PB’s Pro Log II: July 1-August 4By: Paul Bennett-August 4, 2006
It’s been a really long time since I’ve had the chance to write- or rather since I’ve made the time to write. A lot has changed since my last entry and that’s part of the reason the journals have stopped coming as frequently. Shortly after my last journal, right at the end of June, my playing time increased greatly. For the past month I have started essentially every game we’ve played and energy has been at a premium. When I’m not playing, I’m generally sleeping or trying to rest and have, as a result, slacked off significantly with my journal.
Anyway, what a month July has been for me and for the team. We were on the road a huge portion of the month but still managed to claw our way into first place in the division. We now retain the luxury of having everyone in the league chase us but the misfortune of having everyone gunning for us. We played some fantastic baseball in July and it was fun to be apart of. At the beginning of the month I was starting to play really well and it looked as though I might break into the starting lineup. However, before I had the chance, our third basemen and lower-state standout Danny Brezeale went down with a foot injury and I was thrust into the role of everyday third basemen. Brezeale is one of our better players and I knew the team needed me to step up and play well in his stead. I decided that despite the potential pressure of my new role, I had taken hold of an opportunity that I had to seize; and that I had absolutely nothing to lose!
Up to this point, I had been only a sub- playing only when guys needed a day off. Undrafted and unknown, I figured no one expected too much out of me. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that all I had to do was go out and play as hard as I possibly could for as long as I was given the chance. I decided to have the time of my life playing the only brand of baseball I know how to play- and it worked. Within a few games, I was moved from the 9-hole to the leadoff spot and began to embrace my role as the team’s “go-guy.” I have not, by any means, become the team’s best player but I have managed to discover a role that allows me to contribute to the team in a way that we needed sorely. I’d like to think that’s been my role on nearly every team I’ve played on- someone willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. I had always heard that professional ball is very different from all other levels- that it’s no longer a team game and that players only care about themselves. I’ve seen very little of that but I’ve learned, above all, that there’s always a place for guys willing to play team baseball and play it as hard as they can.
In the past week or so, Brezeale’s injury has thankfully healed- we sorely need the power in his bat- and another infielder was sent back to us from the Rome team. We’re back to having five infielders for three infield positions so my role is inevitably shifting again. I may be back to playing every other day or I may be fortunate enough to play every day in the infield and outfield- filling in for guys around the field that need days off. Either way, the summer has been better than I ever could have imagined. We have a great group of guys and we’re fighting towards an Appy League championship. That’s all for now, my next entry will not be so delayed. Working hard and looking forward to a vacation in the Palmetto State after the season!
To view Bennett’s statistics, click here.
To view PB’s Pro Log I, click here.
To view ‘What My Future Holds,’ click here.
Anyway, what a month July has been for me and for the team. We were on the road a huge portion of the month but still managed to claw our way into first place in the division. We now retain the luxury of having everyone in the league chase us but the misfortune of having everyone gunning for us. We played some fantastic baseball in July and it was fun to be apart of. At the beginning of the month I was starting to play really well and it looked as though I might break into the starting lineup. However, before I had the chance, our third basemen and lower-state standout Danny Brezeale went down with a foot injury and I was thrust into the role of everyday third basemen. Brezeale is one of our better players and I knew the team needed me to step up and play well in his stead. I decided that despite the potential pressure of my new role, I had taken hold of an opportunity that I had to seize; and that I had absolutely nothing to lose!