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Washington State Part 1
My day began at 4AM. I woke up, and got ready to go on a trip that I’ve been wanting to take since 1999. The trip would take me almost 3,000 miles across the country from Pittsburgh to Seattle.
My flight was set to take off at 6:15 AM, I’m not a morning person, so I decided to cut it close by leaving my house at 4:30, so by the time I got to the airport, went through security and found my departure gate, I wouldn’t have to wait long.
About mid way to the airport, I’d realized I made a Buckner-esque error. I had forgotten my tickets. The tickets were to see Dave Matthews Band and were in the Pit, which are the closest and best tickets available. I turned around, broke numerous safety and traffic laws, and went back to my house to get them. In all, it set me a half hour behind.
I ended up making it to my gate, in Home Alone 1 airport running fashion, with ten minutes to spare.
I first flew to Washington DC, and then to Seattle WA. (Of course I was stuck in a middle seat on the six hour flight there, not good for a tall guy like me).
I rented my car from Thrifty, and then began my two hour drive to Yakima WA to check into my hotel. The Pacific Northwest was pretty breathtaking. I took some pictures on the way.
The mountains here put the Appalachians in PA to shame.
View to my right:
Panoramic:
I’ll leave you with this video I took from that spot, you might want to turn down the volume because the wind was ferocious.
After taking the video, I got back in my car and made my way a couple miles down the road to the Gorge Amphitheater - Check for that update in my next entry.
By the way, thanks to my readers, as this blog was the 8th most read mlblog in August 2010.
7-17-10 PNC Park
The day began for me at 4AM. I had spent the previous week in South Carolina at Myrtle Beach.
I arrived at PNC Park at 3:45 PM and I was back in action for the first time since July 3rd, exactly two weeks off from ballhawking.
It was a much needed break. But I was ready to get back to one of my hobbies.
Upon entering the stadium at 4:30, batting practice had not yet begun.
After 5-10 minutes, it got underway and I snagged a ground rule double from Bobby Crosby, who was hitting in the first group. The ball barely cleared the wall, as it was a line drive. 
I lined up with the ball and made the snag about three rows back.
Things were really slow during the first two groups, and I had the opportunity to talk to two of the Pirates relievers.
Things then slowed down to a ridiculously boring pace. The Astros weren’t hitting many home runs, as they appeared 100% dedicated to taking inside out swings to hit the ball to right field.
Luckily, near the end of batting practice, I snagged a ground rule double off the bat of an unknown Astro.
Also, at the end of batting practice, I got ball #7 thrown by Matt Lindstrom as the Astros were running off the field.
At the end of batting practice I gave one of my extra balls that I bring from home away to a young fan with a glove who had gotten shut out.
I left right after Batting Practice to go home and get caught up on some sleep.
(PS: As for Sunday, Nick and I went to the stadium, waited outside for over a half an hour and then left, as there were no signs of cages in sight. I’ll be back in action on Monday, and Milwaukee’s best ballhawk will be in attendance at the game…)
Here are today’s baseballs:
Game: 7 balls (3 hit, 1 thrown, 1 device, 2 found)
Season: 287 balls (153 hit, 67 thrown, 27 device, 41 found)
Games: 45 games
Average: 6.38 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 865 balls
Streak: 141 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 36,665
mlblogscountingbaseballs
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