We just arrived in Blacksburg in preparation for our series against Virginia Tech this weekend. It took us around three and a half hours via bus. Entertainment during the trip included watching the ACC basketball tournament, sleeping, playing video games, and watching movies. The last 45 minutes of the trip, Team 2 (Mike McKee, Ryan Leach, Greg Holt, and Mike Cavasinni) beat Team 1 (Garrett Gore, Patrick Johnson, Chase Jones, and myself) in a game of Catch Phrase. If you aren't familiar with the game, you try to describe a word to your teammates without saying the word as you pass around the game piece. If the time runs out and your team is holding the game piece you lose the round. The first to seven wins. PJ had the worst clue of all by describing the word barbeque as meat with sauce on it.
I think this is an appropriate week to talk about the art of a rally since we had two come from behind wins since my last blog. I will start off with our 2's rally since many people have asked me what exactly we are doing in the dugout. When there are 2 balls 2 strikes and 2 outs when we are batting, we initiate the rally. When the opposing pitcher toes the rubber, we rub the bill of our cap with two fingers until he comes set. Once set, we take off our hat and shake it near the ground. Right before the pitcher releases the ball, you pop the hat and put it back on as soon as possible. If the count runs to 3-2 or we get on base, we "ride it out" by wearing our hat backwards. If there is a foul ball or the pitcher steps off, you must "wipe it off" and begin again. I'm not sure of the origin of this rally technique, but it has been proven to work numerous times over my four-year career.
Another popular and effective rally maneuver used by Carolina baseball is known as popcorn. Popcorn is very simple in the manner that every one claps at odd times to make it sound like popcorn is popping. When someone initiates this rally, we refer to it as "putting a bag in." Popcorn was key to our comeback versus Appalachian State on Tuesday. One of my favorite rallies is when Coach Forbes tells a pitcher to run down to the outfield fence and do five jumping jacks in between innings. Interestingly enough, this does work from time to time, especially when it is Brian Moran. Other rallies include different ways of wearing our hat, such as no hats, backward hats, and inside out hats. Yes, we are superstitious.
A few interesting tidbits:
1. Garrett Gore's robbing catch on Saturday was most likely the best play I have seen in my baseball career.
2. Mark Fleury update - He was screaming polar bear and koala bear repetitively on the bus. My last interaction with him made me think he was portraying an animal escaped from the zoo.
3. Seth Baldwin ordered the "Big Daddy" for dinner in a macho voice in an attempt to woo our waitress.
4. It's snowing.
I think this is an appropriate week to talk about the art of a rally since we had two come from behind wins since my last blog. I will start off with our 2's rally since many people have asked me what exactly we are doing in the dugout. When there are 2 balls 2 strikes and 2 outs when we are batting, we initiate the rally. When the opposing pitcher toes the rubber, we rub the bill of our cap with two fingers until he comes set. Once set, we take off our hat and shake it near the ground. Right before the pitcher releases the ball, you pop the hat and put it back on as soon as possible. If the count runs to 3-2 or we get on base, we "ride it out" by wearing our hat backwards. If there is a foul ball or the pitcher steps off, you must "wipe it off" and begin again. I'm not sure of the origin of this rally technique, but it has been proven to work numerous times over my four-year career.
Another popular and effective rally maneuver used by Carolina baseball is known as popcorn. Popcorn is very simple in the manner that every one claps at odd times to make it sound like popcorn is popping. When someone initiates this rally, we refer to it as "putting a bag in." Popcorn was key to our comeback versus Appalachian State on Tuesday. One of my favorite rallies is when Coach Forbes tells a pitcher to run down to the outfield fence and do five jumping jacks in between innings. Interestingly enough, this does work from time to time, especially when it is Brian Moran. Other rallies include different ways of wearing our hat, such as no hats, backward hats, and inside out hats. Yes, we are superstitious.
A few interesting tidbits:
1. Garrett Gore's robbing catch on Saturday was most likely the best play I have seen in my baseball career.
2. Mark Fleury update - He was screaming polar bear and koala bear repetitively on the bus. My last interaction with him made me think he was portraying an animal escaped from the zoo.
3. Seth Baldwin ordered the "Big Daddy" for dinner in a macho voice in an attempt to woo our waitress.
4. It's snowing.
Adam,
Just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog. I read every one as soon as I see it is posted. The behind the scenes insights are great. Today's entry reminded me of my bus trips when I played high school baseball one year way back in the stoneage. We didn't have squat for individual entertainment so the seniors provided plenty by thoroughly humiliating us poor dumb sophomores. I'm sure you don't do that to the freshmen and sophs, huh? BTW, is "100 bottles of beer on the wall" still as popular as it was in my day? :-)
Adam--I'm loving your blogs. You have a knack for writing and it's fun reading about the inside workings of a college baseball team. How did such a smart guy as you get to be a PITCHER? Everyone knows the catchers are the brains of the team. Keep them coming. I forward these to my sister, also a connoisseur of fine baseball literature.
Wassup Star Heels ? It's ya man MC as in Money Mike yo p.a. man.
I just got finished reading Adam's blog and I'm glad to c u guys made it to Blacksburg safely. Good luck in the game this afternoon and hope you get in nine fun and safe innings. Oh yeah, a win would be nice as well. Just wanted to let everybody know that i am 85 % done with this years 09 TarHeel rhyme. I should have it ready by April 1st. I must warn you that it is hot.
Hope everybody is good and staying positive and motivated and focused and warm which reminds me of one of my favorite quotations......
"Hocus Pocus don't lose yo Focus" Good luck today, tomorrow, and the next and we will c yall when yall get back !
How about that !
MC
Wassup Coach Fox, Mckay, Forbes and Jackson and Chad Flack !
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooo Heels !
Hi Adam,
As an alum I follow Carolina Baseball and since you are a "nieghbor" (I live in Vanceboro) I follow with added delight. I watched you on many occasions during your days at NBHS. I teach at WCHS and my son played there as well. I wish you continued success. I have just found your blog and am enjoying it very much.
BL
The tea is alot sweeter here in the blogosphere! Keep up the good work fellas!
Go Heels!
just wanted to wish adam and the diamond heels good luck ill be keeping an eye on you between the ncaa tournament and cant wait for that miami game so i can see u guys
Hey Adam--I'm Benji's Aunt, we met at his wedding in Oct.!! Nice to read all your news in the UNC baseball world. There are several of us family members that wish to come to the UNC v. UNCW baseball game next Tues.; would it be possible to sign up our names as your guests?? Irma & Jim Whipps; Ella, John & Caroline Oldham.
Thank you so much. GO TARHEELS in the NCAA's.
Hope to talk with you on Tues.; good luck for the season!!!!!
Take Care,
Irma
We're proud of you Adam!
We were in Blacksburg the weekend before you for my birthday and to take pictures for the tables at the wedding, and it was sunny and in the 70s - I actually got sunburned. I'm not surprised that it was snowing a week later, for 2 reasons: I've seen it snow in April, and there's a saying I heard a lot when I was in college - if you don't like the weather in Blacksburg, wait 5 minutes!
Hope I get to see you play in the ACC and/or NCAA tourneys!!