Fun in the sun as I watch game one.

2/25/09 7:35 AM

We’re here parked in front of Hi-Corbett Field. We were told we could have the MBU parked here till 9 AM then we have to move onto the street. No worries, our parking spot on the street was only 20 feet behind where we’re parked now.

 We’ve been watching the players pull up. I saw Garrett Atkins and Tulo pull up but I wasn’t ready and only had time to snap a quick picture. Tomorrow I’ll be ready for the early morning meet and greet.

                         I also saw and Franklin Morales walk through the gates.

                                                       Here’s Glendon Rusch
                                         The MBU looking all pretty.
9:47 AM. Moved the MBU out to the street in front of the stadium. Beautiful spot, right now were just waiting for batting practice to start. Gates open at 11 AM.
                                                  
                                      That’s live blogging baby, I’m in my zone…D

11:00 AM

Andy and I were one of the first five people in the stadium when they opened the gates at 11. We proceeded to head over to our seats which were to the right of the Rockies dugout.

I wasn’t standing there a minute when a ball was hit over by me and Clint Barmes scooped it up and tossed it to me.

My side of the story was it was a little short, but after I missed it he walked over and tossed it to me.

Thank you Clint you made this snaggers day. 

My first baseball of the season. What’s even better is that this was the first baseball tossed to a Rockies fan during batting practice this season. I like the sound of that.

                                                       Joe Koshansky # 47
 

                       I asked the guys to pose for a group picture. Thanks fellas! 

                                                      
Hawpe and Smith
                                              Best shot I could get of Don Baylor.
                                            
First foot long brat of the season.

It wasn’t long before I ran into my friend Captain Earthman,..Super Vendor. He arrived yesterday by airplane from Colorado. It was good to see him.

                       My first autograph of spring training # 48 Jason Hirsh pitcher.
                            Here’s my mini bat that he autographed. Thanks Jason !
                                                    Atkins and Tulowitzki

Ian Stewart signed my second ball. Thanks Ian !

Tulowitzki, he walked up to where I was standing and started signing, I realized I had grabbed the wrong ball. By the time I had grabbed the right one, he was already moving down the line. Andy didn’t get his autograph either.

                       Andy’s goal is to get Tulo’s autograph on a visor for his wife.
                               Clint Barmes is always cool and signs for the fans.
 The crowd for Spring training home opener, a little over three thousand. Must have been because Tiger is in town, I hope.
                  A shot of Aaron Cook warming up about four feet in front of my seat.
                                                    
Taylor Buchholz                             My favorite player under six foot, Omar “Q” Quintinilla
In case you’re wondering, I didn’t even see Todd Helton today. I did hear rumors of his presence. Several fans mentioned that they had run into Todd walking back from the practice fields and he signed for them. 

Here’s Rockies catcher and fellow MLBlogger Michael McKenry
      Take a look at the temperature. We were expecting highs of 80′s. Today was freggin hot. 
I haven’t done this one in a while but this lady is deserving. 

Here it is:                      The most annoying fan of the game.

Sad to say she was a Rockies fan.Her seats were behind us but she and her four children felt they had the right to run around and block our view more times than I cared to count. She was loud, rude and inconsiderate.
                                        Bask in it lady, next time bring leashes.

                    Jason Grilli signed a World Series baseball for me. 
Ahh, the first game. It is what it is. The Rockies lost this scorcher to the D-Backs 5-3. Here’s a picture of everything we got today. Sorry to say two of the autographs I’m still trying to figure out who they are.
  Here is what I ended up with at the end of the day. Ian Stewart, Ryan Spilborghs, Manual Corpas, James Hirsh, Jason Grilli, Carlos Gonzalez and two more I’m embarassed to say I’m not sure of. One is a coach and one is a minor league pitcher.

We’ll be at Hi-Corbett around 6 AM tomorrow and I’ll have my bat with me a welcoming the players at the gate

Thanks for following the Spring Training version of the Rant..What do you think so far?…D