since July 7, 2004.When I first started writing about baseball for the CPJ, I didn't really expect it to go the way it did - not that I wish it would have gone another way. At first, I didn't think I could do it. When my friend - and former baseballer - James first broached the subject with me, part of me considered the notion a fluke. It was the start of the season, they were playing in Eugene, and since I once lived in Eugene, I thought it would be a fun weekend.
Man, that was an understatement!
Anyway, as that and future articles have acknowledged, I followed the team to each one of their games - missing only one - whether it was Eugene, Auburn, Bellingham, or just Tumwater. This weekend, they are finishing their season in Bend, and once again, I'll be the reporter in tow.
I'm grateful this is it.
Don't get me wrong. Despite their record, this is a great team of guys - friendly, courteous, and seemingly obsessed with their sexiness (noth that it's a bad thing). It's just after following them around since February, the overwhelming cost of gas, hotel rooms, film, one-hour photo developing, and Wrigley's Spearmint Gum, my bank account is screaming for a reprieve. Again, the team is not at fault.
In fact, I should be thanking them profusely for allowing me to tag along, especially after I made an intoxicated ass of myself in Eugene. I have learned so much more about baseball, team unity, sports writing, and camaraderie than I did prior. And I definitely never expected to use baseball and sexy in the same sentence, but when it comes down to it - and this is my honest, personal opinion - this team IS sexy, regardless if no one else but the team and myself can see it.
So, it's been a long, hard season - for both team and reporter - but as it winds down this weekend, the team will attempt not to end on a sour note, while I will attempt to make them still look admirable in their last hour.
By the way, Evergreen will play the Central Oregon Community College Bobcats on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2 at 10am. All games will be held at Vince Genna field in Bend.
Let those "Dang Hot!" times roll one more time! (Ka-ching!)
Copyright © 2004, Talia M. Wilson
published in Cooper Point Journal, April 29, 2004
since July 7, 2004.