Here I Go!

Alright, well... Here I go!

I am heading to Europe! Not everyone knows about this, really, because it hasn't been official for very long. So, let me fill everyone in on the goings on of my life right now.

The 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup is going on September 9 - 27 all over Europe. Because of the possibilities of me taking a new job beginning in August (which obviously did not happen) I was not able to travel to the World Cup with the IBAF - the organization that sent me to the Olympics. So, as I was horribly depressed, I was recommended by our General Manager of the National Teams to be the USA Baseball Professional Team Assistant Press Officer! (Holla 'atcha boy!) I worked with him all summer with the Collegiate National Team when I traveled to Japan and Canada, and he apparantly thought I did a really good job.

I did not know that I was going on this trip, however, until about a week ago because there was a possibility that my boss would going instead of me. He was supposed to go with the IBAF and he had not been given 100% confirmation on his trip... so to put it nicely, he told me, "If I'm not going with the IBAF, I'm taking your spot." Haha. Well, to keep this shorter rather than longer and the fact that I'm already boring myself, he finally got confirmation and I was getting ready to go to Europe.

The World Cup Team is comprised of Minor League Baseball players - some of whom you will be seeing in the Majors next season. Team USA is starting out in Regensburg, Germany (picture on the left) for the first round of the tournament. We are facing Venezuela, China and Germany. OK, I know none of you are really interested in hearing about the baseball part of my trip, but more about the trip itself, but still, I'm pumped about the baseball! We face Venezuela first, September 10 at 1 PM (ET).

If we come in first place (which we should) in our first pool, we will be traveling to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands. Yeah, Amsterdam. Crazy! From there, if we advance to the final round (which we should, and BETTER) we will be traveling to ROME! ROME, ITALY! HOLY CRAP!

Just so everyone knows, there are a lot of places in the world that I want to visit. Australia and Italy top that list. And I'm going to have an opportunity to visit Italy. I cannot even explain how insanely incredible this experience could be and I cannot be more pumped up about this trip.

I have never been to Europe and I really want to go. Not only is this trip a special opportunity, it is unfortunately my swan song with USA Baseball. Yes, the day after I get back from this trip, my internship is officially over and I will be unemployed. The days of my traveling on amazing trips (for free!) with work are nearly over.

So, this is my USA Baseball finale, the trip of my dreams, and quite possibly the last time I ever leave the country. Isn't that hard to believe that with as much as I have traveled in the past year and a half that I may never get the opportunity to travel ever again? I hope that's not the case.

OK, this is too long already. I'm wordy, deal with it.

I leave Monday, September 7, 2009 (Labor Day) and we fly to Munich, Germany and then we bus to Regensburg. We are only six hours ahead of Eastern Time so email me! Comment on the blog!

And look on the MLB Network (Cable, satellite) because they are going to show some of our games. Maybe you will see me!

I hope you all enjoy the blog. It'll be fun, hopefully! I hope you all enjoy reading about my trip and my last days at USA Baseball... it's going to be a trip of a lifetime.

Peace out, homies!