Game 7: Bowie Baysox 9 Altoona Curve 6

Saturday night we were invited back to the Bowie Baysox by our friend Kate.  They are the AA team of the Baltimore Orioles.  It was going to be a pretty cool night because there were a few Orioles coming off of injuries that would be playing for the Baysox that night.  Also, we wanted to meet Manny Machado who is one of the top prospects in all of baseball.  Kate took us down on the field and we were able to meet Manny, Mark Reynolds, Zach Britton, and talk to Mr. Kendall the manager.  It was pretty neat that he remembered us from last year.  Thanks again Kate and good luck in your new adventure!

Orioles 3B Mark Reynolds

Mark Reynolds signing autographs

Manny Machado signing autographs

Kate

Zach Britton signing autographs

Today's Autographs: 18
2012 Autographs: 351
2012 My donation: $17.92

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.

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

Ballparks we Visited in 2011

We love going to baseball games and are looking forward to this season. Here is a look back at the ballparks we visited in 2011...8 total.

York Revolution

Somerset Patriots

Reading Phillies

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs

Lancaster Barnstormers

Harrisburg Senators

Cleveland Indians

Bowie Baysox

Game 28: Bowie Baysox 4 Harrisburg Senators 2

Monday night we headed up to Harrisburg to watch the Senators take on the Bowie Baysox. It is the 3rd time we've seen Bowie play this season. Back in May the Baysox invited us down and I was able to throw out a first pitch and get quite a few autographs, so we're getting to know who their players are. It was cool too because the Orioles announced that Luke Scott would be doing a rehab assignment for the Baysox that night too...we were hoping to snag his autograph.

The big story right now in Harrisburg is Bryce Harper, the 18 year old number 1 prospect in all of baseball. It was our first chance to see him live and we were hoping for and autograph. Just as the players started coming out, the tarp was put on the field for a rain delay! We waited out the delay and Harper came over to sign for a few minutes. We were just a few people away when he quit signing. Dad said we could wait after to see if we could get him, but he snuck out the front. It would have been a little more disappointing, but we did get to get Luke Scott's autograph and a picture with hm. I also got to say Hi to Mr. Kendall the Baysox manager and he remembered me and talked to me for a couple minutes. Overall a good night...and a late night.

Orioles slugger Luke Scott

just missed...

Today's autographs: 17
Season autographs: 751
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $37.55

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 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