are on a much more private level these days.

5. Depending on how well I am pitching, I try and keep the same cleats. If I'm struggling, the first thing I'll change is my cleats. For example, after I struggled earlier this season...I exchanged my Mizuno low tops for a pair of Nike Clippers.

Closers Role and Winning Streaks

Just two weeks ago, the El Paso Diablos looked like a team thirsty to finish off the season anyway it could. Winning didn't seem to matter anymore and no matter how well one facet of the team was doing, another was costing the team a victory. It seemed that no matter how well we played, we could not muster a victory in the end.

Well, things have changed in the Sun City.

Call it having a good time or just playing the game the right way but the team has really turned things around. The lineup has come alive and a revamped pitching staff has come up big time and time again. At one point last week, we had won four consecutive contests, which marked a season-high for the club. The falters in the late innings that seemed so common just a few weeks ago have not been seen and confidence is brimming from everyone in association with the team.

On a personal note, I was named the closer for the Diablos just before our series in Shreveport last Monday. In the mean time, I have chalked up two saves in two opportunities and have put out the fire in several critical situations. I was originally unsure about this role but have accepted it and am very comfortable being in it. Closing definitely calls for a different mindset, which I love.

My work on the pitchers mound has been so much more productive since I came off of the IL at the beginning of July. I've pitched on six different occasions (all out of the bullpen) and have thrown scoreless outings in five of them. Across the 11 innings I have thrown so far since coming off the IL, only two walks and seven hits have been yielded. I'm documenting these statistics on here only because it finally feels good to post good numbers after the landslide I was on at the beginning of the year. Although I'm a firm believer that numbers don't necessarily speak everything about a pitcher, it does make you smile to look back after putting up good numbers...especially after everything I've been through this past year.

I mentioned in previous posts that baseball does not define me as a person. At one point in my life, I really thought that baseball was my number one priority in every aspect of life. My Christian values, family, and friends always seemed to take a backseat to the game I loved so much. Baseball still is a huge part of my life but because it's not taking over my life like it had previously, I have understood how important it is to have a balanced lifestyle.

I think that my new outlook on baseball (and life in general) is much like the way a lot of my teammates have changed their play as well. The atmosphere around the clubhouse isn't one of pressing anymore but rather a team filled with the energy and confidence it needs to succeed. The pre-game and post-game danceoffs have turned to be pretty comical and has really loosened up the mood.

As previously stated, this new Diablos team is one that is moving in the right direction. El Paso stands eight games back from Pensacola in the standings but with the Pelicans sliding and us one the move...a race to the finish could be seen. Let's hope we can build on tonight's 15-0 thrashing of Grand Prairie.

I'd like to conclude this post with a pair of quotes from the mouth of legendary basketball coach, John Wooden. Wooden, who passed away recently, offered some of the most inspirational words I have ever heard. His legacy, much like Jimmy Valvano, will last forever in my heart.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."

"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

God Bless.

The Room of Second Chance

We have arrived safely in Shreveport, Louisiana after an eight hour bus ride. The weather is hot, humid, and sunny.

This post may be written from a little different stance than I'm used to writing but I must speak of a certain encounter I had recently. This meeting is something that can hold meaning to anyone of our lives...young or old, hopeless or hopeful. I think everyone can learn a little bit from El Paso's newest rookie, 34-year old Barry Fowler.

Yes, he is my roommate on the road. Yes, he is 34-years old (a full ten years older than me). And yes, he actually is a rookie.

Barry pitched four years at the University of Georgia in his college years and carried a respectable track record throughout his amateur play. He claims that his biggest accomplishment on the baseball field is defeating Mark Prior in a USC-Georgia showdown. This accomplishment is worthy in the eyes of many but I believe his biggest accomplishment has just occurred.

Barry's last pitch in college was thrown in 1999. Upon viewing the time between then and now...little offers about Barry's whereabouts. There is one answer though - he did not journey into the world of professional baseball...until now.

Its 2010 and one can only ask, "What in the world has he been doing the past ten years?!"

A few personal matters kept Barry away from baseball over the ten years but did not stop his love for the game of baseball. This game, although tough and unjust at times, kept him going and he knew somewhere, someday he was going to return.

After a brief experience with a team in the (now defunct) South Coast League, Barry worked out with several teams but was unsuccessful in joining their game-day rosters. He spent spring training in 2010 with the Pensacola Pelicans before joining the Desert Valley Mountain Lions of the CBL. His hard work and determination finally paid off through a short time later as he worked out with the Diablos last week and was signed to his first true professional contract.

In the world we live in today, wanting a second chance at something you love and actually going out and getting it are two big differences. We tend to want things to come our way and instead of going out and grabbing the bull by the horns, expect things to fall into our lap. This has never been my method of going about life and after meeting Barry, this is not his either.

His courageous journey back to baseball after ten years away can hold purpose in every one of our lives. It shows one standing up for their dreams in the face of adversity and proving that age should never really be a factor. Some walk away from what they love at an early age and whether that love is sports, art, or significant others, Barry has proven it's never actually too late to go back.

Cheers to you, Barry.

I really feel that being roommates with Barry in Pensacola was not a mistake. It was the room where two people from two different parts of the world and two different walks of life sharing conversation about two similar points: the love for baseball and a second redemption at it. God made that happen.

Thus, the room of second chance.

God Bless.

Back to the grind: Road trippin' to Pensacola

As I find myself on the third day of this Southeastern roadtrip, I find myself looking back at how much of a metamorphasis I have undergone over the past four weeks.

Baseball is fun again. I've found that love, that passion for the game.

I'm coming to the ballpark with a little kick in my step, a fresh arm and most importantly, a smile. The atmosphere is free and easy...almost like it was when I was that care free 10-year old little league shortstop.



I don't know if falling out of love with baseball is the exact diagnosis of what happened earlier this season because I never felt that I lost my passion for the game. I think, in laymans terms, my biggest problem was putting too much pressure on myself. I was trying so much harder than I needed as I was trying to prove to others that I was fully past this injury. As with all the goods and negatives in life, the past is the past and only so much emphasis should be placed upon it. I will never forget what happened last July but now understand that nothing can ever change what happened that night and its time to take what I've learned and move forward. I understand that many look towards my journey back to baseball as an inspiration but the reason why I came back in the first place was because I couldn't ever imagine myself away from the game. I loved it too much to ever want to leave it.

Somewhere along my journey, I lost my way. With a little fun back in Maryland, a few Phillies games, and a serious sun tan...that path has begun to straigten out.

Special thanks to TC (Tony Cornish) from Essendon Baseball Club, who I had the chance to catch up with in Philadelphia and share a great conversation about life with last week. Cheers to you mate!



I have been relegated to pitching in the bullpen to begin the second half with the Diablos. I think this is a good beginning step for me and I'm pretty excited about the opportunity ahead. In last night's game, I got up to throw in the late innings of a 2-1 game but did not get in. The juices were flowing, intensity was up, and nerves were harnassed.

What a perfect feeling.

I've spoken of a few things that I've learned throughout this process but one of the freshest is to "seize the day" or "carpe diem" if you will (thanks Dad). It's a pretty cliche saying and I often find it being overused but it really stands true when you're trying to achieve a goal.

One day at a time, one pitch at a time. Whether the goal for me is pitching in the big leagues, throwing consistant sink to both sides of the plate, or just happiness in general...living for the moment makes everything much more powerful.



Nobody can really predict what the future has to hold and as much as I'd like to be able to know what I have ahead of me in the next little while, I can't. I can promise you one thing though...win or lose, good outing or bad outing, I'm going to enjoy this game just like I did when I was a kid. The highs are not going to be too high and the lows are not going to be too low.

To conclude this post, I'm going to leave you with a exerpt from an article I wrote for SU Magazine this past spring:

"I reflected on the dreams that I had as young child.
The dream to be a big league baseball player took root
when I was four years old in the backyard of an apartment
complex on Eighth Street in my hometown of Ocean City,
MD. It was the dreams I had as a child that helped propel
me through my days with Berlin Little League and into
Stephen Decatur High School. These dreams helped define
me in my freshman year at Guilford College and through
the trials and tribulations I faced at Virginia Wesleyan
College. It was these very dreams that I hung onto as I was
cut from three different tryouts following college.
As I thought about those days this past August, I
remember smiling and thinking to myself, it’s time to get
back to business. It wasn’t time to give up."

God Bless.

My Pursuit of Happiness

As of June 2nd, I would like to inform everyone that I have taken a personal leave of absence from baseball. The Diablos have placed me on the Inactive List and I have returned home to Ocean City, Md., to hopefully discover who I am as both a baseball player and person.

My time in El Paso so far this season has been quite frustrating and many of the problems that I experienced have been bred from issues outside of the game. I am home now and will be spending the next couple weeks pursuing what makes me happy in life. I have plans to visit the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore and the Holly Center of Salisbury to hopefully find the positives in life instead of the negatives. In case you are not familiar with these homes, they are places where children with terminal illnesses live. They are also the homes of paraplegics, quadriplegics, people with mental retardation, etc. I plan to spend time speaking with the patients and hopefully we can learn a little bit about each other.

I feel that my return to baseball will happen when I can get away from the "what if?" and the "why?" questions stemming from my injury. I think once this happens, I can find happiness in my life again. A life of positives will translate into a better and healthier baseball career for me as well. I think that if I can find happiness amidst all of this, I can come out of this rut stronger than ever before.

Baseball is not over, don't worry. This time is just a personal hiatus and I feel that some time away will do me well.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at dwhigham22@yahoo.com. I will be sure to answer any questions that you may have.
God Bless.

Cloudy May Experiences

The 2010 season has not started off with fireworks as I had originally envisioned but everything is okay and I'm continuing to work hard. This young season has proven to be extremely frustrating for not just myself but for the team as well. We are on quite a skid right now and are hoping that a return home will turn around the direction of this team.

At the present, I find myself in the terminal of the Kansas City International Airport after two weeks on road in Louisiana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Its 5:45 am local time and the plane does not leave for another couple hours.

I would like to update you on my personal endeavors over the past few weeks.

My first start was just over two weeks ago against Sioux City at home. I cannot remember ever having a start where I was so nervous, which proved to be detrimental to my overall results. The end result of the game was the largest number of runs I had given up in my professional career and the shortest outing (I believe) in my three years with El Paso. As you may believe, it was quite a let down and I found myself reeling after the game. Rest assured, I bounced back.

The fifth starter was skipped to begin the first stretch of games so my position as the third starter landed me a start right on schedule. For those of you who may not know what this means, a normal pitching rotation features starters to throw every fifth day. I came into my second outing determined to prove that I was still the starter that was a 2009 All-Star. The nerves were much less and I felt much more comfortable. I went into the seventh inning and allowed only two runs to come across before I was taken out with a 5-2 lead. We ended up dropping the contest but it was a great introduction back to success.

After a series in Shreveport, La., we headed north to Sioux Falls, S.D., for a three-game series against the league leaders. I was slated to throw the second game of the series against the Pheasants and came out of the gates strong. A quick 1-2-3 inning was exactly what I wanted to start off the game. A two-run homerun in the second and a few runs in the fifth and sixth would chase me after six innings of work. I buried my head into my locker that night wondering what in the world happened to me. I sat around long after the game trying to figure out what I was doing wrong.

The answer was simple.

Man up. What happened happened and there is nothing that can change that.

I went back to look at the chart the next day and there lay in front of my eyes my biggest problem. Out of the 29 batters I faced that night, I threw 26 of those batters first pitch strikes. Of the 26 first pitch strikes that I threw, 19 of those were swung at by the opposition. I was pitching to a trend and that is a problem. Hitters knew I was flooding the zone early and capitalized on this tell. I'm understanding this game of baseball better each day and I'm learning more as I play.

Throughout my entire experience, I've learned that the past never needs to be forgotten as it can be a tool of great drive. Let's take that drive and use it to attain the results that I've worked so hard to achieve.

My next start is in two days (June 1st) against Shreveport at 7:05 pm at Cohen Stadium. If you want, you can listen live at www.diablos.com.

God Bless.

Returning to Cohen Stadium

Two sessions of seeing live hitters has already passed me by and that time of making my season debut is quickly coming up...

I'd like to share with you what was going through my head on that first day of seeing live hitters (Wednesday, March 6th) at Cohen Stadium again. I stepped on the hill that day and everything felt fine. I felt overwhelmingly comfortable and fresh.

The mound felt the same, the slope looked the same and so did the pitching rubber and the trajectory towards home plate. My arm felt good and the landing was still soft. I was still carving up hitters. Nothing seemed to feel any different. The outing marked my third year in spring training with El Paso. I was back at Cohen Stadium again

Back to the place where it all began.

We opened up our exhibition schedule on May 8th with a big win over the Military All-Star team. The pre-game festivities saw each team come together before the game and partake in a ceremony that beautified the life of a fallen solider. The fallen solider's family was on hand and we all had the chance to watch a video of remembrance of him. It was an emotional day for sure. By the end of the night, we had claimed an 18-4 victory.

Our second (and final) exhibition game was played last night as we fell to the Sioux City Explorers by a minimal margin. The game was a tuneup for Thursday night's season opener in which D.J. Mattox will take the mound for the Diablos.

I'm set to start Saturday night's game. Saturday nights always seem to draw a nice crowd and I'm super pumped because I think a few more may be on hand to witness my return to Cohen Stadium. I would like to get up to University Medical Center before Saturday to see the crew of doctors that did my surgery last July.

Everytime I slip away from reminding myself how lucky I am to be where I am today, I seem to have something come into my life to put me back on track again. It brings me back to my feet and gives me strength.

I'll leave you with a quote that was spoken yesterday from our team doctor to our trainer, "David Whigham's case is a miracle. There are some times in the medical world where you can't explain how someone can come back from something so tragic. His recovery is definitely a miracle."

God Bless.

Anticipation, Appreciation, and Remembrance

As I write today, I find myself on board the long-awaited flight to El Paso. It’s about halfway into the flight and I’m guessing that we are somewhere just before East Texas. This flight, unlike any of the six I’ve had in the past eight months, seems and feels a little different.

It really brings me back to a moment that I had months ago. I’ll never forget that day for as long as I live.

On that late August day, I remember looking out the window of the airplane just after takeoff and being so thrilled that I was finally going home again. When I sat in that ICU bed, I never really knew when I was ever going to be back home. I've got a new sense for that "home" feeling as I never truly knew how important being home is until it was threatened. It is often quoted, "Home is where the heart is"

The feeling that was inside of me, as I peered down the mountaintops on my connector flight to Denver, was very ecstatic. I felt the comfort and warmth of a greater being as I was not in this battle alone. I've been safe hands the entire time.

It’s been nine months and with each passing day, I find myself feeling more gracious and thankful for coming out okay.

I tallied just about 70 innings altogether in Australia and feel more than ready to start this new season. I learned many things in both life and on the mound with Essendon and I'm sure that it will be fun to incorporate them into my world in El Paso. I’m excited about the opportunity that lies ahead and for people to bear witness to this miracle.

The Diablos are calling for a team meeting tomorrow to go over some minor business before camp opens on Saturday morning. I’ve got a pretty packed schedule with community events over the next couple weeks as I’m planning on heading to Ft. Bliss, Thomason Hospital, a few local schools, and maybe a little league or two.

Another chapter in my life looms ahead. Let’s see if we can’t make this one the best one yet.

God Bless

2010 Bells Beach Pro (Slideshow)

Click on the above picture to view a slideshow that I have created via Photobucket. At Photobucket, you can also see pictures from my entire experience in Australia. What a blessed opportunity that I was given...please view the following Photobucket page to get an inside view into the life I lived from December 2009 - April 2010.

God Bless.

Easter Festivities

Happy Easter everyone!

I'm about to head off to church here in a little at the Anglesea Baptist Church. I came down to the beach two days ago with an Essendon teammate and his girlfriend to join our club president at his beach house in Anglesea. I had the chance to check out the Ripcurl Bells Beach Pro (Stop #2 on the Pro Tour) yesterday and was able to watch some of the world's best surfers in Kelly Slater (USA), Parko (Aus), Adriana De Sousa (BRZ) , Mick Fanning (Aus)...etc. I was very impressed with young sensation Gabriel Medina, as the Brazilian connected on a couple killer rights at Rincon. We came up to the beach just as the women's final was beginning. Steph Gilmore (Aus) took home top honors with a thrashing of Sofia Milanovich in the finals.

For those of you who were not able to watch Game Three of the Grand Final Series between Essendon and Waverley. Thanks Gary O'Brien for this video and others you have done throughout the season.

Back to the US in eight days

Grand Final shots vs. Waverley at Altona

A common "Aussie" phrase can speak of Essendon's position at the time being.

No worries.

Bob Marley sings it just right in his son "Three little birds", "dont worry...about a thing...cause every little thing is gonna be alright" A music genius, Marley lived the life of "no worries" as stressing about the little things was something he never did. I've always been a fan of his music because in a world where lyrical sludge is so common, he rises above with powerful words and meaningful messages.

We head into today's match with Waverley down 1-0 in the series as our counterpart escaped with a narrow win this past Wednesday. In the seventh, Essendon posted a 2-0 lead and I was in complete control but a few hours later, the score would change dramatically as we fell 10-9. There is not much worry (or pressing) around the Bomber locker room for today's crucial game.

I have decided to change my travel plans. My itinerary back to the US has changed from March 31st to April 11th. I am in the process of extending my visa and re-booking my flights. This will give me more time to travel - which I completely plan on doing! This being said, I am very excited about coming home and catching up with family and friends back in the states in just a few weeks. I miss you all dearly.

I have posted a few shots from last Wednesday's Grand Final game against Waverley. The photos are courtesy of Russ Edwards and Hannah Olson.


My boys in the bullpen...Kingy keeping them ready for action!

Don't. Ever. Give. Up.

Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY speech.

One of the most moving and thoughtful speeches that I have had the opportunity to listen to. Jimmy V's words reach out to any type of human being as he gives the world hope in dark times. This was the last ESPY he would receive but his words will forever last in my heart.

Don't give up, don't ever give up.

Let the good times roll

By the time its said and done, my trip to Australia will have lasted just over 15 weeks. Although the past 12 weeks have been quite an amazing experience, the next two weeks represent one of the pivital reasons why I've traveled across the world.

It's Grand Final time.

In American terms, its championship time. Essendon is going to the "ship".

In the ones, we claimed the minor premeirship this weekend with a win and Waverley loss. The result was a top seed in the playoffs, a meeting with Geelong, and another showdown at Altona this Wednesday night. This will mark the fifth consecutive start - and week - that I've started a game at Altona. Each start has been against a different opponent with each start having better results.

I've had some inquiries recently about how much I've grown as a pitcher in my time out here. My velocity is definately on the rise and I feel like I'm throwing harder now than I have in my entire life. I cant seem to put a single head on the nail in regards to this but my guess has been my bullpen routines, long toss, and increased stretching time. There is no doubt that my muscles tightened up significantly in the initial wake of this injury but with more stretching, I feel much looser and fluent. I'm throwing five pitches now and I have confidence in each.

Essendon' seconds are moving their way to the GF after holding off Geelong today, 8-7. There is one thing I would like to comment on in reference to my experience with the first and seconds.

This team represents quite a melting pot of age, experience, and talent but I've got to tell you...this is one of the most enjoyable teams I've ever had the chance to play with. These guys are quite the characters but know how to get the job done on the field. I've been playing this game for awhile and I've learned such a combination speaks dividends to championship teams.

For those of you who have followed me since my Little League days, this tight-knit group and degree of comraderie stands alongside a pair of outstanding teams that I had the luxury of playing with. I can remember those times in the summer of '04 with Post 64 Legion and in the summer of '06 with the Monroe Channelcats. Two great teams that I will never forget. These teams were probably the most successful teams I have ever played for. There is one glaring similarity between these two teams and I'm hoping the third time through may have a different result at the end of the year. We never won a premiership.

Its time to bring that premiership back to Essendon.

God Bless.

Essendon vs. Sandringham

This game saw me fall just 5 outs shy from my first ever no-hitter (well, since Little League). In the game, I fanned 11 Royal hitters as I carried the no-no into the 8th inning. This game was played on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 and was the first of a twin bill at Melbourne Ball Park in Altona, Victoria. With the win, Essendon solidifies second spot in the playoffs and has the chance to claim the top-seed if Waverly falls at Sandringham this weekend.

The review of the contest can be found here

Some Oz to American translation

seppo - American
wog - Italian
misses - girlfriend
birds - pretty women
brecky - breakfast
mince - hamburger meat
tea time - dinner
tassie - Tasmanian
Kiwi - New Zealander
Mary - native of NZ
pot - glass of beer
jug - pitcher of beer
barbie - BBQ
thongs - flip flops
heaps of roos - kangaroos everywhere
dig - inning in baseball
gun - pitching ace of the team
thorpedo - ian thorpe's nickname (famous Ozz swimmer)
hairy nipple - triple
take a whack - big swing
pissed - drunk

March 1st: Baseball is surely in the air

Its now March 1st...which is an important day in regards to a number of things. For starters, today represents the first day of training and tryouts in the US when I was growing up. It's kind of crazy that I've wound up on the other side of the world from the place where I spent so much time on the diamond as a kid. It's kind of amazing when I think of being here, in Australia, when just years ago I never had any inclination of playing baseball outside of the US. My decision was definately for the better as I've made friends that will last a lifetime and been introduced to a culture that has made its mark forever in my heart.

Today also represents the first day of the final month of my three month vacation in Oz. As I reflect upon my first few days here in Australia, I can only think about how uncertain I was with just about everything. There were so many things that went through my mind in those initial days and I'd like to share with you a couple of those items.

I never knew how I was going to react on the mound again actually. After plenty of bullpen sessions, I figured I'd be ready to go again but facing live hitters again I knew was going to be a challenge. Traveling to a foreign country all by myself and not knowing hardly anyone, living with complete strangers (who've turned out to be friends that will last a lifetime), and having to navigate around by myself were all items thrown at me from the beginning. The toughest of all was rather the last: having to live up to the expectations of a club that is thirsty for a premiership victory. The process of bringing over an American is no easy or cheap task. It involves much hardwork, diligence, and patience.

I feel very fortunate to have landed on this Essendon squad as I am truly having the time of my life out here. The players on the team, coaches, and supporters of the club have all been great. Everytime I walk around the Bombers' facility, there is always a sense of warmth and an overwhelming feeling of being welcome. Although I'm an American, it means close to nothing as I am now "one of the boys". I spoke before of how excited I was to be able to experience that "I'm back feeling again" but I don't really know that feeling really could have ever come back if not for the support of the Bomber faithful.

SInce my last post, I've thrown 10 innings. These innings were spread out over two starts with six innings of those being thrown at Melbourne Ball Park against Waverely where I fanned seven and held the Wildcats to just two hits over six innings. Ross Hipke closed out the game in the seventh as the game was called shortly after. The following Thursday, I squared off in the late game against Malvern and went four innings while giving up one run and fanning three. Both of my starts helped propel the team to victories as we have not lost a game since our first game of the new year.

So far in the firsts this year, I have thrown just about 20 innings while striking out 29 and giving up just 10 hits. My ERA stands at 1.85. My outings are getting better each time and I feel more dialed in with every passing appearance. The team is playing well in all facets of the game and we've picked up some great wins as of late. I'm scheduled to throw in the teams next game this Wednesday (vs. Blackburn @ Melbourne Ball Park, 6:30 pm) and hope that the string of good outings continue to come my way.

I'm looking forward to sharing my beers of choice (Boags Draught and VB) with some teammates following a win this Wednesday. I plan on bringing a few of these back to the US in just a couple of weeks. We'll tip a couple back to not only celebrate a victory of my time in Australia but for the exciting opportunities I have in the future to come.

Also,
-You can click here for the Baseball Victoria website or you can try this one for the Essendon Bomber page.
-My statistics can be retrieved from this location.

God Bless.

Essendon vs. Waverley

Essendon defeats Waverly 3-2...This is game was played at Melbourne Ball Park in Altona, Victoria and pitted the top two teams of the Victorian Baseball League against one another. The game was played on Wednesday, February 18th, 2010.

EBC Love

It is five hours shy of my first real test in Australia. I am slated to start tonight's game against the VBL's first place squad, Waverley. The match is even more important as my counterpart is former El Paso Diablos teammate, Adam Blackley. This is an appearance that I've looked forward to since before I even came here.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the past couple weeks Down Under. My girlfriend, Katie, was in town from Feb. 5th - February 17th and the vacation was one I will never forget. There was so much accomplished during that short time...visits to the Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, Lorne, St. Kilda, Melbourne Zoo, Crowne Casino, etc. It was a great 12 days for sure! Although she left yesterday, she made impressions on my new family out here that will surely last a lifetime.

As for baseball, I've really come on strong. In my last post, I spoke of how things have finally come together and how excited I am about seeing results for it. This past Sunday I threw again - this time for 2 2/3 innings for four strikeouts, no hits, no walks, and no runs. My control has gotten better as has my confidence and strength (mentally and physically). I'm feeling good and now know I'm the guy that is going to help bring a Grand Final championship back to Essendon. Go Bombers!

God Bless.

It's all starting to come together

There are so many slogans and phrases that I have heard in my life in regards to good things happening to good people. I've heard everything from "if you love it, you'll certainly fight for it" or "what goes around comes around".

What is my favorite you ask? It's pretty simple especially after the life lessons I've learned these past couple months.

"Good things come to those who wait."

I've tried to paint a pretty picture for everyone about baseball so far out here for me. The results and statistics have looked pretty solid there is no question there. But in relation to my mechanics, rhythm, and comfort level...not much good has been able to be spoken of. I've struggled these past few weeks to get back to where I was before I was injured. I've tried drills after drills, worked on sinker after sinker, and broken down my mechanics time after time. The end result was more time in the gym and extra repetitions on the bullpen mounds.

And yesterday afternoon, it all came together again. That magic of being dominant was back. My comfort level was elevated and I felt like I was on top of the world.

In yesterday's win over Cheltenham at Essendon Baseball Park, I punched out 12 opposing hitters and limited them to just two hits in six innings. The end result was my first win in the VBL and an overwhelming feeling of...I'm back again. "I'm back" means much more than you could ever understand. As I sat on the bench after a long day's work yesterday, I tried to take it all in. Tears came to my eyes and a smile beamed from my face.

I love this game. My hardwork has paid off and now I have results to show for it.

God Bless.

The Comeback Is Officially Under Way - 2010 Baseball Season Begins

The season - and my comeback - is fully underway! As a write to you today, I have thrown a total of eight innings so far and have yielded just one earned run. I've had three total appearances, two of which were with the second tier and the other being a start with the Division I squad.

I've thrown in three games over the past 10 days. The team is trying to get me completely back in shape before they begin to lengthen out my starts. I've felt more and more comfortable with each appearance.

My first appearance and start was on the road at Newport. The guys warned me beforehand that the field would be a little different than what I was used to back in the US. The bullpen featured a five foot rubber mat underneath of the pitching rubber - which was extremely slippery and uncomfortable to throw on. The field conditions, although poor, were something that I had to get over. I threw two full innings on the day and picked up the win with four strikeouts and one hit. I never fully felt comfortable on the mound as my mechanics felt everywhere and I just didn't have that great of a feel on the ball. This was something that was expected and it was just my first real outing.

Three days later I received the start against Newport's Division I squad. This outing was much better as a threw three innings and did not allow an earned run. I ended up with four strikeouts and gave up a pair of hits. My mechanics still did not flow the way that I wanted them too but again, I'm still a work in progress. I want immediate results but understand there is still a period where I need to take it one step at a time. In this second start, I had glimpes of where I felt fully back to where I was this past summer. Late in the game I was boom-boom-boom, hitting my spots with sink to both sides of the plate.

I had my last appearance on Sunday with the seconds. I came out of the bullpen to throw three innings and again, no earned runs. This was the best I have felt yet as I was hitting my spots with total consistency. I had much more downward action on the ball as well. After looking at some photos of my previous outings, I saw some minor things that I was doing wrong. My dad helped me pick out a couple of others as well. The main problem lied in one small thing - eyes. I had been pulling my head off just before I released the ball. This caused my eyes to shift direction and the ball was being released in a completely different spot than what I thought. I saw this and now am not taking my eye off the glove from when I toe the rubber to after I release the ball. The concept is pretty elementary and almost funny as something so small as this was the reason for some inconsistency.

One thing I'd like to add is the only hit that I gave up this past weekend was a rocket up the middle. It was the first really hard hit ball hit back at me since the one I was faced with on July 2nd. It was weird because I never thought twice about the ball being hit back at me until someone in the dugout mentioned it. Just a further indication that I'm not afraid of the ball. To those who told me that I would be timid once a ball was hit back at me for the first time, thanks but no thanks. You're wrong.

I'm heading to the beach tommorow with my roomate and hopefully I can get a little sun. We play at Doncaster on Thursday and I'm looking to get some mid-relief time. I will throw then and this Sunday in minor appearances before starting to go deep into games the next week. At that point, I'll be fully ready to go seven strong. It's a work in progress and I understand that...but hey, its only January right? I'm playing baseball in amazing weather, with a bunch of great people, and continuing the journey to my dream. What a great life!

God Bless.

A life full of miracles

Albert Einstein once wrote, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

When you think about this quote...what does this mean to you?

Do you feel as if your life is a miracle? Are there events in your life that you know could not have happened without a superior being taking control?

I live a life full of miracles.

Everything that I do anymore feels like a miracle. There have been so many things that have happened to me recently that have further inked this belief into my soul. It is though amazing, almost undescribable moments that have made me realize how much God loves us. It is those

days of being comfortable and enjoying the company of loved ones that shows me how much God cares for me.

I remember getting up for an early run two weekends ago when I was at Anglesea, a beach just an hour south of Melbourne. As I jumped off a soil rooted trail and landed onto the beach, I vividly remember being so taken back from the landscape that surrounded me in all directions. Goosebumps ran all over my body as I looked to my left and saw a beautiful sun shining brightly, lying just above a sparkling ocean line. I looked to my right and saw a giant rocky bluff spanning the entire beach. Directly in front, I saw a series small waves softly breaking on the seashore. It took my breath away and I remember stopping right there in my tracks, thanking the Lord for letting me be apart of something so beautiful. Everything that led me to that moment was a miracle and being in that moment was a piece of God's plan for me.

God has a plan for all of us. Whether any of us really knows what that plan is another thing. But in the meantime, sit back and enjoy a life full of miracles. The very last breath that we took is a miracle. A miracle that was given to us to experience other miracles.

"What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27.

It keeps getting better!

G'day!

The past little while has seen excursions to the beach, visits to downtown Melbourne, and much time spent around the baseball field. I have also had a chance to catch up with some great people involved with a Christian church in Melbourne. I cannot be thankful enough to meet up with Christians in the land of down under. It was something that I hoping to find and thanks to a good friend from the states - Matt Hamaker - I have been able to do this. Matt was a good friend from Virginia Wesleyan who studied abroad in Melbourne for the past few months before leaving days just before I arrived on December 30th. Thanks Matt for steering me in the right direction!

The beaches down here really are amazing. I went to Torquay Beach with a friend from the team and saw some amazing sights. The formation of the rocks on the beach is unlike anything I have ever seen in the states...something completely new and unusual. I had a chance to witness a huge brawl on the beach (out of control!) and ate some fish and chips on the way back. Chips are not what we think they are in the states as "chips" are the name for french fries here instead of "potato chips". Weird, I know.

The team has hooked me up with a sweet set of wheels out here. It's crazy how things have worked out that I am here in Australia and now have the car that I have always dreamed of getting. As many of you know, the Lexus Rx330 was the car I had always wanted. Guess what car the team has given me to drive out here? Lexus Rx330!

As for baseball, I think that I have finally found my sinker again. I was really getting worried that I had forgotten to bring it over from America but it seems after throwing it a bunch, I have rediscovered it. It's my bread and butter pitch that I can rely on in all situations and not having it was a little frightening. Good news is that it's beginning to be seen again, which is a good indicator of the direction I am heading in. I'm throwing live tommorow and look to be scheduled to start the opener of the second half this Sunday against Newport.

I've been really determined lately of making sure that this is the year that I get picked up by an affiliated team. I find myself thinking about it all the time - even to the point where I have trouble sleeping at night. I want it more than anything in the world and am going to do everything and more to better my chances of it happening. Baseball doesn't make me, it just defines the type of person I am.

Good night everyone. As I finish up this post, I findmyself going to bed listening to the tune, "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood. Being in Australia so far has taught me alot about being native to your roots and although I love it here, I am an American. It really is the land of the free and I'm really missing everyone back at home.

I've never been more proud to be an American.

Unforgettable Experiences To Begin 2010

Happy New Year! I hope that 2010 is a successful, safe, and healthy year for you all.

I am one week into my 3 month stay in Melbourne, Australia and as each day passes, I'm seeing more new and exciting things. I've stood with kangaroos, fished beside a rocky ocean bluff, surfed the kelp infested waters of the Indian ocean, and watched a cricket test match. All of which are very different than anything I've ever see in America!

One of the most important days of my life. so far, has finally come and past. This past Saturday I faced live hitters for the first time since July 2nd.

As I woke up on that Saturday morning, I had a very weird feeling inside of me. I wasn't afraid of facing hitters again but was reluctant to see how I would handle it once I was on the mound again. I've been told time and time again that I am never going to really know what it's going to feel like until I get back on the mound, peer into the glove, and see a hitter standing in the box.

I have good news.

I can inform you that facing hitters is no different than it was before.

Actually, as soon as I stepped onto the bullpen mound before I was set to throw live...that July 2nd moment never crossed my mind. My first outing facing live batters proved to be a bit rusty but after raking up 4 strikeouts and just one hit in two innings...I am well on my way back.

This injury has taught me so much about life. Fear is only as strong as you make it. Being afraid is natural, there is no doubt about that. The true definition of yourself is how you go about handling your fears. In my case, July 2nd will always be rooted in my soul but instead of being afraid of going back out and having it happen again, I look at the other 500,000 pitches I threw before that.

What happened happened and there is no other way to go about bettering myself than to throw myself back into action again. As I stepped on the mound the other day, that unspeakable feeling of being a pitcher was back.

God Bless.

*Update* - Here is an article written on feelgoodsportsstories.com about my experiences through my injury. The article can be found here.