Results tagged ‘ Chris Nelson ’

Snagged His First Game Ball…Green Hat and All.

3-17-12

Dodgers vs Rockies…Salt River Fields

“D” in the Desert

This day started out exactly the way I like it. We showed up early and were greeted with two Diamondback batting practices.

As I said there were two BP’s today and during the second one it was just Mike, Dan and I snagg’n. It was game on and I snagged eight baseballs.

I live for days like that.

Behind where we were snagg’n baseballs was a six foot fence lined with barbed wire. Several of the BP homers hit bounced on the road and landed on the other side of the fence. I looked but couldn’t see a way to get over the fence and snag those baseballs so I forgot about them.

Next thing I know I see Mike walking up to me with a handful of baseballs. Mike found a weak spot in the fence and was able to get through it and snag those stranded baseballs. He also found a couple of balls that were missed hidden in the bushes.

For that bit of top-notch snagging I think Mike deserves an award.

I’m awarding Mike the first annual:

”Robert Harmon Award for Creative Ballhawking”

To quote Robert “Baseballs do grow on trees”. Mike proved that.

The Rockies decided to take their BP in the cages…it figures.

Here’s “The Deuce”, caged and protected from his adoring fans.

Jordan Pacheco

Chris Nelson was kind enough to sign a baseball for me.

Here are some inside the stadium pictures pre-game.

I headed over to the Dodgers side to try to get Mark Ellis to sign the live game ball he tossed me last season but I never saw Mark on the field pre-game. As the Usher was scooting us away after the National Anthem Andre Ethier walked up to the edge of the dugout and started signing for folks.

I waited and Andre signed my baseball last.

He signed it on the sweet spot for me, I didn’t even have to ask.

Thanks Andre!

When I see Captain Earthman I know all is as it should be as far as baseball is concerned.

The crew out on the berm. Check out Mikes hat.

Tulo’s Bobble.

Charlie

Former Rockie Mark Ellis.

In the sixth inning Wilin Rosario hit foul ball along the first base line. The new owner of that baseball was none other than my partner in crime down here in Phoenix…Mike the Rox Addict.

Mike gave away his first ever game ball to Mary the Usher because it was her birthday.

Here’s Mike pictured with Mary on TV…Classy move Mike

As much as we wanted a win to cap off one hell of a day it wasn’t happening.

Padres get the win over the Rockies 9-6.

I’m ”D” The Ranter, feel’n fine but running a bit behind.

Next blog entry…Rangers vs Brewers Maryvale Baseball Park.

Posted on March 23, 2012 at 9:59 pm
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Tags: Andre Ethier, Chris Nelson, Mark Ellis, Maryvale Baseball Park, Ranter, Rockies, Rockpile Rant, Rox Addict, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Troy Tulowitzki

Tag Along With Me at Rockies Fest Three

1-22-11

Rockies Fest…Go there once you’ll be there twice.

For me Rockies Fest symbolizes the very beginning of the baseball season. It’s my first exposure to the players since the end of the previous season and I get to wander Coors Field, take pictures, get autographs and hang out with other extreme Rockies fans.

What could be better?

I also was able to hand out Rockies Fest tickets to the Rockpile Rant’s “Rockies Essay” winners, Ken, Dave and Johnny.

Here’s Ken and his son.

Here’s Dave and his girlfriend.

Here’s Johnny.

I just want to thank everyone who took the time to submit an essay. I really enjoyed reading them and getting to know a little bit about you.

Leave a comment and let us know how your Rockies Fest went?

Here’s R-Luv..Just as excited as she could be.

Blake and his buddy.

After all the tickets were handed out the kids and I got in line.

Here’s Gary and Alannah X

The first thing on the agenda was the players/coaches interview at 10:30. So with an hour to kill we headed over to the ROOT SPORTS desk to see if Tom Helmer was around.

When we arrived at the interview area Tom came up and gave us a big friendly welcome. Hunter and Mylee decided that they wanted to get interviewed by Tom and Tracy Ringolsby. Usually there’s a line but at this point the only one in front of us was Ken(essay winner) and his son….So we got in line.

This was the first time I was able to shake hands with Tracy Ringolsby. I was really nervous but Tracy’s such a cool guy I wasn’t nervous for long.

Here’s Tom and Tracy interviewing Hunter and Mylee.

I’d like to thank Tom Helmer for taking the time to introduce me to a few very nice people from ROOT SPORTS. I have to say ROOT SPORTS has really nailed it.

From what I’m told and can see ROOT SPORTS is about the fan and I like that because the Rockpile Rant is about the fan.

As soon as the kids were done with their interview we were escorted over to where ROOT SPORTS was filming the Rockies commericals. The kids went first. I’m not quite sure if they ever got their timing right but they sure had fun sitting up there.

I was up next and I noticed how quiet and reserved everyone was being so I wanted to bump thing up a bit. I was reading a card that said “You’re watching ROOT SPORTS” and I did my best to represent the Rockpile Rant and the Rantics. Loud and proud baby.

It seemed like they liked it but who knows?

I also was given the chance to talk about Ubaldo’s no-hitter. I didn’t think I did so good but each time I do something like this I get a little bit less nervous. Thank you ROOT SPORTS for this extremely unique opportunity. It was a great experience and the kids and I loved it.

Apparently next season the Rockies are going to put pictures of their fans on the season tickets. How cool is that? You can bet our smiling mugs took the time to pose for those shots. How fun would that be attending the actual game in which your face is on the ticket?

At this point we needed to get to our player/coach interview. This interview session was hosted by Drew Goodman and Alanna Rizzo.

Check it out.

Here’s video from the session.

We had to leave the interview a few minutes early as it was time to get in line for our first autograph session. Rumor had it that the guy who signed right before we got there was Todd Helton. As we were standing in line Douglas walked by and told us that he was pretty sure Tulo would be signing for us.

As luck would have it Douglas was right.

Here’s a shot of Tulo signing for Mylee sport’n a fresh haircut. Tulo’s usually upbeat but today he seemed like he didn’t want to be there.

I wished “the duece” a good season and we were off explore Coors Field before the next session.

While wandering around we bumped into catcher Wilin Rosario and he signed for Mylee and Hunter.

Mylee picking a winner.

Ian Stewart getting his Rockband on.

Time to get in line for Autograph session two….Dexter Fowler

Dexter was all smiles and was talking with everyone. I really hope Dexter has a breakout year. He’s one of my favorite Rockies.

With more time to kill we headed into the bowels of Coors Field.

It’s become almost a tradition for me to leave my Ranter card in the Rockies lockers. With a quick flick of the wrist you can usually get the cards close.

This year I took a few pictures. Here’s the Ranter card next to the left of Dexter Fowlers gym bag.

Aaron Cooks locker sporting a Ranter card in the right corner.

Todd Helton’s locker. I missed this year and my card landed on the floor.

Tulo’s locker, unfortunately the card landed upside down.

Yoda…He was perched on top of a television in the Rockies locker room.

Here’s Ubaldo’s entire uniform and then some from his no-hitter in Atlanta last season.

Even his dirty socks.

The original Dinger suit. I still think Dinger should be a black and silver T-Rex but whatcha gonna do?

Coors Field groundbreaking.

Memorabilia from 2007.

The last autograph sesssion of the day was Glenallen Hill and Chris Nelson. Here’s Glenallen signing for Hunter.

Both of these guys were in a great mood and were chatting up the folks in line.

Here’s Mylee’s dog.

Here’s what I managed to get autographed today.

On our way out of Coors Field.

As I was getting ready to post this entry I received an email from essay winner Dave. He sent me a couple pictures and informed me he was able to snag thirty two autographs. Ten minor leaguers, four coaches and eighteen current major leaguers.

Check out Dave’s Coors Field sign…WOW!

Dave got lucky and ran into Jason Giambi.

I was on the hunt for Giambi all day. Thanks to Geoff for sending me texts as to Jason’s whereabouts but for some reason I kept missing the slugger.

That my friends is how you do it. Props to you Dave you worked it brotha.

A lot of baseball teams do something similiar to Rockies Fest but not all of them. Rockies fans are lucky we get this day to wander the entirety of Coors field, visit and chat with players and get to see precious baseball memorabila from historic Rockies games.

I feel privledged every time I’ve attended this event and honored to be a Colorado Rockies fan and their # 1 MLBlogger.

Thanks to all the Rockies fans who walked up to me and introduced themelves. I really enjoy meeting the baseball fans who read the Rockpile Rant. Thanks to ROOT SPORTS I think this year is going to be the “Year of the Fan”.

Make no mistake we Rockies fans embrace that concept.