TABL Convention - Denver Colorado

The weekend was finally here. As most of you know I play a baseball game called APBA . I have played in this league since 1992 or somewhere around that time frame. The game was played for years with dice and player cards, All based on stats from a players real life baseball production from that season. As most things have done, the game has progressed (some might argue with that) to a computer version. The dawn of the electronic age has really been helpful with record keeping and game results. In the past, managers (yeah we are nerds) used to send instructions and newsletter done by hand thru this thing called the US Mail. Yes we actually are that old! haha. My point is this.. the game is the tool, that brought us all together. We all come from different backgrounds, and different parts of the world, but we have this one thing (TABL) that keeps us connected. I know I have bored most of you, but I just wanted to say that I love these guys and can't wait until 2010!

Friday June 20: Jamie and I boarded our flight in Dallas around 11:20AM. The day had finally arrived and we were headed to meet up with the gang from TABL (The APBA baseball League) Every couple of years we all get together and head to a major league baseball park. We all visit and catch up on all things that are baseball & Life. It is a wonderful weekend. Some members make it a family vacation, others just come in for the whirl wind tour. Since we have been gone on Work trips and Motorcycle trips in the recent past we decided to save money and just do the short trip. We got do Denver via Albuquerque around 2:15PM. Our friends Pete and Veeb picked us up at the airport. They used to live in Atlanta and have just relocated to Evergreen CO, a nice mountain town outside of town. It is always good to see them. Pete and veeb are like family, we love them with all of our heart! I have know Pete for most of my adult life. They picked us up and headed to downtown to the convention hotel. I had done the research and had gotten the group rate for the Marriott Residence Inn in downtown Denver. We wanted to stay close to the ballpark and other activities. This seemed to fit the bill. From all reports the rooms worked out well and did not cost an arm and a leg. Pete and veeb joined us for dinner. Alan had gotten reservations at the famous Rock Bottom Brewery . The food was good and the beer was cold, so life was good.

Royce and Paul discussing world events... not really but they look intense!

Adam is looking scared, listening to tales from Zee!

Dinner was great! Thanks Alan for setting things up!

It all looks so good.

 
Zee scaring ..errr talking with the waitress.

 
The gang hanging outside after the meal. Dave hugging his wonderful mom. 

Steve laughing at Zee?? we will never know.

Steve and his beautiful wife Kris (I hope I spelled that right)

Someone actually like Dick.. Wow! His beautiful wife Mary Lou.

The Lewis family, all the way from New York City! That is the back of Adams head!

After dinner and some talking, Jamie and I loaded up with Pete and Veeb to head to their house to let their dogs out as they had been in the house most of the afternoon.  We wanted to spend a little time with them and see their new house. This worked out well as we saved money on the room and got to spend some time with our friends. 

Saturday June 21: We woke up to the unfamiliar sounds of birds chirping. We looked out of the window and welcomed the day with a beautiful view of the mountains. This was the best. We got up and headed upstairs to join the day. Pete and Veeb lived in Atlanta just a few weeks prior. They have relocated to Evergreen Colorado . A small beautiful town tucked away in the majestic mountains just an hour from Downtown Denver. The views were stunning from their house. It is a beautiful place and we thank them so much for letting us stay there. They were still moving in, but still let us stay. We thank you guys for all of your help and support. We love you guys. You can see the pictures from the house here: New Home Gallery.  Pete and veeb's new house . I did not take any inside as they were still moving in. We will be back their soon to take more. We promise!

the view from our bedroom window

looking down on their drive way

the back of the house

the view from the living room balcony. the deck runs around the entire house. Very cool.

the pictures do not show the greatness of the views! It is awesome!

We headed down the hill around 8:30AM. We wanted to get to the hotel and hang out with the bright minds of TABL. Pete and Veeb had plans so it worked out well. We joined up with the gang. The ladies all went sight seeing as the guys hung out and talked baseball and discussed trades. I do have to say that this year, the trade talks were held in check. No one changing rosters or giving up on their teams. many were happy with the directions of their clubs, so not many players were moved like in past conventions. I do know that one big name. A Rod was moved in a block buster . So I guess there were some bug deals made!

We did get together and have our league meetings. the hotel gave us a conference room for these very important talks. Security was high, but no incidents happened at this years meetings. We discussed changing the injury guidelines as well as starting a TABL Hall of fame. These things will be hashed over more in the off season. the good news was the money raised for Jeff's son. He is headed to college and TABL has stepped up to get him some spending money. We sure do miss his dad. We hope that these little tokens of affection, bring a smile from Jeff looking down on us. We also voted to keep Alan the president of TABL in place until his death or 100 years which ever occurs first. We are banking on the hundred years! Alan is our Fidel.... whoo hoo.

The TABL meetings in Denver

Dave and Carey talking it up about the Hall of Fame.

The future of TABL.. GOD help us! except you Royce your old like the rest of us.

the Man the Myth the Legend.. Lifetime TABL president Alan Speidel.

After the meetings we all headed off to sight see and do lunch. A group of us headed over to the local pub for a easy lunch and more catching up. It is always cool to me, that at these get togethers we all smile and laugh and enjoy each others company so much. We are a very different group of people and this stupid game of baseball has brought us all together. It is awesome. I loved hearing about Kris and her profession as a broadway singer, I enjoyed listening to Mary tell stories about Dave a a youngster. I love these times. I love hearing more about the people involved in our league. I am also happy that the girls like to come and be a part of it. yeah... I know they probably get tired of listening to tales of baseball and stats but having them there is a great thing! We finished dinner and headed back to the hotel. There were games that needed to be played. Alan and I played a short 2 game series. I am not going to talk about the outcome (The cheating Steers won both game) but it is fun to play face to face. I wish we could do more of that. I also wished that someone would have brought the boards and dice. It is always fun to watch a real game of APBA baseball. 

back at the hotel. Dave trying to move Perez a grade 12 with 2 IP left in the season.. Just joking Dave!

Jamie and Mary hanging out

The game started at 6:05 so we parted ways to get ready for dinner and the game. Jamie and I hooked up with some new friends that we met at the airport in Albuquerque. They were getting on the plane and Jamie noticed the Mets hat. We started talking baseball and all of a sudden we had new friends. They are Chris and Christina. We enjoyed their company. We headed over to meet them at the Sports Column a cool little sports bar on Blake street right down the road from Coors field.

Jamie and Christina at the Sports Column

Our new friends from Albuquerque. Chris and Christina.

We ate dinner and headed down to Coors field to hang out with the gang and watch Pedro Martinez pitch for the Mets. I was really happy as I had 4 players in the game today. Brad Hawpe, Luis Castillo, Pedro Martinez and Brian Schneider. I have always loved Coors field. I was hoping the rest of the gang would like it as well. the weather was amazing! Just a sunny mild day! Jim Tate got us great seats. It is nice having our own concessions stand. The tickets were great! The game started off with a bang as Reyes hit a lead off triple. The true story of the game was U for the rockies. He pitched a great game. Rockies win 7-1. The ball park is a nice one. It has a great look and the mountain views only add to the beauty of the stadium. 

Jamie and I are standing in front of Coors Field. 

had to take elevator to our seats.. FANCY! Thanks again Jim!

Gotta love the ball park

Dave, Jamie, Royce, Carey. Adam, Paul, Zee. Mary, Alan (thirsty), Kris, Steve and Dave

Dick enjoying a burger with the game.

I put three pictures together, gotta love the new cameras.

 
Royce enjoying a game of baseball without sweating to death like at the ballpark in Texas. hehehe

Pedro on the big board

A quick story concerning Pedro. he was looking well in control heading into the 4th inning. The Mets had a 1-0 lead and he was looking like the Pedro of old. He was throwing 92-93 mph fastballs and then would throw in a 69 mph curve ball. he was on a roll. I noticed this and walked over to Alan and said the following;

" Boy Pedro sure looks good!" 

Before I could get that out of my mouth, Baker and Hawpe had went back to back. Pedro was on his heels and would only get one more out before his day was done. I opened my big mouth and paid for it. I was glad the Rockies won, but damn I was hoping for a 2-1 game. hehehe. Read the box score here .

 
up close with Steve and his beautiful wife!

Adam getting some words of wisdom from the older folk!

 
Jamie got a new shirt from Rockie land.

 
The gang is all here, except Jon and Mark..

Sunset at Coors field.

 
Alan, Dave and Steve hanging out at the park. 

jamie with a big smile at Coors Field.

What a great day at the Ball Park.

We left the game and headed back to the hotel. We wanted to say goodbye and just hang out with the group I think we all had a great time. I know that the time flew as it was over almost before it started. Our flight was early on Sunday morning. As always we had a wonderful time. We love our friends in TABL and I can't wait until we meet again! You can see al of the high res versions of the pictures here: TABL Convention Gallery.