I know he is alive and well because he is playing on the VBL Strasburg Express team this summer but I can't help but wonder where he is hiding...???
No blog. No posts here.
Where are the hounds?
YGD
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Found him on Facebook! Ha! Sorry Josh! 
He is alive and doing well and loving it!!! 
He is alive and doing well and loving it!!! 
Josh is alive and well, and as charming and affable as ever, battling back into pitching form after his year long surgery and rehab, while taking night classes at Georgetown.
Getting back into pre-surgery form is never easy but he's working hard, no surprise there; the road back is never short or easy.
It's a blessing to have this guy around...and I got my car back too.
Getting back into pre-surgery form is never easy but he's working hard, no surprise there; the road back is never short or easy.
It's a blessing to have this guy around...and I got my car back too.
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You got your car back? What...JH is just as handy with a Slim Jim® as you are adept at locking your keys in your car?
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You got your car back? What...JH is just as handy with a Slim Jim® as you are adept at locking your keys in your car?
.
As busy as he is, Josh helped me think through something a couple of weeks ago. He's that kinda guy!
Josh Fan Club anyone???
JH, might see you if my son decides to do the July camp .... will you be there?
JH, might see you if my son decides to do the July camp .... will you be there?
Gotwood,
Nah, Josh's car lost a battle on a country road with a deer so he borrowed our truck to get around while it was fixed... It's what GM's do... But I've done that locking the key in thing-last time was at Dulles Airport and those folks were neither amused nor cheap. I could've almost bought a new car for the price of the service call...which involved spending about 5 seconds beside my car with an illegal looking piece of metal and voila, door open. Hmmmmm.
Nah, Josh's car lost a battle on a country road with a deer so he borrowed our truck to get around while it was fixed... It's what GM's do...
But I've done that locking the key in thing-last time was at Dulles Airport and those folks were neither amused nor cheap. I could've almost bought a new car for the price of the service call...which involved spending about 5 seconds beside my car with an illegal looking piece of metal and voila, door open. Hmmmmm.
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Hmmmmm is right...some of those airport security guys make me nervous!
By the way...I'm glad to hear that JH's car and not JH himself wore the venison.
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- "I could've almost bought a new car for the price of the service call...which involved spending about 5 seconds beside my car with an illegal looking piece of metal and voila, door open. Hmmmmm."
Hmmmmm is right...some of those airport security guys make me nervous!
By the way...I'm glad to hear that JH's car and not JH himself wore the venison.
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Hey all...I'm still here don't go worrying about me!
I've learned a few things so far this summer.
#1- both hands on the wheel and eyes open when driving on the backroads at 3 AM. The deer luckily only hit the front driver's side of my car and didn't really cause any serious structural damage. Thank goodness for hokieone's car otherwise I may have been stranded in the valley! Not that that's such a terrible thing...
#2- Grad school is hard. Really hard, actually. And extremely time consuming.
#3- The strength and conditioning program here is much more intense than the strength and conditioning program at my previous school.
When #2 and #3 get combined, it creates an awfully strenuous day. Top all of that off with the daily requirements that involve Tommy John rehab, my day is pretty full. And come the fall I have a heavier load of classes, fall practices (and workouts) and an internship to boot. Sometimes I scratch my head and wonder what I've gotten myself into.
As hokieone noted, getting into "pre-surgery" form isn't as easy as some of the professionals make it seem. While my first start this summer was good, my second wasn't. I allowed 6 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, included a loud 3 run HR that sort of broke the game open in what ended up being the final at-bat against me. I don't remember the last time I gave up 6 runs in a game and I'm pretty sure I've never walked 3 hitters in 2 consecutive games in my entire life, but I suppose that's part of the process.
Upon returning back to DC for more classes during the week, our head coach called me and told me that my velocity had been progressively dropping throughout my outing and by the 5th inning, was 7-8 mph slower than in my first outing. This is obviously a cause for concern, and thus the coaches and I both agreed it'd be best to skip my next start and try to regain some arm strength. I've done so, and haven't pitched in nearly two weeks. I've spent time doing arm strengthening exercises, long tossing, and throwing bullpens. Tomorrow's agenda is a simulated game with a radar gun tracking each pitch to see if I'm alright and ready to resume pitching.
The good news is that my arm feels fine. There was never any pain or any physical events that could have been worrisome. In hindsight, there was a red flag at the fact that there were very few swings and misses from my opponent. I'm not a power pitcher by any means, but my stuff is usually good enough to warrant some swings and misses throughout the game. The opposing team never struck out and only swung and missed at a handful of pitches, which was an indication that there had been a diminishing effectiveness in my offerings.
That's about all from my front. I'm working hard networking my way around trying to set myself up for a job upon graduation, and so far I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it. But between lifting, running, class, homework, reading, presentations, group meetings, professional conference calls, throwing, rehabbing and pitching (oh yeah...and hosting my girlfriend on her first trip to DC during the past week), I sometimes struggle finding time to sleep. Don't think I'm neglecting anyone here!
I've learned a few things so far this summer.
#1- both hands on the wheel and eyes open when driving on the backroads at 3 AM. The deer luckily only hit the front driver's side of my car and didn't really cause any serious structural damage. Thank goodness for hokieone's car otherwise I may have been stranded in the valley! Not that that's such a terrible thing...
#2- Grad school is hard. Really hard, actually. And extremely time consuming.
#3- The strength and conditioning program here is much more intense than the strength and conditioning program at my previous school.
When #2 and #3 get combined, it creates an awfully strenuous day. Top all of that off with the daily requirements that involve Tommy John rehab, my day is pretty full. And come the fall I have a heavier load of classes, fall practices (and workouts) and an internship to boot. Sometimes I scratch my head and wonder what I've gotten myself into.
As hokieone noted, getting into "pre-surgery" form isn't as easy as some of the professionals make it seem. While my first start this summer was good, my second wasn't. I allowed 6 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, included a loud 3 run HR that sort of broke the game open in what ended up being the final at-bat against me. I don't remember the last time I gave up 6 runs in a game and I'm pretty sure I've never walked 3 hitters in 2 consecutive games in my entire life, but I suppose that's part of the process.
Upon returning back to DC for more classes during the week, our head coach called me and told me that my velocity had been progressively dropping throughout my outing and by the 5th inning, was 7-8 mph slower than in my first outing. This is obviously a cause for concern, and thus the coaches and I both agreed it'd be best to skip my next start and try to regain some arm strength. I've done so, and haven't pitched in nearly two weeks. I've spent time doing arm strengthening exercises, long tossing, and throwing bullpens. Tomorrow's agenda is a simulated game with a radar gun tracking each pitch to see if I'm alright and ready to resume pitching.
The good news is that my arm feels fine. There was never any pain or any physical events that could have been worrisome. In hindsight, there was a red flag at the fact that there were very few swings and misses from my opponent. I'm not a power pitcher by any means, but my stuff is usually good enough to warrant some swings and misses throughout the game. The opposing team never struck out and only swung and missed at a handful of pitches, which was an indication that there had been a diminishing effectiveness in my offerings.
That's about all from my front. I'm working hard networking my way around trying to set myself up for a job upon graduation, and so far I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it. But between lifting, running, class, homework, reading, presentations, group meetings, professional conference calls, throwing, rehabbing and pitching (oh yeah...and hosting my girlfriend on her first trip to DC during the past week), I sometimes struggle finding time to sleep. Don't think I'm neglecting anyone here!
Hang in there Josh & if anyone can pull it all off successfully, it is you! Lord knows that nobody deserves it more! You can do it! Best of luck!
I have a JH sighting. Saw him pitch the other night, though I didn't know it was him until afterwards because the program didn't have his name next to his number. Pitched five very impressive innings in relief, totally baffled a bunch of hitters, picked up a nice win.
Josh-- Your schedule sounds crazy! I'm sure you'll get through it though, and be better for it. Good luck. It sounds as though things are headed in the right direction according to Swampboy's above post. Congrats.
My question is for any of those who have experienced summer college ball. Do some of the players take classses from surrounding colleges? Outside of baseball, do these student-athletes pursue part time jobs, college classes, etc? I was under the impression they basically train, condition, and play ball. Yet the opportunity to work or take a class (local or online) sounds interesting. Sounds like Josh is clearly busy, and I'm wondering how atypical his schedule is.
My question is for any of those who have experienced summer college ball. Do some of the players take classses from surrounding colleges? Outside of baseball, do these student-athletes pursue part time jobs, college classes, etc? I was under the impression they basically train, condition, and play ball. Yet the opportunity to work or take a class (local or online) sounds interesting. Sounds like Josh is clearly busy, and I'm wondering how atypical his schedule is.
Swampboy- Where were you? LOL...I was borrowing a jersey from someone else so the number situation I'm sure was difficult.
smalltownmom- In my three years of summer ball I'm the only player that I've come across taking classes. There was one teammate that was completing an internship, which led to an outside job. Some of the players hold down part-time jobs during the day that the team helps them secure. Free gym memberships have been included in all my experiences and thus training is very much individualized. All of the coaches basically have the attitude that as long as each player shows up when they're supposed to show up, they can do whatever they want on the side.
I'm sure there are some players who take online classes, and maybe a handful that take classes on campus like I am. But my situation is very unique and requires a lot of logistical understanding from the coaches on the other end, of which I am very appreciative.
smalltownmom- In my three years of summer ball I'm the only player that I've come across taking classes. There was one teammate that was completing an internship, which led to an outside job. Some of the players hold down part-time jobs during the day that the team helps them secure. Free gym memberships have been included in all my experiences and thus training is very much individualized. All of the coaches basically have the attitude that as long as each player shows up when they're supposed to show up, they can do whatever they want on the side.
I'm sure there are some players who take online classes, and maybe a handful that take classes on campus like I am. But my situation is very unique and requires a lot of logistical understanding from the coaches on the other end, of which I am very appreciative.
Thanks, Josh.
Josh,
I was hanging out way down the foul line until you came in and struck out two batters with your first six pitches. That motivated me to wander back to the cluster of fans behind home for a closer look.
Was quite impressed the way you imitated Maddux by throwing a little bit softer in every high adrenaline situation. Lot of guys wanted to break their bats over their knees on their way back to the dugout. And, given that so many still had their bats in their hands, I guess they could have.
Oh, and your bare-handed grab of the soft floating "liner" was hilarious since you obviously had time to reach across with your glove but decided it just wasn't worth the bother.
Nice work.
I was hanging out way down the foul line until you came in and struck out two batters with your first six pitches. That motivated me to wander back to the cluster of fans behind home for a closer look.
Was quite impressed the way you imitated Maddux by throwing a little bit softer in every high adrenaline situation. Lot of guys wanted to break their bats over their knees on their way back to the dugout. And, given that so many still had their bats in their hands, I guess they could have.
Oh, and your bare-handed grab of the soft floating "liner" was hilarious since you obviously had time to reach across with your glove but decided it just wasn't worth the bother.
Nice work.
Glad to hear all is well JH! But..make sure to work in some sleep time..it is an important part of any rehab!
( can you tell I run a sleep disorders center? Lol!
Have a great summer!
( can you tell I run a sleep disorders center? Lol!
Have a great summer!
Swampboy- Funny you mentioned Maddux. He was a guy I learned to emulate a bit growing up, being that I'm not a power pitcher. My thought process is that the faster they swing, the slower I'll throw it. The other night it just so happened that I was able to locate all of my pitches consistently so that translated to success for the few innings I was in the game.
The "liner" you mentioned was actually pretty funny I thought. I misread it off the bat thinking that it was hit a lot harder than it was, and thought it was immediately a line drive single up the middle. But once the realization hit that it actually was hit fairly softly, I sort of just stuck my hand out instinctually. The team obviously got a good kick out of it and thought it was really cool, and I just sort of smiled and was thankful for the fact it didn't hurt at all.
For those reading along, I am no longer pitching for the Strasburg Express. While I was extremely grateful for the opportunity that hokieone and all those involved had provided me, the distance and scheduling was a very difficult aspect to handle logistically. Strasburg is 80 miles west of Washington, DC and it became very much a hassle to make the trip while working around classes and trying to coordinate timing with the team's traveling. I spoke to a former teammate of mine from Oneonta who is on the roster of the Vienna River Dogs of the Cal Ripken Collegiate League, and he informed me of a need for a few more pitchers on the team. I spoke to hokieone explaining my scenario and he graciously granted me my release from the team, with the stipulation that I had to keep in touch. The next day, the coach of the Vienna team offered me a roster spot and 24 hours later I was on the mound in the Ripken League.
Sometimes, it's good to be lefty.
Nonetheless it was a pretty quick turn around of events. Vienna is only about 15 miles away from me and obviously much more convenient to get to, and therefore presents itself as a much easier opportunity for me. I will, of course, be eternally thankful for everything that was done for me while with the Express, and continue to keep in touch with many people in Strasburg. So as I said on the phone and will continue to say many times in the future, thanks hokieone for everything you provided me with.
Swampboy next time you're at a game be sure to introduce yourself to me, as I'd love to put a face with the numerous beneficial posts you provide this site. And thanks for the kind words pertaining to my outing the other day...it felt good to be pitching like that once again.
The "liner" you mentioned was actually pretty funny I thought. I misread it off the bat thinking that it was hit a lot harder than it was, and thought it was immediately a line drive single up the middle. But once the realization hit that it actually was hit fairly softly, I sort of just stuck my hand out instinctually. The team obviously got a good kick out of it and thought it was really cool, and I just sort of smiled and was thankful for the fact it didn't hurt at all.
For those reading along, I am no longer pitching for the Strasburg Express. While I was extremely grateful for the opportunity that hokieone and all those involved had provided me, the distance and scheduling was a very difficult aspect to handle logistically. Strasburg is 80 miles west of Washington, DC and it became very much a hassle to make the trip while working around classes and trying to coordinate timing with the team's traveling. I spoke to a former teammate of mine from Oneonta who is on the roster of the Vienna River Dogs of the Cal Ripken Collegiate League, and he informed me of a need for a few more pitchers on the team. I spoke to hokieone explaining my scenario and he graciously granted me my release from the team, with the stipulation that I had to keep in touch. The next day, the coach of the Vienna team offered me a roster spot and 24 hours later I was on the mound in the Ripken League.
Sometimes, it's good to be lefty.
Nonetheless it was a pretty quick turn around of events. Vienna is only about 15 miles away from me and obviously much more convenient to get to, and therefore presents itself as a much easier opportunity for me. I will, of course, be eternally thankful for everything that was done for me while with the Express, and continue to keep in touch with many people in Strasburg. So as I said on the phone and will continue to say many times in the future, thanks hokieone for everything you provided me with.
Swampboy next time you're at a game be sure to introduce yourself to me, as I'd love to put a face with the numerous beneficial posts you provide this site. And thanks for the kind words pertaining to my outing the other day...it felt good to be pitching like that once again.
JH - When did you start playing for the Vienna RiverDogs? I was on a business trip two weeks ago and stopped by to see the Alexandria Aces and the Vienna River Dogs. I hooked up with some friends whose son plays for the RiverDogs. We watched a slugfest in Alexandria that night. Please let me now if you have a regular start day, and I'll try to stop by.
Swampboy - I'll PM you on my next trip up to NoVA. Hopefully we can get together as well.
Swampboy - I'll PM you on my next trip up to NoVA. Hopefully we can get together as well.
fenwaysouth- I started playing for them just this week. I'm scheduled to start one of the DH games tomorrow evening, I'm not too sure after that. I'll probably end up settling into a once a weekend kind of thing. I'll definitely let you know though.
JH, Im sorry to hear you're no longer with us on the Express! Doggone it! We'll be up Sunday morning and I had told my wife that we were gonna take you out for dinner one night while there next week!
We most likely will be coming into DC for a day to tour a little bit so any suggestions on where to park, and how to get around would be greatly appreciated!
Swampboy, my son is a Pitcher for the Express. #26. Let me know when you'll be at a game next week and I'll buy you a bag of peanuts!
YGD
We most likely will be coming into DC for a day to tour a little bit so any suggestions on where to park, and how to get around would be greatly appreciated!
Swampboy, my son is a Pitcher for the Express. #26. Let me know when you'll be at a game next week and I'll buy you a bag of peanuts!
YGD
YGD- The words parking and Washington DC aren't exactly synonymous. Depending on where you plan to be within the city and how long you plan on being there would dictate your parking options. I assume you'd want to be near the monuments during the day, and there is metered parking on the streets there if you can find it. If not, there's plenty of (very expensive) hourly parking lots. In Georgetown, the neighborhood I live in, there is free street parking for two hours. However, Georgetown is pretty far from the monuments and the "tourist areas", so that doesn't really behoove you either.
Shoot me a PM and hopefully we can try planning to meet up. One side note...DC is a really cool place to be for July 4th, but its also a very busy place to be for July 4th. As a native New Yorker I equate it to being in Times Square for New Years and as most New Yorkers will tell you, we don't go anywhere near Times Square for New Years.
The metro system here is actually pretty easy to use if you'd be willing to park in one of the neighboring cities. My car is parked in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia and the monuments are very easily accessible via bus or train from there and many other areas that offer free parking. Transportation is all relative in the city and is what you make of it I suppose.
Shoot me a PM and hopefully we can try planning to meet up. One side note...DC is a really cool place to be for July 4th, but its also a very busy place to be for July 4th. As a native New Yorker I equate it to being in Times Square for New Years and as most New Yorkers will tell you, we don't go anywhere near Times Square for New Years.
The metro system here is actually pretty easy to use if you'd be willing to park in one of the neighboring cities. My car is parked in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia and the monuments are very easily accessible via bus or train from there and many other areas that offer free parking. Transportation is all relative in the city and is what you make of it I suppose.
How's the arm? You getting anybody out? 
Seriously, knowing you, I'll bet you have been sitting a few down
Seriously, knowing you, I'll bet you have been sitting a few down
CD- It is progressing. Last night I threw 6 2/3 innings and gave up 2 earned runs while throwing 96 pitches (65 strikes according to the box score online). My coach probably could have justifiably pulled me after 6, but I appreciated his trusting of me saying that I felt good enough to go back out there.
So far my ERA is hovering right around the mid-3's for the summer season, which for the circumstances is fine with me. Each and every day is important for the progression and the overall health of the arm. It'll be exactly one year post-op in 11 days, and its pretty amazing looking back on where I was and where I am now.
As a side note for those who are reading along...tell your pitchers to pitch with their mouths closed. I don't really pay much attention to what I do with my mouth normally, but its difficult to throw a strike where you want it when swallow a bug as you're striding towards home plate.
So far my ERA is hovering right around the mid-3's for the summer season, which for the circumstances is fine with me. Each and every day is important for the progression and the overall health of the arm. It'll be exactly one year post-op in 11 days, and its pretty amazing looking back on where I was and where I am now.
As a side note for those who are reading along...tell your pitchers to pitch with their mouths closed. I don't really pay much attention to what I do with my mouth normally, but its difficult to throw a strike where you want it when swallow a bug as you're striding towards home plate.
Bugs are good protein
My son was short on cash one evening in Tampa and needed a cover charge to get into a club. There was a girl in the parking lot trying to get her companion to swallow a beetle for $20. Not one to miss an opportunity my guy called out,” I’ll do it for $20!". The girl was eager to see someone swallow this beetle so she agreed.
My guy did not want to taste the beetle so he decided to try to throw it as far back into his throat to swallow it as was possible.
For anyone out there tempted to try this, make sure you kill the beetle first!
He threw the beetle all the way back into his throat and the beetle chomped down on him and dug in and would not let go!
It was all he could do for 3 or 5 minutes to get the beetle detached from the back of his throat and out of his mouth!
Since he did not swallow the beetle, the $20 was not earned, however the girl did relent and gave him $10 for the effort, which I am sure provided much entertainment!
$10 was enough for the cover charge so he was happy about that, but had a very sore throat the next day when we saw him which is how we learned of his exploits!
My guy did not want to taste the beetle so he decided to try to throw it as far back into his throat to swallow it as was possible.
For anyone out there tempted to try this, make sure you kill the beetle first!
He threw the beetle all the way back into his throat and the beetle chomped down on him and dug in and would not let go!
It was all he could do for 3 or 5 minutes to get the beetle detached from the back of his throat and out of his mouth!
Since he did not swallow the beetle, the $20 was not earned, however the girl did relent and gave him $10 for the effort, which I am sure provided much entertainment!
$10 was enough for the cover charge so he was happy about that, but had a very sore throat the next day when we saw him which is how we learned of his exploits!
FF....if this story is true of Eric, I'll come down right now and wash your car!
NO WAY this happened!
NO WAY this happened!
Sure Enough! Cross My Heart!
quote:Originally posted by J H:
YGD- The words parking and Washington DC aren't exactly synonymous. Depending on where you plan to be within the city and how long you plan on being there would dictate your parking options. I assume you'd want to be near the monuments during the day, and there is metered parking on the streets there if you can find it. If not, there's plenty of (very expensive) hourly parking lots. In Georgetown, the neighborhood I live in, there is free street parking for two hours. However, Georgetown is pretty far from the monuments and the "tourist areas", so that doesn't really behoove you either.
Shoot me a PM and hopefully we can try planning to meet up. One side note...DC is a really cool place to be for July 4th, but its also a very busy place to be for July 4th. As a native New Yorker I equate it to being in Times Square for New Years and as most New Yorkers will tell you, we don't go anywhere near Times Square for New Years.
The metro system here is actually pretty easy to use if you'd be willing to park in one of the neighboring cities. My car is parked in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia and the monuments are very easily accessible via bus or train from there and many other areas that offer free parking. Transportation is all relative in the city and is what you make of it I suppose.
Josh,
We drove to Vienna/Fairfax on Saturday morning to catch the Metro rail into DC. Getting around Vienna was kinda tricky since the road to get on was down for construction but a guy followed me from a gas station and showed me how to get in from another direction.
Coming up from the tunnel at the Smithsonian metro station and seeing DC just literally plopping in your lap for the first time was quite breathtaking. I kinda felt like those soldiers seeing the Avatar planet for the 1st time. lol. They were having some kind of college(?) festival so there were a LOT of tents up which IMO took away from some of the scenic beauty of DC. But nevertheless, it was quite marvelous just to look around and see a lot of the buildings that Ive only seen on TV and pictures my entire life. (This coming from a former Marine who saw quite a bit as I traveled during my younger years).
The heat that day was absolutely atrocious(sp) and absolutely zapped any and all energy a person had just standing in the shades of the tall beautiful trees along the roads. I'd have paid $10,000 to buy one of those Segway's that day. Walking was miserable needless to say.
All in all, I learned that I would love to one day go back when I had a good 2-3 days to see everything in a slow, timely manner. Not a 1 day rush tour. I saw a lot, but I missed a whole lot more.
At one point I had hoped that I would see you driving by and wave you down for a ride. But then I remembered that I really didnt know what you looked like! LOL
YGD