Shark Attack!

It's been a little while since any teams have responded, but I am happy to say that I got some cards from the Camden Riversharks yesterday. They will be in York this weekend and we are planning on going Friday night so we'll be able to get some signed. Thank you to the Riversharks for their support.

Worth Every Penny...or Nickel!

The in game fireworks came from Butch Hobson, Manager of the Barnstormers. Gilberto Mejia was called out on a bang-bang play at first. He was quickly tossed for arguing with the umpire and Mr Hobson was on his way over from coaching 3rd. He then put on this show...




Now I didn't end up with the base, but since Mr. Hobson did sign it before giving it away I'll gladly give a nickel for his signature. So congrats to the lucky fan who got the autographed base from Mr. Hobson...I'll donate an extra nickel for that show!

Today's autographs: 1 (sort of)
Season autographs: 532
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $26.60

Game 19: Somerset Patriots 9 Lancaster Barnstormers 5 Game 20: Lancaster Barnstormers 2 Somerset Patriots 1

"Let's play two!" OK, Mr. Banks. Sunday night was a beautiful night for baseball. After a 16 inning game on Saturday night, and a depleted Barnstormers lineup (because of players getting signed), it was going to be an interesting night of baseball. They handed out the second strip of baseball cards so I was able to get quite a few autographs. Pregame catch on the field, autographs, card giveaway, running the bases, in game fireworks (I'll explain), and a double header made for a great night.

Barnstormers Manager Butch Hobson

Kyle got to go today!

Great sunset over Clipper Magazine Stadium

Today's autographs: 22
Season autographs: 531
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $26.55

#500

I told you about a BIG autograph that I got at the game on Friday night. This Matt Hagen card was our 500th of the season! He plays for the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League. Most of them we have gotten ourselves and some have been donated...either way 500 was a big one! Sorry Matt, you don't win a prize but you do get your own story :) The card is a 2003 Bowman and he signed it with 2 Timothy 1:7. Thanks Matt!

Game 18: Somerset Patriots 5 Lancaster Barnstormers 3

I have been really busy with baseball getting ready for our All Star tournament but we had Friday off. We got to the ballpark a little after 4 for our next taping of kid reporters. The friends that we met in Bowie, Aaron and Meg, stopped in Lancaster on their nationwide tour and wanted to catch a Barnstormers game. It was a beautiful night except that the Barnstormers lost. I was able to get quite a few autographs...and a BIG one that I'll tell you about shortly.

Blake and Gavin with Aaron and Meg

Former Cincinnati Red Norris Hopper

Today's autographs: 17
Season autographs: 509
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $25.45

Caring Cousins

This past weekend, my Uncle Rick, Aunt Ginger, Garrett, Brooke, and Chad went to Saint Louis. They were going to the Cardinals game on Saturday night and like us, got there early. They wanted to try to get autographs for me to help with alopecia. After the game, they waited by the players parking lot for about an hour. They ended up "striking out" at the ballgame, but back at the hotel Brooke asked if it had to just be baseball autographs.

Chad, Garrett, and Brooke waiting for Cardinals

Last week, Brooke had the opportunity to go to the CMT music awards in Nashville with one of her friends. She got lots of autographs on a t shirt including Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Rascal Flats, and more and she wanted to make a donation to Autographs 4 Alopecia. She also donated $10 of her own money.

I'm so thankful for my cousins that care about me and helping me out with my cause. Thanks Brooke, I love you and wished you lived closer.

Today's autographs: 12
Season autographs: 492
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $24.60
Other Donation: $10.00

A Pen, A Plan, and a Purpose

The long awaited video has arrived. Thanks to Jason Bristol and CBS 21 for a great story and helping to raise awareness for alopecia areata.

Go to Bat for Alopecia...Cleveland Indians

In a recent press release, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation announced that they will be using baseball as their theme for the September awareness month. Their platform will be Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Indians have stepped up BIG! I received an offer to be the honorary bat boy for the September 6th game vs the Detroit Tigers. It is a package that includes my family getting onto the field to watch batting practice, game tickets, and I'll get to stand outside the dugout getting autographs during batting practice! I can't wait!!! This will add to our already busy summer...one I will never forget!

Father's Day Baseball Game 17: NB Rock Cats 5 Reading Phillies 3

Fathers Day is a great day to go to the ballpark...usually. Sunday, Dad, Mom, Gavin, Kyle, and I went to the Reading Phillies vs the New Britain Rock Cats. There were lots of renovations done to First Energy Stadium over the winter, but they are still not stroller friendly. It was a packed house and very hot! There was really nowhere to park the stroller and see the game and it was too hot to take Kyle into the sun. It was also a tough day for autographs. Thanks to my friend Les Walrond, we were able to get a few. I also got to meet an 8th grade boy with Alopecia and share with him about my website. So everyone has a bad day and this was my worst so far for getting autographs. All in all it was still a great day getting to watch the future Phillies and spending the day with the family.

Blake, Gavin, Kyle, and Dad

Former Barnstormer and current Phillie Les Walrond

Gavin and Change Up

Today's autographs: 8
Season autographs: 480
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $24.00

Game 16: Long Island Ducks 5 Lancaster Barnstormers 3

Well last night was a first for us. Sunday night Jason Bristol called from CBS21 and wanted to do an interview with us. We got to the ballpark early and settled in for our interview. We were a little nervous but Jason was very nice to talk to and so I was able to relax. He also gave me a couple of cards from his collection that I'll be able to get signed. One was of Butch Hobson on the Columbus Clippers and I was able to get it signed at the game (you can see below). I was working on getting cards signed and Gavin was getting a ball signed for us.

Jason was using some nickels for his story and he gave them to me after he was done. With the cameras there, a few people were asking what it was about and we were able to share with them as well. One of the players girlfriends was visiting from Florida and gave me $20 towards my donation! It was a great night for autographs and awareness for alopecia areata. Thanks to Jason Bristol and CBS 21 news for the story!

Blake, Jason Bristol, and Gavin

Today's autographs: 31
Season autographs: 472
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $23.60

Game 15: Long Island Duks 25 Lancaster Barnstormers 10

Yes, you read the score right. After sitting through an hour and a half rain delay to start the game, they finally started playing ball. Maybe because of all the rain but it was a great night to be a Duck! Actually a great couple of nights...they scored 39 runs in 2 games! We usually get to games when the gates open and stay til the end of the game. My baseball tournament was starting on Friday so we ended up leaving about 9:40...in the top of the 3rd! The positive from the night is that we were able to get lots of autographs! We got many cards signed before the rain delay and then got a few more when they came back out to warm up. Tom Pennino is a catcher for the Long Island Ducks and he asked me if I wanted a bat. He then got most of the team to sign it! That was awesome! I don't even think he knew about my story and what I was doing but I did tell him after he gave me the bat. Anyway it was an awesome night to get autographs and be a Duck!

Gavin and Blake waiting in the rain

Blake, Tom Pennino, and Gavin with our signed bat

Today's autographs: 49
Season autographs: 441
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $22.05

Game 14: Long Island Ducks 14 Lancaster Barnstormers 1

The only thing hotter than the weather Wednesday night was the Ducks bats! It was a great night to have seats in the suite level so we could get cooled off once in a while. It was Barnstormers card strip giveaway but we got there too late to get autographs before the game. The players were very nice and signed the cards afterwards even though they got crushed. I did pretty good and got several cards signed from the Ducks and Barnstormers.




Today's autographs: 18
Season autographs: 392
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $19.60

Our First Reports

Game 13: Barnstormers 3 Blue Crabs 2

Today was "Bark in the Park" day at the Lancaster Barnstormers. I'm allergic to dogs, but we had to go because my kid reporter video was being aired today. I interviewed the players about their dogs. We were also treated to a GREAT game today as the Barnstormers hit 3 solo home runs and Jerome Williams pitched 8 strong innings for his league leading 5th win. Gavin and I got 17 autographs today including 2 Oakland A's sundae helmets that we had. One was signed by Matt Watson who played there in 2005 and 2010; the other is by Tommy Everidge who played in Oakland in 2009.



Today's autographs: 17
Season autographs: 374
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $18.70

Game 12: Barnstormers 5 Blue Crabs 4

Another great night at the ballpark! We had more bonus baseball as the Barnstormers beat the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on a walk off walk in the 11th inning. Tonight they aired the first of our kid reporter series where Gavin asked the players if they have any pre game rituals. Very good and we'll be able to post the video soon. 18 more autographs to add to the collection...mostly Blue Crabs tonight. I can't wait until the teams start releasing their 2011 sets!

Blue Crabs fist baseman Ben Harrison

Today's autographs: 18
Season autographs: 357
Money raised for Alopecia Areata: $17.85

Meet Your Lancaster Barnstormers 2011 Kid Reporters

Today was a pretty awesome day. Gavin and I were hired (not for money) by the Lancaster Barnstormers to be their kid reporters. We obviously love baseball and it was pretty cool getting to the ballpark so early to start our new jobs. We did some taping, hung out in the press box, and then watched batting practice. After batting practice we went into the clubhouse to interview some of the players. Hopefully we'll be able to post the videos once they are edited and played at the ballpark!

Tri City Valley Cats

I received a letter this week from Michelle Skinner at the Tri City Valley Cats. They are the single A short season for the Houston Astros and play in the New York-Penn league. Earlier in the season Michelle sent me a box full of goodies...card sets, bobble heads, t shirts, and many signed cards. That was an awesome day getting the mail and going through all the stuff. This week Michelle sent me a letter that they have been brainstorming ways to help alopecia.


Finnigan's Sports Cards is a local card shop in Albany and they are sponsoring the baseball card machine at Joseph L Bruno Stadium, home of the Valley Cats. Finnigan's Sports Cards have partnered with the Valley Cats to support our cause by donating half of all the proceeds to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation through Autographs 4 Alopecia!


We will be traveling to New York late in the season to be recognized and be presented with our donation! Thanks Michelle, Valley Cats staff, and Finnigan's Sports Cards for your much appreciated effort!

Logo!

Autographs 4 Alopecia now has its own logo! Thanks to my Uncle Rick and our friend Elene who came up with the design, colors, and ideas behind the logo. There are lots of exciting things happening that I can't wait to share. Stay tuned!