TicketsSept. 8, 2009
September 8
I am writing to you from Zagreb, Croatia, where we arrived via overnight train from Munich. We spent some time yesterday evening exploring Munich which is a very nice city. Dinner for me was German sausages and sauerkraut with mustard. I felt obligated to try sausage based on everyone here telling me how good they were and it turned out to be a great recommendation.
The train ride was long but comfortable given that we had beds to sleep in. Certainly it was not like a real bed and so sleep was harder to come by than normal. Upon our arrival, we checked into our hotel, ate breakfast quickly, and left for the field where we had a good practice, especially considering how tired everyone was. The field is nice but still being prepared. The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) has flown the head groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers here to prepare the field and he does have his hands full.
Japan is the heavy favorite in our pool and we open play against them on Thursday. We will need to finish in the top three of our pool to advance and so this will mean winning at least one game. Croatia is the weakest team in the pool and Great Britain and Nicaragua would be considered the two teams in the middle. As the event gets closer you can feel the players becoming more excited and I think a little nervous about getting started.
We have the rest of today off, so we will be able to catch up on sleep. I have been doing some work from here and will go for a run with our head coach to get a workout and to see some of the city. We have a team meal this evening and will practice again in the morning. I expect to have some time tomorrow to be able to email with another update.