SEASON TO REMEMBER

Baseball dreams become reality at Tigers fantasy camp

By David Eisenstadt
(Special to the Toronto Sunday Sun)

Sunday, May 29, 2005

The 1938-39 Detroit Tigers lineup included left-handed pitcher Harry Eisenstat. As a Canadian infielder, I joined their alumni roster as the latest Eisenstadt to sport Tigers blue, for seven terrific days in January 2005.

My week was as good as it gets. Meeting superstars of yesteryear, honing my baseball (hardball) skills, staying healthy, swapping tall and short tales. What a vacation!

This Fantasy Camp life-bonus was a special birthday gift which my family made into reality. Only 13 MLB teams (excluding the Toronto Blue Jays) hold Fantasy Camps. Detroit's offerings were appealing and the Eisenstat link was a bonus.

I made three commitments prior to attending Camp: get into better shape (to reduce the possibility of injury); don’t play like a rookie; and don’t expect a contract to return to join the team.

Last Fall, I began working with personal trainer Debra Basch. I adhered to a regular gym regimen and went to Camp more fit than I've been in years. I made new friends and didn't play like a rookie. I wasn't too disappointed when no contract arrived.

Camp Director Jerry Lewis hosted 90 ball-playing wannabees at the Detroit Tiger Town complex in Lakeland, Fla., near Tampa. We were booked into the team hotel….Holiday Inn Lakeland, with meals at the hotel and Tiger Town cafeteria, a facility steeped in eye candy memorabilia.

Lakeland and the Tigers have a 68-year relationship as a spring raining destination, the longest in Major League Baseball.Joker Marchant Stadium, the jewel of Tiger Town is where the Tigers play Spring Training “home” games. The complex includes five other fields, pitchers mounds, batting cages, and a clubhouse with training and equipment rooms.

DAVID EISENSTADT listens as pitching great Mickey Lolich explains the tricks of the trade.

The bases are loaded and Eisenstadt is ready for action.

Campers were divided into six teams and the stats started to flow - average age, 49; oldest camper, 84; four women; two father-son combos, four Canadians. Many were veteran campers, with up to 19 years of attendance.

My coaches included Tigers’ slugger Willie Horton and 1968 World Series relief pitcher Jon Warden. Entering the clubhouse on day one and seeing my “home white” and “road grey” Eisenstadt-lettered uniforms, and number 1, hanging in readiness was a rush.

Next came “Kangaroo Court”, a timeless tradition where ballplayers were fined for infractions such as breaking curfew, striking out, etc. Our misdemeanors included wearing cleats into the cafeteria, wearing the wrong undershirt or forgetting a glove on the field, which resulted in fines from $2 to $15. The cash collected was donated to a Michigan autistic research facility started by Jim Price a former Tiger catcher turned broadcaster.

We started with trainer-led on-field stretching led, followed by batting cage, pitching and catching instruction. I had a personal batting clinic with Willie Horton. It had been 42 years since I’d hit a hardball with a wooden bat, and his tips were invaluable. Hall of Fame Veterans-nominee Mickey Lolich also made certain I understood the differences in pitches, from a curve to a change-up, a fastball to a slider.

We won our first game 16-10 and I went one-for-three with pitchers throwing 88-to-112-km (50-70-mph) heat. That night, coaches Horton, Warden, Lolich, Price, Dick Tracewski, Mike Heath, Rusty Kuntz, Juan Berenguer, Johnny Grubb, Milt Wilcox, Milt Cuyler, Dave Rozema, John Hiller and Doug Bair signed autographs for adults behaving like awe-struck children.

I walked my first at bat on the second day. New Yorker Jay Crawford, (he hosts ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza”) batting behind me hit a triple. I was quickly reminded that those 27 metres (90 feet) between bases is a long run and was barely puffing as I rounded third on the coach’s wave to score at the plate.

I got two solid hits, which made up for being stalled on base because of two outs and a slower runner ahead of me. That evening we played under the lights at nearby Henley Field where we jelled as a team, winning 5-0 against the ultimate championship squad.

Early the next morning, I had some off-field fun. Detroit sports station AM1270 ran a remote broadcast and I was interviewed live. Apparently the station has listeners because Jerry Lewis said he received calls about the Toronto player describing his experiences.

Our team ended the regular season tied for third with an even win-loss split over six games. My best performance came in our semi-final playoff game where I hit two singles in as many at-bats, driving in a run.

My true (not fantasy) stats included 19 at-bats (AB), four runs (R), 5 Hits (H), 2 Walks (Bases on Balls), 2 Strike-Outs (K), and one run-batted-in (RBI) for a .263 average.

The final daytime match at Henley saw all campers take a couple of innings in the infield and bat once against the former Tigers who had been our coaches for the week.

Prior to the game and US national anthem, we lined up alphabetically along the first base line. All players were introduced to the crowd by name and number, running to home plate, past photographers and a videographer … while tipping our caps.

What a memory!

FIELD OF DREAMS

Baseball fantasy camp becomes reality for a Canadian entrepreneur

By David Eisenstadt
May 2005

"Go get 'em, No. 1!" barks baseball icon Willie Horton as I leave the on-deck circle and make the short — yet long — walk to the batter's box. I'd just finished a batting clinic with Horton, one of the greatest Tigers ever, and I'm now standing at home plate with a wooden Louisville Slugger on my shoulder for the first time in 42 years. The eyes of everyone in the ballpark are upon me. It feels just like standing at the first tee with scratch golfers scrutinizing my drive. What pressure!

Facing a pitcher throwing about 65 mph, I was soon behind on the count: one ball, two strikes. Frozen in the batter's box, I reminded myself of Horton's mantra: "Get comfortable, dig in, figure out the strike zone, get ready, relax, then make contact." Easy for you, I thought.

As fate would have it, the next three pitches were balls, and I quickly trotted to first base. "Way to go, Eisenstadt!" Horton yelled.

At that moment, baseball fantasy camp became reality for me. Knowing my passion for the game (I play on both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball teams), my family decided a week away from a Canadian winter playing hardball with some of the game's greats would be a great way to celebrate my 60th birthday. They were right. What some might call executive downtime was, for me, really uptime and upbeat.

And it didn't matter that I didn't grow up listening to Tigers Radio. Although 24 of the 30 big-league ball teams offer fantasy camps, the Toronto Blue Jays aren't one of them, so I considered other options. Realizing I'd be the first Eisenstadt to wear
Tiger blue since left-handed pitcher Harry Eisenstat in 1939 made Detroit an easy choice.

For one glorious week, I'd be enmeshed in a baseball routine not unlike that of the pros: in uniform by 7:30 am, followed by stretching, then batting and catching clinics, plus one or two games a day. The week would culminate in the dream of a lifetime: competing against the old pros.

In preparation, I made three commitments: get into better shape to reduce my chance of getting hurt; not play like a rookie; and have fun. Here's the highlight reel from a week at the Detroit Tigers fantasy camp.

Thursday, January 27
I'm beginning to love the smell of liniment in the morning. This gunk really works. But we lose our only game of the day, 12-3.

Friday, January 28
Autumn is in the air as the playoffs begin today, starting with the quarter-finals. I lead off, walking and ultimately scoring on a long run home from the hitter behind me. An 8-2 victory carries us into the semi-finals, but we lose the hard-fought game 2-1.

It strikes me, after the week's games, that I take playing ball very seriously. There is pressure not to miscue, but the competitive spirit of the older guys, whose testosterone has mellowed somewhat and who love the game, has helped me focus on succeeding in the spirit of real personal satisfaction. Final Day:

Saturday, January 29
Today we face the former pros — our Tiger coaches — in the ultimate fantasy game.



Henley Field is positively buzzing, with 90 campers eager to take to the field. Each player will bat once and field a couple of innings to ensure everyone lives the dream.
What an amazing feeling to line up along the first base line, across the diamond from former Major Leaguers, for the singing of the U.S. national anthem. Better yet, each player is introduced by name and number as he runs down to home plate and tips his hat to a cheering crowd of family and friends.

In my one at-bat, against 1968 World Series reliever Jon Warden, I smack a ball deep to the shortstop. I'm thrown out by four steps, but the hit felt good!
Despite the competitiveness of previous contests, no one cares much about the final score. The thrill of competing against players who have carved their names in Tigers lore makes it enjoyable — and provides good reason to return next year.

For anyone who loves the game, seize the opportunity to be a kid again. This is as good as it gets!

TIGERS FANTASY CAMP A REALITY FOR EISENSTADT NAMESAKE

By David Eisenstadt
Special to The CJN

April 14, 2005 - LAKELAND, Fla.

In 1938 and 1939, “Hammerin’” Hank Greenberg led a Detroit Tigers lineup that included left-handed pitcher Harry Eisenstat. For seven glorious days in January, I joined their alumni roster as the latest Eisenstadt to don Tigers’ blue, albeit at the team’s fantasy camp. Learning to really play hardball, meeting phenoms of yesteryear, honing my skills, swapping tall tales, and generally having the time of my life made the week about as good as it gets.

The fantasy camp was a special birthday gift that my wife Rhoda, sons Harris and Evan and daughter-in law Sara made into a reality last July. Only 13 Major League teams (not including the Toronto Blue Jays) hold fantasy camps. Detroit’s offerings were appealing and the Eisenstat connection didn’t hurt. In preparation, I made three commitments: to get into better shape (to reduce the chance of getting hurt), to not play like a rookie, and to not expect a contract when the real spring training kicked off in March.

I started working with a personal trainer last September, becoming faithful to a two-day- to three-day-a-week gym regimen. When I entered camp, I was more fit than I’d been in years. I made a bunch of new friends and I didn’t play like a rook. It was disappointing when no contract arrived.

Under the guidance of amiable camp director Jerry Lewis, 90 wannabees took to the Tiger Town diamonds in Lakeland, Fla., about 40 minutes from Tampa. Lakeland has a 68-year love affair with the Tigers as the team’s spring training destination, the longest in the Major Leagues. The weather was great, the camaraderie rampant, and the instruction first rate. And for a baseball lover, what a day job!

The Tiger Town crown jewel is Joker Marchant Stadium, where the Tigers play spring training “home” games. The complex includes five other fields, batting cages, pitchers’ mounds, a clubhouse with training and equipment rooms, and lots of green grass for tossing balls and shagging flies. Campers were divided into six teams. We immediately produced our first stats: average age, 49; oldest camper, 84; four women; two father-son combos, and four Canadians. Many were veteran campers.

My team coaches included legendary Tigers’ outfielder/designated hitter Willie Horton and 1968 World Series relief pitcher Jon (King Crab) Warden. Players had to be in better-than-average shape, which made me really appreciate the baseball program set for me by Debra Basch, my Toronto trainer. It was quite a rush to enter the clubhouse and see my cubicle with my “home white” and “road grey” Eisenstadt-lettered uniforms, Number 1, hanging ready. I was able to take them home for keeps.

Camp began with “Kangaroo Court,” a timeless tradition in which ballplayers are fined for infractions such as dropping balls and striking out. Our misdemeanours included missing a belt loop or forgetting a mitt on the field, which resulted in levies ranging from $2 to $15. It was all for a good cause, as the fines were donated to an autism research facility in Michigan headed by former Tiger catcher, now broadcaster, Jim Price.


The day started with on-field stretching led by trainers, followed by batting practice and pitching and catching instruction. I had a personal batting clinic with Horton. It had been 42 years since I’d hit a hardball with a wooden bat, and his tips were invaluable. Pitcher Mickey Lolich, a Hall of Fame Veterans nominee, also made certain I understood the difference between fastballs, sliders, curves and change-ups. We won our first game 16-10, and I went one-for-three against pitchers throwing 50 to 70 mph heat. That night, coaches Horton, Warden, Lolich, Price, Dick Traciewski, Mike Heath, Rusty Kuntz, Juan Berenguer, Johnny Grubb, Milt Wilcox, Milt Cuyler, Dave Rozema, John Hiller and Doug Bair signed autographs for adults, who reverted to behaving like awe-struck kids.

On day two, I walked my first time at bat. Hitting behind me, New Yorker Jay Crawford (he hosts ESPN’s Cold Pizza) hit a big-blast triple. I definitely learned that 90 feet between bases is a long way. But I was barely puffing as I rounded third on the coach’s wave, scoring a run.

That game, I got two good hits, which made up for being stalled on base because of two outs and a slower runner ahead of me. Such is the game! Playing “under the lights” at nearby Henley Field, helped us jell as a team and we won 5-0 against the team that eventually took the week’s championship. Mid-week, I had some off-field fun. Tigers Radio, The Sports Station 1270 AM in Detroit, set up a remote broadcast and I was interviewed live. Apparently some Michigonians were listening, because the camp director told me he received “a half-dozen calls about the Toronto guy talking about his Fantasy Camp experiences.” Our team ended the “regular season” tied for third with an even win-loss split over six games. My best performance came in our semi-final playoff game, when I hit two singles in as many at bats, driving in a run. My stats included 19 at-bats, four runs scored, five hits, two walks, two strikeouts, one run-batted-in and a .263 average. They say a Major Leaguer has it “made in the shade” if they can achieve a .270 average. Since I’m not quite there, I’ll continue to enjoy the sunshine.

The final daytime match at Henley Field saw all campers bat once and take a couple of innings in the infield against the former Tigers who had been coaching us all week. Prior to the game and U.S. national anthem, we lined up alphabetically along the first base line. Every player was introduced by name and number while running to home plate, past a photographer and videographer to capture the moment… while tipping our caps to the crowd of about 150 cheering fans. Yessss!

BASEBALL FANTASY
Opportunity to play game with Detroit Tigers greats a thrill for lifelong major league wannabe

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005
By David Eisenstadt

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Knowing my passion for the game (I play on two softball teams -- fast and slow pitch), my family decided that when I turned 60 last summer, a week away from Canada's winter playing hardball would be a fitting way to celebrate my milestone.

I had the opportunity to really learn to "play ball" with some of the Detroit Tigers greats of the game at a one-week, all-inclusive trip to their spring training home-away-from-home, Tiger Town, here in Lakeland, Fla.

My odyssey began Jan. 23, at 5 a.m. when I awoke five hours ahead of my flight to Tampa. Just like childhood summer camp, I couldn't sleep from anticipation. Bunking in at the Tigers' winter quarters at Holiday Inn Lakeland, about a 35 minute drive south of Tampa, I joined 89 other older "kids" who also love (to play) the game.

Camp director Jerry Lewis presented the week's agenda and our routine began immediately. The Tigers and Lakeland boast a 68-year love affair as a spring training destination, the longest in the major leagues and this is the 22nd year for their fantasy camp. (The Toronto Blue Jays no longer hold a fantasy camp, but there are 12 to choose from throughout Florida and Arizona.) Tiger Town's crown jewel is Joker Marchant Stadium, where the Tigers play their spring training home games. The complex includes five fields, batting cages, pitchers mounds, clubhouse with training and equipment rooms. Lots of green grass for tossing balls and shagging flies to relive one's youth. We started, in baseball tradition, generating our first stats: average age, 49; oldest camper, 84; two father-son duos, four women and four Canucks. Several campers had up to 19 years of attendance to their credit. My team coaches included Tigers' legend, outfielder/designated hitter Willie Horton and 1968 World Series relief pitcher Jon (King Crab) Warden. It became quickly evident that players had to be in better than average shape, which made me really appreciate a pre-camp baseball regimen set by Debra Basch, my personal trainer.

It was quite a rush entering the Tiger Town clubhouse, going to my cubicle and seeing my home white and road grey Eisenstadt-lettered uniforms, with my number, 1, hanging in readiness. These uniforms are keepers.

Tigers slugger WIllie Horton tutors David Eisenstadt in the finer points of getting comfortable at the plate and staying focussed.

Dick Tracewski, World Series champ with Detroit and Los Angeles (at right), compared notes with Eisenstadt about Dodgers teammate Sandy Koufax.

Camp began with Kangaroo Court, a timeless baseball tradition where players were fined for serious infractions such as dropping balls or striking out. Other misdemeanors included wearing cleats into the Tiger Town cafeteria, mismatched uniforms or forgetting a glove on the field, which resulted in levies from $2 to $15. It was all for a good cause as these fines are donated to a new autism research facility in Michigan headed by former Tiger catcher and now broadcaster, Jim Price.
The day started with on-field stretching led by trainers, followed by batting cage and pitching and catching instruction. One thrill was a personal batting clinic with Horton. It had been 42 years since I'd hit a hardball with a wooden bat, and his tips were invaluable. Hall of Fame veteran nominee Mickey Lolich made certain, as a hitter, I understood the differences in pitches, from a change-up to a curve, from a slider to a fastball.

We won our first game 16-10 and I went one-for-three with pitchers throwing 88-to-112-km (50-70-mph). That night, Horton, Warden, Lolich, Price, Dick Tracewski, Mike Heath, Rusty Kuntz, Juan Berenguer, Johnny Grubb, Milt Wilcox, Milt Cuyler, Dave Rozema, John Hiller and Doug Bair signed autographs for adults behaving like awe-struck kids.

Day two, I walked my first at bat. New Yorker Jay Crawford, batting behind me (he hosts ESPN2's Cold Pizza ) hit a big-blast triple. I definitely learned that 90 feet between each base is a long way.

That game saw me get two good hits, which made up for being stalled on base because of two outs and a slower runner ahead of me. Playing under the lights at nearby Henley Field helped us jell as a unit and we won 5-0 against the team that eventually took the week's championship. Although I experienced another solid outing at the plate and in the field, I knew I should keep my day job. Mid-week had some off-field fun. Tigers Radio (1270 AM in Detroit) ran a remote broadcast and I was interviewed live. Apparently the show has listeners because Jerry Lewis (not that Jerry Lewis) told me he "received a half-dozen calls about the Toronto guy talking about his fantasy camp experiences." Our team ended the regular season tied for third with an even win-loss split over six games. My best performance came in our semi-final playoff game where I hit two singles in as many at bats, driving in a run.

Lots of batting cage practice for Eisenstadt

My stats included 19 at-bats, four runs, five hits, two walks, two strike-outs and one run-batted-in for a .263 average. They say a major leaguer has it "made in the shade" if he can achieve a .270 average. Since I'm at .263, I'll continue to enjoy the sunshine. The final daytime match at Henley Field saw 90 Campers get an opportunity to bat once and take a couple of innings in the infield against the former Tigers who had been coaching us all week. We lined up alphabetically along the first base line prior to the game. Every player was introduced by name and number while running to home plate, past photographers and videographers capturing the moment, tipping our caps to the crowd of about 150 cheering fans. Maybe I'll reconsider my day job? David Eisenstadt's day job is as a public relations consultant in Toronto. © 2005 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.

Taking A Swing At Grand Old Game
`Boys' Of Summer Live Out Fantasy Wannabes get tips from ex-Tigers

LAKELAND, FLA, Feb. 19, 2005
By David Eisenstadt
SPECIAL TO THE STAR

When winter-bound Canadians start thinking about the boys of summer, baseball spring training can't be far away.
Dreaming is one thing, but playing at a Major League Fantasy Camp is something else.

For my 60th birthday, my family presented me with the ultimate fan's adventure — playing ball with some of the game's greats at Tiger Town, the Detroit Tigers' spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla.

Many baseball teams (although not the Blue Jays) have similar fantasy camps throughout Florida and Arizona. My diamond odyssey began with a flight to Tampa on Jan. 23 (after a night in which I could barely sleep from giddy anticipation). It was an awesome feeling to enter the Tigers headquarters at the Lakeland Holiday Inn and to meet 89 other older "kids" drawn by a love of baseball. Immediately upon arrival, director Jerry Lewis (not that Jerry Lewis) got us into our camp routine. Team meals were at the Tiger Town Cafeteria, just like the real Tigers, who have been coming to Lakeland for 68 years.

The jewel of Tiger Town is Joker Marchant Stadium, where the Tigers play their spring exhibition games. It has five fields, batting cages, pitchers mounds and a clubhouse with training and equipment rooms.

What a rush to go into the clubhouse and see my name "Eisenstadt," with the No. 1 embossed on the Tigers home white and road gray jerseys hanging in my cubicle. And to know that I could take them home with me.
Our contingent of Tiger wannabes was divided into six teams. And, in the best baseball tradition, here are some team stats: average age, 49; oldest camper, 84; four women; two father-son combos and four Canadians. Some veteran fantasy-campers have been coming here for 19 years.

My team was coached by longtime Tiger slugger Willie Horton and pitcher Jon Warden, but before we got on to the field we were introduced to yet another timeless baseball tradition, "Kangaroo Court," a self-imposed justice system in which players are fined for infractions such as dropping balls, striking out, etc.

Our misdemeanours included missing a belt loop or forgetting our glove on the field. Fines were from $2 to $15 (U.S., of course) and were donated to a Michigan autistic research facility headed by former Tiger catcher, now broadcaster, Jim Price.

Our day began with stretching, followed by instruction in the finer points of hitting, fielding and pitching. It was a thrill to have a personal batting clinic with Horton, who crushed 325 homers in his 18-year career. All-Star and 1968 World Series MVP Mickey Lolich made sure I understood the differences in pitches from a fastball to a slider, a curve to a changeup.

After our first game, which we won 16-10 (my contribution was going 1-for-3), the camp's coaches, Horton, Warden, Lolich, Price, Dick Tracewski, Mike Heath, Rusty Kuntz, Juan Berenguer, Johnny Grubb, Milt Wilcox, Milt Cuyler, Dave Rozema, John Hiller and Doug Bair, signed autographs for their awe-struck charges. In our next game, I learned just how far that 90 feet between the bases really is (a LONG WAY). After my lead-off walk, Jay Crawford (the host of Cold Pizza on ESPN) blasted a triple and I had to leg it home.

Former Detroit Tiger slugger and all-star Willie Horton offers batting instruction to David Eisenstadt.

Detroit's all-star lefty Mickey Lolich, centre, is flanked by a Canadian contingent (beginning at left) Phil White (Kitchener), David Eisenstadt (Toronto), Bill Evans (WIndsor) and Mike Gosslin (Leamington) at Tigers Fantasy Camp in Lakeland, Fla.

Despite a decent outing at the plate and in the field, I decided it would be best to keep my day job. But I did get to experience one more side of the baseball life: I was interviewed live on Tigers Radio, station 1270 AM in Detroit.

Our team ended the "regular season" tied for third with a 3-3 record and my personal performance included five hits in 19 at-bats and one RBI, with a couple of walks thrown in. Our last game was a real thrill. After being introduced and tipping our caps to the crowd of about 150 cheering fans (and having a photographer capture the moment as we ran out to the first base line), we all got to play a couple of innings against the former major leaguers who had been coaching us. I can't wait to go back.

Tuition to the week-long camp is $3,295 U.S. and does not include airfare. For more information, visit http://www.detroittigers.com or http://www.hihard1.com
David Eisenstadt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and long-time baseball fan.