Topps Showcase Meeting - Part 1 - eMLBCommish's Blog

eMLBCommish's Blog

Topps Showcase Meeting - Part 1

Posted on June 18, 2014 at 12:04 PM.

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Topps Showcase Meeting - Part 1

James LeBlond grabs his carry on, as he prepares to disembark from his JetBlue flight from Portland, Maine. He could feel the nerves hitting him. Instead of planning for his prom, he's in Florida in hopes of beginning what could be a long and hopeful career in baseball.

The 18 year old scratches his chin goatee, full of brown hair, except for one small patch of hair that doesn't grow on his left side. The 5'10", 190 lb outfielder prospect could begin feeling his nerves growing.

"This is it...", he thought. "All the effort, training, and exercise. All leading up to this moment. I need to make this count. I want this more than anything I've ever wanted."

Patiently waiting being 14 rows deep, the line of people finally gets moving. It didn't help that for the past half hour, an infant child 6 rows behind him had been crying, he would certainly need aspirin...and a drink if he were of age. As he walked off the plane, he could immediately feel the difference in temperature, as it was currently 74 degrees in Orlando, Florida.

Recalling the instructions he was given, he walked out of the security area, and found a middle aged gentleman holding a sign with his name on it. He snickered to himself, as he noticed the "B" in his last name was not capitalized, a pet peeve of his.

"Good morning, Mr. LeBlond. I'm Mark, and I'll be taking you to the Hampton Inn you will be staying at."

James nodded, shook Mark's hand, and they proceeded to head to baggage claim. Mark informed him that the ballpark he'd be playing at was about 25 miles away, and the hotel was about 10 minutes from there.

As James grabbed his equipment and luggage, Mark offered him a hand and grabbed his luggage while James carried his sports bag with his bats, glove, and cleats.

Once he got in the car, James looked out the window and started to reminisce. It had been 4 years since James had last been to Florida, having gone with his family to Disney World on a trip that was ruined by some uncharacteristic cold weather. He always remembered watching the night time fireworks display in freezing temperatures, while everyone bought Epcot Center sweatshirts to keep warm. Of course, the day they left, it was 88 degrees....go figure.

In what seemed like no time at all, they had arrived at the Hampton Inn. Helping him grab his stuff, Mark helped James to the front desk, and assisted James in checking in to the hotel, something he had never done before.

At the front desk, an attractive gal named Jennifer checked him in. He tried not to stare, but he was positive she noticed, by the slight smirk she had on her face while looking at her screen.

"Okay, that's room 237, Mr. LeBlond. I'm not sure if you know, but you'll be rooming with 2 other companions who are in the tournament with you. A Mr. Kelly and a Mr. Knight..."

Just as James was about to roll his eyes...he distinctly heard "Hey roomie!"

James turned around, a little flushed...

*To Be Continued*