Pablo Pitches in a Pinch

source: Jeff Chiu, AP
Pablo Sandoval, relief pitching
SF Giants vs LA Dodgers, 28 April 2018

I haven't posted in the past 2 weeks due to a bunch of weekend bowling activities.

April 14 and 15 - worked and bowled in Pacifica at Sea Bowl for the SFUSBC City Tournament.

April 21 and 22 - in Reno at the National Bowling Stadium bowling Women's USBC Championships.

Today, Women's Peninsula USBC Open at Bel Mateo (where I bowl Monday nights).

Yesterday, back in Pacifica at Sea Bowl for the yearly meeting and election of SFUSBC Directors. Appointment approved and got my navy association polo to make it all official.

Also yesterday, the Giants and Dodgers played a doubleheader (day and evening game). The day game was to makeup April 6's rained out game in San Francisco.

Had it not been for the doubleheader, it was unlikely we would have seen 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval make his pitching debut.

Since Pablo's return to San Francisco late last season, he's performed admirably in a utility/supporting role. He's played 3rd and 1st base and is listed as an emergency back up catcher for the Giants.

He added another position to his player résumé. Relief pitcher.

The Giants were down 15-6 with another game still yet to play. On those occasions where the game is a blowout, a MLB team will have a position player come in to pitch.

Enter the Panda.

He pitched a perfect 9th inning. 3 infield ground balls = 3 outs. If you missed it yesterday as I did, here it is:

Oakland to Columbus - Nonstop

Southwest Airlines
Nonstop Oakland to Columbus

My last trip to my birthplace, Columbus, Ohio was in August 2013, when I flew back for my 35th high school reunion.

That was 5 years ago. I was able to get a non-stop on Delta from San Francisco to Cincinnati, rent a car and drive the 110-120 miles to Columbus.

If there's any opportunity to fly non-stop, I'll take it. Even if it costs me $100 more. I've been stranded and delayed more times than I can remember when I have to take a connecting flight.

It amazes me with how much we've gained in technology and I still can't fly directly to Columbus, Ohio. The state's capital city. A metro population of more than 1 million. The city The Ohio State University calls home.

When they announced our 40th high school reunion a few weeks ago, I was prepared to fly directly to Cincinnati again. Prices were higher than I hoped, so I was going to wait a few more weeks to see if the prices would come down.

Frustrated with less than ideal options on flight times and cities where I'd have to stop, I did a Google search with the hope there is now an airline carrier that does offer non-stop from the San Francisco Bay Area to Columbus.

Success. My search results found a 2015 press release from Southwest Airlines announcing a non-stop service from Oakland to Columbus. Woo hoo to the max.

I signed into my Southwest account right away and booked the flights tonight. The cost isn't cheap, but about $100 less than Delta, and only 4.5 to 5 hours flight time. A flight from San Francisco with a stop in Phoenix would add 3-4 more hours in travel time.

Hello, Columbus. See you in September.

2018 Weber Cup Team Selections

source: bowlingdigital
Anthony Simonsen

source: bowlingdigital
Kyle Troup

source: bowlingdigital
L: Tommy Jones, R: Chris Barnes

source: Weber Cup
L to R: Dom Barrett, Martin Larsen, Jesper Svensson, Stu Williams

This year's Weber Cup will take place on June 15 - 17 at Arena MK, Milton Keynes. Team Europe looks to repeat for their sixth consecutive win. Team USA seeks their first win since 2012.

Team Europe's roster remains unchanged for the third year in a row.
Captain Dom Barrett, Martin Larsen, Jesper Svensson and Stu Williams.

Team USA has struggled badly the past three years and hopes to recapture glory days with the return of two former Weber Cup bowlers: Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes. Barnes will resume duties as Team USA's captain.

The only returning member from USA last year is Kyle Troup. This will be Troup's third Weber Cup. New to Weber Cup for Team USA is Anthony Simonsen. I like USA's combination of youth and experience, but not sure it will be enough to match Europe's chemistry, experience and fire power.

As an American, I'd like to see Team USA do well, but I'm partial to Team Europe. Based on the number of blog entries I've written on him over the years, it's been no secret how much I like Dom Barrett. I also think Europe is a better team and predict they will prevail. If they don't, I won't be heartbroken about it either.

Good luck to both teams.