Blocking The Plate!

Two thousand, six hundred, and twenty six miles.   That's a lot of time on the road for any man, but it's even longer when you're driving it with two girls under 10 years old, and longer still when you're doing it alone.

I wanted to take the girls on a baseball roadtrip last year, but changing jobs last May put all of that on hold.   Both kids were excited to go, (they'd been asking to go for the last two years,) and for me it was a great chance to spend more time with them.   Understand that I've spent 25-30% of the last five years in a hotel or on an airplane.   I'm watching my kids grow up at lightning speed and I was to the point where I felt like I was missing out.   I really wanted the time to just bond with them, and I couldn't think of a better way to do it than a roadtrip.   Now, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about it.   After all, 8 days on the road with them solo?!   My wife and friends thought it sounded a little crazy, but the trip honestly could not have gone better and was everything I wanted it to be.  2,624 miles, two girls under 10, and only two aspirin!  Want to know how?   Read on. 

Authority

Traveling solo with kids is an interesting experience.   In some ways, traveling as a single parent is easier than with two.   I know what you're thinking?  How is one parent better than two?!   Authority.  When you're on your own on the road there's only one parent in charge.  Parents can be manipulated.  I know, hard to believe, but kids play off of their parents.   They know when one is ready to give it up, the same way they know when one is ready to pull the car over.  Going solo took the guesswork out of it and the girls knew they only had the one parent running the show.   So in that way, going solo worked out!

Safety

Traveling solo can also be hard to coordinate!   It's the little things that you think you know going into a roadtrip but quickly figure out are going to be harder than you thought.   I'm talking about the bathroom.   I'm a dude with two daughters under 10.   But, they're well past that age where it's OK to have them in the Men's room.  I'd tell you that was the single-hardest part of the trip, coordinating when and where to go to the bathroom, and there was no clearer illustration of that than the freeway Rest Area.  Rest Areas are a scary place.   How am I going to use one bathroom while my kids use the one on the other side of building and completely out of site?   Speed.   I've determined through scientific trial that I can, in fact, run around a building, pee faster than two girls, and make it back to the other side before they get out.  But that was in the daylight with families at every picnic table -- If it had been dark, I would have kept driving.   Safety is #1 on any trip, so from then on it was nothing but gas station or McDonald's bathrooms in plain view, preferably with security camera coverage.  You don't think about that kind of thing until you're in that moment.   It was the same way at the ballparks, San Francisco, and in Los Angeles. 

Breaks and "The Drive"

We took pit stops about every 2-4 hours on the road.  Remember, this isn't NASCAR.   The object is not to get wherever you're going the fastest, it's about getting where you're going without losing your mind!  The kids were good about letting me know when they needed a break, and I made sure to stick pretty close to their schedule.   Stopping for 10 minutes to keep the girls happy when there's another 6 hours in front of them is a pretty small concession.   Don't underestimate the power of a $1 ice cream cone or a Slurpee!   I rewarded the girls with small treats during the drive.  We left during Easter, so for each 2 hour leg they'd get a small egg with some jelly beans or M&Ms.  It wasn't a lot, but they felt like they were getting a treat and it helped keep them up for the next leg.

Fun on "The Drive"

I did a few things to try and break up the drive during our trip.  The first and probably coolest thing was buying both girls small inexpensive digital cameras.   Both girls spent a lot of time taking pictures out the window or during stops along the way. It's fun to look back and see what they thought was cool about the trip.   I setup an iPad viewing station in the backseat.   The girls got one movie per day, it didn't matter if the drive was 3 hours or 8 hours.   I wanted them to see where we were going!   The rest of the time they spent listening to music, (which meant hours of Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift, but it was a small sacrifice,) playing in the backseat, and writing or drawing.   At one point during the trip they played Hide N Seek in the backseat for an HOUR with their stuffed animals.   Who knew there were so many places to hide toys?  (There aren't.)   Some rules need to take a backseat (no pun intended) during a roadtrip.   That can include things like treats or foods they wouldn't normally get, or me putting up with them singing/screaming at the top of their lungs for 10 minutes because they're screwing around and having fun.   (Which goes back to going solo -- My wife wouldn't have put up with that part, but they weren't hurting anything so I let them go.)

Pool Time

If you aren't staying at hotels with swimming pools during your roadtrip, you're doing it wrong.   It doesn't have to be big, or even fancy, it just has to be wet!   (Our stop in Fresno was one step away from Lampoon's Vacation.)    Nothing will entertain a kid easier than a swimming pool, and after 8 hours on the road, they deserved the break.   The kids hit the pool 6 of the days we were on the road.  It was worth every minute of it and really helped relax the kids after a busy day on the road, in a city, or at a ballpark.

The Sights!

There's a reason this trip was called #MLBSpringBreak, we were traveling to see some ballgames!   By the end of the trip we'd been to Mariners Opening Day (in Oakland), to Los Angeles (which wasn't on the original schedule), to Fresno, and San Francisco, but the highlights of the trip were the things we did in between the games!  When I planned the trip I actually considered taking I-5 all the way down to save time, but I just couldn't do it.   Part of why I was so excited about the trip were the things we'd see along the way.   The Redwoods.   A drive-thru tree?   (The kids won't see that everyday!)   Days in San Francisco on the trolley or down at the Golden Gate Bridge, a visit to the La Brea Tarpits...  Those are the places that truly made the trip!  I-5 all the way down would have just been miles.   This was adventure!

Souvenirs

Any souvenir, big or small, is a memory!   The 25 cent piece of Redwood with their initial on it is just as cool as the $20 t-shirt.   You don't have to break the bank, but go in with a budget for small things at each stop!   Letting your kids pick their own postcards to send home, for example, are a great way to keep them distracted from buying yet another stuffed animal at another gift shop. 

Knowing When To Say When

It's OK to change the schedule!  By the end of our trip we were slated to drive from Fresno to Sacramento for a night game, then back down to San Francisco for a day game before starting the drive back up to Seattle that same day.   That would have created an extra 3 hours on the road on a drive day.   I could tell the kids were wearing out.  They weren't pissed or anything, but I could tell they'd been running.   We spent that Friday in San Francisco instead.   We traded a AAA ballpark for a walk on the Wharf, a clear drive to the Golden Gate Bridge, and a sunny night at the hotel pool.   Remember, these trips are supposed to be fun, for everyone.   The day to relax and just enjoy the city turned into one of my favorites days of the trip.   It also helped reenergize the girls for the last game and 2 full days of driving!  Know when to say when.

What Rules?

Know when to say when?   That also applies to the drive home.   The last day of the trip was close to 12 hours.  The kids didn't ask for it -- I got ahead of it.  The rules are out the window on the way home.  "Dad, can I..."  The answer is Yes.   Watch as much you want.   Yes you can have ice cream.  Doritos?  Sure.   By Day 8 my biggest goal was for the kids to make it the 12 hours home without losing it.   My philosophy was rules, what rules?   And it worked.   No one lost it, including me.  Restore order when you get home!

Unplug

The biggest tip I'd give you, is unplug.  When we hit the road I had visions of tweeting and blogging from the road, but it didn't work out.   I'd check in here and there, but for the most part, I didn't go online a whole lot.  I was just having too much fun!  We can get so caught up in wanting to share everything that sometimes we forget to just enjoy it!   It felt great to live in the moment with the girls and I'll be honest, I didn't miss it.

I said at the start that the trip was truly everything I wanted it to be.   I got the bonding time I so desperately wanted, and I got to watch the girls grow during the trip.   Amy commented a few days after we got back that it seemed like the kids were closer than when we left, and I could see it too.   It's going to sound corny, but I feel like I grew a little during the trip too.   It helped me appreciate living in the moment more and it's had me re-evaluating my life and what I want to do with it moving forward.   Now the only question remaining is:   How do we follow that up in 2014?   When I know for sure, I'll "Start spreading the news..." 

Play Ball!

** Looking to go on your own MLB roadtrip (without the kids) but you aren't sure how to ask your spouse?   Read http://www.blockingtheplate.com/apps/blog/show/18428592-mlb-travel-tips-for-the-married-man **

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

It all kicks off tomorrow:  #MLBSpringBreak!  My wife laughed out loud when I suggested the original #MLBSummerBreak concept last winter.  (For more about that, read http://www.blockingtheplate.com/apps/blog/show/22029986-mlb-summer-break-)  Sure, the original concept was a little ambitious, but it would have been an unbelievable experience for the kids, and an outstanding opportunity to raise prostate cancer awareness while supporting MLB Network programming.

I've been waiting for the right time to do a baseball roadtrip with the girls.  Every Summer (and a few Falls,) I'm on the road visiting ballparks across the US.  Last Summer I was in Washington DC and Baltimore, and I finished the year in Arlington, TX for the Rangers one-game playoff against the Orioles.  The girls are always excited to hear about the trips, and the last two Summers Megan had asked when she'd be able to go.  The answer to that, is tomorrow.

The girls and I are beyond excited to hit the road, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous.  I love my kids.  Seeing them every morning makes my day that much better, but I've never had them for so long by myself !  8 days on the road!  We're driving from Seattle to Corvallis, down through the Redwoods, to Oakland, to Fresno, then Sacramento and San Francisco, before turning it around and driving all the way back to Seattle.  It's going to be a full week plus, and while I'm a travel pro, this is going to be new for the kids. 

The only goal for this trip is for the girls to have a good time.  Period.  I have a packed week planned (and maybe an extra up my sleeve,) but it's going to be a big adjustment from my solo wall-to-wall trips.  Will it all work?  Who knows -- In reality, there's probably going to be a lot that will change -- But that's where this week is so exciting.  It's going to be a week alone with the girls, traveling the open road, and sharing the American Pastime.  I'd bet that even if it's a disaster, that it will be an absolute success.

Follow our progress on Twitter (https://twitter.com/millerdna)  I'm planning on some quick blog updates too, but all of that will come down to timing.  This trip is all about the kids, so I'm going to take it as it comes, and enjoy every minute of it!  Play ball!

Follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

Love the concept of MLB Summer Break? Be sure to tweet @MLBNetwork, @MLBFanCave and @MLB directly and let them know!

Is it "addition by subtraction" or "addition by addition"?  In the case of the Seattle Mariners, the answer is clearly both.  After an array of offseason moves, Jack Zduriencik has the Mariners in a position they haven't been in since 2001, in a legitimate hunt for the American League West title.

Let's be honest, it doesn't take a whole lot for a sports blogger to make wild predictions leading into the season.  Somewhere, someone is picking the Houston Astros to win the West -- I mean, we all know that person is completely insane, but on the internet things like that happen all the time.  So I understand if you're happening on this post and thinking this is just another one of "those", but it's not.  This is where you're probably saying, "But the Mariners finished in last place in the West!  They were almost 20 games out of first!"  Bear with me.

Addition By Subtraction

Alex Rodriguez hit 54 Home Runs and had 156 RBI in 2007.  He was MVP of the American League, and it was his 11th year as an All Star.  The Seattle Mariners lost an "All Star" at the end of 2012 too -- 34 Home runs and 157 RBI.  One helluva player, right?  More like 7 players.  Think about that for a minute, I'll wait.  It took 7 players to equal the production of just one guy in 2012.  Sure, the one guy was undoubtedly (or is it allegedly <cough, cough> ) on a mix of HGH and other enhancers, but still...  That's where "addition by subtraction" comes in:

• Chone Figgins -- .181 BA, 30 Hits, 2HR, an OBP of .262 and one roster spot.
• Munenori Kawasaki -- .192 BA, 20 Hits, 0HR, an OBP of .257 and yes, another roster spot.  (It's OK, I liked him too, but he didn't deserve a roster spot.)
• Mike Carp, Trayvon Robinson, oh, and Ichiro.  Odds that Carp produces for the Red Sox:  High.  Robinson, total non-factor for Baltimore and already sent down.  Ichiro was revitalized by the move to the Yankees, but he wasn't producing here, and now that the Yankees have been decimated by injury (and age), you have to wonder if Ichiro will show the same improvement he did at the end of 2012.
• Miguel Olivo and John Jaso accounted for 22HR and 79 RBI.  Solid production from these two players, but it makes the other stats that more glaring -- 22 of 34HR came from 2 of 7 players, and they accounted for half of the RBI bench production.

How do you field a winning team when 7 of your roster spots are taken up by players showing little to zero productivity?  Yes, that's not completely fair to players like Ichiro, Olivo, and Jaso -- But Figgins?  Kawasaki?  Trayvon Robinson?  If you want to take Ichiro, Olivo, and Jaso off the list, fine, go ahead and replace them with Thames, Alex Liddi, and Casper Wells:  A collection of players hitting under .230.  Thames and Liddi are in Triple-A, and Wells has failed to secure a spot with the team hitting under .200 in Spring Training; his chances of making the team are slim.  Addition by subtraction.

Addition By Addition

The Mariners offseason wasn't "sexy", but it was effective.  Zduriencik could have overpaid for Hamilton, but he was able to fill 3-5 slots with the savings.  By re-signing Felix Hernandez to a long term extension, the team made a vocal commitment to their fanbase and the team.  Seattle is the Tampa Bay Rays of the West.  We've built a farm club of up-and-coming talent, shown that we're committed to keeping them with the team, and now Jack Z is surrounding them with the right kind of veteran presence:

• Kendrys Morales -- .273 BA, 22HR, and 73 RBI.  By trading for Morales, Jack Z replaced all of Olivo and Jaso's production with one player.  Better than that, Morales bring the two-base threat that Olivo and Jaso didn't.  26 2B in 2012 is a solid year.  The best part about trading for Morales, which at the time I wasn't sold on by the way, is that he's shown he can be even better.  .306 BA, 34HR, 43 2B and over 100 RBI in 2009 and now he's in a contract year?!  Yes and please.  If that wasn't enough, Morales has 3 seasons of post-season experience, which was a constant to most of Jack Z's offseason moves.
• Raul Ibanez -- I didn't want Ibanez last year.  Ibanez hasn't gotten better with age, but he's one of those players that makes others around him better.  It's a tired cliché, but he knows his role.  His 19HR and 60RBI is already better than every player we traded or let go during the offseason, and like Morales, he's a post-season veteran.
• Michael Morse -- Morse is a wild card.  Which Morse do we get?  The one that hit 31HR, 36 2B, and had close to 100 RBI in 2011, or the one that hit between 15-18 HR and 40-60RBI from 2010 and 2012?  And does it matter, because like Ibanez, Morse brings playoff experience from last year's run with the Nationals, and his numbers, like Ibanez, are already better than every player we traded or let go.  Seeing a trend?
• Kelly Shoppach -- Not much of a threat, but a solid backup at Catcher with yes, more postseason experience to add to the roster.
• Joe Saunders -- A serviceable replacement for Vargas that's good for 10-14 wins.  Postseason experience, including 2 games in 2012 with the Orioles.

With just 3 players, the Seattle Mariners picked up close to 60HR and around 200 RBI -- That's a 30% increase in RBI production from 3 players vs 7 players from last year.  That doesn't account for a dark horse like Jason Bay, and it doesn't account for existing/carryover player improvement and development!  An immediate increase in power, an influx of playoff experience, and players like Morales and Morse in the final year's of their deals?  Addition by addition.

The Rest Of The West

The Angels are the favorites for the West, Texas is still a force to be reckoned with, and Oakland won the West last year.  Oh, and the Astros, but let's be real.  How do the Mariners leap-frog from 4th in the Division to 1st?

• Angels -- Yes, they added Josh Hamilton after what was statistically, outside of batting average, the best season of his career.  But Hamilton collapsed in the playoffs and looked mentally fragile by the end of the year.  How will Hamilton respond now that he isn't playing for a contract?  Pujols saw a production drop and a rash of injuries looks to limit the start of his year.  Trout was outstanding and looks superhuman, but will he have a sophomore slump?  Is this all a stretch?  Yeah, a little bit, but the Angels were picked to win the West last year and didn't make it then either.
• Rangers -- The Rangers are a mystery to me.  Can someone explain to me how a team that loses 75HR and 251 RBI from three players is going to get better?  They couldn't get Grienke to pitch, they failed to get Justin Upton via trade.  How are the Texas Rangers better than last year, when they lost the American League West to the Athletics.  They aren't.
• Athletics -- Everyone loves an underdog.  It's easy to root for the Oakland Athletics.  They won the West last year after going 74-88 in 2011.  Sound familiar?  What's the saying?  Oh yeah, it's "Why not us".

Am I a homer?  Absolutely.  But I try to be realistic too.  I didn't write this last year, I didn't write it the year before.  I'm writing it now, I'm writing it today, and I'm writing it because I believe it.  The Mariners are playoff bound in 2013.  We've cut players that didn't belong on any team last year and we've added a core group of veterans with playoff experience and a history of productivity.  The team has looked hungry in Spring Training and they're playing with an attitude and a confidence that hasn't looked anything like the Seattle Mariners we've seen in a long time.

It's time to Play Ball!  Go Mariners.

Follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

"Are you gay?"

Katie Couric asked the question out loud, and there was a collective gasp.  Until that moment, the majority of the news surrounding Manti Te'o revolved around how a seemingly honest and hard-working, family dedicated, and religious player could be duped by someone posing as a girlfriend online.  As the story evolved, others questioned whether Te'o was personally complicit in the hoax as an effort to drive a growing Heisman campaign.  Quietly, there were others like myself that wondered if it was something else entirely. 

Are you gay?   You.  Reading this.  Are you gay?  For most of us, sexuality isn't an issue.  It doesn't impact our jobs, it doesn't impact our friends.  For the most part, we choose where we work, we choose our friends, and for most of us, our personal lives aren't on display.  But that question is coming up for Te'o again this week.  The media is starting to wonder louder, the calls are coming into sports radio, and the rumors are that it's a "concern" with NFL executives.  A concern?  The NFL should realize that Manti Te'o being gay is actually the best possible scenario for not only the NFL, but for Te'o personally.  Bear with me and I'll explain.

NFL executives need to analyze the 3 possible scenarios associated with the Manti Te'o story.

1. Manti Te'o is a complete moron.
2. Manti Te'o is a liar.
3. Manti Te'o is gay.

1. Manti Te'o is a complete moron.  The idea that a football player on one of the most high-profile College Football teams in the country would choose to "date" a woman online is unlikely enough, but the idea that he would maintain a long distance relationship with a person he'd never met, while occasionally talking to "her" on the phone only to find out that not only is she not real, but she is a guy, would put him in the Hall Of Fame of stupidity.  A player on the team was recently quoted (anonymously) that Manti Te'o was incredibly naive.  Naive would be a good word for it, but so would moron.  If you choose to believe that Manti Te'o is indeed a moron, is he the right fit for your NFL franchise?!  Isn't that the worst case scenario?

2.  Manti Te'o is a liar.  Manti made it all up.  It was his idea to boost his chances for the Heisman.  He figured the sympathy vote would help him in the polls, so he concocted a story for fame and potential fortune.  When the cover was blown, he took the A-Rod route:  Deny, deny, deny.  The NFL is about a lot of things, but for an NFL defense, aren't some of those keys respect and trust?  Everything that Manti says or does will be analyzed by the team, by his teammates, by the media, and by the fans.  If Te'o takes a wrong turn personally, DUI, drugs, PEDs, relationship problems, etc., he'll be skewered and judged faster than the rest of the league because he has history.

3.  Manti Te'o is gay.  A Mormon man that chooses to leave the island to go to a the preeminent Catholic university in the Nation?  Neither is really known for their support of homosexuality.  Is it that surprising that a star football player, and a candidate for the Heisman trophy, is going to do everything and anything he can to hide it?  It's different for most people -- No one is following me to class, handing me numbers at parties, or trying to get close to me at every chance.  I don't play football for a Championship contending team that plays on TV every Saturday.  Easiest way out?  "Sorry, I have a girlfriend."  There's a big difference between lying to protect your privacy vs lying for personal and financial gain, especially when your lifestyle "choice" isn't accepted in your community or your university.

It's sad that so many people see being gay as the "worst case scenario" for Manti Te'o, when in reality it could be the best.   Understand that regardless of the three -- whether he's a moron, a liar, or gay -- Manti Te'o is going to be brutalized on the field by rival fans and players.  Take it head on and turn it to your advantage.  The League's first openly gay player is going to see unrivaled attention and protection from the League.  There are HUGE marketing implications for an openly gay player, that for the right player, could be exploited for gains for the League and the player!  A recent gallop poll stated that the public estimated that over 20% of men and women were gay.  The Williams Institute at UCLA estimates that approximately 3.5% adults are gay, and another 1.8% are bi-sexual.  Split the difference -- 12%?  That's a lot of jerseys.  It's not like there aren't plenty of gay football fans, embrace them too! 

Is Manti Te'o gay?  Who knows.  But why is it wrong for the NFL if he is?  Professional sports are ready for an openly gay athlete, all it takes it the right scenario to change the culture in the League.  The minute Tom Brady stands in the middle of the field and puts his arm around an openly gay player, in homage to Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, is the day things change.  The problem for the League is whether Manti Te'o has the strength that Jackie Robinson had to have the strength not to fight back when greeted with ignorance and hate.

There will be an openly gay athlete in professional sports.  There are already gay athletes there now!   There are undoubtedly gay football players, baseball players, and basketball players.  There are gay golfers and race car drivers.  At some point a league, any league, is going to take the next step to make a statement and embrace it -- and they'll see the profits follow right behind it -- all for just doing the right thing.

Follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna) 

I love the MLB Network.  Their daily coverage and analysis is fantastic, and as a network, it's nearly flawless.  If there's one gap in their line-up, it's Original Programming.  Channels like the Food Network, TLC, and Discovery are making a HUGE ratings dent with reality based programming.  Believe me, the last thing that the MLB Network needs is Jersey Shore, but there is a wide opening for compelling reality based programming.  Some things to consider:

• The Ballparks:  Major League Baseball ballparks are like a city's fingerprint.  Every park is different.  They have their own sites, and looks, and feels.  Michelle Beadle hosted the show Cathedrals Of The Game 9 years ago, and it was great!  But, it's also outdated.  There are entire networks dedicated to travel, so why aren't there shows dedicated to baseball travel on the MLB Network?  There are websites like www.ballparkchasers.com and magazines like Stadium Journey (www.stadiumjourney.com), that are devoted to traveling to ballparks across the country!
• The Food:  How many cooking shows are there on TV?  What about Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives?  Man Vs Food?  30 Major League parks, 30 cities, and all with their own distinct flavor.  Every team has their own chef, every city has their own specialties, and they would all make a great show!
• The Players:  The Franchise programming has been great!  Could it be capsulized to 30 minute episodes by team?  What about retired players?  Could they develop day-in-the-life programming?  Hall Of Famers?  Joes vs Jocks?  There are a lot of things they could do with team and player programming to enhance offseason viewing.
• The History:  Where are the "Pawn Stars",  "American Pickers", or "Antique Roadshow" for MLB fans?  Any time an old Honus Wagner gets found in someone's attic, it's news!  Take a camera and hit the memorabilia shows or card shows, follow people to flea markets or on the road to find the rare and unique.  It all breeds interest in the game and creates a feel for the nostalgia and history of the sport. 

There isn't a better network for original sports programming than the MLB Network, and that's where MLB Summer Break comes in!

I sent proposals to the MLB Network and Major League Baseball, but figured I'd share it online too!  The idea behind MLB Summer Break comes down to visiting all 30 Major League ballparks by car, while creating family-centric programming by leveraging Social Media, Web-based platforms, scheduled awareness events, and the MLB Network.

Purpose

1. Raise awareness for Prostate Cancer prevention and treatment.
2. Promote Father/Child relationships by using Major League Baseball as a catalyst.
3. Act as a bonding agent across multiple Major League Baseball official sponsors.

Timeline:  June 16th, 2013 (Father's Day) to September 1st, 2013

The Players

Doug

• Road Trip veteran! Doug has visited 27 of 30 Major League ballparks, and another 20+ MiLB parks. 
• Active parent and volunteer.
• Softball volunteer assistant coach for 4 years.

Megan

• Baseball “die-hard”! Megan has played baseball since she was 4yrs old and averages 10-15 games a year in person.

Maddy

• Major League enthusiasm! Maddy has a fantastic energy and a love of the game. When your daughter wants to play catch in the snow, you know you’re doing something right!

Purpose:  Raise awareness for Prostate Cancer prevention and treatment.

• My great-grandfather passed away from prostate cancer before I was born.  My uncle was treated for prostate cancer in 2010, and my dad completed prostate cancer surgery in November.  I have a personal relationship with prostate cancer and have already been screened on more than one occasion, at 38.  I’m a high risk candidate for prostate cancer, and would be an advocate for raising screening and testing awareness by city.
• Starting the promotion on June 16th (Father’s Day) is inline with Major League Baseball’s Prostate Cancer awareness campaigns.
• 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in men. (www.cancer.org)

Purpose:  Promote Father/Child relationships by using Major League Baseball as a bonding catalyst.

• Major League Baseball heavily promoted the concept of “Family” in the 2012 MLB Tickets “I Hope This Gets To You” commercials.  MLB Summer Break would be a progression of that campaign by encouraging family and baseball.
• Recent studies suggest that kids with actively involved fathers are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident, have better social connections, and be less likely to get in trouble at home or at school. Children with fathers who are nurturing, involved, and playful also turn out to have higher IQs and better linguistic and cognitive capacities. (www.parentingweekly.com)  MLB Summer Break is designed around creating bonding experiences with kids on the road, and could be used as a template or spark for dads to spend more time with their kids!
• Entertainment value.  Taking two girls under 10 on a roadtrip across the United States is bound to be entertaining and probably historic!  It’s about exploring America while embracing the American Pastime!

Purpose:  Act as a bonding agent across multiple Major League Baseball official sponsors.

• A Chevrolet vehicle would be used for the MLB Summer Break roadtrip.  The vehicle would be skinned with MLB Official Sponsor logos and a signature “Summer Break” graphic.  The vehicle would be outfit with Firestone tires, and insurance would be provided by State Farm.
• Holiday Inn would be the primary hotel provider for each stop of the trip.  This would include cities that are outside of the major league city stops.
• Cellphones and internet would be provided by T-Mobile, while laptops would be powered by Intel.
• There are a number of ways to involve multiple business partners, while creating a platform synergy around the MLB Summer Break concept through print, internet, and Social Media advertising campaigns.

Content

• Target of 2 webisodes per week -- The differentiator is that many of the webisodes would be conducted by the girls. Webisode topics would be geared towards tourist and food stops and experiences.  There would be additional webisodes focused on each ballpark.  Unlike most travel shows, these would be family focused activities and recommendations from the kids point of view!
• Social Media campaign -- We would operate under a designated Twitter name that would post frequent updates and candid Twitpics, combined with sponsor suggested stops, check-ins, and promoted tweets.
• Prostate Cancer awareness drives -- Awareness drives would be scheduled and designed to promote screening recommendations and prevention.
• The MLB Summer Break concept can operate on a small scale Webisode/Social Media campaign platform, or it could be easily adapted into reality-based programming for the MLB Network.

Alternative Concepts:  MLB Summer Break could be adapted as needed.  The following concepts would be a fit for reality-based programming with the MLB Network.

• “Summer Break” could be modified to a one-person campaign; a combined Diners/Drive-Ins/Dives themed show, but with a mix of Cathedrals Of The Game.
• MLB “Fan Van” – Cross-brand the MLB Fan Cave with a mobile traveling unit.  Another idea would be to designate two vehicles with competing teams starting at opposite ends of the United States.
• MLB “Fam Van” – Similar to the “Fan Van”, the “Fam Van” is a family specific vehicle and platform.

That's the idea behind MLB Summer Break!  Would you watch it?  Do you like the concept better as a family adventure, or would you rather it was a solo show?  What other kinds of programming do you want to see on the MLB Network? 

Tweet your ideas and feedback with #MLBSummerBreak!  Love the concept of MLB Summer Break?  Be sure to tweet @MLBNetwork, @MLBFanCave and @MLB directly and let them know!

Follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

The Seattle Mariners are entering this week's Winter Meetings with everything to gain, and everything to lose.  The Mariners 11 years without a playoff appearance has decimated fan attendance at Safeco Field, and it will be up to Jack Zduriencik to energize a fanbase this offseason.  Expectations were high last year when there was a quiet promise of hope for players like Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, or even aging veterans like Carlos Beltran signing with the Mariners, but that promise was temporary as the Mariners chose to go into 2012 without any major additions.  Midseason struggles found the team in last place for much of 2012, and even Felix Hernandez starts were lucky to reach 50% capacity.  Offseason expectations are even higher this year as fan patience is at an all time low while casual fan apathy is at an all-time high.

The Mariners have a solid pitching staff that was bolstered when the team resigned Hisashi Iwakuma in early November, and there are high hopes that the team's young arms are ready to take the next step at Spring Training.  The biggest issue for the Mariners has been at the plate -- Kyle Seager led the teams with 20 HR in 2011 and was 4th on the team in Batting Average.  But Seager, who was a team leader in batting at the All Star break, saw a production decline in the second half of the season that took his average down to .259.  For as down as some fans were on Jesus Montero (I was NOT down on Montero), he still managed to finish 3rd in Mariners average and played 135 games as a rookie.  The fact that a rookie Catcher had the 3rd highest Batting Average in 2011 speaks to 1) his potential in the future and 2) the ineptitude of much of the Mariners offense.  So where do the Mariners go from here?   It's easy to say that Jack Z needs to go out and sign the next free agent he can, but is the team too late?

Are the Mariners too late?  I think the short answer is yes.  The team's biggest chance to grow at the plate is either in the OF or at DH, and the early offseason signings have verged on ludicrous:

• Torii Hunter -- $26 million over 2 years.  A .316 Batting Average and 16 Home Runs is solid production for a veteran corner outfielder, but Hunter is also 37 years old.  While his Slugging Percentage is up from 2010, Hunter's .451 is still his lowest output in 10 years.  His .313 BA is a nice pickup for Detroit, but it's also a career high.  I think Hunter will be a great fit for a team like Detroit and their lineup, but he's not the kind of player that would lead the team in power, which is what the M's need.
• BJ Upton -- $75 million over 5 years.  What in the world is Atlanta doing?!  Was there a GM in baseball that saw this signing and said "Good pickup"?  At $15 million a year, Atlanta shifted the salary range for the rest of the Free Agent field while making trading look a lot more affordable.  I know there was a lot of local sports radio chatter about Upton's upside, but I've never been a fan.  Understand that Upton hit only .246 with 28 HR in a dome.  17 of his 28 HR were hit at home in Tropicana, and his batting average drops to .238 on the road.
• Melky Cabrera -- At $16 million for 2 years, Cabrera is an "affordable" risk.  Toronto made a move to sign Cabrera early, and mixed with their other trades, Toronto could be an interesting team to watch in 2013.  That said, Cabrera was caught using PEDs in the best season of his career.  His second best season for power was the year before in Kansas City, which begs the question, was he using then too?  Take out the last 2 years and Cabrera is a .270-ish hitter that maxes at less than 10 HR a year.  That's hardly a step forward for the Mariners.

So where do the Mariners go from here?  It's certainly not Nick Swisher.  When the Braves signed Upton, they closed the books on Swisher to the Mariners.  Nick Swisher has a better BA, OBP, HR average and RBI production than BJ Upton.  Yes, Upton has speed and is 4 years younger than Swish, but I just don't see a way that Swisher takes less than $12-14 million a year for 3 years.  If not Swisher then who?  Shane Victorino?  Victorino is a gutty player (who I saw hit an inside the park HR playing with the Phillies,) but he's not a power or BA threat.  I love Victorino's attitude, but I don't love his BA, his RBI, or his 12-18 average HR a year at best.  Quite honestly, we have that already.  Victorino is not a heart of the order guy.  And what about Josh Hamilton?  He brings first half power, but has a history of breaking down and slumping late in the season.  I'd also question if he's the clubhouse leader this team needs.  Is he worth the price?  Do you pay Hamilton $20 million a year over 4-5 years?  (Which is less than he wants btw.)  At what Hamilton will demand, he seems like a worse risk than if we'd paid Fielder.

So are the Mariners "too late"?  If you're talking Free Agents hitters, yes.  But I've contended all year that the Mariners best shot at adding power to the team is going to come thru trades.  The Mariners best value is going to be in trading prospects for players that are already under (a lower than today's value) contract, and that will produce at or better than the players that were on the market.  Zduriencik was clear that he didn't feel there were players worth the investment during last year's offseason.  Fielder was an obvious exception, but at what the Tigers paid him, I don't disparage the M's at all for not signing him.  I would say the same thing for this year's Free Agent class.  There isn't a top-tier guy this offseason outside of Hamilton, so why pay them like it?

The Mariners have a better chance of being successful in 2013 by trading for hitters and signing pitchers.  Joe Blanton, Dan Haren, and Zach Grienke are all available.  Grienke will be the hottest of the 3, so you take him off the list.  Haren has past success in the AL, so you figure he's going to get paid too.  That leaves Joe Blanton.  While Blanton's ERA has ballooned over 4.50, he pitches close to 200 innings a year and has struck out 160+ 2 of the last 3 years.  I think Blanton is a guy you can get at a good price to fill a #4/5 rotation slot.

But what about hitters?  I know, I know.  That's still the hard part.  The Mariners have to do something just to avoid a fan mutiny.  The fences coming in are going to impact the hitters -- They don't come in a lot, but just the fact that they're moving in will almost certainly affect player psyche.  I'll be honest, I like our team.  I think there's some strong upside here, but I also agree they're missing a component for the clubhouse maybe even more-so than a bat.  Billy Butler is a strong candidate, but he's a .300 hitter that will average around 20-24 bombs.  I'd argue we already have that at 3B with Kyle Seager.  The M's need to look at DH and OF.  So where should they go?

• Giancarlo Stanton -- Is there a bigger offseason wet-dream than the M's trading for Stanton?  His .290 average and 37 HR would be the best case scenario for the Mariners.  Could the dream become reality?  Absolutely.  The Marlins strip-minded their team in the offseason.  They've gutted the heart of the order and unloaded payroll while the team goes down in flames.  Stanton is understandably upset, which leads to discontent and poor production.  Stanton won't dog it on the field, but mentally don't the trades and complete collapse in Miami make it almost impossible for Stanton to stay in Miami?  Unlike other suitors, the Mariners have a cache of young arms that would be enticing to a team like Miami, and an ownership that clearly has zero regard for their fans.  The other thing to consider is that Stanton is arbitration eligible in 2014.  So could it happen?  Why couldn't it?
• Adam Dunn -- Stop laughing.  I know Adam Dunn is Richie Sexson redux.  He'll strikeout a million times, but he'll also hit 40HR.  The sad thing is that he isn't as good of a player as Richie was.  How would the Mariners like a player that hit .260 and averaged 34+ HR a year right now?  That was Richie Sexson in his first two years as a Mariner.  Revisionist history will tell you otherwise, but I still support signing Sexson and Beltre, I thought they were good moves at the time.  But back to Dunn, he's $14 million a year thru 2014, so he wouldn't be a huge risk for the potential power reward.  (I wonder where the money would be on a Dunn/Montero foot race?)
• Jason Kubel -- I wanted Kubel last year.  He'll hit around .250 with 30 HR.  He'd make a great platoon at DH or the OF.  The problem is that Kubel's contract is up in 2013 and he only makes $8 million, so the odds of trading for Kubel seem pretty low; Kubel would have more value for Arizona if they hold onto him until the deadline and evaluate where they are in a playoff race.
• Matt Holliday -- Holliday is a poor outfielder, but he does hit close to .300 with 25+ HR production.  Holliday is a solid player, but out of Stanton, Dunn, and Kubel, Holliday makes the most money and is signed the longest.  It's unlikely that St Louis is going to let him go, but he would certainly signal a commitment by the M's.
• Mark Texiera -- Texiera is a wild-card.  I look at a team like the Yankees and see a whole lot of age.  Jeter, Ichiro, A-Rod, Pettite and Rivera.  Robinson Cano, the Yankees best player, is a Free Agent next year, and the team's starting Catcher if the season started today is Francisco Cervelli.  The Yankees have gotten old and are undoubtedly stepping back and thinking "Uh-oh, this ride may be about over."  Could the Yankees be open to trading Tex?  Maybe.  He's earning $22.5 million a year through 2016, so he's pricey.  The other thing to consider is he's averaging around .250 with 30+ HR.  Texiera would be a longshot, but he could also be worth a look.

2013 is a must compete year for the Mariners.  Their 51% drop in attendance over the last 10 years is a dangerous trend for a team that used to energize a city.  Personally, it's frustrating as a fan to see.  Quite honestly, I'm less discouraged with the Mariners record and performance as I am with it's dwindling fanbase.  I know that winning cures everything for fans, but to see that there were 8 teams with worse records than the Mariners with better attendance is disappointing.  Sure teams like the Cubs and Red Sox will draw regardless, but Colorado?  Kansas City?  We're better than that, but in some ways I can also understand it.  Some food for thought:

• The M's adopted Dynamic Pricing last year (http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20111025&content_id=25788964&vkey=pr_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea) and saw attendance continue to suffer.  The problem with Dynamic Pricing is that it establishes a floor price for tickets at the start of the year.  Floor pricing is designed to drive early ticket sales since it's "as low as it gets", but how does that drive late season attendance for a team in last place?  Dynamic Pricing does not work for a team in a downward spiral for attendance -- What incentive is there for fans to come out for a game against Cleveland at face value when there are 30,000 empty seats?  The concept of flex pricing is terrific, but it needs to move up and down for it to truly work, especially when examining attendance trends.  (Which for today, I will spare you.  Ha-ha.)
• Don't get lost in the fact that the Mariners continue to invest in Safeco Field.  You can get frustrated with the teams performance on the field, but you can't be upset with how the organization has continued to modify and improve Safeco Field.  10 straight years of attendance drops, but the team has invested over $80 million in facility improvements.  Do you like the bar-height counters that rim the park?  What about the new Pen?  The Mariners continue to invest in the fan experience even while the team has struggled on the field.  Now add a 201 foot wide monitor in CF.  It would have been easy for the Mariners to let it go, but they didn't.  Give them credit for it.

The baseball season doesn't end in November, it just gets more interesting.  Jack Zduriencik has a chance to go into this week's Winter Meetings and make both Major League Baseball and their fans take notice.  What route the Mariners will take is anyone's guess, but one thing is certain, the Mariners have a lot of options in front of them.   I just can't wait to see which route they take!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

It was a combination of heart, and guts, and pride...  and maybe a little luck.  There are a lot of words that can describe the Cougar's win over UW -- Words like incredible, improbable, and even impossible.  After outplaying the University of Washington on both sides of the ball, WSU still found themselves battling back from a 28-10 deficit.  The lead they had coveted at halftime was gone, erased in a series of turnovers that had Cougar fans wondering if it was deja vu all over again.  Cougar fans had seen this game before.

Flash forward.

Andrew Furney is lined up for a chip-shot field goal.  My hands are clasped tight and I can feel the sweat in between them.  I'm not praying, I'm just anxious.  I'm anxious for something to believe in.  It's been a hard, adversity filled year, and this one moment was a chance to feel like everything we've been through as fans or players was leading to something.  It was about hope.  The camera tightened in on the sidelines as players gripped their arms together so tight that you'd swear they were one continuous mass.  I could see Tuel mouth the words "Please make it."  It's up, it's good!  I've teared up during 3 games in my life, and all 3 of them were Apple Cups.

Bedlam.

A fanbase exploded in unison while another deflated in an exhale of blame.  The Washington State Cougars finished one of their most successful years in history as Apple Cup Champions.  No, that wasn't a typo.

A 3-9 season is never a success.  I think every Cougar fan expected the Cougs would make a Bowl game in 2012.  I know I did!  3-9 is not a Rose Bowl, or a 10 win season.  No Cougar will be picked #1 or #2 in the NFL Draft.  For the first time our success has been off the field.  When Washington State University hired Mike Leach they made a commitment to a program that will ultimately mean more than any one season, and that's what's so exciting.  The WSU program saw amazing success while the team seemingly failed on the field at every turn.  Let's break it down:

• On November 18th 2011, the WSU Board Of Regents agreed to an $80 million project to expand Martin Stadium.  Not coincidently, regardless of your opinion, Paul Wulff was fired less than 2 weeks later and replaced within days by Mike Leach.  It was an immediate commitment to the future of the program, a future designed to compete with teams like Oregon and UW, instead of the Sisters Of The Poor.
• Mike Leach's hire brought an immediate spotlight to Washington State University.  It boosted the program and sold tickets!  The team sold more than 3,000 additional season tickets and sold out their first home opener since 2007.  Outside of just season tickets, the Cougar Athletic Fund saw an immediate impact too, with over 2,000 additional members and over $2 million dollars in donations than the year before.  None of that happens without Mike Leach.
• The Pac 12 Networks launched before the start of the season, bringing another spotlight to the teams in the conference and a new revenue source to the member schools.  The Pac 12 Networks will show over 850 events a year, and they have a National base of over 40 million households and a potential average of 10-15 million viewers for each Regional network.  At a minimum, that's 10-15 million households that will be able to watch WSU football.  And basketball, and baseball, and track, and...  When was the last time 15 million people could watch WSU track?  You can now.  The Pac 12 Networks could mean up to $30 million a year to Washington State Athletics over time.  Where was that with Root Sports?
• On November 16th, 2012, nearly a year since the Board agreed to expand Martin Stadium, the WSU Board Of Regents announced the approval of a new Athletic Operations building; another $61 million dollars to add to nearly $1 billion dollars of current or completed projects at the University.

Now take all of that and add a win in the Apple Cup as the cherry on top.  A year that was mired in disappointment ended on the highest of notes, catapulting the program into an offseason filled with promise instead of discouragement.  If the Cougars were destined to only win 3 games in 2012, the Apple Cup was the way to end the year.  How would fans feel if the 3rd win had come against Stanford instead of UW?  A win against Stanford -- It would read something like:  "1 win in their last nine games, a 4 game losing streak, and a loss to UW after being up at halftime and leading in nearly every category before collapsing again."  Stings doesn't it?  I take the win over UW and look at this season as a glass half full, a season that ends with a one game winning streak.

This year's Apple Cup was about so much more than one game.  It was a turning point in a season of adversity.  The Cougars took the field without their all-time leading receiver in Marquees Wilson, who abandoned the team when they needed him most.  The Cougs were playing with 18 freshman, including 2 starters at WR, and were an injury away from playing their 3rd string quarterback.  Worse still, was losing Travis Long to injury days before the game.  The Cougars didn't just lose the heart of their defense, they lost the heart of the team.  But as a team, they played through it -- They showed execution, which had been missing for so much of the year.  They showed ability, and determination, and heart -- Pretty good for a team of corpses.   And they showed pride.  When the ball split the uprights like an ax, the players that weathered this season's storm of distractions showed they wouldn't quit, even when others told them they already had.  They believed in their coaches, in each other, and in their fans, and that all came through Saturday afternoon at Martin Stadium.

What a way to end the year.  Go Cougs!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

** Doug is extremely happy the Apple Cup wasn't another "ugly sweater"!  http://www.blockingtheplate.com/apps/blog/show/10565672-apple-cup-

Every one of Detroit's World Series Championships happened right here, at Tiger Stadium.   Some still called it Briggs Stadium, and the older still called it Navin Field, but the one constant was the history in the grounds.   Sluggers like Hank Greenberg crushed home runs here, while player like Ty Cobb played with assassin like precision on the base paths and at the plate.   But really, were there other players like Cobb?  Babe Ruth had played on this field and Mickey Mantle had smashed home runs off the roof.  There were few parks like Tiger Stadium, but by the year 2000 baseball had changed.   The cookie-cutter stadiums of the 60's were replaced first, but by 2000, there was a new phase of parks entering the League.   There were rumors that Fenway was next, or maybe Wrigley, and less than 10 years later it was Yankee Stadium, but the first to go was in Detroit.

After Comerica Park opened, Tiger Stadium languished in squalor.  The chairs that were left, faded and split.  The paint that graced the outfield walls cracked, and mold grew in the old bathrooms and pipes.   At the time the city of Detroit continued to mow the grass, but outside of that, the park was left to rot.   By 2009 the park was coming down, even as residents and interest groups tried to save it.

I've been to almost every park in the Major Leagues, but I never had a chance to see a game at Tiger Stadium.  I was there in 2009, but missed the chance to see it standing by two weeks.   (I had visions of paying someone at the gate something, anything, to get inside.)   When I stood outside the gates, it felt like the history was gone, replaced by tons of broken concrete and bent rebar.   But things changed when I came back to Detroit in May, not even 7 months after the park had come down.  The monument of destruction that I'd seen in October was gone -- and in its place was a field of dandelion covered grass, the flagpole, and memories that leached from the ground like ghosts.   Surprisingly, the only thing keeping me from standing on the field was a small, unlocked carabineer.   It honestly wouldn't have mattered.

I walked out and touched the flagpole.   It's still standing.   I made my way to the infield and was shocked to see that it looked untouched.   It was worn and faded, with small bits of grass and weeds, but at its core, it was still the heart and soul of Tiger Stadium.   I ran the bases and stared out at the flagpole from an imaginary home plate before walking back out to the infield.   I kicked at the hard top layer of dirt and hit pure untouched history.   That was at the start of 2010.

Since then a crew of men and women hit the field throughout the year.  They bring their own tools, they don't get paid, and in fact, they're trespassing.   Do you realize how asinine that sounds?  They're volunteering their own time to keep the field clean and preserve a past "Field Of Dreams", and the city doesn't even want them there.  I've stood on that corner.   I parked in a vacant lot and looked around before leaving my car.   It's not a great area, but they're doing it because they want to add value to the city.   Men and women stop to pay homage.   Children play catch with their dads.  Families have left the ashes of their loved ones on the field.   It's living history reborn – So why won't the city embrace it?

The city of Detroit needs to understand the value a revitalized Tiger Stadium site could mean to the community.  You want to know the best way to encourage crime?  Neglect.   Invest in the community and good things can happen.   Yesterday the city of Cleveland announced their plans to do just that.   http://webapp.cleveland-oh.gov/aspnet/moc/10-24-12_LeagueParkCeremony_Advisory-1.pdf

I hit League Park in Cleveland during that same visit to Detroit.  Like on Michigan and Trumbull, the area is a primarily black neighborhood.   It was sad to see entire areas so rundown because you can see that historically it's a really interesting area; you can see it in the buildings and the architecture.   Until now it was a forgotten area filled with vacant stores and their washed out paint and moss covered stone, but Cleveland has decided to do something about it.   At a $6.3 million investment, the city plans on refurbishing the streets and landscaping while creating a community park, trails, a spray park, and new ballfields.   Detroit needs to follow Cleveland's lead in attacking urban areas with funds and not neglect.

The Yankees dismantled the House That Ruth Built, and in its place created Heritage Field.   http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8514484/site-old-yankee-stadium-serves-good-purpose Cleveland is coming to the plate to improve League Park by making it a destination for families and activity. Detroit?   The city of Detroit turns a blind eye while volunteers work in spite of them to make the old grounds safe for everyone, to give the young and old a chance to reflect on the history of the game, to have a catch, and to enjoy that moment -- before they go watch the Tigers play minutes away.

The Tigers are in the World Series, but until the final out of the final game is decided, the field on Michigan and Trumbull is still the last one to host a World Series Champion in Detroit.   It's time the city of Detroit remembers that, and honors it.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

I think we all saw the story back in August.  After applying for scores of sports jobs, Taylor Grey Meyer finally reached her breaking point after getting an invitation to pay for a chance to network with team executives.  She sent the team a letter that hit the headlines, and it exploded from there.  I had 6 people forward me the links the day the story hit -- Why, you ask?  This must be your first time to my website!  Ha-ha.

I'm in the same boat as hundreds, and likely thousands, of prospective candidates.  I want nothing more than to work for a Major League Baseball franchise.  I've dreamed of the opportunity for years, but finding that "in" is a never ending battle.  It would be easy to get frustrated, but I look at the opportunity differently.  It's finding that thing that separates me, or you, or anyone that's out there trying to find that dream job.  But is it right for teams to ask you to pay for it?  The answer may surprise you.

I've been on Teamwork Online for years.  I'm on the mailing list and have applied for a number of jobs, but it wasn't until about 3 months ago that the emails started filing in.  I've had offers from 6 different teams that were holding "Networking Events" -- For $25-$60 I could network with team executives and watch the game.  How do I feel about that?  Absolutely fine! 

I haven't been able to attend any of the events due to timing or location, but if I'd been around I would have.  If you're looking for a job in any sport, you have to get in front of people and differentiate yourself from the rest of the field.  I don't have an issue with teams charging for it -- The events include the game too!  Realize that this is your opportunity to get in front of hiring managers and decision makers.  These teams are getting thousands of applications and resumes for any profile job.  That brief 2-3 minutes with someone at a networking event could be the difference in making it to that first round of interviews.

Networking events are hardly a new concept.  You'll find them in college, at local job fairs, or industry events.  The key is in how you're using them!  Some things to consider:

• Less is more.  If I can talk to 10 people for 3 minutes, or 3 people for 10 minutes, I'll take the 3 people every time!
• Add value.  If you're lucky enough to get the 10 minutes, use it right!  Have an idea of the things you want to talk about and the questions you're going to ask.  Be prepared with questions that add value or that you truly want to know or talk about -- If it's generic, I assure you, it's already been asked by the 10 people in front of you.
• Be prepared to listen!  When I ask someone how their day is at the grocery store, I pause so they can tell me!  Don't be in a hurry to get a response in or affirm what the person across from you is saying.  Network away and you might learn something too!
• Show some personality.  It's OK to laugh, it's OK to smile!  At the end of the day, people hire people they like.  I don't mean laughing at lame jokes or trying too hard, what I mean is remember where you are.  A networking event is not an interview.  By design, networking events are designed to be more casual.  A little personality could separate you from the crowd!
• Network.  Wait, network at a network event?  Great call, genius...  No, what I mean is network with other candidates!  Remember that you're in a room with a hundred other people that probably want do the same thing you do!  Get to know some of them, you never know when one of them may be in a position to help you down the road. 
• Follow up.  Be sure to email, tweet, text, (or whatever) people you had a chance to meet.  If I meet 100 people in a day, I might remember 20 by face and maybe 15 by name.  BUT, if you send me an email or a LinkedIn invite, etc., your odds just got better.

At this point you might be thinking "What makes you the expert?"  Well, I have a day job!  I've spent the last 16 years managing and hiring people.  I've been a recruiter at UW and WSU.  I've done these things before and figured I'd share the wealth.

"But what if I can't afford to go?"  I understand, but don't give up hope!  There are so many ways to network.  Go on LinkedIn -- There are groups dedicated to sports networking.  Use Twitter to network with "change leaders".  Network does not mean spam!  Reach out to executives online, through Twitter, or even through the mail.  Be passionate about what you want without being pushy, aggressive, or aggravating! 

There are a lot of creative ways to let people know you want a job!  Things like this website started when I was trying to get noticed by the Seattle Mariners.  It didn't net me a job, but it did get me energized and even more excited about opportunities down the road.  I realized really quickly that running this site could be (almost) as much fun as that job I've been fighting for.  Good luck! 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Millerdna (www.twitter.com/millerdna)

* Yes, that's the door to my refrigerator.  Even the fortune cookie gods know what I want! *