2006 Minnesota Twins Fantasy Baseball Camp Day 7 - Final Day

Saturday morning our team filed into the clubhouse around 8:30 and prepared for the "big game" at 11. The weather was again beautiful and as Ernie Banks used to say, " Lets play two!"

I don't know if we were a little tight or, if after a week of excellent fielding the law of averages caught up with us, but in the top of the 1st inning our infield booted a couple routine balls and, playing in the outfield, I couldn't catch up with a fly ball to short left center. Result was a 1-0 lead for the bad guys after we left the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning.

Score remained that way until the bottom of the 3rd when we plated a run. The bad guys scored again in the top of the 4th and it was 2-1 until the bottom of the 6th when we scored 3 to take a 4-2 lead. This held up and we took home the championship!

It was an exciting game to play and to watch.

Afterward, to the victors go the spoils, right? The daughter of our shortstop was wearing a T-shirt she was hoping to get the pros'to sign. I think I embarrased her into letting me sign it!


Before the evening meal was served, Chief Justice Mudcat Grant and Associate Justice Bert Blyleven, presided over the final Kangaroo Court of this year's camp. Joan again got fined for "being to busy to listen" when the court was called into session. (She thinks I ratted on her, but even if I did, she wasn't paying attention and it is for a good cause!)

After dinner there was an auction of sports memorabilia and a spot in the camp for next year. Including the $25,000 donation from the Willis Foundation, the auction receipts and Kangaroo Court fees, the camp raised $40,000 for the Children's Hospital.

The evening concluded with some folks heading for the Tiki Bar just outside the hotel and others of us singing a little karaoke in the dining room. The hit of the evening was Mudcat singing a few songs.
All in all, this camp was a great time. Along with the Camp Championship, our team gathered several honors including a couple gold glove awards, a Cy Young award and the Rookie of the Year. One thing we can be sure of is next year, members of this team who come back will be spread out amongst the others.

I certainly recommend this experience to anyone who ever played ball, or just enjoys the game.