Thirty-one bags and a journey for life...

The excitement of opening day is something you really cannot prepare for.

In our case we had a 12-hour bus ride to think about the upcoming season. We were on our way to the University of North Carolina A&T for a three-game weekend.

The biggest concern for me was whether it would rain on Saturday. The ride down was a good one, and there was a good amount on bonding going on. Card games, MP3 players, and portable DVDs have replaced the days of crossword puzzles and dice. Its good to see a good old game of spades still floatin’ around.

We arrived in Greensboro with little trouble, and anticipated a good weekend.

I always look forward to some sweet tea during the trips down south. It reminds me of my days in Florida while attending Eckerd College.

We have been to Carolina a number of times, and it holds many memories. The beginning of the season for most northern schools is a time to see what is working well and what needs some improvement. It is a time to tinker with all facets of the team in order to better understand what role they best fit.

I have learned through trial and error that it is better to lose games now then go into conference play without a clear assessment of your club.

We have a new trainer this year who is the older sibling of seven. She has six brothers, so I think if she gets 30 more, she can handle it.

We got great weather all weekend, and Keith Shumate the head coach, was a great host.

Only problem was he beat us in the ninth inning in the rubber match on Sunday to send the Danes home at 1-2 for the weekend.

I guess in the past, we would have been happy with a win on a Spring trip. Guess if you have success, then you expect to win every time out.

It was a positive weekend for our club. Some guys got out on the bump for the first time, other guys ran out on grass for the first time in three months. Nobody got hurt, and we got back to Albany at 4:20 this morning in one piece.

Already looking forward to going somewhere next weekend where the sun is shining.

Gotta get the guys to class this week, and get back into the weight room to keep ’em strong.

The spring is the best time of the year. Petty can speak volumes for all of the college kids tryin’ to fulfill a lifetime goal. Good luck to all of those boys who are "RUNNIN' DOWN A DREAM."

JM

(photo courtesy of Albany Media Relations Office)