More Mail!

A few more teams have responded with cards, first pitches and donations. I wanted to thank the Syracuse Chiefs, Pittsfield Colonials, and the TriCity Valley Cats for their support in helping me. Thanks you so much for your help!

Game 10: Senators 6 Baysox 1 Game 11: Senators 1 Baysox 0

Sunday night we made the short trip up to Harrisburg to watch the Harrisburg Senators take on the Bowie Baysox in a double header. Lots of future Orioles and Nationals to watch out for. We parked right close to where the players park so we got a couple extra autographs after the game too. Former New York Met Oliver Perez pitched game 2 and I got my picture with him after the game. I also ran into Kate from Bowie who was up watching the game. Lots of autographs, kids eat free night, 2 games, and fireworks...another great night at the ballpark.

Today's autographs: 34
Season autographs: 339
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $16.95

New Friends

One of the great things about going to baseball games is meeting new people. Last Friday when we were at the Bowie Baysox game we had the opportunity to meet several new people. One is Brandan Kaiser. He is the marketing director for the Baysox and after talking to him for a few minutes, we found out he was from Lancaster! He even went to school at Lancaster Catholic which is right in our backyard...small world.

During the game, we met Aaron and Meg Amor who are from New Zealand. They were at the Orioles-Yankees game the night before and this was only their 2nd baseball game ever. In New Zealand they play cricket. Aaron had a cricket ball with him and was explaining the game to us (baseball is much simpler). He could have continued playing cricket, but they decided to take a tour of the US by motor home. They are going to be visiting every state and doing something historical or famous for that state. I would love that! Meg is an author and therapist. She is also an excellent photographer as evidenced by her pictures of their trip so far. We'll have fun keeping up with their journey as they will ours.

Aaron really wanted to catch a ball but it never happened. After the game the usher gave Gavin and I each a broken bat from the game so I let Aaron have mine. Something memorable from the great American past time.

Game 9: York Revoluton 3 Lancaster Barnstormers 0

With school still in and my baseball season still going, weeknight games are tough to get to right now. We did get to go the the game on Thursday between the Barnstormers and Revolution. York is only about 20 minutes from Lancaster and called the white rose city. Lancaster is the red rose city setting up the the battle for the Community Cup in the Battle of the Roses. Right now the season series is tied 1-1. We weren't sure if they would get the game in because of a tornado watch, but we lasted through 5 innings when the skies opened up. We left, but York went on the win the game 3-0. It was Veterans night and they had a ceremony before the game that was pretty cool. Now a nice long weekend off and most of the local teams are on the road. We are going to try to hit Harrisburg Saturday or Sunday.

Jerome Williams signing

Gavin talking to Fernando Seguignol

Today's autographs: 20
Season autographs: 305
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $15.25

FUTURE ALL STAR!

I love to get mail and when I got to the mailbox Tuesday I had a pretty cool letter. As you can tell, we love to get autographs, but this one made my day!





Today's autographs: 1
Season autographs: 285
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $14.25

Facebook Page

I can't have a facebook page until I'm 13, but my parents started one for
Autographs 4 Alopecia. You can "like" us there and follow along with more pictures and other fans of Autographs 4 Alopecia.

Game 8: LV Iron Pigs 8 Gwinnett Braves 6

Sunday afternoon we spent the day at my favorite Minor League park. Coca Cola Park is the home of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Once again, got there a little later than planned but still managed to get a few autographs. We were able to meet Tagg Bozied who had an all star season in Reading last year. He was a really great guy in the short time we got to talk to him, but look forward to hitting a few more Pig games this season.

One of the great things about baseball is going on a giveaway day. Today was Iron Pig youth hats so here is a picture of Gavin and I with our new hats.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, soft pretzels, and peanuts (I'm allergic) are normal ballpark foods. If you ever get the chance to go to see an Iron Pigs game, you have to have a piece of AW Shucks corn on the cob! Besides going with the whole "pig" theme, it is by far the best piece of corn you will eat.

So another great day at the ballpark! Pigs Win! Pigs Win! Kids run the bases, and Gavin got on the jumbo tron!

Today's autographs: 6
Season autographs: 284
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $14.20

Game 7: Bowie Baysox 6 Erie Seawolves 2

Friday night was a special night at the ballpark. I was invited to come down and throw out a ceremonial first pitch by Kate Milstead at the Bowie Baysox. We made the 1 1/2 hour trip (that turned into about 2 hours and 15 minutes due to Friday traffic) and arrived to a beautiful night at the ballpark. After a week solid of rain, it was good to see the sun. I got my instructions and was ready to go! Before my pitch, they read my story and helped raise awareness for alopecia areata.



After the STRIKE that I pitched, Kate and Phil Wrye took Gavin and I to the dugout and the field where the players were warming up to get my ball and a few cards signed. Some of these guys will end up with the Orioles so it will be fun to follow their careers.

During the game I had the opportunity to share with some fans about alopecia and what I'm doing this season. We met some great people that I'll share about in an upcoming post and had an overall great night. First pitch, autographs, Baysox win, fireworks, kids run the bases, and new friends...One great night at the ballpark!

Blake, Kate, and Gavin

Thanks Kate, Phil, and the entire Baysox organization!

Today's autographs: 17
Season autographs: 278
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $13.90

Game 6: Barnstormers 5 Bluefish 3

For the second straight game the Barnstormers won on an extra inning walk off! Emerson Frostad hit a walk off 2 run homer to send the Barnstormers into first place! What a series! It was tough watching my friends on the Bluefish lose, but it was a great series of baseball. We also did well with autographs collecting 19 Bluefish autographs. FYI: We didn't go Sunday but the Barnstormers swept the Bluefish with a 3rd straight extra inning walk off win! The best 3 game series ever played!

2003 AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa

Cylo and Cylo's mom

Today's autographs: 19
Season autographs: 261
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $13.05

Game 5: Barnstormers 4 Bluefish 3

Tonight was an exciting baseball game. It was a real pitchers dual and I was hoping to see my first no hitter. The Bridgeport Bluefish starter, Matt Pike, took a no hitter into the 7th before it was broken up. The Barnstormers ended up winning on a walk off double by Aaron Herr...now 8-4! We got there late tonight so I didn't get as many autographs, but it was good to see my friends Luis Lopez, Antonio Alfonseca, and Adam Greenberg.




Today's autographs: 9
Season autographs: 242
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $12.10

Winnipeg Goldeyes

While I would love to spend a summer just traveling to different ballparks, that just will not happen. One place I would love to visit would be Winnipeg. I received a nice note with some signed cards this weekend of the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. Also, Bonnie had a US dollar in her purse and sent it along for my donations. Our first donated dollar! Thanks Bonnie for helping out...maybe someday I'll get to Winnipeg.

Today's autographs: 5
Season autographs: 233
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $11.65

Rivalry Weekend

While the Yankees and Red Sox may be one of the great rivalry in sports, their Minor League franchises came up big in my mailbox this weekend. I received packages from the Tampa Yankees and the Portland Sea Dogs. While I will not get to Tampa or Portland this season, many of the players in the cards they sent now play in the area for their AA and AAA affiliates. Thanks so much for your help!

Mail Call!

More mail and autographs came today...this time from the Lake Elsinore Storm and the New Britain Rock Cats. The Storm sent an autographed program from pitcher Eric Gonzalez and a Thunder signed card and the Rock Cats sent a DAV card set. I also forgot to mention that the Inland Empire 66ers sent 2 autographed cards from their mascot Bernie.

Today's autographs: 4

Season autographs: 228

Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $11.40

Game 4: Barnstormers 5 Road Warriors 4

Game 4 was another game in our hometown, Lancaster. Sunday was a beautiful day for baseball and the Barnstormes won 5-4 on a Kevin Howard solo blast in the bottom of the 8th. Autographs were pretty good too as I was able to get some from both the Banstormers and Road Warriors.

Today's autographs: 24
Season autographs: 224
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $11.20

Game 3: Barnstormers 3 Road Warriors 2

The Atlantic League opened the season on Friday night but we couldn't make until Saturday. We did pretty well and came away with 18 autographed cards and an autographed Aaron Herr jersey. Aaron was the 2010 Atlantic League Co MVP. Great night and good win to start the season!

Today's autographs: 19

Season autographs: 200

Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $10.00