TicketsSept. 7, 2009
Sept. 7
I arrived in Munich with several of the players and staff on Friday morning after taking an overnight flight from Philadelphia. We took a bus to Stuttgart, checked into the hotel, went to the field and played an exhibition game against Germany that was stopped after five innings because of rain. It was the first time the team has been together in some time and it showed. On Saturday, we traveled to Heidenheim, checked into our hotel, and then went to the field for a four hour practice, followed by another exhibition game against Germany where we lost 11-1. Sunday saw us practice again and play the Germans for the final time. We lost 7-5 but looked much more sound fundamentally. A few of our better players will join us in Zagreb, Croatia, in time for the opening round of the World Cup.
Heidenheim is a beautfiul city and the people here at the local professional baseball club have been our hosts - they are tremendously accommodating and thoroughly in love with baseball.
As I type this, it is Monday morning and we have just finished another long practice. We will eat here at the club, return to the hotel where we'll pack and shower and then board a bus for Munich. Dinner for the team is scheduled at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. After dinner, we'll board a train for an overnight trip to Zagreb, Croatia. We are scheduled to practice on Monday and Tuesday then open play on Thursday against Japan.
I hope to have more regular email access in Croatia and will keep you updated.