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The Baseball Game of Life

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

“And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out.”

Those lines have echoed through the decades, the final stanza of a poem published in the June 3, 1888, issue of the San Francisco Examiner. Its author, Ernest Thayer’s poem has taken a well-deserved place as an enduring icon of Americana. Christopher Bing’s magnificent version of this immortal ballad of the flailing 19th-century baseball star is rendered as though it had been newly discovered in a hundred-year-old scrapbook.

And what does this have to do with Amazing Journeys?  Last week a bunch of baseball enthusiasts – aficionados, if you will – went on a road trip of their own, to visit some of the most iconic baseball venues in the history of the game. It was a smorgasboard of baseball; an endless horizon of becoming one with the diamonds of yesteryear as well as today.  We met Dwight (Doc) Gooden of the Mets and Yankees….we ate peanuts and Cracker Jacks at Yankee Stadium…we swung (and hit very well) a few fastballs at the batting cages…we remembered the past in Cooperstown…and we became part of the past with a Fenway experience in Boston that words alone cannot describe.

Baseball teaches us so much about ourselves.  It is a game of life; a game with so many metaphorically similar lessons to learn that it’s a wonder we all don’t fall in love with the game.

Just think about it.

A player is surrounded by teammates, coaches, fans as well as opposing players, and their advocates. A person in life is surrounded by siblings, parents, cousins, co-workers, acquaintances and friends, as well as those who compete against them for jobs, parking spots, short lines and other competitive routines of daily living. Like the pitcher who just gave up a grand slam and needs to be replaced, he still gets a pat on the tush from his coach and the support of his teammates.  In life, our inner circle of family and friends – real friends – support us even when we fail.   Together, the team and family learn about the joys of succeeding, the trials of failing, the challenges of improving and the results of their efforts.

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball – an illness, a bad evaluation at work, a car accident or perhaps Mother Nature reaps havoc.    This is where life can be like the impossible baseball game; sometimes the game seems like it can’t be won, but miraculously it often can.  In 2004 the perennial losers of baseball, the Boston Red Sox were about to embarrassingly bow out yet again to the mighty Yankees having lost the first 3 games of the best of 7 in the American League Championship Series.  Down by one run in the bottom of the 9th in Game 4, and only moments before their curse would continue….history changed forever.  The Sox tied it, went on to win the game in extra innings and then all the rest of the games in the series.  They then went on to blow out the St. Louis Cardinals for their first World Series win in 86 years.

Hope!  Never give up. 

If not today, there’s another game tomorrow where you get to start all over again.   Perseverance can pay off in big ways if one can get up, dust themself off and figure out a new way.  Just like the player getting thrown out trying to steal 2nd base. He’ll get another chance. Skills such as determination, focus, ambition, patience, practice,  sportsmanship, and respect enhance the meaning of the word “hope”.  To sit at home and hope that the love of your life will knock on your door is futile.  But by getting out and doing things, you put yourself in position (notice the baseball lingo here) to make a catch.

As they say “even the longest journey begins with just one step”.  Think of career minor leaguer John Lindsey.  He spent 16 years in the minor leagues before getting his break in September of 2010 when he was called up to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers; his first stint ever in the Majors.  He played in 11 games that season and is now still a prospect with Major League credentials with the Detroit Tigers organization.

Hope springs eternal.  One never knows what can happen….if they continue to hope.

Such as in life, a player will only succeed over a period of time if he wants to; if he truly desires to.  As Babe Ruth once said – “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”

Batter Up!

Thursday, March 28th, 2013
-by Bill Cartiff
If you know me, you know that my other passion in life, besides Alaska, is baseball.  Opening Day is just a few days away and this time of year seems to conjure up thoughts warm spring days, a new beginning and a down home American feel. It’s Baseball Season!!
My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates’ 20 consecutive losing seasons aside, I love what the sport of baseball offers us; cameraderie…a childhood love….historic lore….and a game that seems to draw people in on so many levels (think – a father teaching a son how to catch, sharing a beer and hotdog with your best buddy at a game, or…visiting some of the most famed venues in all the sports world). 

For all you baseball lovers out there (single, married, father/son, mother/daughter, male or female, best friends, grandpa/grandkids….) I invite you to join me on weekend trip chock full of baseball nostalgia, baseball-oriented activities and modern day baseball excitement.
We’ll visit Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field….plus the famous Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  In addition to the games at each ball park, you’ll have on-the-field VIP experiences including a behind the scenes tour of The Green Monster and a backstage tour of Yankee Stadium.  You’ll even get to “batter up” with some hitting practice at local batting cages.
 
This is a dream trip for baseball lovers of ALL ages and I hope you’ll come along with me to New York, Cooperstown and Boston:

Wanna Get Away? A Sneak Preview for 2013

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

Boy, does Amazing Journeys have a lineup for the ages!  If you are starting to think about traveling in the next year, just you wait and see what we are going to be offering!   We are aware that the information that follows will fill your plates with so many exciting possibilities that you’ll be asking your boss for extra vacation time.  This is why we are letting you know NOW what’s in store for the coming year.  Get those vacation request days in before your co-workers and lock in what we proudly proclaim will be one of the best–if not THE BEST–vacations of your life! 

You may have traveled with us in 2012 or maybe in 2011…..or maybe not for a few years. Or, dare we say….not yet at all?  In any case, you’ll need to hold on tight as we tempt, tantalize and treat you to a lineup of Jewish singles trips for 2013 that you will want to start planning for now.  We are in the throes of putting the final touches on many journeys that are amazing throughout next year, but its not too early to start planning for them. 

Firstly, check out our website (www.amazingjourneys.net) for details on Jewish singles trips that are currently available and sizzling hot:

-Northern California (August 26-Sept 3, 2012); Just ONE spot left!

-New Mexico and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (October 12-17, 2012); Only 7 spaces left!

-New Year’s Southeast Asia Cruise (December 23 – January 6, 2013); Over 70 people booked!

-Brazil including Rio, The Amazon and Iguazu Falls (February 21-March 2, 2013)

Now that’s what we’re selling today.  In the days and weeks ahead, stay tuned for this AMAZING array of 2013 AMAZING JOURNEYS….and start making plans to join us!

Israel: May 2 – 13

Irresistible Italy by Land:  June  6-16
 

Italy/Croatia Cruise: July 19 – 31

Alaska: August 16 – 23

Heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies: Summer

Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons: Summer

Baseball Lover’s Dream Weekend: Summer

African Safari to South Africa and Botswana:  Fall

Australia and New Zealand:  Fall

Granted that some of these trips are well over a year away, but there are benefits to starting the planning process now.  Send us a note that you are interested in any of our destinations and we’ll place your name and email address on an “interest list”.  Interest Lists receive advanced and priority notice of all trips when they become available, and allow those individuals to capture what is sometimes very limited space or, as in the case of our cruises,  the very best stateroom location.

Amazing Journeys; going strong for over 22 years and heading towards even more amazing destinations.  We hope you’ll join us!

MANcationing

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Hey dude…man up!  Its always fun to take a VAcation with that special lady…or that special group (Amazing Journeys!) but every once in a while you need MANcation with your buds for a no-ladies-allowed adventure. You’ve outgrown the Spring Break mentality but you’re looking for something fun, accessible and yes….manly.

Uphold your end of the man code by planning a fishing trip in San Diego, a trip to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, ski weekend to Lake Tahoe, a Vegas Weekend or a visit to legendary Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Here are a few other ideas with links on how to learn more:

Lingerie Bowl – The Lingerie Bowl is the ultimate fantasy football game, an annual Super Bowl alternative special. It’s full-contact football and the female athletes wear, you guessed it, just lingerie.  Really!

 Best US Golf Courses – From the east coast to the west coast, check out the best golf courses in the United States including Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and more.

Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza – The world’s largest ice-fishing contest takes place every January in Brainerd, MN. Chill out with 15,000 anglers on frozen Gull Lake.

Final Four Cities vs. Cities – Check out the local scenery and historic sites that capture the beauty of the final four men’s college basketball teams left in the NCAA National Championships.
Caribbean Beaches – When it comes to finding an idyllic stretch of sand, head to the Caribbean for the best beaches.
Oktoberfest – Join millions of visitors at Munich’s Oktoberfest celebration.

Baseball’s Greatest Stadiums – Take yourself out to the ball game at one of baseball’s greatest stadiums.