MLB's 1st month

May 1st is 2 days away and what a great 1st month of baseball it has been.  My favorite team the Boston Red Sox own the best record in baseball at 18-7 and things couldn't look more glorious for them.  They have the MLB leader in RBI's and "Big Papi" is on a torrid pace since coming off the DL hitting .516 (16-31) since taking his cleanup spot in the order.  The Astros are the worst team in baseball just as everyone predicted.  With a roster full of young players they are struggling to score runs and pitchers are lucky to make it through a few innings.  As the temperature continues to heat up I'm sure its going to be a wild summer of America's pastime.

NFL Draft

Over this past extended weekend the annual NFL draft took place with many twists and turns.  Thursday evening saw the primetime event of the 1st round take place with an abnormal amount of offensive linemen and defenders taken.  Only 1 QB was taken and he wasn't even supposed to go in that round and no RB was selected.  3 of the first 4 picks were OL so some people were calling it a boring draft.  This however was not a boring draft in the sense that it gave teams a place where they could build up weaknesses and get NFL ready talent.  The Carolina Panthers, my favorite team, had a great draft filling holes on the defensive line and in the secondary.  All in all it was a good way to get a little bit of NFL drama in the spring time.

Boston Bombing

Its been a few weeks since this tragic event has taken place.  There are still so many questions surrounding the investigation that is taking place.  Why did the 2 brothers do it in the first place?  How did they get these bombs into the event undetected?  Are these 2 part of some sort of terror organization?  Those and many more questions are being asked to the remaining brother who was critically wounded.  The other killed in a shoot out with police and then run over by his brother can not answer these or any questions.  Everyone however must remember the loss of life in this event and the lives that have been changed forever due to their injuries.

BOSTON STRONG

Baseball's Over

Well I knew it would eventually come to an end but I didn't think it would come so quickly.  This past weekend was my final weekend to be able to play for the Barton Bulldogs.  We missed out on the conference tournament by a fraction of percentage points.  But thats neither here nor there.  In the end I will look back at great memories I have made over the past 5 years and great friends that will last me a lifetime.  I will begin a new chapter in my life in a few weeks by hopefully landing a new job after I graduate and take life on.  Its somewhat scary but as I know life moves on and always will.  I have friends and family that will always stand next to me through whatever I decide to do in my life.

Last bus ride

As i sit on the bus riding to possibly my last college away series I can't help but be a bit sad.  I've been playing this game for the past 17 years of my life and when I hang my cleats up for the last time that's it.  I knew a long time ago i wouldn't go any further then college but I went as far as my abilities would take me.  I have memories and friends that will last a lifetime.  Yes it is bitter sweet but I will cherish my memories forever and baseball will forever be a part of my life.

Easter around the corner

This years easter is only a few days away and it will be a time of worship to praise my God and spend time with my close family and some that I haven't seen in awhile.  It will also be the 1st time my young son can go easter egg hunting.  I can still remember those days when I used to run through the field to grab up as many easter eggs as possible I know he will get to enjoy it for many years to come.  It will also give my family a chance to slow down for a day and enjoy each other.  With our always on the go lifestyle its tough to sometimes slow down and take time out of our day to enjoy each other.  Getting to spend time with 2 sides of the family will be great.  Also the fact that we can go to church and give praise to Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice has a great deal of meaning to me because who knows where we would be if he had never of done that.

So when Sunday comes if you don't already have plans of your own just slow down long enough to think why we all call this holiday easter and why we get a day off.  Its because of something that happened nearly 2,000 years ago.

Halfway Done

Now that spring break is upon us my last half of my final semester at Barton College is closing in on me.  It as been a wild ride these past 5 years.  I have gotten the chance to meet very interesting people including my future wife to be.  Travel to some places Im sure I would of never seen with baseball.  And learn things that I will be able to carry with me through out my life.  I do however look forward to jumping into the real world and seeing what new opportunities will come my way once I leave in May.

Sandy Hook conspiracy

I believe that Sandy Hook was a hoax set up by the government.  I know you saw some of the coverage and how the story changed every 30 minutes.  1st it was Adam Lanza's brother Ryan who did it then kept changing back and forth.  The mom was a school teacher at Sandy Hook then she was a substitute then she didn't even work there.  Doesn't add up?  That's only the beginning.

There is clear evidence of police chasing a man through the woods.  It was shown only once and was never talked about again.  Media and something more powerful then the government working together?  Something just isn't right here.  The actual weapons used for the killing is still a mix up.  1st it was a few hand guns then an assault rifle then a shotgun?  Then police found guns in the back of his car including the weapon the police said was used for the shootings.  That can't be possible when they were locked in the trunk.

Do you possibly think a psychotic 20 year boy could skillfully shoot all 26 victims multiple times (3-11 times) while they're running around scared?  That would be tough with a few handguns and small targets wouldn't it?  The small girl who's picture was flashed everywhere Emilie Parker.  She somehow was photographed with president Obama a few days later as he was consoling the family.  And how do parents who just lost a child joke and laugh right on camera.  I am a parent and I would be inconsolable if something like that happened let alone joking around with reporters.

What about numerous memorial pages that were set up days in advance?  They were quickly taken down but have been timestamped and cannot be denied.

There is a laundry list of other conflicts with this situation but will not be looked into sadly....

Whats happening at Barton

The most interesting thing happening at Barton right now is that spring sports teams have started to play their respective seasons.  Baseball,softball, track and field, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis have started to play and winter sports such as men's and women's basketball are continuing to play.  Also coming up in less than 3 weeks time is the start of spring break, which starts February 28.

BC Baseball

Moving into the 2013 spring semester brings only one thing to my mind...baseball season.  This will be my final season at Barton College but our team looks extremely strong and have a group of older players for the 1st time in awhile.

Anyone in the program the past couple of years can tell you that its been no fun losing some 60 games and with the roller-coaster ride that ensued all fall we feel as if we can through anything.

Our pitching looks to be deep with 4 seniors and young players who are looking to step up and be difference makers, we should have one of the best staffs in the league.  Our offense returns 5 full time starters and 2 partial time players.  With 2 to 3 new guys stepping in they should fit right in, in what will be an older lineup as well from top to bottom.

I believe this team has a chance to be something special after being whipped around for most of the past 3 years.  Its been tough to be apart of and watch, but we have banded together and think this year we could set many of Barton College's single season records for team and individual marks.

-ZC