July 11, 2007
Flash’s Pan Am Diary | USA Baseball Official Schedule | View Flaherty’s Bio
JULY 11TH ENTRY
Hello Commodore Fans,
Over the past month I have been traveling all over the east coast playing with the USA Baseball National team. So far the experience has been something that will last a lifetime. Being able to play against other countries as well as play with the best players in our country has been special.
We just finished off a five-game series against Japan in which we lost three out of five games. Playing against other countries has been very challenging because their style of baseball is much different than what we are used to in the United States. The hitters hit differently and the pitchers approach is unique as well. It takes time to adapt to their style of play.
This tour started on June 18th and will last until August 12th when we finish playing in the Netherlands.
Last night we took a flight from Washington D.C. to Rio de Janeiro and landed at 9 a.m. this morning. The flight took about nine hours, but it seemed even longer. We are in Brazil to compete in the Pan American Games over the next week and a half.
This is my first time out of the country and you don’t realize how much you actually have until you see places like Rio. As we took a bus through the city, you could see the run down houses and little kids with bare feet playing soccer. As the United States bus drove through the city, the little kids cheered and it made you want to get out of the bus and help them.
Our team is staying in the Olympic Village and its great because you get to meet all the other athletes from around the world. Each player stays in a room with one other teammate (I am staying with Pedro Alvarez). Tomorrow is our first practice and we will also get a chance to see some other tourist attractions here in Brazil.
I will try to make as many entries as I can so check back soon.
Go Dores!
Ryan