First Visit to Rome This Year!

by secondbass on Aug 23, 2009 12:47 AM EDT Comment 35 comments

So we went to Rome....

In following the tradition of telling of our community adventures at the ballparks, I’ll throw mine in here from Rome. There was very little in the way of interesting happening, but we had a good time - we always do in Rome. My family and I usually go to 15 or 20 games in Rome a year, but due to several circumstances, we haven’t been at all this season. My boss has a friend who plays golf with a guy who has a suite (I kid you not), so 14 of us got to go tonight. It was nice. The view from said suite:

The lineup:

And no, Eric Campbell is not our former friend. I was hoping Randall was the good Delgado, but he didn't prove to be tonight.

Randall:

Maybe it makes me an idiot, but I expected Randall to be a black guy. He was not.

Adam Milligan:

Luis Sumoza:

I honestly just don't know these guys. Milligan was impressive. Big tall dude. I got some shots of Moody, Campusano, and others, so if anyone has any requests, I'll post. Otherwise, I'm just too out of touch with Rome these days to know who's who anymore. And it's way past my bedtime and I'm too tired to think.

The highlight of our night was actualy when my daughter got picked to race Birdzerk around the bases. They set up this whole deal where he beats her in the race, then a couple of players come beat him up for it (Hoover and Clemens), and then he asks her for a hug. She runs over and kicks him, knocking him down, then kicks him some more when he's down. Good, clean family fun. The celebration:

It was actually very funny, and the guys in the Birdzerk crew were very nice to us.

Tomorrow I go to Gwinnett. I'm looking for Schafer and Tyler Flowers. If I get any interesting shots, I'll post.

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I gave it a rec, but I need the rest of the pics! Great stuff man, love the Delgado pic.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 23, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay.....

but if I put the wrong name with the wrong guy, please feel free to correct me! It’s that bad….

Ryan Barba:
<a href="http://" >

Schlehuber warming up the pitcher:
<a href="http://" >

Campusano:
<a href="http://" >

Chaise Fuller:
<a href="http://" >

Shayne Moody:
<a href="http://" >

And one last shot of Milligan….just for mvhsbball!:
<a href="http://" >

And now that’s it!

by secondbass on Aug 23, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks! And aside from misspelling Chais’ first name, you were right on all of them. Especially appreciate the Shayne Moody pic. He went to UNCC, so he’s automatically a favorite.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 23, 2009 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesteing.....

The lineup Rome posted (see pic) had Fuller’s name spelled with an ‘e’, so I went with that…….the website doesn’t have the ‘e’. I didn’t bother with autographs last night or I might have caught it. Ah, well, what do you do!

by secondbass on Aug 23, 2009 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That makes sense. I did notice that the lineup card had Campusano as Joel and not Yoel, so the debate continues.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 23, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why am I so surprised Adam Milligan is white?

I coulda swore he was black, but I guess not. Nice post.

7/24/2009 - "The Phillies are too far ahead in the NL East for the Braves to make a run." - Buster Olney

REMEMBER THAT BOYS.

by mvhsbball on Aug 23, 2009 12:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

What?! You’re not good at that game.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 23, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was because he was a RB in HS wasn’t it… its ok… i thought the first hting until i looked it up

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Aug 28, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

nice post, seemed like a lot of fun. See if you can find out what’s up with Schafer and his wrist…

Yunel is the Queen of Hearts

by GoBravesNY on Aug 23, 2009 1:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't get to see Schafer

I saw him sitting in the dugout, but that was it. Autographs aren’t as easy as in Rome. In Rome, the players come out of the clubhouse right there with the fans. Heyward and Freeman used to sneak out the back, but everybody else is usually very accomodating. In Gwinnett, the players park as they do in Atlanta – behind a gate. I was told most would stop, roll down their windows and sign, and move on, but I didn’t really feel like chatting with Schafer through his Hummer window. I’ll have to try again some other time!

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that’s a ridiculous setup for a minor league park. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of being more intimate with the players, the one main selling point of the minors.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 24, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I think Gwinnett takes themselves too seriously, in that respect. I went to a AAA park out west once, and it felt as relaxed as like an A level park, which is the way it kind of should be.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Aug 24, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely, and I probably won't go back

It’s virtually impossible to get autographs at a major league park, much less strike up a conversation with a player, or better still, get to know a few here and there. I like the minors in that you have that opportunity. Don’t get me wrong….the stadium at Gwinnett is nice, good place to see a game, but if I want that experience, I’ll just go to Atlanta. I have to drive either way (Rome or Gwinnett), so for my money and what I like about a ballgame, Rome is better.

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty accurate about how I feel about the minors in general. It’s much more fun at the lower levels. Sure, the level of play in AAA is outstanding, but some of the attitudes, both with the players and the stadiums, can be grating.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 24, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the extra photos!

adam milligan is now my 3rd favorite prospect behind Heyward and Teharan! the dude can straight swing the bat.

anyone know how adam’s defense is? and how old is he?

7/24/2009 - "The Phillies are too far ahead in the NL East for the Braves to make a run." - Buster Olney

REMEMBER THAT BOYS.

by mvhsbball on Aug 23, 2009 1:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

rec'd

he’s 21, dob 03/14/1988. 6’ 3" 210 lbs. lefty hitter, throws right. southern boy, from Morristown, TN, which happens to be located about 35 or 40 miles NW of Knoxville. population was 24,965 as of the 2000 census.

by fandave on Aug 23, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Morristown West HS

has a reasonably competitive regional debate program. I bet Adam is quite the orator.

Mat Gamel is way too cool for double consonants.

by VivaLosBravos on Aug 23, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so ur saying he is a master debater

I’m sorry it was too easy

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Aug 28, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

While we were in the clubhouse waiting to do the Birdzerk thing, Teharan was just kind of walking around. We were kind of busy (he wasn’t), so I didn’t get a chance to meet him. But I kept telling my wife, “That’s Julio Teharan!” She didn’t care.

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know if you'll see this in time

Seeing as how Rome is like 100+ miles away, and you’re probably already there/on the road, but I’ll be in Gwinnett as well. I’ll just look for some guy with a heavy duty camera capable of the quality of shots you take.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Aug 23, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you see the camera I had? I had my good one with me, but when I saw you, I had the little lens on it. I’m sure you were not impressed! I pulled out the big gun later. I got a decent shot or two of Hudson and a couple of Tyler Flowers. I couldn’t get as close as I do in Rome. Anyway, I’ll try to get some stuff posted tomorrow. Maybe – I have homework due Thursday.

by secondbass on Aug 23, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Second Bass—Thanks for the post and the pictures. I have missed your informative commentary on Rome baseball….nice to see that you got a chance to take your family to the ballpark….

by Stephen in the UAE on Aug 24, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks you!

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Next time without the ‘s’

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome post and pics

The one of your daughter is priceless!! I’m sorry you haven’t been able to make it to as many games, also – for the obvious fun you and your family get out of it, and selfishly for the enjoyment I get out of your stories and superb pics. But I too know, life is what happens when you’re making plans. Thanks for continuing to share your experiences, it’s appreciated!

by Lizziebeth on Aug 24, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and Thank You!

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've probably asked you before,

but please tell me what kind of camera you use.

by Lizziebeth on Aug 24, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a Nikon D-50

…and that’s pretty outdated these days. The lens I use for most of my shots is a 70-300 mm zoom. It was an el cheapo – it cost around $150, I think. I bet you could find a D-50 body with a couple of lenses for around $500 on ebay or craigslist. I’m wanting to upgrade – I want a D-300, which is out of my range at the moment. I’m also wanting what’s called an f2.8 fixed 200mm lens. That’s around $1500 just for the lens, but I need it to get night shots as well as indoor stuff. One of my daughters is in gymnsatics, and I have zero pictures of her because I can’t figure out how to take the pictures!

And that’s more than you wanted to know!

by secondbass on Aug 24, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that’s more than you wanted to know!

Not on your life!! I absolutely appreciate all the details. Wow, you got that lens pretty cheap. I use the same mm zoom – the Canon version. I got mine pretty cheap, too – a friend was upgrading from his film Canon to a Sony digital and gave me the body + the lenses! Of course that makes 5 SLRs I have now that are too expensive to use and are just stored away in boxes. Luckily my father has the lens-compatible Canon EOS XS, which I borrow constantly (obviously!).
I wouldn’t mind switching/buying the Nikon if the lenses were compatible. I’m tired of borrowing, and I’m not liking the dullness that the EOS is producing these days – it’s a little outdated, too. Your pics are just so crisp, it’s fantastic. I really want to do the photography thing full time, but…that whole life/plans thing…sigh!
Thanks again.

by Lizziebeth on Aug 25, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One last little tip....

I use the program Picasa from Google to do ALL of my editing. It’s a free download, and it’s great. I own Photoshop, but Picasa is so much easier…..and it has a sharpening feature in it that may solve your dullness problems. See what you think!

by secondbass on Aug 25, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

Will do. I’ve looked at Picasa in the past, but was so used to photoshop, I didn’t spend much time on it. I’m not crazy about the sharpening tool in PS, so it’ll be interesting to compare Picasa’s to it.

by Lizziebeth on Aug 28, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great pics

These are great pics. We go to a LOT of R-braves games (cause we live in Rome). Your daughter was adorable and we loved Birdzerk. Thanks for sharing. :-) I’m envious of your photography skills and camera, so thanks for the tips and info.

by rbravesfan on Aug 28, 2009 9:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank You!

I appreciate it!

by secondbass on Aug 28, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

one more question

Okay, not sure where to ask this, since I’m really new here. I have about 180 R-braves pics in a public facebook album. Is there a way, (or place) on here to put a link to the album for others to see? (not that they are nearly as good as yours!). Thanks!

by rbravesfan on Aug 30, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could make a fanpost or fanshot with the link. But really, if you make a post like this one, where you pick out some of the better stuff, it’s alot more likely to get seen by everyone. Or, since the offseason is coming up, make a post like that once a week for a bit, focusing on a player or a game or a series or a month or whatever until you get all the stuff you like.

Whatever you do, hit me up on Facebook so I can see the picks: CB Wilkins.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 31, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs