Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities
I have been working this year with the Chicago chapter of RBI, which is now a "proud sponsor" of KPMG. it's been a lot of fun. We started out the year with keeping score for the games. There were two a night, one for the junior league and one for the senior league. Sunday, August 3rd RBI was invited to participate in a clinic held at Wrigley field prior to the game versus Pittsburgh. The program invited the winning senior team and the junior all-stars. Of course they needed some extra chaperons from KPMG. A few of us scorekeepers were invited to help out and spend the day with them. It started out early by meeting at the park at 9:00 in the morning. The same time the Cubs were starting to arrive.
The players started out with workouting on the field lead by three of the Cubs coaches; Larry Rothschild, Alan Trammell, and Ivan DeJesus. I sat and watched the pitchers with Larry. It was very interesting to hear him speak to the boys. Then a few of them took turns pitching. I liked how he found good and bad things to tell each boy as they took their turn. Another group practice snagging fly balls up against the ivy and the third group caught grounders and throwing to first base.
All the boys looked like the were enjoying themselves and taking in all in, even a few of the chaperons had big smiles. After 45 minutes of field work, the team settled in to watch Kerry Wood throw two simulated innings, part of his recovery from the nasty blister plaguing him for the last month. The next stop was moving everyone closer to the on-deck circle for pictures and autographs. This was the most exciting part, not just for the team. They sat us down in aisle 116 right next to the dugout. In groups of 3 to 5, they stepped on the field to the on-deck circle for a picture then into the dugout for another picture. Once the team was done, the KPMGers took our spot in line. One overheard comment... "i think they are smiling bigger than the boys." that just made us smile even more. As we sat and waited a few of the players came over to say Hi! and sign autographs.
All the boys looked like the were enjoying themselves and taking in all in, even a few of the chaperons had big smiles. After 45 minutes of field work, the team settled in to watch Kerry Wood throw two simulated innings, part of his recovery from the nasty blister plaguing him for the last month. The next stop was moving everyone closer to the on-deck circle for pictures and autographs. This was the most exciting part, not just for the team. They sat us down in aisle 116 right next to the dugout. In groups of 3 to 5, they stepped on the field to the on-deck circle for a picture then into the dugout for another picture. Once the team was done, the KPMGers took our spot in line. One overheard comment... "i think they are smiling bigger than the boys." that just made us smile even more. As we sat and waited a few of the players came over to say Hi! and sign autographs.
Derrick Lee
Mark DeRosa
Jim Edmonds
Ryan Theriot
We were even treated to a game a catch... with a football, lead by former quarterback Mark DeRosa. Even Zambrano got in the middle with a stunning intercetion.
After watching batting practice, stretching, and some running drills, we were ready to go in for lunch. We were lead around the park to the Stadium Club. Inside we had a small room to ourselves. I looked at the person next to me and said, "I am ready for a hotdogs." then a Cubs personal stood up and welcomed us to the Stadium Club, he also announced that you will not find the normal stadium food in the club but that we were being treated to a wonderful all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. I have to admit i was a bit sad. I was looking forward to a hotdog and nachos. It was good food. The boys ate their fill, received t-shirts and caps from KPMG, then we escorted them to the final destination to watch the game. What a game it was! They won, even though for a moment things didn't look good when the game was tied in the late innings. But that's what the Cubs do these days, come back from behind. Go Cubs!
