off on the right foot

The Spikes are back in town. Well, none of last year's players are back, but that's because the Spikes are the short-A minor league baseball team for the Pittsburgh Pirates this year. Last year we were in the Cardinals' organization. They swapped teams.

The Spikes had an open house of sorts yesterday, signing autographs before their first practice as a team. It looks like new manager Turner Ward and I are off to a good start. He is a strong follower of Jesus, and invited me to meet the team and say a few words at the start of their team meeting. As their chaplain, I'll lead chapel services for each team and the umpires before home games on Sundays. I'm pumped about it.

Turner's family moved to State College with him, and we had a chance to hang out with his wife and 3 kids last night, then went to a late dinner with them after practice. This could be a cool relationship. They're a great family.