Good times at the All-Star game

With the first half of the season winding down last week, the chase to the playoffs came down to one game. If we won we would win the Western Division outright, and if we lost that was not a guarantee. Shawn Haviland came up with a great start for us and we got some offensive help from Franklin Hernandez, who hit a big grand slam. We won the game and the division to cap off a great first half of the season.  

While many guys went home, seven of us went to the Midwest League All Star Game in Clinton, Iowa on Monday morning. I was prepared to watch Barfield win the home run derby, but halfway to Clinton, Dusty Napoleon called to inform me that Steve Kleen, Dusty Coleman and I were all in the derby as well. I didn't believe this coming from him. We all thought he was kidding, but we found out later that he wasn't.

Kleen was the only Cougar to hit a home run in the contest. All the players were unhappy that their pitcher would be that of a pitching machine and it was very difficult to hit.

The All-Star game festivities were a great time. Being in a clubhouse with so many great players was an amazing experience.  We were the home team in the game, but lost to the hard-hitting Eastern Division. It was a familiar feeling during the game because I was playing alongside Dusty Coleman, who started at shortstop, Kleen at first, and Kenny Smalley on the mound.

We were all very appreciative of the the opportunity to play in the game, and had a great time.  We are looking forward to starting the second half of the season strong in Quad Cities.