Results tagged ‘ Todd Helton ’
I end up with one…But damn it was fun
2/28/11 Rockies Spring Training Game Two
Today was all about relaxing, watching some baseball and maybe snagg’n a ball or two. Hunter and Mylee spend Friday-Sunday visiting grandma and grandpa and they had a blast cruising all over the desert in their grandpa’s tricked out Jeep Rubicon.
Today was their chance to see some baseball before catching our flight back to Denver at 6:50.
There were a few fans standing in line as we approached the centerfield gates but I could tell there would be a lot less people in attendance today. The weather was perfect. It was just shy of 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.
As soon as the extremely friendly Ushers let us inside we headed for the left field berm.
I learned my lesson from Saturday and was avoiding the right field berm. It took a little over thirty minutes but eventually the Rockies wandered out, started warming up and began to take some swings.
While Hunter and I were standing on the berm a guy who works for the Rockies (I think) walked up to Hunter and I and asked me how old Hunter was. I told him twelve. He said that was too bad. I asked “why”.
He said he was going to ask if Hunter wanted to be the Rockies bat boy for the game.
I was floored, Hunter was in shock. Unfortunately you had to be fourteen. He said come back in two years and I told him I’d hold him to it. As bummed as I was that Hunter couldn’t do it I was really impressed that he came over and asked us…Thank you Sir that was extremely cool.
With us today was Krista’s sister Angie who lives in Arizona.
If you’re in Arizona and are looking to adopt a small dog please check out her website.
Mini MIghty Mutts..Little dogs need good homes too.
How cool is this? The Vendors here sell Rice Krispy Squares 
Here are a few videos Krista took of batting practice.
This is one of many “I almost got”.
Here’s the second, I wasn’t even close but you never know?
Here’s the third…Are you starting to see a pattern here?
Now in this video the ball has been hit, I’m planted with my glove in the air mere seconds from snagg’n my first clean catch at Salt River Fields.
Out of nowhere the D-Backs dude in Red (who already had snagged three at that point) totally rips this one from me.
Then the dude said he was sorry and kept mentioning how this was his first batting practice ever. I seriously doubt that but he wasn’t the worse.
At this point I was beginning to get a bit frustrated.
Of all the missed opportunities today for some reason this next one got to me the most. In this video I’m tracking the ball perfect. I put my glove up to catch it and the older dude with black jacket, shorts, white knee brace and black hat with a red brim puts his glove up next to mine and knocks the ball away.
Guess who winds up with the ball?
The same D-backs guy who already had snagg’d three or four and kept saying this was his first batting practice. I was starting to sense a tag-team thing going on.
Dan…The dude in the above video is the “Overly Eager Grandpa” I was telling you to watch out for.
I’ll never understand why people do that. First off it’s dangerous. If you knock a ball away chances are that diverted ball could hit one of us in the face. Secondly, it’s just plain rude.
Here’s an excited Hunter after getting his third ball, a toss up from an unknown player. He’s a stud.
Here’s Mylee keeping herself entertained while the boys chased baseballs.
In this last video you can’t see it but this ball was the last ball hit during BP. It wasn’t a homer but it was close.
So close I leaned over the rail and the ball landed smack in the center of my glove and bounced out. Matt Belisle chuckled at me, picked up that ball and tossed it back to the bucket.
I just had to smile. I was too dehydrated to cry.
That was it for BP…I didn’t snag any baseballs on the fly and the only ball BP ball I got was a toss up from this player.
Anyone who can identify him please let me know. No it’s not Cole Garner.
I thanked him big-time as players don’t toss me a lot of baseballs.
Danny came over to the left field berm and visited with me for a while.
Danny was excited because he happened to snag a game rubbed Inaugural ball earlier and he was kind enough to let me photograph it.
Thanks for coming over and chatt’n Danny. It was good to see you and I’ll see you again on April 1st brotha.
I wanted one of those baseballs bad. Robert’s still down in Scottsdale and Dan, Emily and Mike will all be heading down soon, so between those fellas somebody will hook me up with one.
I headed over to the Rockies dugout as that’s kind of my routine. Here are some random shots.
I didn’t take any action shots today as I was just chill’n on the berm drinking a beer I purchased from a happily employed Captain Earthman.
Earthman thanked me for the blog entry for I did for him a few weeks back. 
Today was amazing. Not only did I spent quality time with my wife, kids and sister-in-law. I was able to relax, enjoy the warm weather and soak in the Rockies baseball taking place in front of me that I’ve been longing for all winter long
I mentioned to Krista that I never wanted to leave.
But we did have to leave, right around the 8th inning so we could be sure and catch our flight. Rockies get their second win over the D-Backs in as many games with a final score of 6-5.
I love it here in Arizona, and when Mylee finishes school this Ranter and his wife will officially be Snowbirds. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a gambler but for me batting practice is like being in a casino.
I don’t mind going home empty handed as long as I get some “play” while I’m there.
Today….I got me some ”play“ and I couldn’t be more excited for the Rockies home opener on April 1st.
This Stadium is one of the coolest places I’ve ever been to…Rockies and D-Backs fans, you’ll be proud when you strut around this complex. 
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and this concludes my Spring Training 2011 trip. The plan is to spend ten days in Scottsdale next year.
I’m thinking a Rantic Baseball Getaway? Mull it over, I’m giving you plenty of time
If your looking for live pictures from the games, the Salt River Fields practice facility and other teams facilities Dan and Emily will be heading to Scottsdale in a few days. When they arrive Dan will be posting pictures on he and Emily’s FACEBOOK page daily.
Click here—> Rox Fan Emily and Dan.
Also Mike, writer of the MLBlog Rox Addict will be heading down in a week or so and he’ll have some great pictures. Be sure and give his Rockies blog some luv.
GO ROCKIES…D
Yeah the Sun’s Fun…Bring on Game One
2-25-11
ROCKIES SPRING TRAINING 2011
It’s 6am and we’re waiting to board the Frontier Airlines Fox. Salt River Fields here we come.
Shortly thereafter…
The flight was a success and as soon as we picked up our rental car we headed for Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Within about 20 minutes us arriving at the training facility I ran into Rant favorite Tom Helmer.
We chatted a bit and he said to hit him up before we leave as he had some T-Shirts for us.
Here’s a picture of the T-Shirts that Tom had specially made.
If you’re a Rantic, there’s a good chance you’ll get one of these. I’ll be sporting the shirt under my Ranter jersey tomorrow during the game.
Here’s some pictures of the new stadium and some of the players warming up.
Here’s a peek inside the main gate. Look at that grass berm…Absolutely perfect
Jason Giambi and Todd Helton doing the first base thing.
Here’s a shot of the kids and I peeking through the fence looking for homers. Tom Helmer let me know that one of the batting practice homers I snagged was Giambi’s.
Hunter snagged three, I got two and Mylee also managed to snag two.
While the kids and I were snagg’n baseballs George Frazier and Drew Goodman walked by. George stopped and said “I remember you from Rockies Fan Fest” and shook my hand. George, that made my day..seriously thank you.
Drew said hi and then they went on their way.
Really nice guys…We’re damn lucky to have them.
Franklin and Jorge
Mylee showing me how it’s done.
Dexter Fowler taking batting practice with EY Jr and Jim Tracy watching.
The Team Store
The practice field with the green screen is made to the exact dimentions of Coors Field.
In between the Rockies practice fields.
At this point we had to take off for a quick visit with my sister-in-law and then head on down to Yuma so the kids could spend a few days with my parents.I’ll be getting up at 3am so I can drive three hours from Yuma and be at the new stadium by 7:30.
It’s been my plan for over a year to be the first fan inside the new stadium.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter… A man work’n his plan.
It Was Real and it Was Fun…But it’s Done
9/24/10 Giants vs Rockies Game One
Weather: 80 degrees, clear
Wind: 4 mph, R to L
T: 2:21.
Att: 49,071
2:30
Ok, I’m where I’m supposed to be at the time I’m supposed to be there.(Starbucks pre-game hav’n a coffee to wake up and blogg’n).
I was rock’n to the same music I always play on my drive to Coors.
You know…Mojo music.
My routine is exactly as it should be and I expect the same from the Rockies.
By that I mean, it’s a Friday home game at Coors Field and it’s fireworks night. There’s probably a sold out crowd or damn close.
Rockies…Do what you do best and pump us out a weekend of wins. Give us some glimmer of hope.
I know the D-Backs put a hurt’n on all of you the last three nights. I bet that’s still fresh in your heads.
Return the favor and lets show the Giants what we do at Coors Field to visitors with a whole lot to lose.
I wanna see some attitude. I know it’s there because I’ve seen it many times this season. That Rocky mountain swagger baby.
I refuse at this point to give up. Mathematically it’s possible and I believe we’ll all know the Rockies destiny tonight.
Let’s take the Giants down a few notches. Let tonight’s fireworks celebration be for a huge win instead of the beginning of the last week meaningless games. I love me some baseball but it not as much fun live when it’s for not.
Rockies don’t go out like chumps…
Never Surrender…Just become a season ender.
I’m head’n to Jackson’s Hole to meet up with a buddy. Then it’s time to go snag some baseballs and take some pictures.
I’m sitt’n at forty-fve baseballs for the season and I’ll be attending three more games. Wonder if I can hit fifty?
Stay tuned…”D“
4:00 PM
Today I was hang’n with my friend Dana and his girlfriend Kerri. We were third, fourth and fifth through the Rockpile gates but in reality we should have taken our time.
The batting cages were out on the field but the Rockies were not. Also at the game today was my friend Giant Todd and his family. They were doing their part and cheering on the Giants.
The Giants had the grassy part Coors Field all to themselves and took full advantage of it.
The first people I noticed as I arrived at my spot were super Rockies fans Gary X, his wife, and Alannah X. Also in attendance today was master photographer Mike(no relation to the X family although he and Gary X do have a slight beardy resemblance ).
The X-Family were set on gett’n some autographs today and headed over to the Rockies dugout as soon as that part of the stadium opened up.
Here’s a shot of Dana and Kerri.
As I was geting situated I looked over to my right and standing beside me was looong time Rant Regular Missy. It had been a long time since I had seen Missy and It was nice to see her at a Rockies game actually watching it instead of working it.
Missy is a long time Rockies employee, HUGE Rockies fan, memorabilia collector, and just a cool lady..
Missy my friend it was great to see you again and thank you for hang’n around the Rockpile Rant for as long as you have…I really appreciate it.
I tried to catch a BP ball for her but I was shutout…So much for reaching fifty.
Here’s your Colorado Rockies pre-game.
Ubaldo walked over to the fans and just started signing. I swear he was out there autographing stuff for a good twenty minutes. Ubaldo’s cool like that.
Jorge was out there sharing some sharpie luv too.
Todd Helton flashing me the Ranter sign..Yeah!
Edgmer Escalona
First pitch of the game.
Chacin pitched a helluva game despite the Rockies loss. I can’t wait to see what Cha-Ching will bring next season.
Eric Young Jr…Doing what he does best.
Props to EY..He delivered the hit that scored Seth Smith providing the Rockies only run of the evening.
The Freak…Say what you want…The dude was money tonight.
In the 7th inning Burrell swings, connects and hits a two run homer. That was all it took.
It’s always exciting when Giambi is at bat. Check out this video.
Folks extremely amped up on the field gett’n ready for the Fireworks show.
Two-Stepp’n on Coors Field
More proof that white people can’t dance.
Countdown.
The finale.
As always the Rockies put on a fantastic fireworks show..Thank you!!
Queen Geri..Thanks for watching the fireworks with me in the grass my friend. Mike nice hang’n with you too brotha.
Remember my nice email to the Rockies about Fantasy Camp?
I finally was able to get ahold of Jason Flemming. Jason works for the Rockies as the Director of Promotions & Special Events. Jason called me a few days ago and left a message about the email I had sent to the Rockies.
You know, my email asking the Rockies if they would consider sponsoring me at Rockies Fantasy camp so I could first hand blog about the experience.
I was politely informed that the Rockies don’t really do anything like that. That was a bit of a surprise.
I believe the total cost for five days of Rockies Fantasy Camp is $4300.00
The sad part is that for no cost to the Rockies whatsoever they could have offered to let me attend camp just as a blogger. I could blog about the whole experience by being there and talking to other fantasy campers not actually participating but documenting.
Shoot, I don’t even need the personalized jersey they have for made for you, I’ve got my own.
Allowing me to wander Hi-Corbett, take pictures and talk to people would in reality cost them nothing?
At the time I’ve posted this entry the Rockies season is officially over. I had tickets to the last two games but I’m dealing with back and leg issues and walking and standing for long periods isn’t a good thing right for me now. Catching baseballs just isn’t happening
It’s been fun and honor and privledge to blog for you…. “The Rant Regulars”
I’m not sure about next season…???
I guess I need to to sit back and look ponder some things aka…The Off Season.
From the bottom of my heart folks thank you for reading my Rockies blog and for helping the “Rockpile Rant” become the Rockies number one fan blog for the last three seasons.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter…
Instead of a baseball, toss me a bone, I promise you I won’t miss it…”D“
Not yet…But Soon You Can Bet
8/27/10 Dodgers vs Rockies Game One
Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 5 mph, Out to CF.
T: 3:19.
Att: 41,964.
Dodgers
(66-62)
Rockies
(66-60)
It’s been a while since I’ve been to a game or at least if feels that way. I had tickets but had to miss Tuesday and Wednesday’s games due to an injury. I really hate that.
I discovered something called sciatica. Not fun stuff especially if you enjoy having feeling in your legs.
Because of this, I’ll have to change my snagg’n game plan, at least until I’m back to 100%. Instead of being able to run and chase baseballs, I’ll have to use my superior tracking skills to be a little more choosy on the batting practice snags I attempt.
Such is life I guess…Gett’n old sucks.
Today I got lucky and snagged the first one of BP within a minute of entering the pavilion. It was a fairly easy catch, the only hiccup was manuevering between the seats to get to the rail in time.
I gave that ball to a young Rockies fan who was nearby. I can always use karma points :).
Shortly after my handoff, Rant Regular Ken snagged a Tulowitzki BP homer.
Here’s video of it shot by Dan
I believe Ken’s total for the day was two, nice job.
Mike is back from his big East Coast baseball trip.
He mentioned he took a thousand pictures including some of “interesting fans” along the way..
Here’s a few of Mike’s pictures…PNC Park
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Starting pitcher today is Ubaldo Jiminez aka known as“Nasty Fasty” here on the Rant...
Here’s Nasty Fasty doing the Pre-Game Walk of Shame
(If you listen closely, you’ll hear me tell Ubaldo he has nothing to be ashamed about)
I couldn’t tell if Franklin was staring me down or posing?
Rant favorite Eric Young Jr.
Here’s Tulowitzki playing his ”I have a ball and you don’t game” with the fans.
Today’s game had a movie theme. I really got a kick out of these.
Here are a few random game pictures.
Nice to see Helton can still Belt’em.
Todd hits his 5th homerun of the season in the second inning with two out.
Good Job Ubaldo !
Blake’s grand slam in the 8th really killed the whole mood.
The Dodgers have owned the Rockies the last couple of years.
I was really hoping the Rockies would pull this one off for Ubaldo. I wanted to be able to say I was at the game where Ubaldo achieved his 18th win.
But not this time.
Rockies lose to the Dodgers at Coors field with a final score of 6-2.
The hunt for Ubaldo’s 18th win continues…Where will it happen?
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter,
and I wanna see Nasty do it here at Coors.
Afternooon Game Ends Pretty Lame
4/28/10 ROCKIES vs D-BACKS Game 3
This was an afternoon game and the final game of a tied series.
I didn’t pre-purchase tickets to this game. I’m off on Wednesdays and when I woke up I opened the curtains, looked outside and the sky was solid blue.
You get what you get with April baseball in Colorado. Evenings are cold and afternoons can be snowy, windy and raining all in one day. Today was warm, I didn’t have a whole lot on my list of things to do so Krista said “go for it”.
Going to a baseball game unplanned is a new concept to me. I usually know way in advance what games I’m going to and I like it that way. Today I left a half hour before the game started, parked for free, walked up to the empty Rockies ticket window, purchased a Rockpile ticket for four bucks and proceeded to enter Coors Field..
No backpack today, just my camera and my glove.
Inside I discovered the first pitch had just been tossed and it was game-on. I settled on the third base side two sections to the left of the netting behind home plate. Great place to take pictures.
No waiting in line, no standing for two full hours during batting practice. Just park, ticket, seat.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my batting practice, this was a nice change.
Here’s my Picture Show
Olivo scores.
First time I’ve personally seen Banner Jack this season.
Neat guy
Melvin Mora scores
Here’s video of Tulo in the third inning with the bases loaded down 6-1.
There’s one in every stadium I’m sure. I call this “Dancing Finger Guy”
Helton hits a double.
Then Helton slides into third..Yeah!
The Rockpile
Safe, but barely.
Bob Apodaca
COORS FIELD CRACK OF THE GAME
OK, technically it’s right after the game, and it’s not exactly inside Coors Field. It was however located on the property.
The game was tied in the 9th. In the 10th inning Kelly Johnson homered to center field to lead the D-Backs to a 12-11 win.
The only thing I hate worse than losing to the D-Backs at home is losing 2 out of 3 to the D-Backs at home.
On a much more pleasing note:
Here are pictures of my grandson Mason playing T-Ball.
He likes the Rockies but his local team is the Sacramento Rivercats.
I couldn’t be more proud..”D” The Rockpile Ranter
We Left our Mark at Isotopes Park
4/2/10
I have to say Albuquerque is a fun city with nice people. I also really enjoyed Isotopes Park. I can say this because after this weekend I officially own this Park.
The whole drive down from Nederland Colorado to Albuquerque I had a good feeling. Good things tend to happen when I have that good feeling .
Isotopes Park is a cool little AAA stadium which is home to the Albuquerque Isotopes. If you’re a Simpsons fan you probably know the Simpsons live in Springfield and they have a baseball team named the Isotopes.
So Isotopes Park has a Simpsons theme. 
The first game against the Mariners was on Friday at 5pm. I gave the Isotopes front office a jingle to find out what time they open the gates and I was told the park would open 2 1/2 hours early.
Opening that early would allow me to catch most of the Rockies and all of the Mariners batting practice and I like those odds. The extra BP time would end up being a good thing as I tied my own personal record for snagging baseballs in one game.
My total for the day was six baseballs. Of the six three were caught and three were snagged on the roll. The number of balls today wasn’t really important. What was important was who hit the balls.
BP homer number one was hit by Ian Stewart and snagged as it rolling down the berm and was given away to a little boy.
Ball number two was also snagged on a roll and was smoothly handed off to another lucky little boy. That ball was hit by Todd Helton and was the first of Helton’s BP homers I’ve ever been able to snag because I usually stand in left field.
Ball number three was caught on the bounce right by the outfield fence. Ryan Spilborghs hit this ball. Here’s the video.
Ball number four was a monster hit from Jason Giambi and I caught it straight up. That ball landed in my glove a bit off the mesh and believe me my hand felt it.
Ball number five was a Ken Griffey Jr home run that I caught and Krista managed to get on video. Griffey wasn’t out hitting for long and I didn’t get his autograph.
Catching Griffey’s BP homer was as cool as it gets for a ballhawk.
Here’s the Ken Griffey Jr ball. It’s perfect except for one bat mark.
I have no idea who hit BP homer number six but it was snagged on the roll and given away to another lucky kid.
Here’s video of a ball I caught and the dude in the white Rockies jersey(not me) knocked it out of my hand. He did that to several people throughout BP.
Some inexperienced ballhawks have no class. No worries, I have no problem letting them know just that
Robert got to experience the end result of a careless ballhawk himself. Although this guy made a pretty good catch, he was holding a bat and when he caught the ball he turned and the bat clocked Robert in the head.
Let’s just say Robert wasn’t happy.
Here’s Robert and I as batting practice ended.
The Isotopes have their own beer and I thought it tasted pretty good.
Here’s a shot of Robert, me, Jack and Kim chill’n on the grassy berm.
Good size crowd on the berm, all of them trying to snag a baseball.
Props go out to my wife Krista for the great pictures and video. The weather today reached a high of 50 degrees and by the sixth inning it was down right chilly.
I was with a group of four people and the group concencious was it was too damn cold to finish watching this game so we left in the sixth inning and at that point the Rockies were losing.
After the game Robert called me and told me I f’ked up by not staying. The final score wound up being an 11-11 tie.
Yeah..I was a bit upset, but that cold weather was giving me post-season flashbacks.
I can tell you that Isotopes Park of Albuquerque has never seen anyone the likes of me.
I was running up and down that grassy berm chasing baseballs making the local ballhawks look like chumps.
I went in there my first day and owned that ballpark.
Stay tuned for game two…Believe it or not it folks it gets better.
Go Rockies
D..The Rockpile Ranter
I Aint Joking..Lets Stop this Choking
9/24/09 Padres vs Rockies Game 3
I guess I’m not much of a Ballhawk. My stats this year are pathetic. I’m averaging less than a ball a game and that’s barely noteworthy.
I don’t think I’m slipping. I still catch ‘em as good as I ever have. Actually I’m much better this year at maneuvering the pavilion bleachers and I’ve managed to keep myself injury free.
Everybody has an excuse so here’s what I’m going to attribute this lackluster snaggin season to:
The Rain…. If I attend a game and there’s no batting practice or batting practice is cancelled due to weather that still counts as a game attended and no baseballs caught,…yep it’s sad but true.
I’ve lost count of the number of BP’s that have been cancelled or cut seriously short due to rain or lightning.
Here’s another disturbing trend….Lately the Rockies have been cutting their BP short. Coors Field opens two hours early but by the time fans get inside the Rockies have already been out practicing for a while.
Normally fans who show up early get a half hour with the Rockies on the field.
This picture is of the Rockies leaving the field early. For the last several games the Rockies have been ending their BP shortly after I get myself situated.
I hope the Rockies don’t think I show up two hours early to watch the opposing team hit? 
Check this out, finally I get a rain free afternoon and for the most part batting practice is deserted (remember it’s the Padres). My team leaves BP early (for the umpteenth time) and lets the uninspiring Padres take over the field.
No offense to Padre fans but in my opinion there is not a stingier group of MLB players in all of baseball. It wouldn’t matter so much if they were littering the pavilion with home run balls, but for a team who has had the Rockies number of late these group of guys couldn’t seem to hit a ball anywhere close to the fence.
Whatever Padres, be that way. Credit where credit is due…I will congratulate the Padres for their recent hot streak. Too bad it doesn’t mean anything now. We’re done with you, see you next year.
(I hate losing to the Padres at Coors).
A ballhawk’s worst nightmare… A whole section to myself and not one single ball hit there.
Normally I don’t take pictures during BP, but this one was a bust so here’s a few.
For some reason Jorge De La Rosa was all smiles.
See what I mean. I don’t think I have any other pictures of Jorge smiling.
Still smiling, must have been a good joke.
Or maybe Jorge was laughing at Ubaldo’s sunglasses.
If you played professional baseball you could afford the cooler things in life like these special sunglasses. They actually snap into your ears and are guaranteed to never to fall off
After BP or the lack thereof, I walked over to the Rockies side to take a few more pictures and maybe snag Garrett Atkins or Brad Hawpe’s autograph.
Today I saw Chris Iannetta run past the fans and not sign. He (so I thought) has a pre-game ritual and always signs for a few minutes before he heads off to warm-up. Sup with that Chris, why are you breaking routine?
First to walk over and start signing was pitching coach Bob Apodaca…Very nice guy, signs his whole name and takes his time while doing it.
Next up is one of the coolest and easiest to talk to Rockies players….Clint Barmes.
A group Coors field employees were being recognized for something. Erik Young Jr was given the assignment of congratulaing each one of them.
Check out this lady…Either EY Jr tickled her palm or he told her the same joke Jorge was laughing at earlier.
A shot of the 850 KOA helicopter hovering above Coors Field.
Miss Colorado’s were in the house.
I didnt’ realize there were so many variations of Miss Colorado.
Garrett Atkins for my friend Emily 
Tulo and Seth Smith…Each a superstar this season. No time to be resting on our accomplishments though, this season isn’t over yet.
If you’ve ever wondered how they make those rectangles so perfect…now you know.
I respect both of these guys too much to bust on them so come up with your own caption for this picture. You can post it in the comment section if you’d like. 
I’ll let Atkins slide too.
EY Jr taking on first pitch duties. I wonder where Jeff Francis is? Normally that’s his job.
Told you that goatee would be back soon.
Here’s Helton is doing his thing.
Chris seemed out of it. Maybe it’s because Yorvit’s having a great season?
Tulo and Don Baylor.
These ladies need to practice this maneuver because they damn sure haven’t mastered it yet.
What’s up with Glenallen Hill’s hair? Did he lose a bet? I know the 80′s are coming back but damn Gumby.
One of many pitching changes during this game.
Bases loaded.
This game sucked. Padres win this one 5-4 and take the series 2-1.
It pains me to watch this team drop the ball like this so late in the season when everything is on the line.
Look out for the Braves, they’re creeping up on us and have a lot of home games left. At this point we don’t have to panic but lets not continue lose games to teams that we should be spanking.
Rockies it’s time to kick it into high gear.
I know your tired, at times it’s quite visible. The last couple weeks of the season is what separates the men from the boys and I don’t go to Coors field to watch boys play baseball.
Step it up fellas, I’m starting to see a smugness in some of the Rockies players and I don’t like that. Remember, the only reason you get to play this sport for a living is because we the fans pay to see you.
Note to the higher salaried Rockies players….Lose the fu*king attitudes. I know the difference between confident and smug and unless you’re Todd Helton you haven’t been playing long enough to have one.
Stop this recent half-steppin, respect your fans and give them some love back, focus, play hard and win some games and we might not look like chumps in the post-season this time.
Go Rockies, I still believe and I’m here to keep your azzes grounded…D
I’d like to say thank you to Jim from Utah who offered me his code to buy tickets for the NLDS series. Unfortunately, you had to purchase for all three games at once and the only seats left were the expensive ones. This Ranter doesn’t make that kind of money…But that was a mighty kind thing to do.
The streak is broke, now I’m stoked
9/1/09 Mets vs Rockies Game 1
If you’ve never smoked before and you live in the front range of Colorado you were a smoker yesterday. The smoke from the California fires was thick and for once there wasn’t any rain to wash it away.
Hunter was with me today and we were ready for some batting practice. The weather has been cruel to us this season as far as batting practice goes.
Hunter and I were itching to get in side and start scratching , catching some balls 
Hunter was the first to enter the Pavilion and I headed over to “my area”. By the time I reached “my area” there were a couple of younger dudes inhabiting it. I quickly found another spot.
I looked over and saw Hunter running up to me all excited. He had just found his first Coors Field Easter egg.
Easter Egg = A ball just lying there when you get inside.
The ball was lying at the base of the pavilion and he was the first to stumble across it.
I’ve yet to find an easter egg.
I’m sure the Rockies knock several baseballs into the pavilion before they open the gates for Coors Field. I wonder what happens to those baseballs?
Do the Ushers keep them?
I’d be ok with that. Ushers stand for hours and get paid minimally.
Or do they just toss them back onto the field?
Maybe, if I ever discover the answer I’ll let you know. Another one of baseball’s mysteries.
As for me…”The Pavilion Poacher, “The Sultan of Snatch“ I got diddly squat. I had play on several homers but the dude who initially adopted my spot ended up with my two.
I’ve noticed that none of you have commented on my hair I’m growing it for several reasons.
1. The economy. Haircuts are expensive.
2. I live in Nederland, it’s ok here.
3. Helton hasn’t cut his so I’m following his trend.
Thanks for not asking. I’ll be sure and keep you posted,…frequently
Mile High welcome to Jason Giambi. Giambi had no hits tonight but was walked on his first and only at-bat.
I’ll keep the picture show short today.
Carlos Gonzalez launched a ball into the second deck. He doesn’t look big enough to do that.
The stretch.
The DEA is on to me so I’ve been having trouble finding quality crack for the “Coors Field Crack of the Game”. So I’ll have fill-in awards until more “Crack” is discovered.
The award for today’s game is for “The Best Use of Purple“.
The next award is for the “Best Costume of the Game“. This dude was in the pavilion with a suit on. I can’t tell you how wrong that is.
Next thing you know you’ll have the likes of me sitting in Club Level..ewwww!
Quite possible the best picture I took tonight that didn’t come in a pair.
Garrett Atkins,…. it wasn’t his fault the throw was way to late.
Yorvit Torealba
Superstar Seth Smith
Atkins
The tag on his shirt says “Tip me or die of thirst”. To quote
Earth’s own words…”Aint no sissy sippin here” :)
The moon and stars were aligned tonight and the Rockies get the win over Mets at Coors in front of 26,190.
The majority of the crowd here tonight were glad to see this win.
Remember folks it only takes one win to end a streak and begin a new one.
Oh here’s one more…I call this video the ”Coors Field Sprinkler Guy“.
You’re welcome
It’s my job to keep you aware of the freaks of society…I love my job.
My name is D The Rockpile Ranter. Coors Field is my 2nd home and nobody is safe.
I’ll be at the Game 2 in a few hours..D
Rockies save face and rock the place.
8/22/09
Giants vs Rockies Game 2
Ever heard of the Long Haul Bombers?..I hadn’t, these dudes play softball and are on a nation wide Stadium tour knocking the covers off softballs.
The Bombers use aluminum bats and the softballs had no problem reaching the concourse. I think there were six batters and they each were allowed to hit 15 softballs.
I’m telling you if felt like the Home Run Derby(in my mind).
The damn softballs were crashing all around me yet I remained empty-handed. I watched Robert snag one of the first softballs hit out to left field. His spot of choice was the last row of the pavilion…Good choice.
No worries, I managed to snag a ball today during BP. I should have been sporting several more but two I misjudged and one landed right in my glove and bounced out…totally my bad.
I watched Tulo crush a ball about ten feet to my right and I was stuck because there was a family of four right blocking my access to it. As the ball neared I realized it was zeroing in for the father of the family standing beside me.
He was totally clueless so I screamed ”Heads up dude”, it scared the sh*t out of him and at the last second he raised his glove up to his head and protected his face. He was stunned and stood there for a few minutes repeating out loud “That almost hit me”.
In all honesty I was waiting for a “thank you” from either him or his wife but it didn’t happen.
Your welcome anyway dude. Enjoy your life with an undamaged face courtesy of the Ranter.
Jorge started for the day, here’s Bob Apodaca giving him a little pep talk.
The first pitch of the game.
Different and works if you’re hitting a Rave after the game.
Jorge at bat.
Fowler hitting a fouler.(that’s good huh?)
Floral print mishap of the game. Somebody really should tell him
Ouch
Jorge posing as a first baseman.
Timmy looking much too chill.
A perfect evening.
Carlos was 1-3 with two runs scored.
Tulo went 2-3 with one RBI.
Packed and pump’n
Some Giants confusion late in the game. 
This dad disappeared and came back with a purple head. His kid lost it.
He ain’t getting by Todd Helton, not tonight.
Not my best shot of the evening but here’s Ian Stewart hitting a three run rocket in the sixth tying the game and spuring a seven-run inning. That single play totally shifted the momentum of the game in our favor.
Rounding first base.
In the sixth inning with two out, Todd Helton blasted a two out homer to right field about twenty feet from where I was sitting. Man that was fun. So much fun I must have misplaced my voice.
When I woke up this morning it was gone along with my fear of getting swept.
Ha..Ha.
The Rockies punish the Giants tonight 14-11 in front of 47,178 and I was able to laugh back hard at my friend Todd (the guy I have the season long Giants bet with), because this win was a come from behind win and those just mean more when you’re bragging up your team.
Easily one of the hottest and best Rockies games I’ve been to all year. Props to my friend for helping out a guy when he really needed some shade today.
Sweet T Makes History in Front of Me
7/22/09 D-Backs vs Rockies Game 3
Sweet come from behind justice today on those D-Backs.
Honestly some baseball games are boring and you’re glad when they’re over and some games you wish would would never end.
This one was the later, I didn’t want to leave.
If you know anything about me or my blog Todd Helton can do no wrong here on the Rant. I like all of the Rockies but Todd is my guy.
Today was his day, he owned it and I was able to witness it. The initial words that come to mind are “F*CK YEAH”.
Here’s a picture of Todd at bat in the third inning. You all know what happened next.
Check out the guy in the yellow shirt just to Todd’s right. Guess he “picked” the right game to be at
So did Mylee and I, but you don’t have to wash your hand after you shake mine.
We arrived at Coors half-an hour after the gates had opened. Not because I wanted to arrive fashionably late but because I haven’t quite mastered the Nederland to Coors Field drive time.
I’m still trying to figure out the exact equation to use to calculate the “Tourist”(also known as gapers) factor into my scenic mountain drive.
As Mylee and I entered the first row of the pavilion batting practice was in full force and the D-backs were scattered all over the outfield. Although not a D-backs fan whatsoever, I’d like to give props to one player who tossing baseballs to all different parts of the stadium just for sh*ts and giggles.
Here he is tossing a ball into the seats.
This guy probably tossed ten baseballs into random parts that have never seen a baseball before.
Mylee and I watched him toss one into the Rockpile meant for a specific kid.
It rolled all the way down to the front and some pot-bellied goofy looking older guy picked it up and stuffed it into his pocket. The player who tossed it up yelled for the guy to give it to the kid, but the funny shaped guy just stood there with a blank look on his inconsiderate face and played dumb.
So what did the D-Backs player do? Well he tossed up another baseball and the intended recipient snagged it that time.
Extremely cool and something you don’t see all that much. The D-backs were acting really confident as if they were on top of the world
I wasn’t digg’n on that too much. If you want to be cocky and confident be that way in your own stadium.
The D-Backs suck at hitting batting practice homers and It looked like Mylee and I were on our way to a shutout today. On a seriously cool note, right before the D-backs left the field one of them walked up and handed Mylee a ball.
I would love tell you these players names but a lot of the D-backs had their names and numbers covered. Sorry D-backs, I don’t have time or enough brain cells left to memorize your entire roster or any teams entire roster for that matter.
We both thanked him.
After he gave Mylee the ball I noticed something weird on the fence in front of me. Check it out, you might want to shield your childrens eyes.
I’m not sure but I think these two dragonflys are “doing it” and taking in a ball game at the same time. How romantic is that?
It’s either that or this kinky fence thing is a dragonfly’s version of a 69.
What a great idea…sex and baseball…we all could learn from bugs
That was it, BP was over and Mylee and I went for a walk to see what was to be seen. When we noticed the huge crowd beside the Rockies dugout we decided to skip autographs and started looking for a shady spot to sit, relax and wait for the game to start.
Did I mention that it was HOT today? Holy heatstroke man, I now know what bacon feels like.
I noticed that usually in the 8th inning when there is a pitching change they play a Rockies clip of the Rockies making catches and shots of fans from previous games. I recently found out that I’m in that clip along with Robert. It’s for a brief second but you can clearly see Robert and I. It’s a shot from when Robert caught Spilborghs homer earlier this season.
Here’s the video, if you pause it you can see us around the 45-46 second mark.
Seeing that brief shot of the old man and me on the big screen made my day.
Mylee and I had great seats today (Thanks R-Luv) in the pavilion. Dan was kind and hooked Mylee up with a booster seat so she could see over the railing, thanks Dan.
I called my buddy Chuck to verify he would be at the house warming this weekend and also because I had a strange feeling he was at this game.
He answered and said “Hey I was just thinking about you”. I said “Funny, I was just thinking about you”.
I mentioned in a bragging sort of way about the great seats Mylee and I were sitting in for this game. Chuck informed us he was acting as the host for a group of people today who had rented a suite.
Here’s a shot of Chuck looking at me from his fancy suite from behind home plate.
Chuck came down and visited us in the front row for a while.
And in the 8th inning he called me and invited us up to visit the air-conditioned suite. Here’s a shot of us after the game.
The best thing about the suite other than the shade is the free peanuts, you can’t beat that. Other than that, I’d rather be in the pavilion trying to catch a home run ball.
Ok the view is pretty sweet too. When the game was over we watched the stadium empty out. Let me just say this, the atmosphere at Coors was electric and I was thrilled to be part of it.
Lets go backwards a bit.
Ok, it’s the third inning and Todd Helton walks up to the plate. I’m thinking, should I bust out my camera? Reality hits me and I realize that any of Todd’s future at bats could be the big one and if I’m not ready, I’ll miss the historic moment.
I whipped my camera out just as Todd took his stance at the plate. Here is a shot just after he hit the baseball. Look at the dude in the blue shirt to Heltons right shoulder in this picture. The baseball looks like it’s stuck to his glasses.
At first it looked like he hit a home run but it wasn’t long before I realized this was gonna be it. This was going to be his 500th double and I scrambled to get a shot of Todd reaching second base.
I managed to get the picture just as Todd is touching the bag, it was perfect. I remember looking over at Dan and mumbling something about he did it.
Here’s the picture I’ve been bragging about.
Here is the video of the Coors Field aftermath.
In my opinion Helton is one of the most humble baseball players out there. It wasn’t hard to tell by his stance that all he wanted to do was keep the game going. I heard he didn’t even want second base after they removed it and kept it for him.
Todd said he didn’t have a place to put it…That is humble.
Sorry Todd, you deserve this buddy. This city respects the hell out of you and whether you wanted it or not, you got your well deserved props on ”your” day.
This game had the perfect baseball ending. In the 8th inning with the game tied 3-3 Helton hits a walk off home run and wins the game for the home crowd. It’s like it was meant to be.
Here are some of the pictures I took of this game, please enjoy.
Rockies All-Star Brad Hawpe. It looks like he’s hitting Tulo in the face with his bat.
Clint Barmes really reaching.
New daddy Ryan Spilborghs and Garrett Atkins 
Mylee and one of the Rockies biggest fans Randy.
In this picture it looks like he’s throwing the baseball through his head. I took this picture at Tuesday’s game.
Seth Smith trying to snag a ball off of the bounce.
Another shot of Helton on second.
Ubaldo at bat.
Another shot, look at Ubaldo’s face in this one.
Clint Barmes
Tulo sliding back to first base.
Tulo with a clear runway.
Tulo rounding second while looking at me.
This is Todd and Ruth, I work with them. Ruth is a huge Rockies fan and Todd is the Giants fan that I have the bet with.
Houston Street doing what he does best, closing and winning.
One happy group of guys.
Rockies take this series two games to one.
Next up…The Giants
I’m not worried, I already told you they ain’t that damn big…I’ll be at Sunday’s game
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