SMBA V at the MLB Umpires Camp

This past week, a number of SMBA V (class of 2010) students helped out with the MLB Umpire Camp for US Marines at Tony Gwynn Stadium on the SDSU campus. The camp is designed to give US Marines an opportunity to learn umpiring from the best of the best. There were 80 marines in attendance, taking instruction from some of the most prominent umpires in the history of Major League Baseball, most notably Hunter Wendelstedt, Ted Barrett, Bill Miller, Joe West and Bruce Froeming.

SMBA students helped with the pitching machines, took photos for the event and assisted with many other organizational issues. We also had the opportunity to speak with the MLB umpires, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson and MLB Executive VP of Baseball Operations Jimmy Lee Solomon. 

For the MLB.com recap of the event, go to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090316&content_id=4000936&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

For a few videos of the event, go to our facebook page!

Following the days events, the students had the opportunity to take in the Cuba-Mexico WBC second round game at Petco courtesy of the Padres. The game was fantastic, ending in a 7-4 win for Cuba. All in all, a great day in San Diego. Aren't they all though?

Brewers Spring Training Trip

Who says road trips are just for undergrads?

This past weekend, members of our program's baseball committee made the trip from San Diego to Phoenix, AZ where we were hosted by Blake Schilly and the Milwaukee Brewers at the Brewers' spring training facility. Blake is the operations manager at Maryvale Baseball Park and was kind enough to give us a tour of the facility, which occupies 56 acres of land and consists of a main ballpark (10,000 capacity), five full practice fields, and two half-sized practice fields. 

Following the tour, we took our seats five rows behind home plate and watched the Brewers' ace, Yovani Gallardo, face off against the best of the Kansas City Royals' staff, Zack Greinke. Highlights of the game included Prince Fielder's impressive first-inning home run, Trot Nixon making it through the entire game uninjured, and our hosts winning 5-1. 

A big thanks to Blake for taking the time to introduce us to the business side of spring training baseball. It was a memorable trip for sure. 

Tyler Griggs, SMBA 2010