On Monday I came home from school overjoyed to see a FedEx envelope with that familiar return address of 115 Federal Street. Surely these had to be my season tickets. I had guessed correctly.

I was really happy to see that they actually incorporated the players in the ticket books this year. Last years plain black cover and generic pictures were surely selected over fear that the players on the tickets would be traded (and they guessed correctly). Inside the design got a makeover as well.

Though smaller than last year’s they are a lot more colorful and less generic. The six players featured are Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones, Andy LaRoche, Ross Ohlendorf, Zach Duke, and Charlie Morton. If you put the six together in order the backgrounds make a panaramoic picture of PNC Park at night, but since I’m a 20 game Pick a Plan they are in a random order. If anyone has a full season plan with them in order and could clue me in on what it is, I’d appreciate it greatly.

One of the Benefits of being a Season Ticket Holder of the Pirates is the 30 minute early access for batting practice over the general public. This is a great opportunity to get balls from players. Last year I got 10 alone. Since I’ve gotten more into “ballhawking” (as it is known), I’ve decided to join Erik Jab’s Ballhawk League that he is set up. Erik is a Pirates season ticket holder and a veteran ballhawk. He snagged over 400 baseballs in 2009 alone. He has set up a league where ballhawks from around the nation send in their totals and try to be the best ballhawk in the country. I know I have no chance to win it, especially since the “King of Ballhawks” Zach Hample(over 500 baseballs in both 2008 and 2009) is also taking part. But it will be nice to challenge myself to something new, and since 6 of the 20 participants are regulars at PNC Park it will be fun to compete against one another.

You can follow Eric and the Ballhawk League HERE

I have also set up a MyGameBalls page that will track and keep statistics for the year. Though there is nothing on it yet you can view it HERE.

So there you have it. I am officially ready for the season with 11 days to spare. I can hardly wait. LETS GO BUCS!!!!