Thursday, March 13 2003

Good morning and welcome to Day 6 of the 9th Annual Spring Training Trek 2003!

Good morning and welcome to Day 6 of the 2003 10th Annual Spring Training Trek. Today was a catch-up day of sorts, starting once again at Epcot on the west side of Futureworld. First stop was Innoventions where I took a quick quiz to see if I was qualified to be a trainee for the new Mission: Space pavilion to be opened this summer. Of course I was a perfect candidate, but so was most every body else who had stopped by. Next it was on to the Universe of Energy, starring Ellen Degeneres and Bill Nigh the Science Guy. Bill helped Ellen develop a newfound appreciation for energy, Ellen got to beat up on a high school rival, and I got to see some cool dinosaurs before they became petrol.

Next stop was the Wonders of Life pavilion where I enlisted in the Body Wars fight against disease and splinters. This Inner Space attraction reduced me and my vehicle to the size of a molecule, which did wonders for my diet. The vehicle looked suspiciously like a recycled Star Tours hyper flight model, but the pilot was much more human (although still 2 dimensional). Continuing up the East side of Futureworld, I stopped again to view wistfully the Mission: Space pavilion, wishing it was now open. On to the GM Test Track where I used the Singles line to reduce my wait from an hour to 10 minutes. After suffering a mild corrosive effect (modified in part by a thick layer of sun block), I achieved speeds of 64.5 MPH as my vehicle was whirled around the outside of the test facility.

For lunch I visited Mexico and the San Angel Inn restaurant, where I ate a delicious char grilled chicken breast swimming in a white cheese pool with onion and red and green pepper, and a nice Mexican Sauvignon. On the way out of the park, I decided to take a ride in Spaceship Earth, where I experienced the history of communication from stone tablets to fiber optics, including the smell of Rome burning in a day.

From Epcot I caught a bus to Disney-MGM Studios where I tried once again to check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel for a brief respite. Due to elevator mechanical problems, my reservation was held for about 80 minutes but fortunately there was shade and misters to keep me cool. By the time I made it to the basement, I got the shaft. The second elevator shaft, that is, which was now equipped with seat belts. The Tower is on it's fourth revision, and the enhancements were well worth the wait. In addition to random drop sequence and visual and auditory effects in the elevator shaft, the best part was the toss-up effect, where the elevator suddenly rises, then plunges again without pause and for a single second you have the feeling of total non control.

After checking out I made my way back to Mickey Avenue and the One Man's Dream museum exhibit. This carryover from the 100 Years of Magic celebration chronicles the life of Walt Disney, including his 3rd grade school chair (with his initials carved in it) to the animation desk used for his first 3 features. The exhibit included early models of the Disneyland and Disney World castles, an interactive animatronics figure, and a film tribute to Walt and his vision. Next it was on to another voyage, this one with Ariel, the Little Mermaid. As the day began to wear down (not to mention by back and feat), I caught transportation to Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Are you sitting down? I made it to the game on time! Actually, I was early and had time to eat a Grand Slam burger before the game. The Braves jumped on top of the Tampa Devil Rays in the first with 2 runs followed by a 3 run 3rd in which Javy Lopez doubled in two. and Vinny Castilla singed in another.

In the top of the 5th, Andy Pratt took over for Russ Ortiz, who pitched 4 solid 2-hit innings. Prat started the inning with a fly ball out, a pop-up to Castilla in foul territory, and a ground ball to first for a 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the inning, Chipper Jones led off with a walk. Andruw Jones was hit by a pitch putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Javy Lopez hit a double down he left field line, scoring Chipper. Castilla flew out to left for the first out as Andruw tagged and scored. DeRosa struck out to end the inning, but the Braves take a commanding 7-2 lead.

In the 6th inning, Kevin Grybowski comes in to pitch with Henry Blanco behind the plate. Matt Franco takes over at first. Come backer to the mound, Grybowski tosses to Franco, one out. A strikeout and a grounder to 2nd, and the inning is quickly over. In the bottom half of the inning, Fick pinch hits and pops out to left. Ramon Castro, playing short, grounds to short fir the second out. Franco strikes out to end the inning.

In the 7th inning, Ray King takes the mound for the Braves, giving up a shotgun to right followed by a blast to center, putting Devil Rays on 1st and 2nd with no outs. A ground to short but Castro could not field it, and the bases are loaded with no outs. A wild pitch scores a run, followed by a pop-up to 2nd for out number two. But a drive to center scores two more and the Braves lead is reduced to 7-5. A ground to short fielded by Castro to Nick Green at 2nd, and the inning is over.

Bottom of the 7th, Bo Porter in right field strikes out to start the inning. Donzell McDonald beats a throw to first. The ball gets a way and McDonald reaches 2nd for Darren Brag. McDonald steals 3rd on the catcher as Bragg draws a walk to put runners on the corners. Blanco drives one into center, scoring McDonald from 3rd. Mike Hessman, at 3rd, strikes out. Nick Green singles to left, scoring Bragg but Franco gets caught between 2nd and 3rd to end the inning.

In the top of the 8th, Roberto Hernandez takes over with a 9-5 lead giving up a lead-off double and a walk. A come backer to the mound and Hernandez tags the runner along the 1st base line, moving the runner to 2nd and 3rd. Another drive back to the mound; Hernandez checks the runner 3rd then throws to first, 2 outs. A line drive to right scores 2. Another single to center followed by a fly ball to deep center where Bragg reels it in to end the inning, but the Rays come within 2, 9-7.

In the bottom of the 8th, Marcus Giles leads off the inning launching one over the center field wall, putting the Braves into double digits. Castro strikes out, Franco flies out to left, and Porter pops up foul to end the inning.

Top of the 9th and John Smoltz comes in for the save. A grounder to short, runner beats the throw. A fly to right is caught for out the first out. A grounder to left puts runners at 1st and 2nd.. Smoltz strikes out the batter for the second out. Next Smoltz nails the K and ends the game. Final totals, Braves 10 runs, 14 hits and 2 errors; Tampa Bay 7 runs, 9 hits, 1 error.

Tale of the Tape:

15,993 steps (117 steps/min)
9.59 miles (4.21 mph)
445 Kcal (3.52 average)

Fuskie