Apache Junction,Arizona

The people that read your blog might surprise you. There are the obvious "just passin' through" types, they are the ones that type something in incorrectly, only to realize their mistake and begin retyping. Then, there are the "comic page" types, they are the ones that read only the things in your blog pertaining to them and the level of happiness received from only those posts they are particulary interested in. Then, there are my personal favorites. The blog buddies. The ones that, for whatever reason, find your blog, read your blog, sincerely enjoy your blog, then find a reason to participate in your blog. Thus, I give you the following dirt sample. This I received from my newest blog buddy the Angry Georgian who was on a trip visiting Arizona.

Remember in my original post, I commented on the main reason that I love collecting dirt from others and not just my own experiences, is because of the happiness it brings me knowing that someone took the time to first think about me, second, gather some dirt, or sand, or soil, or shells, or rocks, or treebark, or whatever, and third send it to me. WAY COOL! Thank you again. I look forward to more of your adventures and a little piece of them coming my way. For those of you wanting more information about Apache Junction, Arizona, read the Angry Georgians' comment or just google away!

Major League DIGS

My good friend Julie Hatch recently published an article in Owlz Illustrated celebrating the 100th anniversary of the tune, Take Me Out to the Ballgame. I love the song, but just send me some dirt! My friends Judge Smith and Even Steven are such big baseball fans that they made a goal before they die to attend one professional baseball game in every major league park there is. I encourage this behavior! I just remind them to be sure to grab me a sample of the field before ordering their first hot dog and suds! The following shows dirt from Major League Ballparks. As you can see, I only have a FEW more to go... Keep me (and my dirt) in mind next time you go to enjoy America's favorite pastime. Oh, and just a suggestion, but maybe it's time we re-write the tune:

Take me out to the ballgame
Got to get some dirt now
Just pick a base it don't matter to me
I'll be happy if I get all 3
So just put some soil in my jar
I'll be grateful you know
for it's GOT TO GET me some dirt
Or why bother go?

That one's for you JULES!

Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)
Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
Anaheim Stadium (Anaheim Angels)
Shea Stadium (New York Mets)
Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
Candlestick Park (San Francisco Giants)
Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Fulton County Stadium (Atlanta Braves)
Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Devil Rays)
The Kingdome (Seattle Mariners)

BALLPARKS and pitching MOUNDS

Each year the girls and I travel with the Owlz Baseball team to a few away games. The Pioneer League is spread out from Utah to Idaho to Wyoming to Montana and we have been to every park except Casper Wyoming. We even traveled to Great Falls, Montana to witness the CHAMPIONSHIP game in 2007. GO OWLZ! Other teams within the Angels organization spread out all over the country. Each year as we get new players, I tell them of my dirt collection and I always get some new soil to add. The pitchers love to get dirt from each mound that they pitch on. The catchers just bring me what is left on their uniforms or in their shoes after a game.(Thanks Rosey!) This collection is from the ballparks and pitching mounds traveled to within the minor league system for the Angels. The samples include teams from the Pioneer, Midwest, California and Texas Leagues. I am told that I need to save room for dirt from the Dominican Republic for post season play there. Thank you in advance to Beau Brooks!

Orem Owlz (UT), Missoula Osprey (MT), Helena Brewers (MT), Idaho Falls Chukars (ID), Ogden Raptors (UT), Billings Mustangs (MT), Casper Ghosts (WY), Great Falls Voyagers (MT)

Tempe Angels (AZ), Cedar Rapids Kernels (IA), Arkansas Travelers (AK),
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (CA), Salt Lake City Bees (UT)