Monday, 11-29-10

We took about a 1-1/2 hour bus trip to Cubs academy in Boca Chica while watching 60 years of WGN coverage of the Cubs on the bus’s overhead video. Upon arriving we watched for a couple of innings as the Cubs hosted the Orioles. As our bus arrived we saw Reds (as the visiting team) walking to the White Sox academy. Other teams in another complex were the Yankees, Mets, Cleveland and others had academies in another complex. 25 Major League teams have academies within ½ hour of each other. We had lunch after the game. Jan ate with Aramis Ramirez & Carlos Marmol. We met & got autographs from Billy Williams, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Koyie Hill, Alfoanzo Soriano, Sterling Castro, & Wellington Castillo (it was his broken bat that punctured Colvin chest). Colvin is reportedly completely healthy now. A few of started playing catch when Billy Williams joined in. He has a strong throw as he stung my gloved hand a couple of times & he wasn’t throwing hard. We then had batting practice with pitched balls (by a Cub coach behind a screen) while Billy Williams & Aramis Ramirez were watching & giving instructions and we fielded in the infield while others batted. Then we got pitching & catching instructions from Sean Marshall & Kahoe Hill before we got to pitch. Last we had outfield grounders & fly balls hit by an academy batting instructor. Our evening meal was at La Hacienda (a Mexican Restaurant). This was our least favorite restaurant although still very good.