This year Baileigh played softball with the HYAL (Hazlet Youth Athletic League). She played in the clinic which is a teaching league. Coach Brian 'Beef', asked at the first practice if any parent wanted to assist him in coaching the team. I was the first parent onto the field. I helped coach her T-ball team last year and had fun as did Baileigh. At this practice, only one other parent helped.
By the first game game, we had two more parents helping, one of the dads on the field and one of the moms in the dugout. While the team is playing the field, the coach and assistants go in the field as well to help the girls know where to throw the ball, when not to throw it etc. When the team is at bat, the coach pitches to the batters. During the last 5 or so games, I was the pitcher and the girls were hitting me left and right. I guess this is the only time a pitcher doesn't mind having a high ERA. LOL
Baileigh's team was supposed to be the Mets but Coach Beef doesn't like the Mets so we became the Orange Crush. Due to the coaches work schedule, we were only able to have 2 practices. By the last few games you would have thought we practiced a few times a week. The girls improved so much. In fact, Baileigh has improved the most (of course I'm going to say that but I really think she did). She was really hitting the ball and made a few awesome plays in the field. On the last day of the season they had the all star game. Baileigh didn't make it this time but with practice who knows, she may make the next one.
For the first time the HYAL is offering a fall ball season and Baileigh wants to play. I am also going to look into coaching one of the teams. If they have enough coaches then I will definitely be an assistant again!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Remembering Gene 'Big Guy' Stroz
I can't believe it has been a year since we said goodbye to my father-in-law. Not a day goes by when I don't think of him in some way or another. Life without him has been and still is strange. There are times I still can't believe he is gone. There were times last summer, and I'm sure there will be some this summer, when I was sitting by the pool and was expecting him to come home from golf and grab a beer and smoke a cigar with me. In the short time I knew him he went from the father of a girl I was dating, to my father-in-law to my friend and in some ways, a second father.
In the last year we shed a lot of tears remembering him as well as a lot of laughs remembering the good times and the things he did and said. He did a lot for us. He was always there when you needed him- unless he was playing golf, then you had to wait until he was done, but he'd be there.
Whenever I start to miss him I would think of something that he did or said that makes me laugh. Like the time we were playing golf and he gave me a tip. He told me to roll my right hand back so I could see my knuckles. I did it and it felt very unnatural. I asked him if he was sure it was my right hand and he said yes. He was absolutely certain. So I swung and hit the ball. It went about 30 yards out then turned and went about 150 yards into the woods. He watched it, then looked at me and said, "Shit! I forgot your left handed. It was your left hand you were supposed to turn."
I miss hanging out with him watching the Yankees, Giants and golf. I even miss him busting my chops about how big a Jeff Gordon fan he was. I knew he did it just to get me riled up and most times it worked. LOL I miss that shit eating grin he'd get when you realized he was joking or trying to get one over on you. I miss playing golf with him.
There are plenty of good times to think about that make me smile and laugh. The trip to Vermont, a couple of Wildwood vacations, Yankee games and just having dinner with him. He is sorely missed.
Not only did I lose my father-in-law, I lost my beer buddy, cigar chum, my friend, as I used to call him, Big Guy. Tonight, in his memory, I am going to smoke a cigar and have a couple of beers.
R.I.P. Gene 'Big Guy' Stroz. Always loved....forever remembered.
In the last year we shed a lot of tears remembering him as well as a lot of laughs remembering the good times and the things he did and said. He did a lot for us. He was always there when you needed him- unless he was playing golf, then you had to wait until he was done, but he'd be there.
Whenever I start to miss him I would think of something that he did or said that makes me laugh. Like the time we were playing golf and he gave me a tip. He told me to roll my right hand back so I could see my knuckles. I did it and it felt very unnatural. I asked him if he was sure it was my right hand and he said yes. He was absolutely certain. So I swung and hit the ball. It went about 30 yards out then turned and went about 150 yards into the woods. He watched it, then looked at me and said, "Shit! I forgot your left handed. It was your left hand you were supposed to turn."
I miss hanging out with him watching the Yankees, Giants and golf. I even miss him busting my chops about how big a Jeff Gordon fan he was. I knew he did it just to get me riled up and most times it worked. LOL I miss that shit eating grin he'd get when you realized he was joking or trying to get one over on you. I miss playing golf with him.
There are plenty of good times to think about that make me smile and laugh. The trip to Vermont, a couple of Wildwood vacations, Yankee games and just having dinner with him. He is sorely missed.
Not only did I lose my father-in-law, I lost my beer buddy, cigar chum, my friend, as I used to call him, Big Guy. Tonight, in his memory, I am going to smoke a cigar and have a couple of beers.
R.I.P. Gene 'Big Guy' Stroz. Always loved....forever remembered.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Photo Shoot
Shutter Speed: 1/160Aperture: f 5.6
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 48.omm
White Balance: Auto
Shutter Speed: 1/160Aperture: f 5.6
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 59.omm
White Balance: Auto
Shutter Speed: 1/160Aperture: f 6.3
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 67.omm
White Balance: Auto
Shutter Speed: 1/160Aperture: f 6.3
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 61.omm
White Balance: Auto
Shutter Speed: 1/160Aperture: f 5.6
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 59.omm
White Balance: Auto
Monday, April 18, 2011
I Tought I Was Trout Fishing
My friend Eddie and I decided last week that we wanted to go trout fishing yesterday. Tired of
pond and lake fishing I suggested stream fishing. We had a few places picked out in order for the day. Not thinking about the amount of rain we got we headed out at 7AM on Sunday morning with the initial plan in mind. We didn't get an 1/8 of a mile from his house in Lodi before encountering our first closed road due to flooding.
Still intending to stream fish, we headed to our first destination; my old spot when I lived in Pequannock, NJ. My spot was under the RT. 23 bridge in Pequannock, at the end of Pequannonck Ave. We couldn't get to it as the whole street was under water. At that point we decided to abandon the idea of stream fishing all together. Every stream and river we went to had 1 of 2 problems, flooded or moving way too fast.
We decided to headed to Shepherd Lake in Ringwood, NJ. We fished there for a while but the wind was relentless. Not to mention no fish. Not even a hit. We left there and headed to Monksville reservoir, also in Ringwood. We had the same problem there, very strong wind. Needless to say, we left there after 10 minutes of trying to fish.
Almost to the point of quitting for the day, Eddie suggested we try the lake at Saddle River County Park in Ridgewood, NJ. I know the 'Duck Pond' from when I was a kid. My dad used to take me and my siblings there to feed the ducks. The park was very crowded and I had my doubts. There is also the Saddle River flowing along the edge of the park. We tried to fish it but again, it was too fast and high.
We wound up fishing the Duck Pond. I asked Eddie if he was sure there were fish in it. We were both using our trout lures, small spinners. After about 10 minutes I caught a small largemouth bass, and I mean small, under a pound. At least I caught a fish. About 10 minutes later, I caught another one. A few minutes later, Eddie caught one.
Eddie caught a really nice bass, went at least a couple of pounds. We were both surprised that a bass that big was pulled from the pond. Not waning to be out done, I landed a huge bass. A female full of eggs (spawning season just around the corner) and ready to pop! It put up an awesome fight. In fact, seeing as how I was set up for trout and not bass, for a few seconds I thought I was going to lose it. Eddie asked if I wanted him to use the net and I said yes. The problem, it wouldn't fit in the net!! So he guided it onto shore using the net.
We estimated it to weigh between 4 and 5 lbs. The second biggest bass I ever caught!! And from the Duck Pond!!
When the day ended, Eddie had 3 bass and I had 4. Plus we each had a trophy fish. Not too bad for a day of 'trout' fishing. I can't help but wonder if we go largemouth bass fishing how many trout we'll catch.
Below; Me and my 'hog'
As always, until next time ~ Tight Lines
pond and lake fishing I suggested stream fishing. We had a few places picked out in order for the day. Not thinking about the amount of rain we got we headed out at 7AM on Sunday morning with the initial plan in mind. We didn't get an 1/8 of a mile from his house in Lodi before encountering our first closed road due to flooding.
Still intending to stream fish, we headed to our first destination; my old spot when I lived in Pequannock, NJ. My spot was under the RT. 23 bridge in Pequannock, at the end of Pequannonck Ave. We couldn't get to it as the whole street was under water. At that point we decided to abandon the idea of stream fishing all together. Every stream and river we went to had 1 of 2 problems, flooded or moving way too fast.
We decided to headed to Shepherd Lake in Ringwood, NJ. We fished there for a while but the wind was relentless. Not to mention no fish. Not even a hit. We left there and headed to Monksville reservoir, also in Ringwood. We had the same problem there, very strong wind. Needless to say, we left there after 10 minutes of trying to fish.
Almost to the point of quitting for the day, Eddie suggested we try the lake at Saddle River County Park in Ridgewood, NJ. I know the 'Duck Pond' from when I was a kid. My dad used to take me and my siblings there to feed the ducks. The park was very crowded and I had my doubts. There is also the Saddle River flowing along the edge of the park. We tried to fish it but again, it was too fast and high.
We wound up fishing the Duck Pond. I asked Eddie if he was sure there were fish in it. We were both using our trout lures, small spinners. After about 10 minutes I caught a small largemouth bass, and I mean small, under a pound. At least I caught a fish. About 10 minutes later, I caught another one. A few minutes later, Eddie caught one.
Eddie caught a really nice bass, went at least a couple of pounds. We were both surprised that a bass that big was pulled from the pond. Not waning to be out done, I landed a huge bass. A female full of eggs (spawning season just around the corner) and ready to pop! It put up an awesome fight. In fact, seeing as how I was set up for trout and not bass, for a few seconds I thought I was going to lose it. Eddie asked if I wanted him to use the net and I said yes. The problem, it wouldn't fit in the net!! So he guided it onto shore using the net.
We estimated it to weigh between 4 and 5 lbs. The second biggest bass I ever caught!! And from the Duck Pond!!
When the day ended, Eddie had 3 bass and I had 4. Plus we each had a trophy fish. Not too bad for a day of 'trout' fishing. I can't help but wonder if we go largemouth bass fishing how many trout we'll catch.
Below; Me and my 'hog'
As always, until next time ~ Tight Lines
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Photoshop
From time to time I go through my pictures and pick one at random and play with it in Photoshop. I try different things and like to explore with settings I never did before.
Here is the before picture. Very dark and you can't see any detail.
Here is the after. It is a lot brighter and the colors 'pop' more. There is also a nice border around it which I think makes the pictures stand out more.
Here is the before picture. Very dark and you can't see any detail.
Here is the after. It is a lot brighter and the colors 'pop' more. There is also a nice border around it which I think makes the pictures stand out more. 
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Trout Fishing
After the cormorants ate all the trout in Holmdel Park Pond, I had given up on it. I still had a real hankering for fresh caught trout cooked on the grill so figured I'd head out after work today. I checked the New Jersey Fish And Game web site and saw that Holmdel Park Pond was stocked on Wednesday with 160 trout. I was going to fish Spring Lake since I work right down the road in West Belmar but I had to go home to walk and feed my puppy, so I figured I'd give Holmdel Pond another try. I mean, cormorants eating 160 trout in a day seems unlikely.
I brought two poles and set one up with power bait and a small split shot and the other I threw spinners. Within 10 minutes the power bait rod was hit. An 11'' rainbow trout. Nice!! Baited up again and had a hit within 10 minutes again. I was casting the other rod and was late on setting the hook and lost it. Oh well.
I moved about 40 yards down and set up with just power bait this time. Again, within 10 minutes another rainbow trout about 11''. Now I am getting really pumped. I fished about another 20 minutes and lost 3 more fish. At least I know there in there now.
Here are my two 11'' rainbow trout. Each caught on Florescent green Power bait.
Here is how I prepared them;
Clean each fish and cut off the head. On a sheet of aluminum foil (1 sheet per trout) put a couple pats of butter. Season trout with lemon pepper on both sides and lay trout on foil. Put a few more pats of butter on trout. Close up foil loosely around the trout. When on the grill the trout grills and steams at the same time.
Grill on medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Check to see if it is done.
When done the skin comes right off the meat. Be careful of bones as they are very small and thin. If you carefully scrape the meat off with a fork you can grab the back bone and pull all the bones off of the meat on the bottom. Enjoy!!
Until next time, Tight Lines!!
I brought two poles and set one up with power bait and a small split shot and the other I threw spinners. Within 10 minutes the power bait rod was hit. An 11'' rainbow trout. Nice!! Baited up again and had a hit within 10 minutes again. I was casting the other rod and was late on setting the hook and lost it. Oh well.
I moved about 40 yards down and set up with just power bait this time. Again, within 10 minutes another rainbow trout about 11''. Now I am getting really pumped. I fished about another 20 minutes and lost 3 more fish. At least I know there in there now.
Here are my two 11'' rainbow trout. Each caught on Florescent green Power bait. Here is how I prepared them;
Clean each fish and cut off the head. On a sheet of aluminum foil (1 sheet per trout) put a couple pats of butter. Season trout with lemon pepper on both sides and lay trout on foil. Put a few more pats of butter on trout. Close up foil loosely around the trout. When on the grill the trout grills and steams at the same time.
Grill on medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Check to see if it is done.
When done the skin comes right off the meat. Be careful of bones as they are very small and thin. If you carefully scrape the meat off with a fork you can grab the back bone and pull all the bones off of the meat on the bottom. Enjoy!!
Until next time, Tight Lines!!
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