June 3 2012

Good morning baseball fans, it’s a beautiful day in Portland
happy month of june and the Portland rockets are off to a great summer

Record now 5-0

Sat marked the 53^rd opening day in Portland in the storied franchise, oldest in Indiana

Yes Maggie runkle shared rocket founder dick runkle’s scrapbook

First rocket game may 29 1960  winning pitcher larry chittum, first hit steve takats

And it was festive at the corner of western and blaine----Saturday june 2,2012

Impressive ----the 32 rockets players on hand from all over the state,  some very talented to be sure

Very unimpressive ---the no show forfeit of the cinncinati chiefs –bad business ---part of being a team is honoring your commitment  very sorry indeed

The rocket team played an intersquad exhibition game,,,rocket veterans vs prospects

The outing was a tuneup for some, an audition for others,

But it was a successful event just to showcase what Portland has that brings em all together

Runkle-miller field is getting better and better every year---

Thanks to the city administrations, parks board and all who attend to our field of dreams

New fencing, new cement pads supporting new bleachers, and the old coaches boxes are sodded in, manicured edges about the field,,,,,, thanks doug blankenbaker, thanks to jim eiykes and his jail workers and special thanks to  Rodney miles and his lawncare crew----

Of course opening day must have its pomp and circumstance,  mayor randy geesman was on hand and you might remember those geesemans in the athletic arena a few decades ago  (randy reminded me we are same age) 

He did a fine job on the first pitch,,,,,

Also sharing in the first pitch ceremonies,  christain runkle-  happy birthday christain fired one into to rocket mitch waters,  then posed for a picture with adam farmer-jenny, my niece’s son, as they are great grandsons of the 2 families, dick and Maggie runkle, ray and betty miller

Maggie and mom both passed away this spring and were remembered in a moment of silence-----wow my first season of 41 without my sounding board mom ouch

Here is a sweet note,  sugar cookies made by Julia schwonmeyer with Maggie runkle’s recipe ,,,,nice with my coffee and so thoughtful

Also on hand, Samantha Thomas and steve g from the media,  helpers kristie Delaney, dan haines and of course brother brad miller

Emily Roberts and her 22 banners that outline our outfield fence from patriot sportswear on hand,

Important to note that this ballclub will miss the services of veteran heath Williams  rocket captain for 6 years, maybe he will unretire like brett favre???

Back is mitch waters from italy, bryan brudi from a bout with cancer, bill geeslin from arm surgery. Mitch was a big part of our 2005 state championship when he went 13-0 on the regular season.  Brudi was on the 2009 team with josh ludy that went to championship  of the regionals in cinci and 35-13 on the year.,   Dan bollenbacher and thtom mccowan also return as does chris miller and Dalton tinsely.  These guys major contributors to last years 38=12 season. 

Best shots of the day—dalton tinsely grand slam home run into the vines in right

Blast of the top of the center field fence by bryan brudi,  mitch waters shutout 2 inn and the rocket logo painted on field,  spectacular catch made by catcher chris miller in front of dugout

The boys of summer are back and loaded up---

Road warriors this week  tues at wright state 7pm vs Dayton docs, waters starter

Wed 5pm DH at Celina vs. grand lake mariners  billy geeslin and dan bollenbacher the starters

Sat sun 4 game set in Cincinnati

Next home game june 12 7pm vs van wert twisters

Roll on rockettrain

Randy miller –pg 14