The Mocs had a great season!

Well, after beating the No. 1 ranked team in the country yesterday, (Southern Arkansas 3-1) Florida Southern loses to Lynn in the final game by a whopping 19-3!!! Sad but true. It's been a great season for Max and the Moccasins. The team goes 44-16 on the year...Max goes 10-1 with an ERA of 3. Not bad. He'll be driving home...be back by next weekend, and a short rest, and then off to the Cape by June 5th to play for the Cotuit Kettleers for the summer....I'm extremely proud of the boy.

In other news, I did race 2 weeks ago in the Greenwich Du. Did o.k. I wanted to finish under 1:10, and I did a 1:09...didn't place but they use 10 year age groups, and being 59, I'm at the top end...no problem. I wanted to do the Shamrock on Sun. but was busy with work in Manhattan and didn't get back in time. Next race I'm shooting for is the Griskus Olympic. I have some traveling in between, so I'll see how it goes.

Had a wonderful dinner in Manhattan with my son Seth the other night. He came in from Philly, and we went to one of my favorite all time spots, Harry's down in the Wall St. neighborhood. Clearly, my life is immersed with my kids...I love it, it's the best!

Florida Southern advances

Max's baseball team, the Moccasins are headed to the NCAA South Regional. The NCAA announced its tournament selections Sunday night and the Moccasins are one of eight teams selected for the South Regional, which will be played May 14-18 at Magnolia, Arkansas, and how many of you know where that is? The Moccasins (38-14) are seeded sixth and will play third-seeded West Alabama in their first game.

Max will be pitching Game 1, Thursday at 4:30PM EST, and you'll be able to follow it on LiveStats at: http://www.flsouthern.edu/athletics/baseball/livestats/xlive.htm or possibly there might be an audio broadcast at: http://znj1065.com/ which broadcasts the West Alabama games during the regular season and claim they will be doing it...but...it doesn't always happen....Since I'll be teaching at NYU, I can't make it, but Marla is going, that lucky girl!!!

They have never met West Alabama in baseball. The championship provides for eight regional sites - six sites will host six teams, the West region will host four teams and the South region will host eight teams. All regionals are double-elimination tournaments. Regional champions will advance to the double-elimination championship finals May 23-30 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The finals will be hosted by Mount Olive College and the town of Cary, North Carolina. And if they get that far...I will definitely make it to those games. Pretty cool....

Can't believe it's been 3 weeks!

Ultimately, this blog may become more effort than it's worth. I have a few family members reading it, and a couple of friends, and like many, if not all of us...time is always precious. Certainly, the weather here in CT. has been great for training outdoors. I'm just loving it. I've also had some traveling in between. Spent 3 days in Ft. Worth, and it was hot as hell. I'm looking forward to my 1st race of the season, this weekend the Greenwhich Duathlon. I've been participating in this race for close to 20 years, and although it's not USAT sanctioned, it's still one of my early season favorites.

My older son Seth will finish up his teaching in Philadelphia by mid June, he's handed in his resignation, so he'll will be looking for employment in the writing or journalism field. He's basically "burnt out" with the teaching, and now wants to move on. So, if anyone reading this has any leads for a smart, creative, dynamic, writer with 2 years of teaching experience, let me know. He'll look at virtually any opportunity, providing he gets to use his skills and expertise to write.

Younger boy Max, is still pitching very well at FSC. He's now 7-1, got his 1st college loss last weekend against Flagler. Despite a standout pitching effort from him, his team suffered their fifth straight loss, falling to Flagler 2-1 Friday night at Henley Field. Max matched his career high with 14 strikeouts, scattered six hits and walked only two through eight innings, but all he had to show for it was his first career loss and the first in eight decisions for him this season. They have 6 games remaining, and he'll pitch 2 of them. 3 games against their arch rival Tampa, and 3 against Nova. Max leads the team in ERA with a 2.82, and they're 2nd in the Conference, and ranked 11th in the country. We're hopeful they make the Regionals, which will start May 14th.

The Red Sox are on a tear at the moment, winning the last 11 straight, with a sweep against the Yankees which always bring joy to my life. Watching Jacoby Ellsbury steal home with the bases loaded is about as good as it gets. I just have to keep pinching myself to remind me that it's only April...it's a long season. And my good buddy Dave and I went to see the Dead the other night in Hartford. What a dynamite show! These guys are all in their 60's and put on an outstanding 3 hours jam and oldies show. Talk about endurance, the energy they displayed was incredible. Well worth it, if you can make one of the shows...they are threatening to make this their last tour ever....but like many rock stars...they keep coming back...

I hope to reporting from the D-II Regionals...keep your fingers crossed....

Sweet weekend

It was so nice...Starting Friday night, Max pitched against Eckerd College. He pitched a complete game and dominated, shutting out Eckerd, with only 4 hits, 1 walk, and 14 strikeouts, wins the game 7-0. On Saturday, they won the double header, and are now 31-5, and 11-1 in the Sunshine Conference. Max was also named Pitcher of the Week by the Sunshine State Conference. Big series starts Thursday night against the other 1st place team, Barry University. Max will pitch the Thursday night game, and they'll play a double header on Friday. This is very exciting, but very nerve racking. Also had a wonderful conversation with Seth, who was driving to DC for part of his week off from teaching. He is such a talented kid, and so insightful. He may get up here at the end of the week, maybe the 2nd night of Passover...I certainly hope so.

Then on Saturday, I had a great long, slow run complete with sun, rain, wind, and clouds. A little bit of everything. Got together with our gourmet dinner club last night, and sat around the t.v. and watched UConn lose. They were never really in it. Michigan State had Magic Johnson show up in the locker room before the game and give a motivational type speech to the guys. It definitely worked. UConn's pregame conference was televised, and Jim Calhoun, in my opinion, did a lousy job in terms of speaking to his team. It was a very flat speech, almost like he expected to win it. Surprise! Tom Izzo clearly had his agenda in order. Oh well...now let's see if the women can take care of Stanford tonight, and it starts at 9:30 PM. what's up with that?

After watching the weather on Friday, I decided if I had any chance of biking outdoors, it would be today...and it was. I had a great 25 mile hilly cruise throughout Orange and Milford, wearing just shorts, and a shirt. Glorious! I love this time of year. The smells, the flowers blooming, ah, it is so sweet. I was sorry I couldn't participate in the Brian's Boogie Beachside Du...but just checked the results, and see that Alan finished 1st overall. Congratulations Alan, nice job. So, for me, the season has begun. I always count the start of my season when I can bike outdoors.

I have an incredibly busy week between work, and Passover. We're hosting the 1st night Sedar at our house, Marla will be cooking for 14...always fun, but a lot of work. And I've got a lot of workouts to get in....Max on Thursday night, and hopefully Seth will be here....Ciao

Ahhh....spring is in the air

6 days, 21 hours till the 1st pitch for the Red Sox...I love it...when I ran on Saturday, crocuses, daffodils, and even the forsythias are starting to pop. This time of year is fantastic, especially if you run and bike. I ran for 90 minutes on Saturday, and felt great. I was able to go in shorts, and a fleece type windbreaker and no gloves. Hopefully, I'll be able to bike outdoors for the 1st time this season, within the week.

Next Sunday is one of my favorite season openers, Brian's Beachside Boogie. But, I've given my mountain bike to my son Seth, and never replaced it. So, looks like my 1st race of the season will have to wait till May 3, (my birthday) to do the Greenwich Duathlon. My indoor biking seems like it's getting stronger. I've concentrated this winter on using 2 of Troy Jacobson's DVD's. The Time Trial hour, and the single loop of the Lake Placid Ironman. They're tough and good workouts. And my swimming seems to be fairly strong. I attribute it all to the core strength training that Eric taught me in Jan., and I've tried to do it twice a week since. I definitely feel a difference in my arms, and my lower back. Both feel stronger.

Max continues to do well pitching. He won this past Friday night against St. Leo, he's now 5-0, with an ERA of 3, and this morning the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has them rank #1 in the country for D-II. The team is 28-5, and undefeated at home. It's getting a little nerve racking.

And I've got 3 of the 4 teams in the final 4 of the NCAA. Michigan State, UConn, and North Carolina...and the Duke - Villanova game may be the best game I've seen all year. After reading an article in yesterday's New York Times about Facebook...I've started a page. Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1509393961&ref=name All else is pretty good...

A great week with the Florida son!

And in the sun! After sleeping into the early afternoon of last Mon. due to our late arrival, we grabbed some food, and made our way to the ball field. Max's team beat St. Michael's from Vt. Our 4th game, and 3rd win since arriving. Got another run in on Tuesday, and the weather was next to perfect. 85 degrees and sunny. We got to have lunch with Max, and made a run to the local Beal's to get him some needed shirts and pants. Max has practice every day, Mon. through Fri., after classes from 3:00 to 6:30. They usually play 4 games/week. Either Mon. or Tues. night games, and then always a game Friday night, and a double header on Saturday. His schedule, like all NCAA athletes, is brutal. I have so much more respect for all college athletes than ever before. Between practice and studies, it's a very full schedule every day and every week.

Had a terrific meeting with Max's coach, Jim Tyrell, after lunch on Wednesday. He feels that Max is exceeding their expectations. He's also doing very well academically. Wednesday night we met up with Max's long time girlfriend and family for dinner. Max has been dating her since high school, and lucky for him, she and her family moved down to Florida right after her high school graduation. We had dynamite steaks at a place called the Texas Cattle Company. Excellent food if you ever get to Lakeland, FL.

Thursday, after another really good run, we took off for Sarasota to take the tour of the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum and estate. Prior to 1929, Ringling was 1 of the 10 richest men in the world. Made his fortune running the famous circus named after him and his 4 brothers. He built this unbelievable estate with his wife on 66 acres overlooking Sarasota Bay. So we took the tour of the house and his private museum of mainly 17th century Baroque period art....but truly the highlight was the Circus Museum. It's a fabulous collection of wardrobe props, and all types of circus equipment including the carved parade wagons that used to bring the circus into town. We had a tour guide who abilities as a docent were excellent.

Then after a great Italian dinner at Caraguila's in downtown Sarasota, and a walk around the docks, where the average size of the yachts is about 100', we were off to see our Red Sox take on the Cincinnati Reds, in exhibition baseball. We saw John Lester pitch 4 1/3 great innings, giving up 1 earned run, 3 hits, and had 6 strikouts. Jed Lowrie went 3 for 4, with 3 RBI's including a 2 run home. The Sox won 9-1. What a great day!

Max pitched Friday night again, and had a super outing against Rollins College. He went 8 full innings, only 2 hits, and 10 strikeouts. Awesome! Saturday it was back to the ball park for our final double header. Florida Southern ends up sweeping Rollins, going into 1st place in the division, and is now ranked #1 in the country by Collegiate Baseball for Division II. In 10 days, Marla and I saw 7 Florida Southern games, they won 6, and Max pitched 2 of them. And we caught a Red Sox game...8 games in 10 days, we loved it! Now it's back to reality here in CT. If Max and his team continue on this track, we'll have to go back for the Regionals, and perhaps the Nationals at the end of May....stay tuned.

I hope I don't sound too much like the doting dad that I am. There's not too much that can beat watching your children succeed at something they love. It's one of the greatest parts of parenthood. I can only wish the same for everyone.

the rockets' red glare....

Greetings from sunny Florida. Marla and I arrived on Thurs. (3/12), in Orlando, and drove down to Melbourne to see Florida Southern play 3 games in 2 days against Florida Tech. Max pitched Fri. afternoon. Went 6 2/3 innings gave up 3 hits...had a great outing...got no decision, but the team went on to win the game 4-3. Then on Sat. they spit a double header. So, now they're 19-5 and 3rd in the Sunshine State Conference.

My parents were to fly into Orlando on Sunday, we would pick them up and take them to Lakeland to spend the rest of the week. Dad ended up back in the hospital on Sat. with low blood pressure, he's o.k., in fact already back home, but the Doc won't let him fly. So, Marla and I decided to make our way up to the Kennedy Space Center and try and watch the launch of the Shuttle Discovery. The Space Center itself is o.k....not great, in fact we both agreed that the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. is far superior in almost every way.....except, they don't have launches. I've always been enthralled and intrigued with the space program. It was 2 days after my 11th birthday when Alan Shepard 1st went into space in the Mercury program for a whopping 15 minutes, followed by Virgil Grissom and then that All Amercian...John Glenn. We saw the original Freedom 7 and Redstone Rocket in Rocket Park at the Space Center...these guys were incredible cowboys to climb on top of these virtual firecrackers and take a ride.

But if you really want to feel the earth move under you feet (like Carole King sings), then you have to witness a launch 1st hand . Absolutely incredible! Should be on every one's "bucket list". The buses at the Space Center take you out to a causeway where there is seating, they're broadcasting the countdown, and even vendors for food and sweaters if you're cold. You have a very clear, albeit 6 miles away, view of the launch site, and the Shuttle. I cannot describe the feeling that you get when you see essentially the fuse lit on the bottom of this rocket, and 7 million pounds of thrust lift this approx. 170,000 lb. shuttle off the ground and it reaches a speed of 17,500 mph in about 6 minutes! This was a night time launch, and you get to see it for almost the whole 6 minutes, before it disappears into the night. The pictures attached were taken with my little Canon pocket camera...but what you're missing is the ground shaking, the incredible sound, the bright glow of the rockets, and the sonic boom aftermath...awesome!

Now, if that's the great news, the bad news is it took us about 6 hours to drive 96 miles to the hotel in Lakeland, arriving here about 3 AM...the traffic on all roads and highways was insane. I can bike faster than that. I asked a number of people, including toll collectors (and there are many of them) and they all say it's the volume of people that went to see the Shuttle blastoff.

Max's team has a game tonight against St. Michael's from Vermont, but he won't pitch again until Friday night's game against Rollins. So, we get to hang out in sunny Florida till next Sunday before we go home. We have planned a meeting with Max's coach, and we have tickets for the Thursday night Red Sox vs. Cincinnati game in Sarasota. I've gotten a couple of hour long flat runs in already, and I hope a swim or 2 at Florida Southern this week. Stay tuned...I'll post again at the end of the week...right now it's 85 and partly cloudy, so I have to endure...