Running Down a Dream: Evansville, Indiana
I thought I’d have a contract last night. I thought wrong.
We drove to Evansville, Indiana for my second workout with the Evansville Otters. They play at Bosse Field, built in 1915, which is the 3rd oldest stadium in the country and a location used for filming “A League of Their Own.” It’s a really cool place.
I was told the workout started at 3. We left early and got there at noon. The workout started at 4!
I hit before the workout with Bridget. She threw me batting practice. You can see the video of her throwing me BP below by clicking on this link.
Anyway, there was a lot of waiting around for the pregame stuff. All I ended up doing was taking BP on the field, and to be perfectly honest, I didn’t have my best stuff today. I’d say I performed very average, nothing standout.I later discussed with Bridget on the ride home that I’ve been playing baseball for 17 years. I have 10 minutes to convince a coach, who has never seen me play before, to sign me to a contract. I might not take my best swings on a certain day, and it’s really impossible for any coach to know this based on seeing me for ten minutes, but I can really help some of these teams, and I will help whichever team I get on.
They told me they weren’t going to make a decision today, that they wanted to see two other guys in the next two days first. Maybe I’ll get a call.
Tomorrow I leave Sparta and head to Cleveland. I have two workouts lined up with Eastern Division teams.
That’s me prior to the tryout.
There’s Bridget looking cute in front of a Racine Belles sign. The team was featured in the movie “A League of Their Own” as was the stadium where I worked out.
Here’s Bridget throwing me batting practice prior to the tryout.
Here’s Bridget knocking me off the plate with high heat.
The rest of these are of me working out with the Otters.
09 July 2009 12:44
Don’t give up until after you have hit DC–home of second and third chances.
09 July 2009 14:29
Steve,
I enjoyed reading about your experiences here on Seamheads. Brought back a lot of memories.
In 1993 I got on an airplane with my catchers gear and dreams and headed off to Chillicothe, Ohio to attend a tryout for the brand new Frontier League. I ended up getting picked by the West Virginia Coal Sox. But just one month into the season we went bankrupt and I was right back in sunny Southern CA.
In 1932, a young Italian boy tried out for the San Francisco Mission’s of the PCL. He fielded a few ground balls and took a few swings before the manager, Freddie Hofmann, told him to “come back next year.” He didn’t wait for next year. He signed later that season with the San Francisco Seals. His name was Joe DiMaggio. I know this because my grandfather, Babe Dahlgren was there. Babe played first for the Missions and was taking throws from Joe who actually tried out as a shortstop. The two would become teammates several years later with the Yankees.
I admire any young guy who chases a dream. Keep going.
Good luck,
Matt Dahlgren
P.S. I know I don’t need to tell you this but you’ve got a hell of a girl in Bridget.
09 July 2009 15:38
thanks for the encouraging words, guys!
Ted, what’s the DC you are referring to?
Matt, I had a coach tell me to “come back next year” a few days ago. I hit really well in front of him too. That just fueled the fire even more.
appreciate your and all readers support.
SB
09 July 2009 15:40
Steve,
Ted lives in the Washington, D.C. area.
28 July 2009 10:56
That sure looks familiar. I grew yo in Evansville and played at Bosse Field in high school. I now live next door in Newburgh. We go to an occasional Otters game. I believe it’s the third oldest pro ballpark in the country. And, as you see, it was the site for all the home games of the Racine Belles in “A League of Their Own.” I just met Mike Lynch via Seamheads and facbook. If you wind up with the Otters, let me know. I’ll have you autograph a ball for my 8 year old son.
28 July 2009 15:06
sure thing, Joe. you got it.