pach24

Dunedin was in town for Game 3 of their series with Lakeland. Andy Barkett was ejected again after a couple ridiculous calls. Kyle Ginley improved to 3-0 allowing 5 hits with 4Ks in Dunedin's 4-2 win. Connor Falkenbach allowed only 1 hit in relief to get the save,

The gates were open at 3pm with a celebration of Armed Forces Day at 4 with a band and flag presentation. I was the only one by the clubhouse corner when I got there at 4:30. I got to see the relief pitchers on the field run and stretch who are always done by the time the gates usually open.

I had Gustavo Chacin one on one and asked him to sign. He mumbled something, pointed at the clubhouse and kept walking. Ouch. I never saw him again. He is not being used as a starter and did not pitch at all the whole series.

Here's where it got bad. A huge amount of little leaguers came out to walk on the field then afterwards they all came down where I was. If I hadn't been in the corner with the fence to my right I wouldn't have got anybody. I couldn't move at all. Kids were lined up all the way down the 1st base side.

I saw the Lakeland relievers just standing in the outfield. I called over Nick Martin and then asked him to see if he could get Wise or Tata to come over. Wise came over, I asked him to send Tata. Strieby came over and I asked him for Tata. Then I saw Tata and asked him myself. He said in a minute but he did come back over later. He was cool until he got mobbed by kids pushing and shoving wanting him to sign hats, gloves, t-shirts and even hands. He said "I don't sign anyone's hand" and took off.

I gave up and went to the other side to get JP. The pitchers on the DL, Eric Fowler and Billy Carnline were not there. David Corrente was there and signed but I didn't need him.

Dunedin won so I had to just tried to get Chad Blackwell before they turned off the lights for the fireworks. I got a picture with him but it was the last one on the roll and the flash didn't go off. Argh!

Dunedin:
JP Arencibia 6/6, picture with
Chad Blackwell 4/8, picture with
Jon Diaz 1/1
Brian Dopirak 6/6, 4 cards, 2 4x6s
Chris Emanuele 2/2, 1 card, 1 4x6
Brad Emaus, picture with
Omar Malave 1/1 (finally)
Adrian Martin 2/2
Cory Patton 1/1 on 4x6
Sean Shoffit 2/2, 1 card, 1 4x6

Denied:
Gustavo Chacin

Lakeland:
Nick Martin 1/1- team photo, picture with
Ryan Strieby 1/1-team photo
Jordan Tata 5/5, picture with
Brendan Wise 1/1- team photo, picture with

Next up:
Palm Beach at Lakeland tomorrow