Red Sox Fantasy Camp Experience - Arriving in Ft Myers

I am at Red Sox Fantasy Camp and words simply cannot describe exactly what it is like, but I will try. How did I get here, you might ask? Back in the Summer of 2017, I entered a contest held by JetBlue and the Sox where you had to tweet a photo of yourself and why you were a "nonstopfan" for the chance to win a trip to Red Sox Fantasy Camp and I won.  If you've been reading this blog long enough you know I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan and love the PawSox and everything that the teams do for their fans! I couldn't believe it! I've never won something so extravagant, and I was super excited! I got to take a guest, so my dad came with me.

I thought I would start training for it in November and joined the local Y and decided to get a personal trainer to kick things into high gear for the last few weeks before camp started. Unfortunately, I caught a small virus the weekend before Christmas that sidelined my training (I hate viruses but that's for another blog post) and therefore put into question my ability to fully participate (because I'm certainly not athletically inclined). My doctor had said if I do participate to certainly take it slow and see the trainers if they were there.

Red Sox Fantasy Camp Director
Tom Kennedy addressing the Rookies.

I arrived at Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport on Sunday afternoon and met Carvel, one of the two shuttle drivers for camp, who was waiting for our flight. We picked up a few of the attendees and made our way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for check-in and Rookie orientation.

The check-in was a breeze and the rookie orientation gave some sage advice from two veteran campers, John and Ray. The advice I listened to most was start of slow, and taper off throughout the week. It was an important piece of advice because we are all not professional athletes and don't want to injure ourselves. In order to attend camp you have to be at least 30 years old and at the upper end of 38, I was one of the youngest attendees by probably 10 years. More than a few campers described getting the camp experience as a "once in a lifetime" gift from their significant others for a variety of significant occasions, and had such a wonderful time that somehow they have been able to find their way back to camp each year.

Red Sox radio legend Joe Castiglione announcing
the professional player coaches.

After orientation, we had a cocktail hour and the Welcome Reception which was held in the hotel ballroom. We were introduced to all of the professional players who would be our coaches, by Red Sox radio legend Joe Castiglione and I was amazed at how approachable and personable they were! I swear if you closed your eyes, and just listened it sounded like you were hearing some of the same calls he would make for some legendary plays in Red Sox history. Most of the players were those who I had baseball cards of as a kid in the 80's and 90's, like Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Bob Stanley, Rich Gedman, Bret Saberhagen and others... The food was amazing and we then went to sleep because we were so tired!

NOTE: I won this experience as part of a contest held by JetBlue and the Red Sox. I was not asked to blog about this, cover this experience by anyone. I am solely writing about it out of my own excitement and thought that my readers would enjoy my journey of playing baseball and being coached by some amazing individuals. I hope you enjoy coming along for the ride! All opinions are my own.

Tickets to the Dell EMC Championship are a great gift idea!

Still looking for some last minute gift ideas for the golf fan in your life? Tickets to the Dell EMC Championship are a great idea! The labor day weekend tournament is being held once again in 2018 from August 31 through September 3 at the TPC Boston course in Norton, MA. It's a picturesque setting and the temperature is just right.

This year, we had the chance to attend and take part in the Kids Day activities which were held on Sunday. Our daughter had an amazing time seeing the sights and sounds and enjoying the scenery. The tournament has increased efforts in the past few years to cater to young families and a younger demographic by creating a Kids Zone and a mini-golf course where young and old golf fans can play together. When we were there, they even had the mascots from the major sports teams in attendance and handed out samples of delicious Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

They also had a state of the art, Dell Fan Experience booth which had some amazing technology including virtual reality, computer aided drawing on a golf ball and more! For young fans looking for a player's autograph they have a special kids autograph zone behind the 18th hole near the club house which allows for kids to huddle together and not get trampled by

If you book now, you can save 20% off the holiday ticket packages going through the pgatour.com website at https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/dell-technologies-championship/tickets.html

NOTE: We were provided tickets to attend the event but no other compensation was provided.

Sam Adams has just been announced as “The Official Beer of the Boston Red Sox.”

Thought you would all like to know that Sam Adams has just been announced as “The Official Beer of the Boston Red Sox.” In 2018, Fenway will have two Sam Adams experiential bar areas: the right field roof deck will now be known as the “Sam Deck,” and a bar area located beneath the third base stands will be known as “Sammy’s On Third.” In addition to crowd favorites like Boston Lager and Summer Ale, fans will be able to enjoy new brews launching in 2018 like the highly anticipated Sam ’76.

NOTE: We are providing this information as we are Red Sox Parents. No compensation was provided and all opinions are our own.

Red Sox Fans - Christmas at Fenway register now through Monday 12/11 at noon!

The Red Sox are hosting Christmas at Fenway on Saturday December 16. It is a family-friendly winter event at Fenway Park for fans to enjoy some holiday cheer and for the guaranteed opportunity to purchase Red Sox tickets for the 2018 season. In order to go, you have to register for the chance to attend is open now through Monday, December 11, at noon on redsox.com.

Christmas at Fenway will include photo opportunities with Wally, Tessie, Santa, and Red Sox alumni. The event starts at 8 a.m. and will conclude at 4 p.m. The festivities will be located in the Gate B area of Fenway Park with Wally and Tessie’s Winter Wonderland, a holiday bouncy house for kids, rides through the concourse on a trackless train, a yard sale, Frosty the Snowman, and photos with Santa in his workshop. Mastercard cardholders will have a special “fast pass” line for photos with Santa.

Fans not attending the December 16 Christmas at Fenway event can still purchase select 2018 single-game tickets for April, May, and September games, as well as the popular “Sox Pax.” Starting at 10 a.m., tickets will be available on redsox.com and by phone at 877-REDSOX9. Fans who require ADA accessible seating may call 877-REDSOX9. Hearing impaired fans may call the Red Sox TTY line at (617) 226-6644. Mastercard is the preferred payment of the Boston Red Sox.

“Sox Pax,” presented by Mastercard, are packs of three or four games with a variety of date and seat options, including Interleague games, summer weekend games, and matchups against the Yankees. A list of the 9 Sox Pax available for the 2018 season is attached.

Single-game tickets will include select April, May, and September home games, including matchups versus the Rays, April 7-8; Yankees, April 10-12; Orioles, April 13-15; Rays, April 27-29; Royals, April 30-May 2; Athletics, May 14-16; Orioles, May 18-20; Braves, May 25-27; Blue Jays, September 11-13; Mets, September 14-16; and the Orioles, September 24-26.

There will be a limit of three Sox Pax (up to four tickets each) per person, and 12 single game tickets per transaction.

The Red Sox will also reveal promotional giveaways taking place in 2018 on the Red Sox’ Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts starting Monday, December 11. Games with giveaways will be available for purchase starting December 16.  

NOTE: We are providing this information since we are part of the Red Sox Parents program and know that you love the Sox as much as we do! No other compensation was provided and all opinions are our own.

Maintaining your car and general car information from cars.com

image from cars.com

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I know I've wondered a lot about how car brakes work or when you should replace them along with some details about general car stuff and I've found that the internet is a great place but there are some really great resources all located at cars.com.

While you're browsing their website you can also find information on various car models and specifications along with used car values and how much your car is worth.

NOTE: This is a sponsored post.

“Baseball Winter Weekend” at Foxwoods Resort Casino to take place January 19-21

The Boston Red Sox will once again host a weekend getaway of hot stove fun for fans and families January 19-21. The fourth annual “Baseball Winter Weekend” at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, includes a Town Hall Meeting with Red Sox leaders, autographs and photos with Red Sox players, and round-table discussions on a variety of baseball topics. The weekend also includes a full baseball festival for fans of all ages and clinics for kids.

Weekend passes, which include the option for hotel accommodations, are on sale now on redsox.com/winterweekend.  Passes provide access for all three days and are $65 for adults and $20 for children 14 and under. Children two and under are free.  Red Sox Season Ticket Holder prices (for adults) are $55 and their children’s price is $15.

Mastercard is the preferred payment network of the Boston Red Sox and its cardholders will have special opportunities at Winter Weekend. The first 30 guests to purchase Winter Weekend tickets with a Mastercard will be invited to a private meet and greet with Red Sox players and uniformed personnel. In addition, guests who present their Mastercard upon arrival at Winter Weekend will be given priority access and a fast-pass to the autograph corral they have been assigned.

The entire Red Sox roster, including coaches, is invited to attend. Red Sox alumni, Wally the Green Monster and his sister Tessie will also be in attendance.  

The weekend will begin Friday night with the introduction of the participating players, followed by a fan-interactive Town Hall Meeting with Red Sox leadership on hand to answer questions from fans. The Town Hall event will be televised by NESN.  

Throughout the day on Saturday, fans will have an opportunity to get autographs and take photos with players, see the three World Series Trophies, and Red Sox artifacts such as Silver Bats, Gold Gloves, MVPs, and Cy Young Awards. A series of baseball clinics for kids conducted by Red Sox coaches and alumni will also take place throughout the day on Saturday.

Family-friendly activities include wiffle ball on the indoor field, a virtual reality experience, batting and pitching cages, the chance to meet Wally and Tessie, and a special screening of the 1993 movie ‘The Sandlot’ on Saturday night at the Fox Theater. Panel discussions with current and former players will also take place throughout the day on Saturday with the return of popular favorites like the kids-only press conference and a game show presentation with members of the 2018 team. In an effort to accommodate more fans, this year’s panel discussions will all take place in the Fox Theater.

NESN will broadcast live from Baseball Winter Weekend on Saturday with interviews with Red Sox players and leadership. Winter Weekend attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the network’s broadcasters and to participate in a casting call for NESN Clubhouse, the award-winning, commercial-free, pre-game show for kids that airs 90-minutes before Red Sox games on Sundays.

Winter Weekend concludes on Sunday with Breakfast with Wally and Tessie, a mascot-themed breakfast for children and families. Tickets for the breakfast are available at redsox.com/winterweekend. 

Fans are encouraged to check redsox.com/winterweekend periodically for updates on participants and activities. 

NOTE: We are providing this information to our fans as we are Red Sox Parents. No other compensation was provided.

New England Revolution are offering an exclusive early Black Friday deal!

The New England Revolution are offering an exclusive early Black Friday deal running now through Cyber Monday, November 27. You can purchase six match tickets to see the Revs in action for the price of four — over a 45% discount — plus, a free gift of either an Adidas fan scarf, winter hat, or Revs travel mug! This Holiday Ticket pack is perfect for any sporting fanatic or as family-fun. 

The package also offers ticket holders a reserved parking pass for each of the games and access to be part of the Revs Gold Seating Group which offers bonus discounts on additional games, access to exclusive Gillette Stadium pre-sales for concerts and events and special invitations to private watch parties at Gillette Stadium. This holiday offer is available at www.revolutionsoccer.net/2018-holiday-packs or by calling (877) Get-Revs.

NOTE: We are providing this information to our readers. We did not receive any compensation in exchange for this post.