Friday, April 26, 2013

Happy 8th Birthday Gavin!

Happy Birthday to my little brother and big helper Gavin!  Thanks for being a great brother and all the help with the autographs!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Game 2: Camden Riversharks @ Lancaster Barnstormers

While I was in NY for the day, Gavin went to the Barnstormers game and got there early for his first kid report for the season.  His questions were, "What is your favorite hamburger topping?", and "What is your favorite baseball movie?"  We can't wait to see the videos. 

Gavin interviewing Ross Peeples
Gavin did go down to get a few autographs of the Riversharks but he only had 1 card with him.  He got Johnny Drennen to sign his card from the Akron Aeros and he said it was the first time he ever signed in brown sharpie.  :)  He also talked to Juan Martinez whose brother Octavio used to play for the Barnstormers and is now the bullpen catcher for the Washington Nationals. 

Gavin with Juan Martinez
My Uncle John was in from Iowa and got to go to his first Barnstormer game.  It was a chilly night but everyone had a great time...and the Barnstormers won!

Today's Autographs:  3
2013 Autographs: 37
2013 My donation: $1.85


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Guy Fieri in NYC

Saturday I went to NYC with my grandma on a bus trip.  While I had not planned on getting any autographs, you never know what will happen in NYC!  We got to see lots of cool sights and do some shopping.  Some of my favorite shows are Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and Rachael vs Guy Celebrity Cook Off so we had to check out Guy's American Kitchen and Bar for lunch.  We shared a couple of appetizers and I had the Bacon & Chicken Mac & Cheese!  It was awesome! 



We found out our waitress has an uncle that has alopecia and we were also introduced to Ivan who is a manager there.  He showed me around, let me pick out a hat, and also gave me a signed picture from Guy Fieri!  We did lots of walking, saw lots of NYC, and even came home with an autograph.  It would be fun to go sometime when Guy will be there but I'm sure it is always packed for that!  Until then, we'll continue to watch Food Network for some great cooking shows! Thank you to the staff at Guy's Kitchen for helping make my bus trip more memorable.   



Today's Autographs:  1
2013 Autographs: 34
2013 My donation: $1.70

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Nashville Predators

Last week my Uncle Rick and Aunt Ginger went to see their kids in Nashville.  While they were there they got to go to a Nashville Predators game.  My cousins, Garrett and Brooke, get to go down and see some players in a private room after the games.  They even got to meet Carrie Underwood after a game earlier in the season!  Uncle Rick brought back their ticket stubbs autographed by Jonathan Blum and Head Coach Barry Trotz.   Thanks Uncle Rick, Aunt Ginger, Garrett, and Brooke!


Brooke, Aunt Ginger, Uncle Rick, Garrett

Garrett, Rick, and Brooke with GNASH


Today's Autographs:  2
2013 Autographs: 33
2013 My donation: $1.65

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Lancaster Barnstormers Fan Fest

Last Saturday was the annual Lancaster Barnstormers fan fest as they get ready today to open up the 2013 season.  We got there early for the team autograph session and got to watch a little bit of the spring training game against the Camden Riversharks.  We got quite a few Barnstormers autographs but have many more cards to get signed this season.  It was great to be back at the ball park, see some familiar faces back with the team, and meet some new ones!  It's going to be a fun season!

Blake going through the autograph line



Today's Autographs:  21
2013 Autographs: 31
2013 My donation: $1.55

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Lancaster Barnstormers Kid Reporters back for 2013

It has been confirmed that we will once again be reporting for the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Stay tuned this season for some informative videos on Lancaster's best baseball players!  It's always fun to talk to the players and get their opinions on different things.  Take a look at our video page for our past seasons reports.





Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Game 1: Royals @ Phillies The Butler Did It

Sunday we got to go to our first game of the 2013 season.  Dad and I went to the Phillies game with my friend Isaac and his dad, Eric.  It was a beautiful day and we had great seats!  We got there early and Isaac and I went over to try to get some Phillies autographs.  We had a great spot and were able to get Jimmy Rollins and Phillies 3rd base coach and Hall of Famer  Ryne Sandberg.  I was also able to get Royals 1st base coach Rusty Kuntz to sign my wiffle ball that they gave away.


 
Organizing our cards


The game started out just like we wanted with the Phillies taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning.  The Royals took the lead and we even saw a grand slam from Billy Butler.  The Phillies fought back in the 9th on a Jimmy Rollins 3 run homer and another run, but fell short 9-8.  During the game, after a 3rd out strikeout, Royals catcher Salvador Perez flipped me the ball so I gave it to Isaac.

The ball from Salvador Perez

After the game, when the Royals were going into the dugout, I asked Jeff Francoeur for an autograph and he threw me his wristband.  Even though it wasn't an autograph, it is definitely worth a donation so I am counting it. Despite the Phillies loss, it was a great day to be at a ball game!

Jeff Francoeur's wristband


Rusty Kuntz signing by ball


Jimmy Rollins and Ryne Sandberg


Today's Autographs:  4
2013 Autographs: 10
2013 My donation: $.50

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Oakland Raiders Jack Crawford

Thanks to a twitter tip from our friend  Jason Bristol we found out that some Penn State alumni would be signing autographs in Harrisburg last Saturday.  One of the ones signing is in our Top 20 for 2013 Jack Crawford was a DE at Penn State and now plays for the Oakland Raiders.  It's been fun to follow his career because he and I have something in common...Jack also has alopecia areata!  Dad took me up on Saturday to meet Jack and we were able to get him to sign a picture and a card from Penn State.  It was fun getting to meet him and let him know about what I'm doing with my autographs.  Thanks Jack for signing and taking a picture with me.  Thanks Jason for the tweet!


Jack Crawford and Blake





Today's Autographs: 2
2013 Autographs: 6
2013 My donation: $.30