October 2nd – October 14th
For the first couple days here in Arizona we’ve gone over different situations such as Bunt Plays, Cuts/Relays, and First/Third plays to get everyone on the same page. After we finsihed with situations, practice usually ended with BP or if your a catcher, you end the day with bullpens. These first couple practice days were very good for getting to know the other guys on the team since the majority of them play for other organizations. Since I’m a catcher it gave me a chance to learn how guys like to throw and what they may need to work on in game situatioins.
At this point in the AFL we are 4-3 and everyone has knocked off the rust. We won our opener 3-2 against the Phonex Desert Dogs away. Even though I didn’t get any hits in the game I did draw a walk in the top of the 10th inning and scored the go ahead run. Pitchers threw very well and we didn’t commit any errors on defense. Playing in the AFL isn’t a easy task because your not in the lineup everyday so you have to really take care of business during BP and infield/outfield to prepare yourself for game situations. But so far things are great and going as planned for myself.
Thanks again for the support and appreciate the comments.
Steve
Cubs in the AFL 
Steve,
Everyone at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League is very proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations on playing in the Arizona Fall League and keep the blog entries coming! Steve Clevenger: Youse’s Orioles 2005; CRSCBL All-League Team
Steve,
It sounds like you’re getting off to a great start! I read that you are a converted catcher. You were originally at ss. They are both really hard and demanding positions to play. SS happens to be my favorite position to watch (Ryan Theriot is my favorite player). But you have to love those catchers!! They are great behind the plate and get beat up on a regular basis. Soto did a great job for the Cubs this year. He is one of the best catchers I have ever seen. I believe if you keep working on it, then you could be just as good if not better. I have never seen a minor league game before. Are they televised? It wouldn’t be that hard for me I guess to go watch one since I live only about 45 miles from Peoria. Anyways, keep on working hard. You never know when the Cubs will need a catcher. You do know that Blanco will be a free agent in ’09 and maybe the Cubs won’t resign him (even though Blanco is great too). Then they’ll need a back up catcher. They brought up Koiye Hill this year maybe next year it might be you!! I hope I spelled his first name right. Good Luck!!
Phyllis
Keep working at the fundamentals. Most errors that you see in baseball come from a breakdown in them. You can never have enough practice at them. Keep up the good work.
Hi Steve,
Will sure misses see you play, he looks everyday at the web page to see how your doing, he has your Arizona pic on his desktop… Good luck and keep up the good work. Sounds like your off to a wonderful start in the league..
Wills Mom,
Gay