Yes, well yesterday was a veg day, but a nice one. My Gerry Davis pants arrived, so at least i will look the part when I take the field next week. Met the main man last night, Jim Evans. Really have to listen to waht they say here as they have strange accents! But he did welcome me to come and view some of the sessions that they are doing with the group that are here this week.

So got up at a decent time this morning and started by heading to Gatorland. Guess what they have lots and lots of Aligators there!! But they do have Morton and Shiela from Down Under, yes crocodiles.

After Gatorland I headed to the stadium to view the Florida Classic students in action. They were out on the field taking fair foul drills, also observed some umpires going through their paces in the cages. It was good that much of it was very familiar drills. Also met Jims off sider in Dick Nelson (and Macca he said to say hello). Dick kindly gave me a tour of the facility. I was great to get an insight into where I will spend the majority of the next 5 weeks.

I learned last night that there will be another female here - from Canada.

Well thats about it today, not sure what i am going to get up to for New Years just yet, Weather looking a little cooler, but is still just as good as home by the looks of internet.

Right now it is 7am on Monday morning....the phone in my room started ringing at 5:45 - wrong room - 4 times! It is Holiday season here, which was obvious with the amount of people at KSC (Kennedy Space Centre) yesterday.

KSC - worth the trip to go and see...didnt think it would be a whole day, but it certainly was, plenty to see and do. Whilst you dont get up close(as you would imagine) you certainly get a better understanding of the program they run. Have some photos that d will upload, but doubt that they will show the pure size of some of the buildings, rockets, ships etc that you see. Had a minor issue with the GPS coming back, yes the battery ran out, lucky I have a sense of direction.

Well got just 6 days will the real reason I am here commences. Today I think will be a bit of a veg day, do some washing, lazy around the pool etc. Oh might even get some books out for a bit of a read. Going to be 80 (mid 20's) again today.

Congratulations to my niece Bec and Russell on the safe arrival of Heather May, also to Titch and Dale on the safe arrival of Jacob....Both born Xmas Eve.

The Trip & Day One in Kissimmee

Well I made it, I'm here and have access to Internet in my room (Free), so I will be easily able to update this blog over the coming weeks.

Trip was not too bad, let Melbourne on time, had the set of 3 seats to myself, so was able to stretch out...even manage a couple hours sleep. Arrived into a raining LA about 7:30am xmas day, breezed through customs...(must be the innocent face). Rested/cleaned up a little in the Admirals club (Qantas) before jumping on the next flight to Dallas - another issue free flight, although this one was full. Very minor delays on landing due to availability of space at the terminal - there was at least 50 spots - and that was just that terminal! Headed straight to the club - even got a couple of drink tickets. Then I found out I had to go to another terminal....and there is another club there too....another couple of drink tickets because the plane was late!!

Anyway arrived in Orlando about 12am - yes thats over 30 hours of transit. No pickup due to a muckup on my online info, but got here, got a room and some sleep. Today Jason from the academy has been fantastic.... I have rented a car for the week, so now I just need to workout what I want to see and do for the week, before the real work starts.

Twas the night before xmas (well almost!!)

Yes, not long now...finish work today. Xmas shopping completed, had a BBQ at my place yesterday with family and friends - so I think I can tick the done xmas box. But it also means that I need to start thinking about packing.... Not an easy task...cant pack too much need room to bring stuff home...but need to make sure I have enough and all the import items (umpiring clothes/equipment).

On plane activities - reading my umpiring books of course.....got the scenarios off the website, they keep me busy for a little while....and maybe the MP3 player. I am sure the 30 hours travel time will be just a breeze!! Plenty of room on the plane to spreadout and sleep (well that is what I am hoping). If not, as we know the drinks are free on international flights...

Have not planned my tourist days before the course yet, but on the agenda is probably NASA, Epcot Centre, Shopping, and maybe a drive down south...you will have to stay tuned to this to find out what I get up to.

Well hope everyone has a great xmas day....look for more posts after xmas, when I arrive at Kissmmee, Florida.

Hi all,
December is a busy time, not taking into account baseball......
Monday - Masters v Fitzroy - they had to call it early due to the sunshine - result:draw, Tuesday - Finally got my tax done, Wednesday - another thrashing at softball, Thursday - Umpiring at Altona, Friday - Claxton shield - well I went! But after a week of having something on every night this week, to a Saturday of no baseball...I seemed a little lost yesterday as the rain came tumbling down and down and down.... I hear it even rained this morning...Not here in sunny Ocean Grove... and I am pleased not this afternoon.

Anyway a day off baseball allowed me to get the Xmas shopping done and some souvenir shopping done to be able to give to my new friends in the USA.

Just 11 days to go, and i am just wishing for the Australian dollar value to improve! Up a little toward the end of the week, which is hopefully a good sign.

Might consider thinking about what to pack this week... considering I actually have a couple of nights at home..

The Itinerary

A quick run down of the trip:
25th December 08 - leaving Melbourne 12:10pm
25th December 08 - Arrive in LA 07:30am
25th December 08 - Leave LA for Dallas 10:40am (arrive 3:45pm)
25th December 08 - Leave Dallas for Orlando 7:15pm
25th December 08 - Arrive in Orlando 10:35pm
26th December 08 - I recon some sleep!
26th to 3rd Jan 09 - Be a tourist in Florida
3rd Jan to Feb 8th - 6 days a week - Umpiring Academy , 7th day study, rest and ? (stay tuned)
9th Feb 09 - Leave Oralando 1:15pm
11th Feb 09 - Arrive Melbourne 9:40am

Geelong Baseball Association

Tuesday night was the Annual General Meeting of the Geelong Baseball Association (GBA), the formalities of the night went on without a hitch, including yours truly being re-appointed as the President for another year, with the same team as support.

One of the other agenda items was the topic of unification in Victoria. In short this means one Governing body running all baseball within Victoria. This is a very complex subject, with many people having different points of view on the benefits. A meeting planned for Saturday 29th that might mark the end of Victorian Provincial Baseball League. But at the end of the day we as adminstrators and die hards of the game need to ensure that we do the right thing by our members and the future of baseball.

Whilst I look forward to another year of GBA baseball, I am keen to have this issue decided so we can move forward and develop our sport.

Well just one month until the big flight across the world, to commence what I am sure will be an experience of a life time.

Just to give you an insight to this trip:....I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of an Australian Sports Commission grant to help me pursue attending the Jim Evans Professional Umpiring Academy (Baseball) in Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, USA. With the additional support of the Baseball Umpires Association of Victoria, fellow umpires, Victorian Provincial Baseball League, and my own association, Geelong Baseball Association, I have raised enough funds. The support has been fantastic and I take this opportunity to thank everyone.

To give you a run down on me: I have been around baseball for about 11 years now. My son Ben took up the sport after his cousin has been playing in Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh for some years. Well not long after that I found my self playing also (had being doing at least one sport most of my life).

Before I knew it within a couple of years I was assisting with the kids training, scoring games and eventually coaching, but then also found myself on the local club (Bacchus Marsh) committee. Mind you I had been on many a committee previously in swimming, so it was not new grounds.

But about 4 years ago after trying my hand at scoring, and not really enjoying it I decided to try my hand at umpiring, attended the yearly Victorian level 1 course, umpired only Winter for the year after that, but 2006 gave the summer season ago....enjoyed it and have umpired all seasons since.

This gives you an insight to me....as the days goes past until I depart I will provide other do some more posts, but hope to be able to find the time to update this blog to provide other umpires, my friends and family information as to what I am up to in the US.