At the moment, the Stockerau Cubs are in the middle of a playoff race for a spot in the Austrian Baseball League postseason. The season has progressed well and we are enjoying our fair share of wins. A good amount of disappointment has been seen as well, being that we've lost a handful of one run games, several of which were extra-inning affairs. The playoff situation will begin to iron itself out in the next couple of weeks and hopefully we have enough to make a run at a championship.
My pitching has progressively gotten better as the season has gone by. I have been on the wrong end of a few one-run ballgames but for the most part, I am happy with my personal performance. The tough luck outings were highlighted by a complete-game, 16 strikeout, no walk effort in a 2-1 loss and a 5-4 loss in 10 innings on the road against the reigning Austrian champions. I'm experienced enough to know that is how baseball is at times, but still young enough to have difficulty accepting it.The concept of losing is something that I have always struggled to grasp. We struggled when I was in college and even more in my first couple years of independent ball. I can even remember losing 20
consecutive games in 2010 with El Paso.
You would think by now I would be numb to such a concept.
Think again.
I think that is why this season I am hungrier than ever to win a championship. It is the one thing that I have always wanted to experience; a celebration that I envy watching others participate in.
I have enjoyed playing with the Cubs this season and I am sure to have a family here in Austria long after I go back home to the United States. It's about the experiences enjoyed, places seen and friends met that matter the most. Sure a championship would be the icing to a great baseball career, but winning and baseball are not what defines who I am as a person. It is the lessons learned and experiences I have attained that do.Baseball is just the piece of the puzzle that got me here. It is what has allowed me to see this beautiful thing that we call life.
As for life outside of playing, I have become quite a fancy field architect and am serving as the team's pitching coach. Courtesy of their hard work and determination, I have seen several of the younger Cubs pitchers grow under my watch and it has been enjoyable to see them learn. The players out here are so receptive and it is just a matter of time before they begin to make their marks on baseball in the U.S.
My time in Austria has seen a good share of downtime, so I have had the opportunity to do some traveling. My biggest trips have been England, Ireland and Belgium in May, as well as Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia in late June. I am one week off of the biggest trek of the summer: an eight-day excursion in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Italy.
I think about all the places I have been able to see because of baseball. My life has expanded so much and my network has become so global. I think about where I would be if I had walked away from baseball when so many others before me had.
My decision to hold onto this dream has certainly paid off; a journey that I will forever look back on with happiness.
God Bless.
