BATTLE MOUNTAIN - With the calendar turning to August, I have come to the harsh reality that my life is about to get crazy busy once again.
Friday night football games, along with soccer and volleyball matches, cross country racing and girls golf, are just a few weeks, even days away.
Looking back at the past five months, I would say that I have had a pretty good time.
At the beginning of March, I headed down to Arizona for my annual Spring Training adventure in hopes of the Cubs actually doing something.
I have gotten used to the 13-hour trip back and forth in a car to the Valley of the Sun. It may sound silly, but it is much cheaper than flying and getting a rental car for 10 days in Phoenix. Pretty much fits me because I have been told I am the cheapest guy in the entire world. People say it's the Basque in me.
Not a bad trip, though, when you see more baseball games than you know what to do with it. Added to the fun were some World Baseball Classic games, where if you wanted to you could purchase an authentic World Baseball Classic ball for $45. I am all for buying stuff (God knows I have way too much crap), but that is even too much for me.
Throw in Phoenix Coyotes and Phoenix Suns games and the trip is complete. Even though some would say the two don't count as professional hockey and basketball teams at the moment.
I soon came back to reality for the final three months of the school year, only to have the countdown to June's College World Series in Omaha, Neb., stuck in my head.
Since I am not a world traveler (the farthest east I had been was Denver), it would be a new experience for me. It was also a chance to go back and see my former editor from the paper in David Gouger, who left to go back home a year ago. Plus, it was free room and board and meals. Once again, I am cheap.
Well, as I arrived at Reno/Tahoe International Airport at 4:30 a.m. for my 5:45 a.m. flight to Las Vegas, there were around 100 people in line at the Southwest Airlines check-in. That was my first surprise of the morning. The second - I get to the front desk and to my unknowing my flight had been cancelled. My first words under my breath are not printable.
However, the nice lady at the counter already had me moved to a flight to Denver, which departed at 5:30 a.m.
So with about a half hour to spare, after getting through security (if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all), I pretty much walked on to the plane. I think my number was like C25, so the only spot left was outside on the wing.
That was the only rough patch going to Omaha, until I got a whiff of the heat and humidity walking outside the terminal at Eppley Airfield (yes it's called an airfield). Just say I was not a fan of the humidity.
That same night, I got my first taste of what a real Midwestern thunderstorm was all about. The opening ceremonies to the CWS were cut short, and after being told to take cover the storm hit for about two hours.
Probably about 1,000 people stayed because of a fireworks show. They were not about to leave until they got their fireworks.
During my week in Omaha, I spent most of the time in the bleachers at TD Ameritrade Park. All I will say there are some beautiful views and other views no man needs to see.
The main goal in the bleachers was to hide the beach balls (which are not allowed in the stadium).
Security pretty much gave in and allowed us to have fun in between innings, where about 50 balls would fly up after the third out.
The only rule - the ball goes underneath the seat before the first pitch of the next half inning.
After spending hours in the sun and humidity of the bleachers, the only saving grace at night was the Union Pizzeria and Sports Bar.
I can say that I was part of the second-biggest crowd ever at the stadium (27,122). However, I am wondering what the fire marshal was thinking. That number is 3,122 above listed capacity.
Getting to visit Rosenblatt Stadium, the old home of the College World Series, was pretty cool. It's nothing but a parking lot now for the zoo. The only remnants left are the original home plate, some old seats and the foul poles.
On the same trip I was able to sneak over to Des Moines, Iowa, to catch an Iowa Cubs game and spend some time at the state capitol. My hopes of taking over the governor's office did not come true.
As much trouble as I had in Reno checking in, it was just the opposite leaving Omaha. Thinking it would be halfway busy on a Friday afternoon, I was the only one in line. So much for getting there early.
My National Lampoon's Vacation for the summer culminated with the Triple A All-Star game in Reno.
I got used to the trip to Reno from the week of July 10 - 17. I made that trek four times in seven days, even though the first of those trips was to Fernley to shoot the Winnemucca Little League 11 and under All-Stars. To say the least I was sick of Interstate 80.
For all of those with young children I have a million thunder sticks from the home run derby. It's a soothing sound for any parent.
With the first official high school games 22 days away, time for me to get back to the grind.
Winnemucca Publishing sports editor Tony Erquiaga can be contacted via e-mail: t.erquiaga@winnemuccapublishing.net.
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