Another Building Block

We didn't start this blog just to brag about Brandon. I swear it. But he is doing so well, and everything seems to be coming together for him so much that alot of our time and energy is devoted to following him and his journey in baseball, so we want to keep everyone up to date on what is going on with him.

The Major League organization that we have been in contact with about Brandon was in Las Cruces to watch BL and two other guys on New Mexico State's team this weekend. Brandon proceeded to go 7 for 15 for the series and play spectacular behind the plate on defense as well. As mentioned in an earlier blog, this is what we have been waiting for, for a team to give him a chance just to get the upper levels of their scouting tier to watch him. He produced. As if that is not enough - another organization gave Brandon a questionare to fill out for their scouting group during the weekend. Brandon told me that the scout for that team had spoken with his pitching coach and said that they were going to be very aggressive in going after Brandon and that they loved him.

All of BL's hard work is beginning to see fruit. He is to the point now where he is relaxing at the plate, knowing that the question when he comes up to bat is not whether he will hit the ball, but instead the question is what the result will be (whether it will be a single, double or homerun) after he crushes the ball. They continue to have him in the four hole covering the All American in the three hole (who by the way is getting pitched to now, because they know that they don't want to face BL because he is so hot right now) which means that Brandon is going through this stretch hitting offspeed pitches instead of fastballs.

Gary Ward (former coach of Oklahoma State, and father of head coach Rocky Ward of New Mexico State) was on the radio today and spoke very highly of Brandon's continued success at the plate and the leadership that he is providing to NMSU right now. He said many things that were highly complimentary of Brandon - and he is not a person that doles out compliments often.

This is a very fun time right now, and exciting to say the least. (Just don't mention to "Mama" that this is Brandon's senior year unless you have a full box of tissue handy). What a time, though, to be involved in someone's life as they are about to achieve a goal that they have set for themselves since the age of five or six.

Tuesday is the next brick in the road. Versus New Mexico University......

Friday was Good

Northern Colorado beat New Mexico State today. That was not supposed to happen. On a positive note, Brandon continues to shine in games where it counts for him personally. He went 2 for 4 today with two doubles and two RBI.

He told me after the game that he didn't see one fastball today, only sliders which is a testament to how well he is hitting the ball only seeing offspeed pitches. Northern Colorado went right at New Mexico State's All American (who BL is covering being in the four hole) which says that they realize how well Brandon is hitting right now.

BL said that he couldn't tell which person was there to see him because there were so many "scouts" in the stands. He continues to shine at the right moments when specific people are there to see him in particular. His senior year is continuing to be a good one, in fact, he has probably done enough already to solidify his goal in reaching the next level where everything that he does from here on is just "icing on the cake" and will only lead to bigger and better things for him.

He never ceases to amaze me in the way that he can perform under intense circumstances, but I only hope that he is enjoying his last year of college baseball. These games only lead me to believe that it is not his last year in baseball, but just his last year as an "amateur".

We always hope that NMSU wins each game, but if they don't, at least it takes the sting away knowing that BL had a good day in front of an important audience.

Here is the link to the article on NMSU's website:NMSU Article

BB

Big Weekend

We just got word that the scout that has been watching Brandon turned BL's name into his boss (the crosschecker)with the organization. That in itself is the next big step that we have been waiting on for Brandon. As the conversation played out, come to find out the crosschecker is going to Las Cruces for this weekend's series against Northern Colorado (starting today)to watch Brandon play. We hesitated to tell BL this, only to save him from undo pressure, but decided best that he know. As he said after I told him about it, "It seems to have worked so far this year" - meaning that every time we have let him know that someone is there to watch him, he seems to only play better and have a great game. To me that is the sign of a player that can go a long way, one that plays his best when the "heat is on". The good thing about baseball is that the scouts don't have to have the statistical results as a measuring stick because they break down a player in so many different situations and skill tests. Not to say that 3-4 games and grandslams (which BL has had when they have been there) don't help, they do. But more importantly is how he handles himself in clutch situations emotionally and through leadership skills.

Anyway, it's an exciting day (weekend) no matter what happens because this can be like a spider program in a computer - where people talk and it will only lead to more people seeing Brandon and realizing just how good he really is.

Megan is sick. Poor girl has had bronchitis for probably three weeks and just kept fighting it off until finally going to the doctor yesterday and getting some medicine for it. Hopefully this will lead to her quick recovery. I'm excited because we have a position at my office that may be coming open in the next couple of weeks and Megan is the leading candidate for the position. Pretty good paying, and I know it is something in which she will be really good.

We'll let everyone know how the "big weekend" goes.

BB

Wish we were there...

This one's too good not to start at the beginning. So I hope I do it justice.

Yesterday NMSU played NMU in Albuquerque. This is their big rivalry and NMU beat them the first time they met this season and was coming off a huge win where they took 2 out of 3 against Arizona this past weekend.

First, Brett spoke with the MLB Scout on the phone yesterday that had been at the game when we were in Las Cruces and he informed him that he would be at the game watching BL and a couple other players on his team. Brett called BL to tell him and he was on the bus headed to the game. He was throwing up and said he thought he had the flu. Brett called me at the office and said it's a good thing you didn't talk to him because I'm afraid the way he sounded, you would have gotten in your car and driven out to take care of him. What a horrible feeling to know your child is sick, hundreds of miles away and there's nothing you can do about it.

Next thing we know, we look on the computer to watch the live stats of the game and not only is BL playing, he hit his second homerun of the season and had his best college game ever! He went 3-4, with a homerun and 3 RBI's. And the scout got it on video again!

BL called after the game and said he went to Rocky and told him he wanted to play. So the trainer hooked him up to an IV and pumped some fluid back in him. He still wasn't feeling very well "physically" after the game, but mentally he was 10' tall and bullet proof. Maybe they should give him extra fluids before every game!

If you get a chance, go to their website at nmstatesports.com and read about the game.

Man, it's hard being so far away. Wish we were there.

KB

What a difference a day makes

NMSU won 10-8 today taking 2 out of 3 from Gonzaga this weekend. BL rested most of the game, but came in to pinch hit in the 8th. With the score 9-8, a runner on second and one out, BL hit a double off the wall scoring a run and putting the Aggies up by two. Nothing like a little pressure! He had two strikes on him when he got his hit. He's going to cause his poor mom to live a very short life :) The Aggies take on New Mexico Tuesday and that should be a good game.

Brett went to the store this morning and bought two sleds and ski masks for everyone. He pulled SB & JB up and down the street all morning until they all got so cold they had to come in. They had a blast. I opted to stay in and clean house (stay warm)

Hopefully the snow will melt soon. I love the snow, but only for a short period of time. Now I'm ready for the warm weather again.

Speaking of warm weather, we're already planning our next trip to Las Cruces. We're going to take SB & JB soon. They were really good on the airplane last time and JB LOVES going out on the field with the big boys.

Hope everyone stays warm!
KB