Podcast Stockton versus California Rays

This morning, the Podcast Stockton team challenged the California Rays Beep Baseball team. The home team has a new name (they were formerly known as the Stockton Stingrays) but the result was exactly the same as every other time these two teams have squared off. 

In case you don't know about beep baseball, here's a brief primer: Beep baseball is an adaptive version of baseball played by athletes that are visually impaired where all players wear blindfolds.  

We started off with a two-run lead in the first inning with runs from Shawn (our most consistent hitter and scorer) and me (yes, Matt actually scored a run, his first one ever). The Rays blanked out in the bottom of the first inning and we all thought this was our year!

But then, fresh off her trip to the 2013 NBBA World Series in Columbus, Georgia, team captain Jennifer Boylan connected on her second pitch and had no problem scoring.  

Jennifer scored another run and Luke came out of retirement to add two runs as well. Rays rookie, Miguel, who has shown incredible skills during practice this year, scored his first run.  

The final score was 2-5. But for those that have heard us talk about beep baseball before you know that is not the end of the story.  

In the sixth and final inning, the Rays allowed us to hit sighted (did I mention that we play with blindfolds) . This tradition of allowing the sighted team to hit without blindfolds has yet to change the result of the game, but this year we felt different. Although our first three batters were able to connect with the ball, none were able to get to the base before being fielded out by our opponents. Shawn even knocked the BEEP out of the ball, and I'm not censoring, he literally knocked the BEEP out of the ball! They even gave us go through our entire rotation and still, none of us were able to score. Eric, who also played in the 2013 NBBA World Series, made a few putouts look easy. Jennifer and Terrence also helped ensure we'd score no more runs, and Miguel, gets his first putout!

Stay up to date on the California Rays by liking them on Facebook at facebook.com/blindbaseball.

Thank you to the California Rays for taking the field with us: Jennifer, Eric, Luke, David, Miguel, and Terrence. And thank you to the wonderful volunteers: Robert, Rosemary, Josie, Araceli, and Terrence Jr. 

And thank you to the rest of our team: Manny, Greg, Missy, Rod, Shawn, Shawn Jr., and to everyone that came out and watched us.

Check out the pictures at Facebook.com/PodcastStockton.

62. Jennifer Boylan, Community Center for the Blind - May 10, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton. On this week's show:

We hope everyone enjoyed their Mother's Day.

Cinco de Mayo. One of us ate pizza, the other ate Mexican food.

Jennifer Boylan

An interview with Jennifer Boylan from the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Jennifer is the captain of the blind baseball team but also does marketing and community relations for the Blind Center. Her organization helps visually impaired people learn new skills to help them live more independent lives. They have a couple of great events coming up. This Sunday, come out and join the Indian Association of San Joaquin County in a walk along the beautiful Downtown Waterfront Promenade. With proceeds benefitting the Blind Center, we really hope to see you out there.

Fore! Golfers can help send the Stockton Stingrays to the National Beep Ball Association World Series. The annual tournament is being held on June 11 at Oakmoore Golf Course. For info or to pay by credit card please contact Bonnie (209) 466-3836 or print a flyer & registration form here.

Pacific Students make documentary response to Forbes list. Out of Our Misery - Stockton's Saga as the Most Miserable City is a great perspective on the criteria used by the editors at Forbes to create their Most Miserable Cities list. Check out the video here, and the University of the Pacific news release.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

Running time: 28 minutes, 30 seconds

Listen Here

40. April 30, 2010

Welcome to Podcast Stockton for Friday, April 30, 2010. On this episode, we cover:

This Saturday, May 1, is Free Comic Book Day. Stockton comic creators, Adam Messinger and Ramon Villalobos will be out in Tracy giving away autographed copies of Frank and Elenore in "It's Raining Blood on Prom Night!". Go support Adam and Ramon at King's Comics and Games at 245 E. 11th St in Tracy from 11 to 6. You can find Spectacle Press (Adam) on Facebook and Twitter, follow Ramon on Twitter.

Sports update with Lowell Tuckerman.

Come join Podcast Stockton as we take on the Stockton Stingrays in their first exhibition practice game. Saturday, May 8, at 10 AM at Atherton Park. For more info on the Stockton Stingrays from the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, visit their website.

What's new on ClosetGoodies.com.

Restaurant review of Pho Saigon Bay Restaurant at 5756 Pacific Avenue.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

28. Joni Bauer - February 19, 2010

Welcome to Podcast Stockton, episode 28, featuring an interview with Joni Bauer from the Community Center for Blind and Visually Impaired. The CCBVI is sponsoring the second Pedaling Paths to Independence bike ride on Saturday February 27.

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In this episode:

A quick look at the news: San Joaquin County Hospital facing deep losses; student artists are encouraged to submit artwork to The Ports; Stockton is now the second most-miserable city in the US.

What to look forward to when the weather gets better?Asparagus Festival, Way Out West BBQ Competition, Podcast Stockton vs. Stockton Stingrays exhibition game May 8, 2010, Stockton Trojans football,

Stockton sports update from Lowell Tuckerman.

What's new on Closetgoodies.com.

Matt's interview with Joni Bauer, Orientation & Mobility Specialist with Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Hear how Joni got involved in this line of work. Joni is the driving force behind the Pedaling Paths to Independence on Saturday February 27. There are two routes, 67 and 25 miles. This is an awesome pre-season century. If you are interested in doing this ride, you can still sign up on BikeReg.com. Matt rode it last year but will be volunteering this year at one of the rest stops. If you see him out there be sure to say hi!

Google Buzz? 4 Square?Formspring? Are you using these new social media services? Formspring Matt or Rod.

It's tax season. How do you prepare your return? Fill out the forms yourself? Have an accountant? TurboTax? We hear from some of our Facebook friends as well as Mike and Gabriel.

Wes's Stockton activities guide. Go to VisitStockton.org to sign up for the weekly events e-mail and follow @Stockton_CA on Twitter and on Facebook. Don't forget to complete the Best of San Joaquin survey.

Next week, we're talking about TV on the internet! Do you watch TV on the internet?

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

11. Wes Rhea - August 31, 2009

Welcome to Podcast Stockton, episode number 11. In this episode:

A quick look at the previous weeks in the news - Stockton man swims to Alcatraz, San Joaquin County adds website to track board members, electric truck maker moving to Stockton, and Jose Hernandez becomes first Stockton astronaut in space.

Fun and free in Stockton - Three great nights of fun: Stockton Ports, Lincoln Center Live (pics) and Miracle Mile Night (pics).

An interview with Wes Rhea, Director of Stockton Conference and Visitors Bureau. Learn more about our local CVB by checking out their website and following them on Twitter.

Podcast Stockton versus Stockton Stingrays. I put a team together to play in the final exhibition weekend with the Stingrays. We lost 7-0 but had a blast. For their second game, they played against the Oak Ridge Winery team and won 2-1 in a close match. Check out pics from that game here.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

09. NBBA World Series - August 5, 2009

Welcome to Podcast Stockton, episode number 9. In this episode:

We're back - It has been more than three months since the last episode. Sometimes, life, family, and the day job just have to take priority. Thanks to all of those that asked where I was!

Restaurant Review - My wife, Dawn, and I recently went to Back Bay, a great place for dinner. They are located on the Miracle Mile at 2301 Pacific Avenue and can be reached at (209) 941-0094.

The 2009 Beep Baseball World Series Comes to Stockton - The Stockton Stingrays helped bring the NBBA event to Stockton where teams from all over the US, as well as one from Taiwan, played. In the end, The West Coast Dawgs came out victorious over the Taiwan Homerun. Podcast Stockton was there to talk to both teams after the game. Also, check out the pictures and videos (Dawgs up to bat, Dawgs cheer, Homerun cheer)

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

National Beep Ball World Series Comes To Stockton

Thanks to the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Stockton Sports Commission headed by Don Miller, the Beep Ball World Series in being played in Stockton! This is great news for our city and we are very proud to share Stockton with the other 13 teams that have travelled from all over the US and Taiwan.

Tonight, we went to the opening ceremony at the Hilton Hotel. After an address by David Smolka, the NBBA President and Don Miller, Mayor Ann Johnston took the stage. She welcomed all of the players and thanked the Commission, CCBVI and the volunteers for helping to bring this event to Stockton. Mrs. Johnston encouraged everyone to spend some time throughout the city taking in local entertainment.

After a few more remarks by Mr. Smolka, each of the teams were introduced. Most of the teams had their own cheer but the Taiwanese team had the coolest!

To learn more about the NBBA, visit them online at http://www.nbba.org. For more information on the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Stockton Stingrays, check out http://www.communitycenterfortheblind.org/ and read the recent article on The Record. To watch live coverage, visit The Valley Sports Network at http://valleysportsnetwork.com/

Best of luck to all the teams!