Turk Wendell gets loose while Darryl Boston and others look on during one of the eight games between the camp’s coaches and camper teams. The pros had to work hard to edge each of this year’s squad.

Each team battled valiantly, but in the end the pitching of Anthony Young, Pete Schourek, Turk Wendell and John Stearns proved a bit more than the camper teams could handle.  Interestingly, the most exciting game of the day came in the last matchup for the coaches – a “Lenny’s Bombers” squad that had not recorded a win during the week’s tournament play.  The Bombers came out aggressively against the coaches and quickly put up 6 runs against the pitching of Stearns (who was not helped by his defense, which included Turk Wendell at shortstop).  With the coaches in jeopardy of losing to a camper team for only the third time in the camp’s history, a crowded Digital Domain Park was buzzing over a potential upset of historic proportions.  However, in the final inning of the game the pros batted around using a “modified” lineup and managed to plate just enough runs to sneak past the Bombers, 7-6.

The 2012 camp proved to be one of the most competitive and compelling yet, with the coaching staff in agreement that the quality of play and sense of comraderie was stronger than ever this year.  The campers left tired but happy, and hopefully proud of their accomplishments both on and off the field.  On behalf of the entire Mets staff, we congratulate them on one of the best weeks of baseball that te Mets Fantasy Camp has seen and thank them for making this week as for us as it was for them!

In the morning, top-ranked “The Turks” cruised past the fourth-place “Ffab 4″ team to advance to the championship game behind yet another strong performance from their staff ace.  The strong second-place team,” Buddy’s Guy’s”, similarly advanced by beating “Wally’s Dirtbaggers”…thus setting up an afternoon showdown between the week’s top two outfits.

In the afternoon’s finale, “The Turks” quickly leapt out to a lead that their strong pitching staff would not allow them to relinquish, though “Buddy’s Guys” stayed within striking distance and threatened throughout the contest.  In the end however, they fell to the undefeated “Turks” squad and the team skippered by rooke Coach Turk Wendell claimed the week’s Championship.

After the afternoon’s games, the group returned once again to its Clubhouse to put aside on-field rivalries and share refreshment while tuning into the beginning of the day’s football action on the locker room televisions.  As the afternoon faded to evening, the group cleaned up and traveled to the scenic reception hall at the PGA Clubhouse for an Awards Dinner to wrap up the week.  Grand trophies were given to the league’s best pitcher, catcher, defensive player and hitters (among other accolades decided upon by the coaching staff).  After the presentations and a few more laughs, the group headed back to the hotel with much hardware in tow and many memories made.

Tomorrow the 2012 Mets Fantasy Camp wraps up with a series of three-inning games on the main field at Digital Domain Park between the campers and the coaches – one last opportunity for the week’s teams to take the field together and the chance to face off against a team composed of Mets legends!

The morning featured two undefeated squads facing off, as “The Turks” and “Buddy’s Guys” combined for a tight contest dominated by defense and solid pitching that was eventually taken by “The Turks” in thrilling fashion.  Other games featured “Benny and The Jets” using a big sixth inning to bolt past “4G”, a solid all-around performance leading to a big win for “FFab 4″ over “Lenny’s Bombers” and another pitching-fueled victory for “Wally’s Dirtbaggers” this time over “Felix’s Nine Lives”.

The afternoon saw the beginning of the drive to the championship with easy victories for the top two seeds, “The Turks” and “Benny and The Jets”.  Victories by “FFab 4″ and “Wally’s Dirtbaggers” also capulted them into the semi-finals…setting up enticing showdowns between the camp’s top 4 teams tomorrow morning before the afternoon’s Championship matchup.

Following all of the fantastic baseball action today, the group quickly changed and headed to the beautiful PGA Golf Clubhouse for one of Fantasy Camp’s most closely guarded secrets – the Kangaroo Court.  Few details can be revealed about this uproarious event, but needless to say that all departed with smiles on their faces.  Tomorrow, however, competition resume and a champion will be crowned…so the focus will be back on action between the lines!

The action unfolds below as the playoffs begin this afternoon!

During the morning games, a pair of high-scoring games went right down to the wire as “Felix’s Nine Lives” narrowly defeated “Lenny’s Bombers” and ”The Turks” (coached by Bobby Wine, Doug Flynn, Turk Wendell and Al LaBoeuf) edged “4G” (skippered by Buzz Capra, Darryl Boston, Eric Hillman and John Shoemaker).  Meanwhile in classic NL-style action, “FFab 4″ (coached by Kevin Baez, Bobby Floyd, Anthony Young and Freedy) dropped a tight contest to “Wally’s Dirtbaggers” (led by Wally Backman, Bob Apodaca, Rodney McCray and honorary coach Joe Connors) and “Buddy’s Guys” used a strong defensive showing to take down “Benny and The Jets”.

After a hearty lunch and a few brief consultations with our Training Staff, the group headed right back out to the fields for another slate of matchups.  “The Turks” – fast becoming an offensive powerhouse – pulled away from “Benny and The Jets”, “FFab 4″ used strong pitching to put away “Felix’s Nine Lives”, a pitching-rich “Buddy’s Guys” squad edged “Wally’s Dirtbaggers” in an intense duel of staff aces and “4G” snuck past “Lenny’s Bombers” in the week’s second extra-innings game.

There were many newly-minted heroes on day two, but after some relaxation and refreshment in the Clubhouse the group headed to The Tent to hear tales from their own Mets heroes of yesteryear in the highly-anticipated “Bull Session”.  As always, the hour long Q-and-A was highlighted by tales of Casey Stengel and the Mets’ earliest years from camp veteran Joe Pignatano.  The group then departed into the warm Florida evening for rest and preparation for another doubleheader tomorrow – including the beginning of the week’s playoff tournament!

Part of the group’s preparation each day is a morning meeting at which the coaches break down the day, provide encouragement and dispense a variety of tips gleaned from their years in the bigs. And with a doubleheader ahead, the players soak it all in eagerly!

The day began with our professional training staff making sure that every player was warmed up and ready to go and continued as the coaches led the group through drills and instruction on infield and outfield play, pitching, catching and hitting.  The coaches also used this opportunity to evaluate the impressive array talent on the field.

Afterwards the coaches adjourned to a private location to draft their teams amid a great deal of enthusiastic and animated discussion.  The staff, all former MLB players, used their considerable experience in the game and their evaluations of the group to create evenly matched teams specifically formed to fit together in an extremely versatile and balanced fashion – just like a major league squad.

Their expertise in team-building was immediately apparent as the week’s first game kicked off in impressive fashion.  Highlights included ”Benny & The Jets” (coached by Tim Teufel, Ron Swoboda, Ed Charles and Benny Agbayani) jumping out to an early 7-run lead over “Felix’s Nine Lives” (coached by Felix Millan, Al Jackson, Pete Schourek and Juan Bustabad) before holding on for a tight 7-6 victory with the tying run on third base.  The afternoon also provided the first extra-innings affair of the week, as “Buddy’s Guys” (coached by Bud Harrelson, Guy Conti and Lenny Randle) needed 11 innings to get past “Lenny’s Bombers” (coached by Duffy Dyer, Lenny Harris, Joe Pignatano and Rollie DeArmas) by a score of 8-4.

Tomorrow marks the first of three straight doubleheaders for the group, with games in the morning and afternoon putting the skills, conditioning and determination of each player to the test.  The days will be long and the road to the Camp Championship will not be an easy one, but the early returns indicate that this group is up to the challenge!

The 2012 Mets Fantasy Camp roster walked down Casey Stengel Way and into game action for the first time today…one exciting afternoon of baseball later, the week’s first game has been placed into the record books. Check back later for a recap of the day’s events!

Our campers arrived around 2:30pm today and most headed straight to the complex to get a feel for their Clubhouse, fellow campers and coaches.  Old friendships were renewed, new friendships were begun and a fair amount of laughs were had by all.  After a brief, informal workout that the coaches used as the beginning of their evaluation, the group adjourned to the Clubhouse and refreshed themselves in preparation for the evening’s Welcome Dinner. 

Over dinner at the beautiful PGA Country Club, Camp Commissioner John Stearns provided insights into what the campers can expect this week (as well as a few laughs) while introducing the coaching staff and allowing the campers to introduce themselves.  Particularly noteworthy was coach Lenny Randle’s whirlwind arrival (with full and considerable entourage in tow), hearty rounds of applause for Mets legends such as Bud Harrelson / Ed Kranepool / Wally Backman / Ron Swoboda / Ed Charles and the introduction of first-year coach Turk Wendell.

Tomorrow will begin with official evaluations and drills before the teams are drafted and official tournament play begins…then we’ll all see just what this group’s considerable potential will yield!