The season is back!

The season is in full swing again!! I had a great visit home with my family and friends! It felt so great to be home for a few weeks before the craziness started all over again!

My parents and I left on Easter Sunday to begin our 20 hours journey to Texas! We took about 3 days, and finally got there! Jake got in at 4 am Wednesday! We love our new place and is really nice compared to last year! The front office was a bit of a nightmare, BUT we are in! We got a two bedroom, but our roommate that was planning on staying has to take a few weeks off with an injury so we are enjoying having our "own place" Jake's parents also came in on Thursday for the first home series! It was a busy, but really fun weekend with my parents and his! Jake pitched on Saturday and did very well! He has had two great outings as a starter again.

love this picture of Jake warming up in BP (in the background)

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=t540&t=p_pbp&pid=502010 He has had 8 strikeouts so far! We are still waiting to get a special link for you to donate if you are interested in joining us for the "FREE TO PLAY" to stop human trafficking! I will post it on here as soon as I get the link!

I am still looking for a nanny/babysitting job, but I am doing so well with my wine glasses I can barely keep up with those! I am very thankful to have this hold me over until I find something. I am wanting to go on the road as much as possible with Jake this year too.

Saturday night

Time flies by!!

I am very grateful for the responses I have heard of people wanting to get involved and know more about Not For Sale! I am waiting to hear back from Dave about the best way to donate and make it easy for everyone during the season! I will post it on here, that way if you want to stay anonymous that is always fine too! I will keep you all updated! :) They are hoping to get it all situated by the beginning of April for the season!!

We had a great visit with the Horton family, and enjoyed having them out there and seeing our precious Kyler! We are so excited that Rachel and Michael (Jake's sister is expecting a little one in September, and enjoying some more nieces and nephews!!!)


 BASEBALL UPDATES!!!!! Jake was sent down to minor league camp on Monday, although we expected it lets be honest... It still is hard to go through, and this doesn't mean anything bad (he isn't a bad pitcher, getting released, on the chopping block!) When we got protected they have to put him in big league camp, and eventually will be assigned to a minor league spot along with the others on 40-man if they dont break camp, along with big league invites. Jake's first two outings were not his best, his nerves got the best of him and always the excitement of the new season. The next 3 he did pretty well! We are so glad for the opportunity and I am very proud of him for staying in big league camp for 3 weeks!

They told him they want him to go back to a starter again, and we are optioned for Frisco. He has pitched twice and done very well starting again! My biggest fear just happened and got hit with the ball on Saturday 90+ mph (Luckily only his Shin, but he has shin splints so that doesn't help, and is pretty bruised!) I have booked a place, and they are on the road the first series so my parents and I wont leave until the second week of April to make our journey out to Frisco! It will take us about 3 days to get to TX! My parents are driving me out there with our trailer and car (parent of the year award!) Spring training will end Saturday or Sunday, they will post roster up on Thurs or Friday (lots of time to plan! Thankfully I have my spreadsheets of all towns, and apartments for this last minute decision!) Jake will hopefully hitch a ride with a buddy, making the long drive to TX (it is around the same amount of time as us!)

Our drive in a few weeks

Texas Dinner

I came home for a few weeks, and SOO glad to be home!! There is no place like it! :) I miss my families, and bed! ha I have started a new business adventure (Jake calls this my 2012 business.) I feel so blessed how well it has gone! I had done it for a girls luncheon as a craft (boredom in AZ) and I posted it on my facebook, and got over 20 orders the first night! It was great to keep me busy the last few weeks out there, and I am hoping to continue it during the season since jobs or so hit or miss, and I feel that we will be moved more than last year! I am hoping to nanny/babysit again which seems to be the best fit for me, and with our schedule! It is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get a job! Who wants to hire someone who can be moved within 12 hours, and I am not willing to lie to someone about Jake's career.

My shop

 I have been doing my craft stuff while I've been home and thought some of you may like seeing these! This is a map of the places Jake and I have lived so far in the 1st year of marriage!

Jake's first big league ball

I will keep you all updated on our move, and where we end up! We are very excited about Frisco if that is where we are going! We love the town, and people! I am so grateful to have an amazing support system with my friends and family all over! Thank you all for the encouragement, and just know that we are truly grateful for each one of you and I am so glad to do this blog, when I hear the responses I get back! I don't think our life is interesting (it's crazy for sure) but feel weird talking about us. It makes me feel like it's worth it taking the time when I hear how much it means to you! So thank you for supporting us, and I am so glad to do this blog to share what is going on in our life! 

Not For Sale: Free to Play.

A few weeks ago, we went to a bible study and of course all the things in life were really fighting with us not to go, but 30 minute before it started I told Jake we needed to go (hoping to meet some couples, and change of scenery.)

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

This man, Dave Batstone spoke about human trafficking and how he came about starting this organization. I never realized how big of a deal this was until a few lifetime movies, and Taken. It made me sick hearing that most of the kids are only 10,11,12 years old. He took a year off to travel, and went all over the world learning about the process, and how it works. He made a promise with a lady who started to rescue these children, he told her he would build them a house for her and the kids to live in from his book he was writing (they were living in a tent.) A few months later this lady had rescued over 80 kids, and Dave book became very popular, ended up building an entire village for these abused children. This is how Not For Sale came about, he wanted to expand from that village. People from China (All over really) are putting these children in shipping crates, dropping them off 50 miles off of Cali and making them swim in? Can't you imagine?!

David Batstone-About Not For Sale  <---please take a minute to watch this!

A new program called "Free To Play" was started to help these children heal through sports, music etc..When he started talking about this and needed at least 5 more players to hop on board for the 2012 program, I knew IMMEDIATELY this is something I wanted to do. I feel that things that have happened in my life which I never thought I would get over, I HAVE overcome that dark time, and can help kids who have been abused as well. I believe everything happens for a reason and it's what you do with it that matters. Jake and I have a very strong passion for abused children, and hopefully one day can start an organization for children who have been abused, this is awesome and we are so so excited to get involved using our platform.

Free to Play <--CNN special about Free To Play

 Jake and I committed to donating a certain amount for his strikeouts for the season! If Jake is starting he could have up to 130 or (less strike outs--that would be very very good and most tops..) If he was in bullpen approximately 60-70 strikeouts (tops) We had someone match our donation for the season (Thank you for believing in what we are involved in, and hopefully Jake can strike out lots this year to raise money for these kids!!)

It could be .50 a strikeout, or however much you feel if this is something that interest you! Every little makes a difference to try to stop what is going on all over the world. CNN did a special on this when they got ahold of it, and Ellen has even talked about it! Anyways, we are so excited about this, and to see how God helps us spread the word! We are still getting information about it, and if this is something you may be interested in email me, and would love for you to help, and something exciting to cheer Jake on for this season and if it's not with money prayers are great too! Also for all my baseball girls if this is something that sounds like you and your man want to get involved with contact them, majors-minors it doesn't matter! You could do for every home run, strikeout! You can help! :)

Please take a minute to watch those videos! :)

First big league outing

Jake had his first big league outing yesterday against the Diamondbacks, although it was not his best you learn from it and move on! He walked the first 2, and a guy hit a home run. Final score 13-3 we still WON! :) I am so proud of Jake and he will do better in his next outing (tomorrow) and hopefully media will be a nicer :) that's all I got to say about that one----

He has really enjoyed camp, and has learned so much already! We are so thankful everyday for this opportunity and being protected! We will have no idea where we will play still, but I am going to reserve a place for both cities just in case..

We have some exciting news that we want to share with you all once we figure more things out (I AM NOT PREGNANT!) We heard about a really cool foundation we are going to be apart of, but still working out some details bios/etc so will fill you all in once we get the information and hopefully will get help from you guys too, and one of our friends who read about it (on my twitter) decided to take the challenge and get apart of it too which is pretty awesome :)

I'll post in a few days more about that! Thank you for all the support and kind words to us about Jake--we couldn't do it without all our family and friends!

Every MLB Team's Top Prospect Who Could Shock the Baseball World This Spring

Our agent sent this to us this morning and made me really excited, I know this is something most of you would want to see! I'm so proud of Jake and how hard he is working! 

Top prospect who could shock baseball world 

Jacob Brigham, RHP, Texas Rangers (By: Zachary Ball)

The Rangers have too many talented starting pitchers to risk taking a chance on Jacob Brigham. The 24-year old still has plenty of worth to the organization, however, especially with a recent move to the bullpen.

After moving to the pen in the middle of last season, Brigham shined, racking up 22 strikeouts in 16 innings while holding down a 1.69 ERA in July.

Brigham will make the jump to Triple-A in 2012, but whether he's going to make the move as a starter or reliever is yet to be known. He'll likely get some innings in spring camp out of the pen, and with all the transition the Rangers pitching staff has undergone since the end of the 2011 season, there's no ruling him out of making the opening day roster.

Oliver Drake, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Drake's backstory is one of the best around. Formerly of the United States Naval Academy, he was ineligible to be drafted, due to the inevitable military commitment that comes after graduation.
Only a handful of teams realized that wasn't actually the case. The Orioles utilized a loophole that allows cadets to be drafted prior to their junior year and selected the right-hander in the 43rd round of the 2008 MLB draft.
Since signing, Drake has quietly moved up the ladder, showing uncanny control and the ability to eat innings like a workhorse. He tossed a career-high 162.2 innings last season. During the regular season, he dominated the High-A Carolina League (8-3, 2.14 ERA) and then got lit up in the Double-A Eastern League (3-5, 5.20). He made a brief appearance for Triple-A Norfolk and ended his campaign strong with Bowie, tossing 5.2 shutout innings in his final start.
Drake's performance was impressive enough for the O's to add him to their 40-man roster for the 2012 season. He could start the year in the Triple-A rotation, but the Tides figure to have a pretty stacked starting five, so don't discount him heading back to Double-A.
Then again, there's literally no spot that's secure in the big-league's starting five, so don't rule out Drake earning a spot there either. One thing he has going for him is his health. He's started at least 21 games in each of his three full seasons.
With Brian Matusz, Zach Britton and numerous members of the O's bullpen dealing with injuries, or coming back from them, Drake has about a 10 percent shot.

Chris Carpenter, RHP, Boston Red Sox

Rob Carr/Getty Images

The newest member of the Red Sox organization, Carpenter was the compensation that was finally agreed upon, once and for all, completing the deal that allowed Theo Epstein to move from Boston to Chicago.
Seeing as how the Red Sox have a couple of the most unproven fourth and fifth-starter candidates in the East, it only makes sense that Carpenter can throw his hat in the ring too. The other Carpenter made 10 appearances for the Cubs last year, posting a 2.79 ERA in 9.2 innings. Prior to 2011, however, he had been a fairly reliable starter, racking up 53 starts since 2009.
He made the move to the pen in 2011 in an attempt to get his arm onto the roster. Interestingly enough, Carpenter had by far his worst showing as a reliever, witnessing an increase of two and a half runs from his 2010 ERA.
Carpenter was drafted by the Yankees back in 2004, but refused to sign, instead heading to college. He's a dark-horse candidate for sure but definitely somebody who could impress in his debut in the AL East.

Austin Romine, C, New York Yankees

Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images

Romine is in no way, shape or form a mediocre prospect. In fact, he's one of the top defensive catchers in the minor leagues.
Still, it would be a shock to see him force his way onto the Opening Day roster. Think, however, of all he has going for him. His immediate roadblock to the big-league job, Jesus Montero, was dealt to Seattle, and the Yankees other top catching prospect, Gary Sanchez, will be playing the 2012 season in High-A ball, two levels below Triple-A, where Romine will be.
If anything, that should give Romine some confidence, not to mention a little bit of breathing room.
With an incredibly impressive spring, Romine could force Russell Martin to the bench.

Chris Archer, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Elsa/Getty Images

Archer was a highly regarded prospect coming over to Tampa from Chicago late last offseason. Taking a closer look back at his performances, however, one can see that he benefited greatly from one stellar season, 2010, in which he went 15-3 and held down a 2.34 ERA. Prior to that season, his career ERA was closer to 5.00.
Not to mention the problem he's always had with walks. That problem, along with many others, reared its head last season, when Archer endured one of the roughest stretches of his career. He walked a personal-worst 86 batters in 147.1 innings. Batters teed off on him at the highest rate of his career. He also surrendered 11 home runs, after giving up just six the two previous seasons.
Despite all negatives of 2011, Archer still has sensational stuff. His fastball is one of the best in Tampa's system, and with a little control, he could be a vital piece of the Rays' future.
There are no spots open for debate in the Rays' rotation, which means if Archer wants to earn a role for 2012 in the big leagues it will have to be as a reliever. With his stuff, he could be a top-notch closer.

David Cooper, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays

J. Meric/Getty Images

With Adam Lind coming off another fine season, it appears there's no competition for the first-base job in Toronto, leaving David Cooper ticketed back to Triple-A, where he tore apart Pacific Coast League pitching in 2011.
The 25-year-old hit .364, pacing the PCL. He also topped the circuit in on-base percentage and finished 15th in slugging percentage, despite slugging only nine home runs in 467 at-bats. He more than made up for his lack of home run power with 51 doubles—a number that led all minor leaguers in 2011.
Even more impressive than his batting average and doubles total was his plate discipline. He walked an astonishing 24 more times than he struck out. The fact that Cooper didn't win the PCL MVP was a travesty.
Defensively, Cooper is limited to first base, and even if he could manage to learn another position, he'd be just as blocked there as anywhere else.
With a strong offensive showing in camp, and a poor one by Lind, Cooper could make things interesting, especially with the team focused on youth.

Jhan Marinez, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Marinez had an up-and-down six-year career with the Marlins before being sent to Chicago as compensation for Ozzie Guillen.
Despite reaching the big leagues in 2010, Marinez never got back, even after an impressive campaign with the Marlins' Double-A squad last season. The right-hander set career-bests in innings, strikeouts and victories.
In Chicago, Marinez appears to have an even worse chance at cracking the big-league squad's bullpen. He is, however, armed with a blazing fastball, has closing potential, and at this point, just needs a chance to prove his worth.

Russ Canzler, INF, Cleveland Indians

There would be no greater shock in all of baseball than if Russ Canzler, after eight minor league seasons and nearly 2,500 at-bats, was able to force his way onto the Indians Opening Day roster.
His timing, however, could not be better.
The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, one in which he hit .314 with 40 doubles, 18 homers and 83 RBI. He was named to both the midseason and postseason All-Star squads and took home International League MVP honors in his first season at the Triple-A level.
In addition, he saw time at four different positions (LF, RF, 1B, 3B) during his time with the Rays, making him an incredibly valuable resource for a team looking for a versatile guy off the bench. Tampa itself didn't have room for him on their crowded roster, so they shipped him off to Cleveland for cash considerations.
Canzler certainly has the experience to challenge for a spot on the Opening Day roster. All he has to do now is light it up in spring camp.

Duane Below, LHP, Detroit Tigers

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Below doesn't have the prospect pedigree of Jacob Turner, but there's a great likelihood that he will be the one who locks down the fifth spot in the rotation come Opening Day.
Just two years removed from Tommy John surgery that threatened to bring an end to his career as a starting pitcher, Below had a terrific campaign at Triple-A Toledo, where he went 9-4 with a 3.13 ERA and held batters to a .232 average. Against lefties, Below was devastating, holding them to a .168 average.
He earned his way onto the roster late in the season and even managed to make a few spot starts, although the majority of his appearances came out of the pen, where he saw action for the first time since 2008.
Below not only has the edge on Turner in age (at 26, he's nearly six years older), but also in experience. He's thrown over 600 innings in the minors, compared to Turner's 246.
Heading into the 2012 season with a run-creating dynamo at its core, Detroit will probably look to the pitcher less likely to screw things up, and while Turner might be the best bet in the long run, odds are the Tigers will turn to Below first.

Clint Robinson, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Robinson making the roster would definitely qualify as a shock, considering his primary position is first base—the same spot that is currently occupied by 2011 AL Rookie of the Year candidate Eric Hosmer.
Still, over the past few years, Robinson has been one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. The past two seasons have seen the 27-year-old hit 76 doubles and 53 home runs, rack up 176 runs and 198 RBI, all the while maintaining a .330 average.
The Royals have a glut of corner infielders, many of whom have already been forced into corner outfield spots, leaving Robinson with little chance to make the team—even if he has a jaw-dropping performance this spring.
Still, greater longshots have made the Opening Day roster.

Jacob Brigham, RHP, Texas Rangers

The Rangers have too many talented starting pitchers to risk taking a chance on Jacob Brigham. The 24-year old still has plenty of worth to the organization, however, especially with a recent move to the bullpen.

After moving to the pen in the middle of last season, Brigham shined, racking up 22 strikeouts in 16 innings while holding down a 1.69 ERA in July.
Brigham will make the jump to Triple-A in 2012, but whether he's going to make the move as a starter or reliever is yet to be known. He'll likely get some innings in spring camp out of the pen, and with all the transition the Rangers pitching staff has undergone since the end of the 2011 season, there's no ruling him out of making the opening day roster.

Fontana Family

Lewis in the middle with his two brothers.

I wanted to ask all of you to please pray for one of Jake's long time friends and friends of the Brigham family. Lewis Fontana was in a serious car accident early Sunday morning. He was air lifted to ORMC with internal bleeding, and has had two surgeries. One of them was to fix his broken ankle, and to stop bleeding. Please pray for healing and pray for all the families who have been impacted by this. Prayer is a powerful thing, and I know that the people this is going to believe in prayer. Thank you for all your prayers for Lewis, and his family. 

Facts about baseball

I wanted to update everyone with the season and explain a few things, especially to my new followers! :)

Texas Rangers Affiliation

Here is a map where all of the Texas Ranger affiliate teams are located...

Big Leagues

Texas Rangers

Triple A Affiliate

Round Rock Express

Double A Affiliate

Frisco Rough Riders

Class A Advanced Affiliate

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Class A Affiliate  

Hickory Crawdads

 Short Season

Spokane 

Each of these teams are levels and where Jake has played.. Some have skipped different levels, and other have played in same level for years! We played at AA last season in Frisco. We don' t know where we will be this year, and won't find out until a few days before camp breaks (this makes it really easy to find a place!) 

Spring training starts for Jake on Thursday! He is very excited to get back in routine, and I am happy for him to get the ball rolling! 

Facts during season:

Major league season plays 162 games in 180 days 

Minor league season plays 142 games in 160 days

Each Roaster has 25 players.

Normally 13 position players & 12 pitchers (5 starters, 7 relievers) 

As a starter you pitch every 5th day, as a reliever you are available every day. 

Short season to AA they travel in a bus and location could be as far as 16 hours away 

AAA-Big Leagues-Fly everywhere

When you fly for AAA you have to be on the first flight out of the city your in, and typically those are 5-6 am flights, this is the league rule - they do this if delays in flights, you still have all day to get there to be at the game that night (yes they do have to play that night, along with every other night.)

They play half in our city where we are at, half on the road (all levels)

Starting in April, Jake and I will never be able to eat dinner together unless at 11 p.m every night. He goes into the field everyday around 1 pm and we don't leave until 10:30-11 depending on game finishing. 

When he travels to different cities, I cannot fly or travel with him, I would have to follow the bus or get a different flight. I only went on two road trips last season, but hope to go on more this year depending on location.

I go to every home game, and is usually 3 hours long (if no extra innings!) Last season I didn't buy one thing at the field (impressive huh?) I smuggled in snacks, and allowed to bring waters. It would be half our pay check if I bought a water every night there!

and... Texas Rangers was rated the TOP organization from top to bottom (all levels) in baseball! Pretty awesome to be apart of this organization!!  

Hope you learned something new today! :)