That being said, the games this weekend were rough. We played in a constant light rain shower-mist-cold climate! I had never again played in such bizarre weather. It literally rained the entire time, but wasn't hard enough to ruin the games. It was like standing at The Beach Waterpark under one of the mist sprayers for 6 hours. It happened to be the coldest spot in Sweden at the moment, and it was 5 hours South! Even with the odd weather, the backdrop of the field was incredible--high, towering trees in the distance of an open pasture. We even had a couple of moose attend our game in the outfield (something you will never see in the states--at least in Ohio)--massive animals in person.
We drove down Friday and Erek and I saw our first glimpse of Stockholm. They weren't kidding when they said that it was the Mecca of Sweden! There was so much going on that we couldn't focus on one area (old ancient, architecture mixed with modernized fashion malls and museums, government buildings, statues, factories, water, Swedish style ships/boats and even roller coasters)--I think Erek took a picture at every turn we made from the van. We definitely plan on taking a ride in with a teammate (because he works in town there) or taking the train about an hour into town for a day or so. After exiting Stockholm, we didn't really see anything else as large or busy. We arrived at our hotel late in the evening--very cool little place on a golf course. Our rooms were again straight from IKEA--I found it interesting (maybe just coincidence, but also because of their government) that the hotel had a lot of the same qualities a lot of other places had. It was set up just like our apartment-- they give you the same style wardrobe and even the toilet paper holders are the same (each have a cover over them)--more little things that seem consistent from place to place. In America, things can be consistent, but most of time each place has it's own style whereas although places here have their own style here, they remain very much alike in utility. Door handles, locks--toilets with retractable arms rests for handicapped etc...
We awoke the next morning and saw a better view of the area we were in (since it was dark and we were dead the night before), and the first thing we came across was the driving range. The backdrop of the range looked like something from a portrait. Again, large, looming trees with a vibrant green, mossy bed. I know I tend to describe this place as visibly gorgeous, and it may just be because it is different from where I am from, but I believe those who live here know it as well. The country club we ate in for breakfast did not disappoint! The Swedes can't miss! All kinds of bread, butter, jam, bran cereal with real milk (tasted more like cream--addicting), yogurt, porridge etc... After numerous helpings, it was game time.
The field, as described before, was the same as any other American field by means of baseball, but the area was much UNLIKE where I have played before. Back more in the woods planted in an open pasture--Very green--the field wan an "all grass" infield--haven't played on one in a lonnnnnng time. As the rain fell steadily, we opted to not take BP and start the game (probably not the best circumstances, but it's no excuse). The game started out a bit frantic. They were a good hitting team, and although our starter threw pretty well, the first two innings were riddles with base hits and runs. One thing that makes baseball (and a pitcher's job difficult) is that even when a good pitch is made, a hitter can sometimes manage to find a hole in the field and defense. There weren't hardly any errors. We never really got anything going on offense--a bit of us were slow to the ball and not getting on top of the pitches when we needed too. They scored pretty much all of their runs in the first two innings, and though we showed signs of life, it wasn't long enough to re-adjust the score. We went down in the first game--a tough loss for all (no one wants to travel a long way and lose). I saw some good things from pitching (consistency, which is key)--it was simple, we needed to hit and we didn't. I was happy with the team's positive attitude--everyone seemed to put the game in the past quickly, which is needed in baseball, but sometimes it can be confused with not caring. Either way, the second game started off well early. We manufactured some runs early and it appeared the rust from bats started falling off. We went up one toward the 6th inning, and then Tranas answered with three throughout the rest of the game and we hit a dry spell. The more I think about it, it seemed like some may have lost a little flare toward the end of the game. I have been in situations where 10-15 runs have been scored in one inning--anything is possible in baseball. I didn't mentioned after the game during a post-game talk, but it felt like we were less enthusiastic. I hope the team knew we had a great chance of winning in the end--I overheard some people saying the focus in the dugout was lost because of talk about other things outside of the game. It is funny that now being a coach and at 3rd base the majority of the time or in the field, I do not hear or converse much with teammates. Baseball is a game where it can be very easy to lose focus and drift away from the important aspects of the game--I've been there too. that is why the best know how to concentrate for that many odd hours during the game, regardless of the conditions. I am pleased with our play and believe we got a little better with some things (saw some great fielding plays and quality at bats--just not when we needed them) overall! Sometimes a couple losses allows a team to see what needs to be done to be better. There were a couple of times I could have played it more conservative and called for some bunts to move some guys, but I wanted some people to hit. I will continue to get better in knowing our guys and who to use for the right situations. I am excited for the next game in two weeks and look forward to another challenge in facing a big baseball town in Leksand. Good job guys!
Next week the federation is having its first annual America vs. Swedish player baseball game. All of us Americans that are here coaching and playing will get a chance to play the Swedish National team in Stockholm for a couple of games. it will be a great time to meet with other American players and share experiences while being in Sweden and to see if there are any others from schools close to home. Erek and I have already met a couple of guys from the other teams (a few from California and Alabama)---there are actually quite a few Americans who played that had lived in Sweden for years because they had found nice careers or wives here. There are a couple on our team--both of which have wives and have been living here for several years. One is a principal at a local school, and a police officer. The Swedish National team will be tough and it will be interesting to see how many "real" pitchers are on the American team since most are here to play positions and give at bats.
Other than that the nightlife has still been good--beer pitchers here are quite a bit bigger than the ones I see regularly in America. Funny how late nights turn to say quickly because of the position near the North--we can now see the beginning of daylight as early as 3:30am. THe gym has been great--still miss some of the qualities that make Crossfit possible at the gym back at home--doing hand stand push-ups and running around amidst all kinds of machines doesn't feel quite right. Erek still enjoys the workouts and has been impressive in completing new movements fairly easily. Maybe I can find a CF gym near another city. Now that we have a better understanding of camps and what not, we have more time to plan other things.
Some more differences--pizzas here aren't ever sliced--must slice on your own!
--Kebab anything is very popular
--Coffee machines (I will get a picture) are oddly very nice in gas stations (look like high quality five star country club machines)--they love their coffee or "Kaffe" here.
--Gas station attendants/fast food workers are usually very attractive--nothing against the ones at home, but Sweden has them beat (lol).
--They love ham--it's everywhere--along with pasta and potatoes--turkey exists, but it doesn't seem very popular
--The fish is damn good too
--Drinks are so small (in means of glasses at restaurants)--refills are not free
--Bottled water is usually carbonated soda water unless you buy a special brand--didn't like it at first, but now it is pretty refreshing
--when paying in coinage at gas stations, they have you put them into a little box (like a change counter you can get in America to hold coins) and it reads the amount of the coin and that is how you pay for items--instead of giving change to an attendant who transfers it to a register
--Bills here differ in size according to the amount of Kronors they are worth--help blind people determine amount possibly?
--Laundry is about the same, except they also have dryers to use that are more like giant closets that one hangs the clothes on bars or a rack inside while warm air is constantly blown to dry them--- helps keep clothing from wrinkles and better for clothes that need to be hang dried like dress shirts or large blankets or wool. kInd of like a giant sauna for drying clothes---pretty genius.
--Many guys go and get expensive haircuts at "appointment only" stylists.
--Jam or Jelly is packaged in large tubes--like sausage or dinner rolls--more economical--just dump into a re-usable glass jar
--everything is on a "system"--most lights and electrical appliances work with every place--no need to buy extra attachments--
--Most of the guys use ESPN America to watch baseball and the NHL since they do not get it here--They use a ton of torrent sites to download free events and things--the baseball games are better to watch because there are no commercials--just gets straight to the action usually when the innings switch sides--makes the games a lot more interesting to watch on TV and you are able to get into it more!
OKAY I AM DONE--I KNOW SOME THINGS TEND TO BE BORING TO READ, BUT HARD TO LEAVE THEM OUT--PEACE
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