Gym Cracks By Jim January 22, 2003 OFF TO CUBS CAMP Hitting the road from Nebraska to Arizona for Chicago Cubs spring training camp By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com A life-long dream will be realized, starting Sunday. I will be participating in a Cubs spring training baseball camp. I will be among a group of individuals--minimum age of 40 and up to at least 67--my age, who will spend seven days participating against a group of retired Cubs players. As a youngster I wanted to play baseball for a living. I had a desire to succeed, but not the innate skills necessary to play at a level where I could make a living. I have been working out in preparation for this happening. The treadmill has been getting a workout every morning. I run for short distances on this machine. I'm not going to hit one of the park, so I must be able to run to first base. I purchased three baseballs. Most days I go to the park and throw these balls. It is time consuming, as I have to walk/jog to retrieve the balls. Can you imagine the glances I receive? A senior citizen playing baseball by himself, in 18-degree weather with a wind chill of six degrees. I just hope I don't make a spectacle of myself. At times I feel maybe I should have been a spectator instead of a participant. Still, I have the desire to participate. It is something I have thought about, ever since I realized Fantasy Baseball Camps existed. Our group will room where the major league Cubs live during spring training, at the Dobson Inn and Resort in Mesa, AZ. Maybe Kerry Woods will inherit the room I will stay in when he shows up for this year's Cubs spring training. Could happen! The participants will practice at Fitch Park, under the watchful eyes of the retired Cubs during the week. Then the "Big Game" will be held on Saturday, January 31th. This game will be held at HoHoKam Park, the site where the present Cubs will hone their skills during February and March for the upcoming major league season. An awards banquet will be held the evening of the 31st. Maybe I will receive an award, if for no other reason, that I survived the week. My dream is on the horizon, and I will enjoy every minute of it. I'll let you know in a couple weeks how I fared. Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 01-10-04: Powerball Dreams Of NYC Gym Cracks By Jim 12-21-03: Selection Speculation Gym Cracks By Jim 12-05-03: The Solich Split Gym Cracks By Jim 11-04-03: More Nebraska Less Stuff Gym Cracks By Jim 09-27-03: Cubs Camp Calls Gym Cracks By Jim 09-09-03: Back To Nebraska Gym Cracks By Jim 08-14-03: Feet Spoil Feat Gym Cracks By Jim 07-15-03: Training For Walk Gym Cracks By Jim 06-30-03: Walk Across Nebraska Gym Cracks By Jim 06-20-03: No Stress Stress Test Gym Cracks By Jim 06-11-03: Crazy Horse 'Fun' Gym Cracks By Jim 05-31-03: Friends For Life Gym Cracks By Jim 05-19-03: Spurs And Cubs Gym Cracks By Jim 04-29-03: L.A. Delay Gym Cracks By Jim 04-16-03: What's In A Nickname? Gym Cracks By Jim 03-28-03: More March Madness Gym Cracks By Jim 03-14-03: March To Remember Gym Cracks By Jim 03-07-03: Tall & Tough Gym Cracks By Jim 02-26-03: Zingerland Gym Cracks By Jim 02-19-03: Cuss The Bus Gym Cracks By Jim 02-09-03: Ratings And Recruiting Gym Cracks By Jim 01-31-03: Hoops Elite Gym Cracks By Jim 01-24-03: Nebraska's Super Connection Gym Cracks By Jim 01-15-03: Hometown Hits Big Time Gym Cracks By Jim 2002 12-30-02: Count The Numbers Gym Cracks By Jim 12-18-02: Cream Of Coaching Crop Gym Cracks By Jim 11-28-02: The Big Picture Gym Cracks By Jim 11-18-02: 2 For 2 Gym Cracks By Jim 10-25-02: Sweet On Switzer Gym Cracks By Jim 10-17-02: Best Time Year Gym Cracks By Jim 10-11-02: Odds And Ends Gym Cracks By Jim 10-04-02: The Rating Game Gym Cracks By Jim 09-22-02: Fans Panned Gym Cracks By Jim 09-12-02: World Herald Calling Gym Cracks 09-05-02: Bit By Baseball Bug Gym Cracks 08-29-02: Caring Coaches Gym Cracks 08-22-02: Nebraska "Storm" Hits Colorado Gym Cracks 08-15-02: Cubs Win, Wallet Drained Gym Cracks 08-08-02: To Coors For Cubs Gym Cracks 07-25-02: Major League Madness Gym Cracks 07-18-02: Nebraskans In The Majors Gym Cracks 07-11-02: Kile Death Sheds Light Gym Cracks 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks