Hi, I'm Brittany... but you can call me Brit

Hey guys!
I just wanted to introduce myself to you all. So as Laura has told you already, I'm Brittany and I will be contributing to this blog. Here's a little bit about myself...
I go to Wingate University and major in Communication Studies (emphasis on Broadcast Journalism). I've been a die hard Yankee fan since I can remember. Initially going into college I thought it would be a GREAT idea to major in Sports Management; that way I could take over Brian Cashman's job when the Steinbrenner’s' got sick of him. That doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon, so I decided to go after Michael Kay's job. Well, plus I hate math and sports management is a very math intensive major. I've always had a passion for writing and speaking my mind about the Yankees, so it was only natural that I choose a career that would marry the two. Michael Kay and Peter Abraham have my dream jobs. This past March, I started my own radio show called "A Show of Their Own." The show is all about my favorite team; yea you guessed it, the NEW YORK YANKEES. There is a link on this blog to my show if you are interested in listening. I pride myself on being a baseball nerd. I literally study baseball... baseball history, plays, signs, players, facts, stats, anything to do with baseball. If any of you remember that old ESPN show "Stump the Schwab," I could definitely stub the Schwab (if the show was baseball only). My nickname is "The Baseball Whisperer," just so you know. Oh and I coach high school softball in NC. Now that you know more about me than you've ever wanted to know, let’s talk about my blogging style.
As I'm sure you've already figured out, I'm a very random person. I don't try to write news stories or formal stuff... I like to consider myself "one of the guys" blogging wise. I often just go off on a tangent, but I always make a point and stand by it. I believe in upholding the purity of baseball, so I don't bash players or meddle in their personal lives. Don't get me wrong, I do say what I honestly feel about players' performances on the diamond. I don't see the need in writing negatively just to attract more readers. I admire Laura's writing style and I think she's going to write more analytical blogs, which is great. I think our styles will complement each other well. We're a yin and yang blog I guess you could say. OK that's about it as far as my blogging style goes, now off to the FARM!
Many people wonder why I'm so fascinated with Minor League Baseball. I've grown up around baseball. My dad was a baseball coach, most of my family played baseball and so did I (until I was forced to play softball); see baseball is a big part of my life and I've grown to appreciate small ball. It's crazy to hear a Yankee fan say they love small ball, but it's the truth. Now, I'm not saying I don't enjoy a big late inning rally produced by the long ball, but small ball holds a special place in my heart. I guess I love it so much because it's fundamental baseball. No frills, no showboating, just a hard played game. Minor League Baseball IS small ball.Another reason I love Minor League Baseball is because the organization tries to form a relationship with its fans. Major League Baseball can be cold in this aspect. It's not MLB’s fault their cold; it's just the way it is... They know people will fill up their ballpark, but MiLB has to work hard to fill up their ballpark. The countless giveaways, raffles, on-field games, and personal chats with minor league players equal a fun night at the park. I think the Charleston RiverDog's owner Mike Veeck is the best MiLB owner their is. He knows how to bring people to his ballpark and keep them happy; he also knows how to treat his employees. I wish MLB owners were more like Veeck, but that will never happen, not with the crazy salaries in MLB now.

My "OH MY GAH" MiLB Moment:

My "Oh my gah" MiLB moment was when I was able to meet most of the players from the 2007 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees team. It all happened in Charlotte, NC. Scranton was playing the Charlotte Knights (White Sox Triple-A team). I wanted to get Igawa's autograph so I asked this old man, who worked at the stadium, where the visiting players come out. He told me to go to the loading dock, so off I ran. The first night the catcher and a few other players were standing on the dock waiting for the bus. I was trying to act all cool so they wouldn't think I was some crazed fan. The guys were speaking in Spanish, so I couldn't tell what they were saying (my friend and I were the only girls out there by the way). The catcher pointed at ME and then started speaking to the other guys in Spanish again. At first, I thought they were making fun of me or something! After a few minutes the bus came. I was going to be cool and wave to the guys as they got on the bus... I chickened out and didn't wave until they got ON the bus, but they were looking at us out of the backdoor and quickly stuck half of their bodies out the windows to waved bye and made cat calls at us. I felt like a groupie. I hated feeling like a groupie because I HATE girls who only like sports for the guys, but then again, it was fun to think a MiLB player could actually be interested in me. The next day we went back to the ballpark and sat in the same seats (which were right behind the dugout, I could've touched them). The catcher noticed me and we had "a moment" during the national anthem... ok we locked eyes for a few seconds and it was creepy, but cool at the same time. He kept throwing me balls during the game, but I kept giving them to little kids (I felt bad ok)! After the game we went back to the loading dock to meet some more players. That night I met Shelley Duncan, Eric Duncan, Andy Phillips, Chris Britton, and so many more. Britton was funny. He came up to me and asked me if I had a pen. I said, no... just a sharpie. Britton said that will do. Then he asked if I had a ball, by that time I got what he was saying... he was going to give me his autograph, so I pulled a ball out of my huge pocketbook and he signed it for me. Then wouldn't give me my sharpie back. He's much taller than I am, so he thought it would be funny to dangle it over my head and see if I would jump for it. I'm no dummy, so I just let him have his fun (I thought about punching him in the gut, but I didn't want to assault a Yankee). The catcher walked out and came over and said "hola-hey girl" to me and we talk for a while, mainly about the game. Then he walked off and got on the bus. 2 minutes later the team's trainer walks out of the bus and comes over to me and hands me a paper with a hotel and room number on it. Yea... I'm not a groupie. BUT, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to at least go see if it was legit, so I drove over to the hotel... my friend wanted to get out, but I'm no fool. We left and went back to the ballpark the next day. The catcher and I had another "star spangled moment" at the start of the game. After the game, I was on a mission. This was the last game they would be in Charlotte, so I HAD to get Igawa's autograph. I waited for 4 hours to get that guy's autograph!!! He walked out to the bus without signing anyone's ball. I even yelled "Mr. Igawa, please sign my ball" in Japanese to him, but no luck. Yea, I learned how to speak Japanese so I could speak with Matsui and Igawa (told you I was a baseball nerd)! FYI: I'm in the process of learning Spanish... back to Igawa... So he acted like he was on his cell and didn't sign one ball and there was only 5 people out there including me and my friend! Then out walks "my favorite" catcher. We talked for a few minutes and said our good-byes (I could’ve cried)! He heard all the men around us trashing Igawa for not signing anything, so he asked if I wanted Igawa's autograph. I was like, yea, but I don't think he wants to sign any tonight. Dreamy catcher said "yea he will, just wait." Then he went and jumped on the bus and escorted Igawa out of the bus to sign MY ball. Yep, I got the only Igawa autograph of the night! I was seriously on cloud nine. I had made friends with most of the team, got to touch Espinoza’s world series ring (he played with the Yankees back in the day, now he’s SWB’s infield coach), I got asked back to the catcher's hotel room, and then got to chat it up with Kevin Thompson for about an hour while he was waiting for someone to pick him up to go to the airport (he was called up to New York that night). It was just a fun way to spend my summer. I'm not a groupie, but if I was going to be one, I would be a SWB Yankee groupie. I tell this story because it’s an integral part in knowing where I come from when I write about SWB. Plus, I like to brag. :) Just Kidding.

Baseball Nerdish as Always,
Brit