Update from the Springs

Hey people, Mr. Hatfield wanted me to post a blog to update everyone on how it is going in Colorado Springs. So here is the one I have written (which is already posted on myspace, so some of you might have seen it already).

Wow. It's been a while since I blogged. Not exactly sure how long, but I'm sure it's been nearly a year.

Anyway, I arrived in Colorado Springs last Tuesday. Had orientation Wednesday and Thursday. Was about 9,000 feet above sea level Friday-Sunday at a retreat for all of the students here at the Focus on the Family Institute. The 88 students are split up into eight teams. Each team did exercises to build confidence and get to know the other people in your group. The first four teams are from one apartment complex (where I live) and the last four are from the other complex.

So that was a fun weekend. I even got to go disc golfing on a "course" they had at the retreat center. I also got to play a couple hours of volleyball (I had a good serve and even blocked a spike attempt once).

We have different classes such as Marriage Studies; Christian Worldview; Family, Church, and Society Studies; and Family Life Studies. I also have a practicum (basically an internship). Today was the first day of class (I had Christian Worldview).

But if there is one thing I have learned, it's that I'll probably come home bearing somewhat of a Southern accent. Out of the 88 people, probably 30 or so are from the South. Most of them have at least a bit of a twang (and this one girl from South Carolina has a very authentic accent). Two of my roommates are from the South (Georgia and Tennessee), though the other is from SoCal.

Oh, and 64 of the 88 students are girls. But that's not the important thing here, right?

So that's a small summary of the first week.

Squirrels Fill 2B Hole

FROSTBITE FALLS- Since trading 2B Tadahito Iguchi less than a month ago, Flying Squirrels management has been vigorously exploring replacement options.

After trying Julio Lugo and debating calling up Esteban German from AAA, GM Andrew Haynes decided to look outside the organization for the solution. Almost immediately he noticed that S-Mart had two talented second sackers, Dan Uggla and Luis Castillo.

Out of that realization came the trade with the Boom Sticks that will be giving Castillo a starting job after playing behind Uggla for most of the season. Coming to the Frozen Tundra with Castillo are 3B Edwin Encarnacion, C J.D. Closser, and RHP Jason Schmidt.

The now-former Squirrels are Lugo, RHP Tim Wakefield, and OFs Rocco Baldelli and Dave Roberts.

"I am very pleased to add Castillo to this organization," said Squirrels GM Andrew Haynes. "We have actually been inquiring about him for a few years now but were never able to get a deal done. We have high hopes for Encarnacion, and Closser is the emergency catcher just in case something happens to Victor or Kenji. And while it's good to have Schmidt back in the fold, we don't expect him to throw another pitch in a Squirrel uni, let alone in B.A.R.B. He was a throw in because he's out for the season and the release of his salary gets S-Mart much closer to having a team salary under the cap."

"We're certainly okay with saying goodbye to most of the players we dealt. Lugo wasn't playing much (or well, when he did play). I love the knuckleball, but Wakefield is old and we have a more talented "Timmy" in the minors. Baldelli was definitely the hardest to trade. While he has a history of injury problems, his talent is so enticing that we had major second-thoughts about including him. As for Roberts, well, we appreciate that he kind of helped us with the World Series last year."