Spring 2024 Hargrove Update
3 weeks ago
Out and About: Rustic Tennis
I found a groove working on the baseball game notes for Wednesday this morning and got a great deal done at the office. That freed up some time this evening, and with Brooksie at work, I decided to take the camera out. There's a tennis court at the GE employee park along on the Constitution Trail that's run down and dilapidated. It's awful for playing tennis on, but I've always thought it looks really neat. I wanted to do a photo shoot with the ISU men's tennis team out there, but have never had the opportunity. I'm currently working on a freelance project with Athletes in Action tennis, as part of my culminating course work for my master's degree, so I went hunting for inspiration.
Out and About: Gatorville, USA
Another day on the road, another set of new adventures. I ate a gator burrito Monday night, no joke. Quite tasty. Illinois State dropped an 8-2 decision to the No. 6 Florida Gators last night. The 'Birds hung in there and trailed just 2-1 through four innings, but a few mistakes led to back-to-back three run innings for Florida and the loss. Another big opportunity pending Wednesday night for the team. Here are some more shots from the road. Most of these photos are taken from my phone's camera, so the quality isn't great, but it's what's on the inside that counts right?
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Toshi, Illinois State's athletic trainer and my road roomie, and I ate at a place called The Swamp across the street from Florida's campus Monday. Perhaps not surprising, the chips in our chips and salsa were Gator blue and orange. Come on Florida, you couldn't find a way to stamp Tim Tebow's face on a tortilla chip? (editor's note: I like Tim Tebow, keep fighting the good fight homes)
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
For some reason I love restricted access signs (see MLB sign at Metrodome at www.kevinwmccarty.com). It's probably some sort of egotistical, pride thing. Maybe its a rebellion thing, or a disbelief that I get to go to some really cool places that other don't. Regardless, I walked right by this sign as the team practiced at McKethan Stadium Monday night.
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Perry Field at McKethan Stadium, like all of Florida's athletic facilities, is pretty amazing (and a step up from the press facilities at Lake Myrtle Park). McKethan Stadium more closely resembles a Double-A or Triple-A ballpark, certainly on par or better than the San Antonio Missions (AA) or now defunct Wichita Wranglers (AA).
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
I first saw palm trees on a baseball field as a sophomore in high school during our spring trip to Phoenix. It was a pretty surreal experience then, and still is today. However, like a slice of pineapple on a burger, it just fits. Great backdrop at McKethan Stadium with the palms and that mossy stuff from Deep South slasher movies (or Jean Claude-Van Damme in Hard Target...seriously, you tried to make him Cajun?).
March 9, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Nerd Alert! Toshi and I had work to do Tuesday so we were on the hunt for a quiet spot to get after it. We landed at Smathers Library on Florida's campus. Tosh is getting ready for a motivation of sport and exercise midterm and I was trying to wrap up my game notes. Hitting the library on spring break isn't nerdy...remember kids, school is cool!
March 9, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
John Hines, the baseball SID at Florida, was super great Tuesday night when Illinois State matched up with the No. 6 Gators. Florida rolled out the red carpet for me and provided mini cheeseburgers for the pregame press box meal. I'm not sure who invented the concept of the mini cheeseburger, but I don't get it. I'm just going to eat three instead of one. My wife claims that little things are cute, that's why I like her so much. Anyway, it tasted good and I didn't spill on the Remote Mix.
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Toshi, Illinois State's athletic trainer and my road roomie, and I ate at a place called The Swamp across the street from Florida's campus Monday. Perhaps not surprising, the chips in our chips and salsa were Gator blue and orange. Come on Florida, you couldn't find a way to stamp Tim Tebow's face on a tortilla chip? (editor's note: I like Tim Tebow, keep fighting the good fight homes)
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
For some reason I love restricted access signs (see MLB sign at Metrodome at www.kevinwmccarty.com). It's probably some sort of egotistical, pride thing. Maybe its a rebellion thing, or a disbelief that I get to go to some really cool places that other don't. Regardless, I walked right by this sign as the team practiced at McKethan Stadium Monday night.
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Perry Field at McKethan Stadium, like all of Florida's athletic facilities, is pretty amazing (and a step up from the press facilities at Lake Myrtle Park). McKethan Stadium more closely resembles a Double-A or Triple-A ballpark, certainly on par or better than the San Antonio Missions (AA) or now defunct Wichita Wranglers (AA).
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
I first saw palm trees on a baseball field as a sophomore in high school during our spring trip to Phoenix. It was a pretty surreal experience then, and still is today. However, like a slice of pineapple on a burger, it just fits. Great backdrop at McKethan Stadium with the palms and that mossy stuff from Deep South slasher movies (or Jean Claude-Van Damme in Hard Target...seriously, you tried to make him Cajun?).
March 9, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Nerd Alert! Toshi and I had work to do Tuesday so we were on the hunt for a quiet spot to get after it. We landed at Smathers Library on Florida's campus. Tosh is getting ready for a motivation of sport and exercise midterm and I was trying to wrap up my game notes. Hitting the library on spring break isn't nerdy...remember kids, school is cool!
March 9, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
John Hines, the baseball SID at Florida, was super great Tuesday night when Illinois State matched up with the No. 6 Gators. Florida rolled out the red carpet for me and provided mini cheeseburgers for the pregame press box meal. I'm not sure who invented the concept of the mini cheeseburger, but I don't get it. I'm just going to eat three instead of one. My wife claims that little things are cute, that's why I like her so much. Anyway, it tasted good and I didn't spill on the Remote Mix.
Out and About: Early Season ISU Baseball Travel
Let's face it, I'm terrible at blogging consistently. I am persistent, however, and am going to strike with some shorter, less in-depth posts (come on, quit laughing, there was at least a little depth to the previous posts), starting with some photos from life on the road with Illinois State Baseball. It's a hodgepodge to start, but hopefully they'll have a theme in the future. Enjoy.
March 1, 2010 - Auburndale, Fla.
No doubt I reached the pinnacle of broadcast excellence in this "press box" at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla. Thanks to Larry Lyons, ISU Senior Associate Athletics Director, for finding me a chair to sit on...and paying my cell phone minutes overages. Fittingly, a crew of inmates served as the field crew at this facility.
March 6, 2010 - Nashville, Tenn.
For every Auburndale press box, there's a dynamite place to eat on the road that makes it all worthwhile. I discovered Five Guys in Tampa, Fla., while traveling with softball last spring and got to relive the glory in Nashville, Tenn. last weekend. Thanks to my bro-in-law, Scotty, for picking up dinner via the Christmas gift card.
March 8, 2010 - Gainesville, Fla.
Walked into Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., earlier today, the first time I've been inside an SEC football stadium (I didn't actually see the playing surface last weekend at Vandy so that doesn't count). I'm impressed Florida. You could park 12 tractor-trailers in that press box. All I could think about was Urban Meyer sitting in our media relations office years ago when he was an assistant football coach with the Redbirds. "From here, anywhere." I sense a poster going up when I get back.
By the way, Toshi and I look like freaks wearing short sleeves around town. Everyone else has jackets or sweaters on. Tosh looks especially out of place with his tank top. Truly a different planet, and proof we live in Antarctica.
