"I'm not trying to hitch a ride"

Having been mistaken for a hobo hopping a train, the Yard Master told me I needed to shave and forget about becoming a Railroader. Sure enough, Manager Estes has refilled the roster, and one of them is Hodskins from last year’s team. I suppose with Cory back on the team, there’s no need for me to keep the facial hair, Lord knows I can’t compete with him. Well it’s great to see him with the 2008 Railroaders, his skills will definitely make the team even better.

Estes has also signed what appears to be a great outfielder from Springfield College in Illinois by the name of Kurt Dudley. Another strong lefthander like myself. David added another guy from Union University, Kevin Kirksey is a big boy at 6’4” and 215 lbs, and plays first, third, or pitches. All these guys were recruited in month of May by Estes to fill 3 vacated spots. The 22 man roster is now ready!
With only 10 days left before opening night, it’s looking slim I’ll get any chance to make the team. But I’ll remain a free agent and perhaps help Marlene get the batgirl job. . . wonder where she put the garden shears?

The Countdown continues..........

Boy O Boy it is getting close to that opening day for the KIT league and the Champion Fulton Railroaders, Gonna be nice to have that 07 pennant in Lohause field and drive to capture in in 08.Hoghead you did a great job finding our old photos, mine were all lost in a train explosion back in 05 maybe I can get copies from ya. I remember that day very well in the photos we were really shoveling the stuff,I mean coal, I hope marlene gets the batgirl job,she may consider paperbag theropy to be a lock in.Im sure she can fire things up around the dougout.
How bout Hoskins coming back folks? isnt that great news? He can sure be a team leader . The "YARD" is in great shape and is yearning for those fans,hotdogs and of course the 08 Fulton Railroaders. Dont forget to get a Boarding pass for a great deal on addmission this season. AWWW cant wait for the train to start to roll ,Fulton and the surrounding areas should be getting excited,with prices of things theses days its such a bargain to come see some fired up excitement here @ Lohouse Field.
By the way Hoghead thats a great pic you found of me, I was very handsome that day!! Regards to your parents and best wishes to them for a early release .

2 more weeks, I can hardly wait!

Well it’s been 2 weeks since I shaved and only 2 weeks to go until opening night. Hope I can make it with the beard till then; want them birds to have plenty to nest with. Marlene suggested I might want to clip the nose hairs though, it might get rough if the Birds start plucking at them. It is getting tougher to breath these days. In as any case, baseball is in the air! And Boilerstoker is correct. Baseball is playing everywhere this time of year, and perhaps I might get a spot on one of the teams in the other leagues! The Railroaders are still down 2 players on the roster, but rumor has it that Coach Estes is about the fill the spots. So far, they’ve had 3 cancel and only 1 replacement to sign. I’m staying close by my phone this week in hopes my agent calls. If the Railroaders get desperate, they might offer me a position.

As for Marlene, my sister, the RR’s Front Office hasn’t contacted her yet concerning a batgirl position. Perhaps there are a few concerns from some wives that she’s just a bit too hot for the field. She has told me she is a little sweet on one of the owners, but won’t tell me who. Maybe we should run a poll to see the Fans’ opinion on having her for a batgirl!

shhhhh...I hear the Train a coming

Wont be to much longer folks,tis the season ,the youth ball has started,legion is getting ready and the Train is coming round the mountain. The scrimage game between the Railroaders and the Legion should be great,It is nice to recognize the younger rising players in the Legion league,some of us forget but the youth league and the Legion leagues are the ones that these college kids grow up from.
I have had some great luck the past couple days and hope keeps going.
I think I will talk to Hoghead and see how his luck is going with the roster spot for the railroaders, I think there is one still there? I hope his sis gets that batgirl job, should be entertaining to watch her jog out for the bats :)
Dont forget about those boarding passes toget a great deal on the cheap seats this season,great view from anywhere in the house. I am so ready for the firebirds, got to get the coal loaded and ready to stoke the fire, this train she is a coming....

Hardballer might get a date.

Yea Hardballer, I do have a sister, her name is Marlene. She’s very interested in being a part of the Railroaders organization, too. She’s designed a batgirl uniform but it unsure if the team would be interested. Now if you have any pull with the front office, maybe she might go out with you just to get her foot in the door. But let me warn you, her nose runs a lot and she never wipes it. So you’ll want to bring plenty tissue with you if get a date, I’m sure it would get messy if you get the chance to kiss her. Let me know, I’ll pass your phone number along to her if you’d like!

Only 29 Days To Go

Less than 30 days from the first pitch of 2008. I’ve decided not to shave until opening night at home against the Firebirds. I figure I won’t even need to cut the beard off; I’ll just let the Birds pluck it clean and use the hair to build nests in the visitor’s dugout. After all, they’ll be at the “Yard” for 3 straight nights and we want them to be comfortable in there, Lord knows they won’t be out on the field! I wonder if the Railroader’s might consider having Fried Chicken in the concession stand one night in honor of the Birds visit. I know I’d enjoy munching on the bones the Fans discard beneath the grandstand. Anyway, just a thought.

Still no word from my agent on any signing offers from the Railroaders front office. Maybe with my beard growing out they’ll re-consider giving me a chance. If not, I’ll still enjoy the opening weekend at home and 5 nights of baseball in a roll. Following the weekend action with the Firebirds, the Oilers are in town for 2 nights. Wonder how slick they’ll try and be!

Oh yea . . .Hi, Mom and Dad!

Born to be Wild

Only 40 days left, as of this posting, until the smell of hotdogs and hamburgers cooking at “The Yard” (Lohaus Field). Of course I assume nachos, popcorn, candy and drinks will be there also. Oh yea . . , and baseball too! Ah yes, the crack of the bat, that sweet sound that aluminum just can’t make. I can hardly wait to get out of the engine's cab and back under the grandstand for some baseball action.

On a more serious note, I’ve learned there’s an opening on the Railroaders 2008 roster for 2008. Not sure if manger Estes wants me or not, but I’ve hired an agent this year who’s working hard on trying to sign me with the club. So far, the owners haven’t returned his calls. Can’t say I blame them, my required signing bonus may just be too much for them. Also, from the looks of the current roster that Estes has put together, they may not need me, but I’ll be standing by just in case. I know Mom and Dad would love to see me play.

My parents were proud of the Railroaders and me last year. They have become big fans of the team. And send their best wishes along with a picture to help inspire the players to great victories in 2008. With some luck, and I mean a lot of it, maybe they’ll get paroled in time to attend one of the playoff games! In any case, I’m sure they will continue to support the team in any manner they can, they do have a few outside connections.