I'm Still Here

Hey everyone. I finally have some time to post something. Things have been going really well out here. I think after a month my stomach is finally getting acclimated to the food, as players we finally have a consistent routine, and the teams are finally figuring out how to play well together. Right now the Express are hovering around .500, which I'm more than happy with considering the way we played our first 10 games. The turnaround has been a combination of better pitching, more consistent defense, and timely hitting. Combine that with our Dominican catcher being on fire at the plate, and we have the right recipe for success.


I forgot to mention this in my last blog so I'll bring it up now. Last Saturday, the Newmarks, a family from Cleveland who relocated to Ra'anana, had 12 players from the team to their house for Shabbat lunch. I met the JMO (that's Jewish Mother), on opening day when she politely asked if I thought we would be interested in a nice home cooked meal.

After eating the dog food that they serve us where we are staying, I jumped at the opportunity to set up the meeting. Needless to say, it was a good decision. The buffet style lunch included taco salad, hot peppers, green bean casserole, and low mien. Apparently the meal was catered by The Rio Hotel . They also served cholent, which is, as the JMO called it, "an ancient meat dish from the time when we were slaves in Egypt." I'm sure Moses was a big fan, and so was I. After the meal, the family invited all of Ra'anana to come hang out with the team. Well, not ALL of Ra'anana, but it felt like it. But hey, who am I to complain. To them we were superstars. We mingled for a while before leaving to go back to the barracks that we call home. The important thing about it is that we have now developed a fast growing fan base. Many of the people at the meet and greet are now showing up to our games in droves. If not droves, definitely dozens. And in turn they will tell their Anglo friends, who will tell their Anglo friends, and eventually at least one Israeli will learn about the league and what it has to offer. And that's we are all here for right?

A quick note about our recent play. We have won two in a row...against Netanya. But they still count as wins. I hit my second home run of the season tonight. A solo blast to right-center. Evidently I only bring my bat with any hits left in it when we play the Tigers. Tomorrow is a day game against Modi'in, who are playing really good ball right now. It will be a good test for us.
Thanks for continuously reading and keep the feedback coming.