A New Adventure / Station 24

A recent move to California has created a lot of things for me. Some positive and sadly, some not so positive. But, even with all of the changes in my life, there is one thing that remains constant...my quest for dirt. I have a lot of catching up to do and fortunate for me, a lot of free time on my hands to do it, so here I go, talkin' dirt once again!

Station 24 is just one of the numerous firehouses in the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. It is located in Sacramento and is currently home to my good friend Joe Reyes. He and two of his crew went on a call this past week and were gracious enough to invite me to tag along. The call was to assist a young girl who had a broken arm. I stayed in the engine (not to be confused with a truck) and watched these fine men just "do their job".

I have blogged about these guys before but it never gets old giving a shout out to people who risk their lives every time they go out on a call. KUDOS to them! While at the station, I of course, couldn't pass on the chance to grab some dirt and tell a few "dirty" stories. The most memorable one of course being the dirt in my collection from New York on 9/11/2001.

Here is the picture of the crew, the station, and of course, the dirt! Thank you once again, Capt. Joe, Dave and Joseph, for being so eager to help add to the dirt collection!

Another year of dirt

Yes, I know, it's been an ETERNITY since I last blogged about the joys of dirt collecting. And actually, one would think that this post should refer to some sample of great stuff that I have been given, and collected since my last post. Truth be told...I am a little gun shy about handling any of my samples. After all, it was a year ago this week that I picked up a fungus from one of my dirt samples that ended up landing me in bed for numerous weeks. PCP was the official title of my illness, and at the time, I was told that I should not handle any of my samples without a mask and gloves. Fast forward to today...

The girls decided that this would be the PERFECT gift for my birthday this past week...and I couldn't agree more. I also got some emails from great friends telling me I have lots of samples coming my way. WOO HOO! So, it sounds like I have lots of blogging in my near future. Good thing too, the Utah winters are just around the corner. UGH.

Ventura Beach, California

Ventura Beach, California. Now there's someplace I would like to be this week! Not because I want to be surfing or anything like that, but mainly to collect more sand like the one that Jeremy Berg's family brought me this past week.

The sand is gorgeous, but the bottle that it was delivered in (along with the bag) was just as beautiful! Carolyn Berg had the sand, along with a way cool magnet delivered by Jeremy's grandparents right here to me in Orem while they were on their way to Idaho Falls to Watch Jeremy play. He is one of our players this year and is having quite the season to say the least. He is 5-0 and doing GREAT!

Thank you to the Berg family for the sand, and for sharing your son with us for a little while. We are looking forward to this year's PLAYOFFS and more importantly, to seeing Jeremy become successful in the years to come.

Jackie Robinson Park

So, here is the story about a kid that STOLE (no baseball pun intended) my heart away a few summers ago... Casey Kotofsky. He is the son of Jeff and Jyll Katofsky, the owners of the Orem OWLZ baseball team.
If ever there was a kid that you could just be OH SO PROUD of, it is him.

At a recent summer baseball game in Ogden Utah, the subject of dirt collecting came up. (ya, go figure!) When I mentioned that I collected it and needed some from WHEREEVER anyone goes, the Katofsky kid jumped at the chance and told me how he had been to quite a few places! Not only traveled and hung out, but had also played ball there too.

You see, this boy is MULTI TALENTED! He couldn't pass up a chance to add to my collection and returned this week with a sample from the Jackie Robinson Park where he pitched this past season. To read more about Jackie Robinson the ball player you can visit http://www.jackierobinson.com/.

Casey gave me this dirt last night at the field and was not a bit camera shy about this photo op too! The dirt is bright red and OBVIOUSLY from a ballpark. I look forward to getting more trading cards with his autograph...(he probably doesn't remember, but he gave me one of his 3 years ago and simply signed it... to my star)... and more importantly, more dirt from his travels. This kid is going far to say the least! Thanks Casey!

Rancho Cucamonga

Recently, the baseball season started. Along with new players coming and going, I have the privilege of meeting their parents as well. Some stay longer than others, but even if it is for a brief amount of time, it is always fun to get to know them.

Enter the Wing Family.

Michael played in Orem near the end of the 2008 season. He lived with us for that short amount of time, and his impact on the team was felt immediately, but for our family it was even more. He kept in touch during the off season and when he went to the Dominican Republic for fall ball. Of course, my staying in touch with him was for purely selfish reasons...I needed dirt from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes' home field! And my efforts paid off! His parents Damon and Laura came to visit Michael this season and with them they brought me this dirt sample.

It even had a little additional "turf". They live in Rancho and of course, are seasoned veterans at attending baseball games too! They plan to visit later in the season, and hopefully will be able to fulfill my request for dirt from Anaheim Stadium. It will complete the entire collection for fields that the boys of summer play on while on their journey from rookie ball to the BIG LEAGUES.

Thank you Wing family! You, (and the VERY cool t shirts) are very much appreciated.

Michael will no doubt leave a lasting impression on the Orem Owlz team as well as in the hearts of the Ridley Clan.

Roadtrip California style

THANK YOU to my sister! These items were sent to me quite some time ago, but given the fact that I have done nothing but work, work, work...I just barely got to the P.O. Box this week!

The only information I got with these little goodies was that they were not to be taken out of order. Apparently they made sure to put all of them in baggies,and marked not only the dates, but the TIME as well that they were collected.

So this is a post about a recent road trip "California" style. The event was a celebration of sorts for my nephew Rick who was finishing up his high school career. They ventured down from the Sacramento area to Southern California, hitting several very COOL spots. They are as follows:

June 3, 2009

6:50 a.m. McDonald's in Santa Nell parking lot

8:15 a.m. Colinga Avenal Rest Area

9:47 a.m. Grapevine Jack in the Box

June 4, 2009
1:32 p.m. San Diego Zoo

June 5, 20009

8:48 a.m. Imperial Beach

5:30 p.m. La Jolla Beach

June 6, 2009

5:40 a.m. HAMPTON INN Kearny Mesa San Diego

8:13 a.m. McDonald's Newhall

10:11 a.m. Lost Hills Exit

11:53 a.m. Rest area with No Name

So, there you have it. A fun road trip that I didn't get to physically go on, but got to enjoy through the efforts of my sister and her family! Thank you for including me on your journey! Oh and thank you for not charging me extra for the very cool seashells.

Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud

THE DIRT ON BASEBALL...

Hours before a game, beneath major league baseball's newest stadium, one of the sport's oldest rituals is under way. Two Washington Nationals batboys are rubbing brown "gunk"on dozens of new balls, toweling them off once the wet dirt cakes. Only when they're done can the umpire yell, "Play ball!"

Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud has been helping pitchers get a grip for 70 years. After a wild pitch killed a batter in 1920, a tacky substance was sought. Shoe polish and tobacco juice didn't stick. What did was the feldspar-rich clay found in a NEW JERSEY swamp by player and coach R.A. "Lena" Blackburne. In 1938 it became a big-league staple, and in 1968 it made it to the Hall of Fame.

The company reaps six harvests a year from two holes in secret spots, filters out debris, and adds a "magic" ingredient for extra grip. Aged for 6 weeks, two three-pound vats are sent to each team-a season's worth of joy from Mudville. -Jeremy Berlin National Geographic

Well, there you have it! Last year when this article came out, I immediately headed down to the Owlz office to see where I could get my hand son this "dirty" little mud wonder. Enter Brett Crane, official "I'm the guy you go to" for the Orem Owlz. He had just sent back the remainder of the minor leagues' mud to the League offices. So, basically I have been waiting for A YEAR to finally get to see, and smell the official mud that will start the Minor League baseball season.

I swang by the office this afternoon to pick up our season tickets when there it was, the little bucket from heaven...uh...New Jersey, or was it Mississippi...uh, Delaware? Oh okay, the dirt is from New Jersey! This season will be one to be remembered, and if I play my cards right, I hope to have my hands right in the middle of the whole muddy tradition. (If you know what I mean)..Come on Brett, hook a sister up! Thank you to the entire Orem Owlz staff and especially that great "go to guy" for giving me a little mud, and sharing in the BIG adventure in the Pioneer League.

for more info click here : www.baseballrubbingmud.com and www.owlzbaseball.com