Saturday, March 31, 2012

Reading Phillies

This week we got in the mail a package from the Reading Phillies. They sent us a 2011 card set as well as tickets for the upcoming season. On Sunday, April 22, they are having a pre game autograph party for the kids. We can't wait to get some of our cards signed and are excited about some of the future Phillies that are on the roster this year. Thanks to the Reading Phillies staff for their efforts to help us and we'll see you soon.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have responded this season by sending us 2 of their 2011 card sets and tickets for their opening weekend series...against the Lancaster Barnstormers. It's nice because a lot of the Blue Crab players from last year are coming back so we should be able to get most of them signed. Thanks so much to the Blue Crabs staff for helping support our cause!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Pat Neshek

Pat Neshek is a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and autograph collector himself. He has right on his website his address to send him cards to sign so that is what we did. I had a card of him from when he was on the Twins so I sent him a letter to spring training and told him about what I was doing. He responded by signing my card and also sending another card from when he was in the minor leagues. Thanks Mr. Neshek! I'd love to see his collection, he probably has some good ones!



Today's Autographs: 2
2012 Autographs: 41
2012 $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $2.42

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Indian Chief

During our visit to the Cleveland Indians in September we were able to meet some great people. One of them was Indians Manager Manny Acta. He took time to sign for us, get pictures taken, and wear the alopecia baseball band. We contaced him and he told us we could send the picture to him to get autographed. Thanks Mr. Acta and Go Tribe!


Today's Autographs: 1
2012 Autographs: 39
2012 $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $2.32

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

2012

For those of you just checking in...Here is what I'm doing to raise money for the National Alopeica Areata Foundation. My name is Blake and I'm a huge sports fan. Baseball is my favorite, but I love all sports. At the age of 1 I was diagnosed with alopecia areata and have been pretty much bald my whole life. I do have some hair now, but it is spotty and we don't know how long it will stay. I tell my friends that my body is allergic to my hair. I see kids that raise money for their charities and wondered what I could do. My brother Gavin and I love to get autographs and have over 2,000 autographed cards that we've gotten over the last several seasons.


Last season I donated $.05 of my own money for each autograph we got. With our donation as well as donations from others, we were able to raise over $1,300. Since I don't have a job yet :) we will be doing 2012 as a family and donating $.10 for each autograph. We already have 1 event scheduled at the Bowie Baysox in May and will update you on that later.

We also got to hand out many of these baseball theme bands and it was fun to see players wearing them to help support our cause. Mike Maddux was also wearing one here in the World Series. He is a big supporter of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. If you would like one of the bands, just let me know and I will be able to get you one.


Indians Manager Manny Acta with the NAAF baseball band


We've already received a great amount of support from Minor League Baseball and also some Independent League Baseball teams. We will be looking at the possibility of having another auction to raise money as well. Last season we hosted a silent auction at the Lancaster Barnstormers and hope to have one somewhere in 2012. If you have any questions about my adventures or alopecia, feel free to contact me at blakelovesbaseball@yahoo.com.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Bowie Baysox

Back when we were having computer problems I got a pretty cool card from my friend Kate with the Bowie Baysox. She sent me 2 different cards, 1 of Brad Bergesen and the other of Matt Wieters. The Matt Wieters card was not signed but he's an awesome catcher and we're looking forward to getting it signed this summer in Baltimore. I got to see Matt play when he was in college at Georgia Tech. Thanks Kate, looking forward to coming to Bowie this summer!



Kate with us at the Bowie Baysox in 2011



Today's Autographs: 1
2012 autographs: 38
2012 $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $2.27