First summer away from home

Still haven't had Iowa sweet corn 'til this day...

For those whom may have not known, I spent the majority of the summer (I guess the whole summer) in the greater city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In order to get my degree, I had to take a internship somewhere and decided to do it at the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

But that was not all I did while I was living in the Midwest. I could have came home within a month into summer but I thought since I was out there, I would make the most of it.

One of the first things I did was go boating on Corallville Lake. I guess since Iowa lacks in attractions, this is one of the things to do. And this was the first time, although my dad had a boat, I drove a boat. After that day, one of my dreams is to buy a boat, but only take it to the lake because I get the the worst case os sea sickness.

The next eventful thing I did was go to the championship series of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska between UCLA and Mississippi State. I have to say, the atmosphere in Omaha that day was unreal. I've never seen a baseball stadium so full. People not only sitting down with no leg room, but people also standing around the premises of the outfield seats, some of them trying to tippy toe the whole time to see what was going on.

Before the game, I also got the chance to meet All-American closer, David Berg.

Inside TDAmeritrade Park

During my trip in Omaha, David, my teammate from Mount Mercy; Alicia, my summer roommate and I met four guys from Mississippi. These group of guys reminded me of the "Wolf Pack" from the Hang Over. Since it was Mississippi State's first time appearing in a National Championship game, the proud alums, whom are in the 30's to 40's, left the wives to come support their Bulldogs in Omaha. It was pretty cool hanging out with these guys. At the end of the night we exchanged number and told each other we'll keep in touch.

Mississippi State fans

A couple of weeks later, one of the guys (call him Crazy Ben since he was crazy when he drank) called me one early afternoon to keep in touch. Though it was only a brief conversation, it was cool talking to him. I told him that I have never been to a college football game in my life and he said I should make a trip down to Mississippi State to watch their first home game against LSU in September and he can find tickets for me and whoever wants to go. So I might be going to Mississippi sometime in the future.


Couple days after I went to Omaha, I went to my first rodeo in Edgewood, Iowa. Like an actually rodeo with hicks and red necks. Everyone dressed up in cowboy/cowgirl attire and everything. But the thing is, I didn't get to see all the events that went on during the day since I went out there during the night. It was a pretty cool experience to be at a rodeo in the country side. I never would have thought in my 23 years of life I would be swarmed in a people of hicks!

My Summer family

A real life cowboy. He told us he's broken six ribs and
 had pneumonia all in one day after a bull stomped on him.

I also spent my first Fourth of July away from home at a so-called "beach" in Iowa...

They didn't know about my gun-show, so I showed them....not really.

Next thing I did was go to a MLB try out at Rock Valley Junior College in Rockford, Illinois with Carlo, one of my teammates from Mount Mercy. If I had to describe that day in one word, it would be Fail.

We drove out from Cedar Rapids to Rockford from four in the morning so we can make it by at least eight, that way we had time to go through the sign up process. So we got there and no one was there at first, so Carlo and I decided to go to the gas station to grab a drink and some snacks until we wait for people to show up. When we got back to the field, it was about 8:30 and had 30 minutes until the try out started and about 50 people were standing around waiting for it to start. So Carlo and I go out there to wait with them. 

Another 30 minutes pass by and the next thing you know, there's about 200 to 250 people at this try out. As the try out started the outfielders showed off their arms and the infielders showed off there leather and the catcher, their pop time. After all the skill work was finished, it was time to hit. The outfielders hit first. When the last hitter from the outfield group was hitting, it started to rain, and I mean pour! The guy that ran the try out called it off and told people "Thanks for coming." So Fail number one there.

Carlo and I at the Open MLB try out at Rock Valley Junior College in Rockford, Illinois

Carlo and I decided to go to a Culvers (a fancy hamburger restaurant) and shortly after the try out was cancelled and when we were eating our food, not even ten miutes passed by and it was clear as day outside. You couldn't even see a single cloud. Fail number 2.

Overall, it was a good experience though, seeing who comes out to these try outs. It was also pretty cool that the guy running the tryout called me out, in a good way, while I fielding ground balls.

Then about a month later, I went to Chicago Illinois to catch a Cubs/Dodgers game. If you haven't been to a game at Wrigley Field, make sure to put that on your bucket list.

Driving from Cedar Rapids to Chicago was easy, until I got to the outskirts of the city, and the traffic was heavy. It almost felt like I was back home in Los Angeles County.

In front of the Wrigley Field sign. I guess
the fans accepted the fact that they aren't the
2013 World Series Champs.

David, my roll dog; summer partner in crime; whatever the adjective is, and I finally got to Wrigleyville (which, for those of you who may not know, is like a tiny city within Chicago where all the bars, shops, etc are), we couldn't fond a parking spot. As I was driving around the neighborhood, I saw a guy in front of his apartment with a sign that said, "Parking $20." David and I thought $20 was too pricey so we drove around a little more and the prices increased as we drove around, the highest being $40. So I quickly drove back to the guy we first saw and parked in his driveway.

The walk from his apartment to Wrigley Field was about 10 minutes.

We finally got our tickets at will call and we wanted to eat somewhere before we went into the ballpark. We stepped into a bar but it was pretty packed and we saw a Taco Bell so we grabbed a quick bite there instead (and no, I didn't get to try an authentic Chicago hot dog!).

After we ate, we headed to the field. Stepping into Wrigley had a different feeling than the other Parks/Stadiums/Fields. How I would describe it is the scene from Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore, where the the little kid goes into Fenway for the first time. You would have to watch it to know it but there was the old school feel to it.

The view from our ticketed seats at Wrigley

Our seats were at the upper deck towards right field. I mean when I say right field, it was literally, all the way to the right side and couple of rows from the back.

Although we could see the game fairly well from there, David and I were looking for other seats to sit in. After the 4th inning, we saw some seats behind home plate that had not been taken throughout the game so we merge over.

When we sat down, we met a guy that has been a season ticket holder for five seasons. We told him we were from Los Angeles and bought us beers, actually two.

Our seats when we moved behind home plate

We talked about the how the Cubs sucked and the history of Wrigley field.

He mentioned to us that the fans already know and expect the Cubs to do bad every season, especially after the whole Steve Bartman deal. But that fact to coming to Wrigley and being part of it has a different meaning to watching the game. You feel like you are part of the history that built the field.

I learned from watching a game at Wrigley Field that not just Cub fans, but the Midwest fan base in general stay loyal to their team and not hop around the bandwagon.

Since it was a day game, after the game was over, David and I made a trip downtown. Since it wasn't David first time but it was mine, he didn't mind going again.

I would say from Wrigley Field to Downtown Chicago is about a 20-30 minute ride, with a train! I mean we have Metro trains here in Los Angeles, but it was pretty cool riding in a train on a track you might see in movies or what not.

Train Ride

David suggested that we go to the Willis Tower (or I guess the Sears Tower since thats what everyone calls it still).

At the Sears Tower, you are able to go in and go almost to the top of building and view the city from inside. But the catch is, you have to pay about $20 to get in.


Once we got to the top, looking outside was the window was awesome. I seen pictures from the building via Facebook during the day, but going there at night was pretty sweet, I'd say.

Random picture of Downtown Chicago

View of Downtown Chicago from the SkyDeck at Sears Tower

On the extended glass platform at the
SkyDeck

"Downtown Chicago, WE OUT HERE!"

It was definitely worth the $20...

Four days later, I was off to St. Louis to catch a Cardinals/Dodgers game with David, along with Dorman (or Jeff), Vinnie, and Albert.

St. Louis is a wonderful city. It's not too big or small of a city. I been to St. Louis once before, but only drove past it after playing a baseball game last season.

The Arch in St. Louis

But that day, even before we got to the city, we went to the mall on the other side of the stadium. The first place we walked into was a Lids out there. As soon as we walked in, Albert notice something unusual.

He asked a kid in there, "Ey, where did you get that hat?" The kid was 19 or 20 (I guess he's not a kid) and he looked somewhat confused, somewhat scared. He point at his hat and and said "This?"

He was wearing a Mount Mercy hat, all the way in St. Louis! He said he was going to be attending there during the Fall (He's now my old roommate's roommate now). Small world I tell you.

After spending about an hour or so (maybe a little more), we went to go grab a bite before we went to the ballpark. Since we knew there was a Jack in the Box in St. Louis and none in Iowa, yes we ate at Jack in the Box.

After we got our Jack in the Box fix, we headed towards the stadium, but had to wait 30 mins before the gates opened.

Though it was a Tuesday, it seemed to me like it was a sell out crowd. You couldn't see an open seat anywhere.

Outside Busch Stadium

Stan "The Man"  Musial statue

I 've never been to the old Busch Stadium, but this one that opened on April 4, 2006 was pretty sweet. I 'd say one of my favorite ballparks that I have been to, although I only been to five total (Dodgers Stadium, Angels Stadium, PETCO Park, Wrigley Field, and Busch Stadium).

Busch Stadium during the day

Busch Stadium at night

I had an old friend from when I played in Barstow, Cody, that lived in St. Louis so I met up and caught up with him at the game. While we were taking, I hear someone say my name.


I thought to myself, "Who the hell knows me from St. Louis besides Cody?" I turn to my right and I see Johnny, a friend from California that played at Cypress College and Virginia Tech sitting in the same section as me. Again, small world right?

Johnny told me he was playing semi professional baseball in Missouri and he was at the game because he had a day off. Crazy to see someone that far away from home at such a city like St. Louis.

Another cool thing I did while I was in Iowa was I got to visit the Field of Dreams in Dyersville. Yes the original site of where at movie was filmed.

In front of the Field of Dreams sign

Where you at, Kevin Costner?!

On the bench at the Field of Dreams

View from the entrance of the site

Another view from the entrance

The Field of Dreams house

There's a lot more things I could write about my summer in Iowa, but I thought I share some of the experiences with you guys.

Jun

Shout out to...

All my old and new friends in Iowa and the Midwest for making the most out of my summer

The town of Bernard and the Bernard Indians for an awesome season this summer,











The Cedar Rapids Gazette for giving me the opportunity to intern with them,











Alicia and the Spurgin for the hospitality this summer,

And most of all, to my Iowa summer family, David and Mary. I don't know what summer would have been like without you guys,















Also a huge shout out to my parents for supporting in whatever way they can from California.

Being a role model

This summer, I had the chance to play with the Bernard Indians in a semi-professional league in Eastern Iowa.

I just couldn't stay away from baseball shortly I was done with my collegiate career so I decided to play with the Tribes as long as I was in Iowa.

In all the years I have been playing, I guess I was known as a hard worker. Never really got to see much time on the field during my five years combined but I wouldn't change my experience for anything. But when I did get the chance to step on the other side of the foul line (or is it the fair line?), I would give it my best to help the team succeed.

But one thing stuck with me this summer while I was playing for Bernard. We were at a tournament in Dyersville (the location of where the "Field of Dreams" is) and one of my teammates and his wife told me that his son wants to be like me.

Randy, my teammate, and his family came to almost every game we played in, whether if he was playing, on the bench or injured.

His wife, Cindy told me "Our son thinks you're so cool, especially with the hair you have. He said he wants to grow it just like yours."

Though it might not seem like a big deal to some people, I really take this to heart. I've never had some say that they want to be like me when they grow up.

I guess how you act can make a huge difference and impact on someone. I was always told work hard, hustle everywhere and do the right thing because someone is always watching.

In this case, it was a boy with a dream, who was watching someone that was once chasing the dream...

Jun

Shout out to the Bernard Indians and the Reed Family! Roll Tribes!

The unsung heroes of baseball

There's plenty of moments in baseball where someone always gets the spotlight.

Luis Gonzalez in game 7 of the 2001 World Series.

Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Four homerun games by Shawn Green (2002), Mike Cameron (2002), Carlos Delgado (2003) and Josh Hamilton (2012)

Derek Jeter's jump-and-throw on October 6, 1998 from a ground ball by Travis Fryman

There are plenty of other moments that one person gets the fame for the day.

But there are certain players that never get credit for the job they do every day, and those guys are the catchers.

Although I been an infielder all throughout college, I did catch two innings of junior college ball in California when I played for Barstow Community College and I'll tell you what, I didn't realize there is a lot of things going on at once when you are behind the plate.

This was brought to my attention a couple of days ago when pitcher Homer Bailey of the Cincinnati Reds threw his second no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants.

All we see is the pitchers interview during the post game show or his voice on a radio-interview. They get most of the credit because they do the heavy lifting of throwing the ball. But 99.9 percent of the pitchers also give credit to their battery mate, though it's almost like they're just giving a small shout out.

Having three close friends that have caught behind the plate in college (and professionally), I can probably speak for them that it's both the pitcher and the catcher that threw the no-hitter or the perfect game.

Just imagine...the pitch calls, talking to the pitcher when he's struggling with something, talking to umpire to have a friendly strike zone, frame the pitches, all the drop third strikes being blocked, or even just a block if a runner got on base from a walk.

All those pitchers that have thrown no-hitter or perfect games, from the starters to John Wholestaff, they couldn't have done it with their catchers.

I have tons of respect for catchers. In every situation, especially that bad one, they have to keep their poise or the team starts to crumble.

I believe in baseball, the pitcher can't be the heart and soul of the team, but both the pitcher and catcher has are combined to be the heart and soul.

But that's just my opinion.

So for all the catchers out there, who's on the daily grind of making pitchers better for perfection.

Thank you.

-Jun

And remember when the time comes, it's never goodbye. It's see you later

Before the school year ended, I have been thinking about a whole lot...

I never thought college would come to an end. We all live in that present moment where you don't worry about what happened the night before or what's stored in for you in the future. We are just here to have a good time, like life should be

The day my roommates, teammates and I had to pack all of our belongings and move out of our dorm happened so quick I didn't even think about all of them leaving. I knew I was going to stay in Iowa for a couple of months so it felt like a normal day for me, except that I was moving somewhere else in the city. But for my roommates, all of them from California, were going back home.

It's always that last day when you hang out with someone when you know you aren't going to see them for a while, that makes you think about all the good times you had. 

halloween 2011

Before I dropped off my roommates and one of my teammates from last year at the airport, we had a bonfire. Something about bonfires that makes me go into deep thinking about life. It's kinda weird. But we were all gathered around the fire just talking and reminiscing about the past few years we were here together at Mount Mercy. 

After I dropped them off that very next day, I felt lost. Although during the school year, I was never home and when I was, I would be at practice or take a nap in between class, it was the fact that I knew they were there if I wanted to go do something. And especially be a graduate from college and having two weeks until I start my internship at the Cedar Rapids Gazette, I have absolutely nothing to do.

I wake up, shower, brush my teeth, check Facebook, twitter, fantasy baseball and yahoo, and wait for something to happen...

Although most of us (roommates and teammates) are from California and told each other that we will see each other really soon, but I know that we are going to be all busy finding a job, working a job, just life in general. You don't realize what you have until it's gone but I hope I do get to see them really soon because it's never goodbye. It's see you later.

-Jun

My 5 year journey....

Every great thing has to come to end sometime. Here my memoir of my past 5 years playing college baseball...

Most of you probably heard this story many times, but here it is again...

Our high school baseball team just lost in the first round of the CIF playoffs. It was the first time we went to playoffs in four years and it was a huge accomplishment. I wasn't the best guy on the team but played almost every game my senior year. 

After I graduated, I talk to my coach. I don't remember what we exactly talked about but on my way to my car after I talked with him, I saw one of the assistant coaches dad walking my way. I stopped and talked to him and he asked me if I was playing baseball at college.

My thoughts? "People told me I couldn't play ball at college. What makes me think I'm going to want to play." 

So I told him, I don't think I am. I told him that I was going to El Camino, a local community college in my hometown of Torrance, California. Then he gave me the head coach's number to El Camino and told me to call him for a try out. So I did call him and told me to come that day I called. 

I came to the summer tryouts late that day. I rushed to the field and the practice was already happening. Great first impression right? 

There was about 20 guys trying out. Actually, since it was a summer class, some people were in it to just take it for the summer, but some people were in it to actually make the team. After a couple of weeks of the try out, only five people made the cut and one of them was me. The thought of making the cut for any college team never came to my mind. I was so excited I felt like I was ready to on anyone that came my way.

So for the last couple of weeks in the summer of 2008, I got to practice with the all returners and new recruits of the team, which were all of the guys I played against in high school.

So the school year of 2009 started. I made the baseball team but was still on the bubble because the coach was cutting people still. 

Three weeks into the fall semester, the coach called four people, individually. One by one, they started to packed their belongings and went to their car. The last person that was called was me. Coach pulls me aside near the bullpen and told me "You are a person I would want to go to war with, but I have only so many roster spots, I have to cut you." Then I thought alright, it was worth a shot, but he continued talking to me.

"But my coach that use to coach me at BYU got the head coaching job at Barstow College. I told him about you and he said you are more than welcome to talk to him about playing for him."

BARSTOW?!?! Are you kidding me? The only time I go to Barstow is when I'm on my way to Las Vegas. But I thought why not give it a try. 

I called the the coach there and enrolled for school at Barstow Community College and was going to play baseball there. 

I arrived Barstow with excitement. I was living on my own for the first time and I was going to play baseball. What more can I ask for.

When I moved into my apartment on 550 Yucca Ave, there I met my first roommates: Danny Ray, Rudy and Brendon. I didn't know D-Ray or Brendon but I knew Rudy from when we tried out at El Camino together.

When I moved to Barstow, it was probably the most difficult time I had in college. Although I only lived two hours away, I was getting home sick. Not going to lie, I started to tear up one night because I miss being home...

Baseball practice finally started. I remember my first practice was in 28 degrees weather and I never practiced in a weather lower than 60 degrees. Man, I never felt more miserable than that day. One thing I hated was taking ground balls there because one, the weather and two, the field was worse than a Sunday league field.

Three days into our practices, we started off running bases. I remember someone almost twisting their ankle rounding first base and warned us that there are potholes on the ground. When it was my turn to run the bases, I didn't take precaution at all. I mean I've done this many times before, I shouldn't get hurt doing this. 

As I was about to round the bases, my left foot stepped in a pothole and I sprained my ankle inwards.

Just my luck, right? I move to Barstow to play baseball and I get hurt on the third day of practice? One thing I didn't want to do was sit out for most of the year.

We had a week and a half to start our season since the day I sprained my ankle. I was on crutches and couldn't put pressure on my left foot at all. I went into the trainers every day and night to rehab my ankle. And with doing what I was told and not giving up on my rehab, I was able to walk with just a little discomfort on my left foot with a brace on (Oh the power of ice and stem!).

The first game was on January 27, 2009 against the team the cut me, El Camino College at home. We lost 8-0. I went 0 for 2 with a walk that day. It was good seeing all the familiar faces and the funny thing is I think they were cheering me on more than my teammates were that day.

Fast forwarding to the middle of the season, we weren't doing so hot. our record was 4 -17 at the time. After we got our 16th loss on March 14 in the first game of a doubleheader against Chaffey College, my right shoulder gave up and couldn't even throw a ball past 15 feet. Every time I lifted my shoulders, I would feel a rush of pain. I told my coach that my shoulder was hurting really bad. So he put me on the bench but I felt like I needed to contribute to the team so I went to go bullpen catch for the pitchers that were going to come in.

I forget if it was the seventh or eighth inning but I remember our starting catcher blocked a pitch from our pitcher during the game and the ball went straight to his throat (and for those of you who play catcher, you know you NEVER lift you head up when you block). I was hoping he was alright, which he was because we didn't have any other catchers. I think he went to go catch that inning again and the same thing happened!

Trainers went to go help him out and all I heard from the dugout was, " JUN!!! YOU'RE IN!!!"

Are you fucking kidding me?! I never caught behind the plate in my life! But when an opportunity calls, you have to take it, and mind you not, my left thumb was jammed up from not knowing how to catch a bullpen. Every time I caught the ball, a shot of pain just went to my thumb.

I remember when I was running out, one of our pitchers, Jordan Gonzales, yelled, "This is bullshit! I want to catch!"

So I arrived at home plate and was greeted by the umpire and asked me how I was doing? I told him that I never caught before and sorry if I don't catch a ball and it hits you. He just laughed at me and said he was gonna help me out.

My coach said to call my own game and I forgot what happened during the game. A couple of big hits were given up but the one thing I remember from my catching debut was view of striking out the last batter. Now I know why people like playing behind the plate.

After March 14, I never got to see the field again, maybe a pinch hit or pinch run situation once or twice but my shoulder hurt so bad, I was out for the last half of the season. My life was basically rehab, rehab, rehab, day and night. At one point, I got really depressed about being hurt and started to eat a lot, where I skipped freshman 15 and went to 20 instead. 

Our team at the end of the year ended at a whooping 7-35 and 3-21 in conference.

My freshmen year of college. God, this was a rough year. Only batted .125 and played half the season. Regardless of the unsuccessful season, I made some pretty good friends.

At the end of the year meeting I told my coach I wasn't coming back because I wanted to go back home.

I didn't weather if I wanted to play baseball again because I didn't know if my shoulder could handle it anymore. 

I got back home to Torrance in the summer of 2009. I enrolled back into El Camino for classes again and got the job back at the restaurant I worked for before I left for Barstow. 

I don't know what came into my mind but I decided to go talk to the coach at El Camino again, to see if I could try out to make the team. So I went to go talk to him and said come to the summer try outs, again.

Deja vu all over again? I think so!

So I again, I went to the summer try outs again and a teammate from Barstow was also trying out for the team too. He was from the Los Angeles area too and I didn't know that he was coming back home and trying out for the team too. 

Anyways, after another long summer try out, I made the team, along with my teammate from Barstow, Ezat Shinwari

All the returning guys on the team for El Camino heard I was coming back and was excited that I made the team again ( well at least I hope they did). 

So Fall semester came along and everything was going well. School was school. The baseball team got two new assistant coaches. I was working harder than ever to not get cut again.

Three weeks into the semester, the coach called each individual in for a meeting. I thought to myself, "Not this again."

Like I said, deja vu? I think so...

So when it was my time to go into his office, we talked about what the situation was with the team and he was going to cut me from the team, again. But before I could get out of my seat and walk away, he also said I could stay if I wanted to. So it was a choice that I was going to have to make, either to stay with the team and not get playing time or just quit.

Without even having to think about it, I said I would stay love to stay with the team. 

This was probably the best decision I made in my life.

To sum up the 2010 El Camino baseball season, we went 32-11 overall, 16-5 in conference and was ranked the number seven junior college in Southern California that year. We swept Regional and Super Regional but didn't come up with one with in the State Championships in Fresno, California. 

But the thing was this was my red shirt year, which I didn't play. Some people, when they red shirt, just sit there and mope or just not give one fuck about the season because I mean, they aren't playing.

I don't know what it was but I felt like I needed to contribute to the team by doing something. So I bought Japanese candy for every one on game days and helped with every thing I can from doing charts to cleaning the field because as far as I know, I am still part of the team.

The 2010 season was the best year of my life, hands down. All my teammates from that team are like brothers to me. I would do anything for them. There are no words that can explain the year I had with the guys on the team and the chemistry we had from the starting nine players to the bench players.

At the end of the year banquet, they voted me as the ballplayer's ballplayer (which is now known is the Taylor Gelbrich Award), which is an award that is given to the person who the team thinks is the "best teammate". Probably to some people, its just another hardware for the man cave, but I didn't expect to receive an award like this at all.

My sophomore year. Even though I red shirted that year, hands down it was the best year of my life.  I wish I could go back in time to 2010. 232 Dream Team

After having the best year of my life, I was ready to play again. A life of a red shirt wasn't too bad for me but I was anxious to get back on the field.

But that didn't seem to be the case.

I was one of seven returning players from the year before and thought I would get an opportunity more than I did last year. But as the fall games and practices passed by, I haven't got to see time on the field as much as I thought I would.

Later in the semester, I decided to go talk to the coach at this office. I asked him why I wasn't playing in any fall games. I mean, if he wasn't going to play me during the season, at least put me in the fall games.

I remember his exact words that came out of his mouth when I asked him why I wasn't play.

"I don't think you're going to be playing that much during the regular season. I need to give the new guys more playing time and experience. I know it sucks but this is the decision I made."

I don't know if I was more sad or mad. Probably upset because, I'm not going to lie, I teared up when I heard that. I worked hard all last year and in the summer, why is this happening to me. Granted, I am not as talented as other guys on the team but why wont he give me a chance, just one.

Well fast forwarding to the spring, I still came out with the hope of getting playing time. And those hopes were crushed. I ended the year only with two at-bats with no hits and got in as a pinch runner in one game. I wasn't even allowed to take infield/outfield before the games until the last game of the year.

That last part, I thought was bullshit.

There were times I wish I stayed at Barstow, thinking I know I would have started every game as a sophomore, but it's s decision I couldn't change.

As a team, we ended with an overall record of 16-18 and 9-11 in conference.

Rough year. Only two at-bats and stuck through it. Learned a lot from this year.

So our coach called people in people individually for meetings with him one-on-one. Before he told us he was going to call us in for meetings, he said to make a list of colleges I would want to go to. So I listed some colleges. Realistically speaking, small schools I could possibly play baseball at. The schools I listed were in Florida, Boston, Oregon and New York.

During the meeting he told me what my plans were. I told him I applied to school at University of Oregon and University of Hawai'i (which I got in for the 2011-2012 school year). And he told me that Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids Iowa, Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin and two Oklahoma schools were interested in taking me.

I was excited to be quite honest but the thought that came into my mind was that Mount Mercy was in Iowa! I told myself that I wasn't going to go to Mount Mercy even if I didn't have a choice!

Couple of weeks after my meeting with my coach, I tried contacting the coach at Hawai'i Pacific University. Long story short, he contacted me back, I sent him transcripts, and never contacted me back afterwards.

That's when I got a call from Desi Druschel, the head baseball at Mount Mercy. I remember he would call me twice a week to see how I was doing and wanted me to come play for him.

Even though I got accepted to Oregon and Hawai'i, after a long heartfelt talk with my mom, I made a decision of going to Mount Mercy.

This was the first time I was going to be on my own without my parents being couple of hours away.

I arrived to Mount Mercy with two of my teammates that also made the decision of going to Mount Mercy, which made it a whole lot easier.

I found out when I was walking around campus that most of the guys on the baseball team are from California. Hearing that made everything so much easier.

School finally started, which meant practice was starting as well. all the guys on the team were welcoming. Since most of them were from California, they knew the situation we were in; being away from home can have its toll. All my teammates made this place seem like home away from home.

There were more people than I thought on the team when practice started. I thought I came to Iowa so I can get playing time right away, not fight for a spot like I did for the past two years.

After all the early morning workouts, 2-a-days and fall practices, I found out that I wasn't going to be in the starting lineup. But I also saw those seniors that didn't get a start spot tearing up and I thought that I can't be down on myself for not being in the lineup. I still have a job to do: Get Better.

We ended the season with a 28-26 overall record and 15-9 in conference play and one game away from winning the conference. Nothing hurts more than losing the last game to the team that had the same record going into the last game.

But personally, I guess I got more of an opportunity getting six at-bats and getting two hits, one of them being at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. I made the most of I could have with the time I got on the field.

...
I remember I was texting my high school coach after the sixth series of conference play. He asked me if I was getting any playing time. I was honest and told him no but I was embarrassed to say that I was doing charts the whole season. I told him I was going to quit after that year because it felt like all the work I put in isn't worth it.

I remember exactly how this conversation went before he told me something I would never for forget.

Me- "I know. Man I;m not trying to think on the down side but I feel like just giving up man. I work harder than anyone else and I just don't get a chance.

High school coach- "Don't do it junie... you will regret it...Maybe not, not a year, now, maybe not 5 years... But some point u will... That's not who you are..."

First year at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Couldn't have made it through the school year without my teammates.

...

Then summer of 2012 came along.

I really didn't know if I wanted get a job and save up money since I was lacking in fund or play summer ball. So what did I decided to do...play baseball.

This is when I met people that taught me how to just have fun and play the game. I ended up hitting .250 with three doubles and nine RBI's playing in about 24 of 32 games.

In the past, I would put too much pressure on myself and end up playing too tense, so I thought playing that summer really benefited me a lot...

Senior year was bittersweet. I started majority of the games during the season and batting .262 with five doubles, 13 RBI's and an OBP of .431. But the team record wasn't so hot as we went 12-43-1 overall and 7-13 in conference.

Senior year. Didn't end how I wanted to but regardless of that, I had fun with all the guys on the team

After first game of a double header in the last series we had against Grand View University, I was furious because we just got walked off for the second time in three games, twice in two days. I was sitting in the dugout just thinking why can't we get a break.

Then as Desi put the line-up up, he started to talk to me and said, "You know Jun? We've had a crappy season. You would agree with that right? But I think for you individually, has had a phenomenal season. I mean you were a bench player for three year and didn't even play much. You had a whooping  10 at-bats in those three years. And having the season you're having this year, I'm really proud of you."

like Desi said, this was the first year in three years that I actually got playing time...

When I look back at my college baseball career, there were mostly downs than ups. I wasn't the most talented guy on the team but I knew to give it my best to get my teammates and myself better every single day.

I could have went to University of Hawai'i or University of Oregon for school but I'm glad that I chose to continue playing baseball. I met and made some pretty amazing friends that have my back no matter what along the way and I wouldn't give up anything in the world for that.

I just wanted to give a special shout out to all my coaches, teammates, roommates, friends and my family for supported me throughout this rough journey of mine.

I tip my hat off to you guys...

-Jun

Every step of the way.

Never a day without thinking about you on the baseball field...

Dear Rudy,

Whats up B! How's everything going man? It's getting towards the end of my baseball career soon. I remember freshmen year in college when I first met you at El Camino when we tried out for the team.

It's crazy how time flies by. I wonder what it would be like if you still around man. You would probably be balling it up right now. 

Thanks for being there every step of the way and most of all, keeping me and my peers safe throughout my college career. I know you are a pretty busy guy and I really appreciate taking the time to look after me man. 

Every hit, play or whatever I do on the field is for you man. 

Keep looking after me and my teammates until the end of the season and please let the weather clear up for at least a day so we can finish the conference tournament victorious.

Love you and miss you B!

-Jun

My mind goes "pop"

Been on this emotional roller coaster this past week...

I had a great blog idea I was going to write throughout the day but it's something I should talk about with someone.

Long week ahead of me

-Jun