Good afternoon. During this 27 day tour with Team USA Baseball, I will attempt share some moments and experiences. Please be easy on me, as I am apologizing in advance for many of the grammatical errors which will undoubtedly occur during this blog. I will attempt to not embarrass all of the wonderful English teachers I had during my scholastic career. I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity. I hope you will enjoy.
 
 Go USA!
 
"Bucket List"
 
I always enjoyed the movie "Bucket List" with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. I think everyone that watched this movie for the first time left the theatre thinking of what their own list would look like. For me, my list is not very long. Of course there are places I would still enjoy visiting and many things that I would like to try or accomplish, but the truth is, I am a pretty simple person. I am very grateful and I feel very blessed because most of the items that I have already checked off on my personal "Bucket List" have come about because of amazing relationships. Examples of these relationships I have been able to form begin with my wife, my children, my family, my PALS, my teammates, my players I have coached and all the outstanding people I have been able to work with during my career in athletics. I believe that items on a "Bucket List" mean nothing if you don't have people you care about to share them with.
 
Having the opportunity to work with Team USA has always been on my "Bucket List". Being raised in a family where patriotism was ingrained in me as a youngster, I always believed that being able to put on a jersey with USA across the chest would be the most amazing feeling in sports. Well, I was not wrong.
 
Throughout life, we all have a few "It" moments that precede an amazing event we encounter. For instance, seeing my wife as she walked down the aisle on our wedding day was definitely an "It" moment for me. The births of our three sons were definitely "It" moments for me.  There have been others throughout my life, but being on the field, wearing a USA uniform and standing for the National Anthem was definitely an "It" moment for me. Goosebumps covered my arms and tears welled up in my eyes.
 
Every player that has played for me understands the importance I have always placed on our country's National Anthem. Every year in our Covenant (Our Baseball Team Handbook) the words to our National Anthem are in there. I think it's important that every young person in our country should know the words to our National Anthem.
 
I remember during the 1976 Olympic Games, my father taught me the words to our National Anthem. While watching on television, I would sing the words aloud every time we would have a Gold Medal winner on the podium. Seems kind of funny now, but Bruce Jenner was one of those medal winners in 1976 that I remember singing with while he was on the podium with a Gold Medal around his neck.
 
Since that day, (even though my singing skills are basically non-existent) I have always proudly sang the words every time I have been present for the "Star Spangled Banner". I challenge you to do the same.
 
Well it's almost time for Batting Practice.
Win The Day!
 
Go USA!
 
T. Skole #7