By Stubby Clapp Aaah the first days back with the guys.

There is nothing better then meeting back up for a family reunion with 30 of your best friends. We all had a treat right away when one of our brothers was called up to the big leagues.

Unfortunately he won't be able to play for us but what an opportunity for him. Scott Richmond has gone from the docks of Vancouver to the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays. Playing independent ball for the Edmonton Crackercats in the Northern League to finally get a chance for the Blue Jays in spring training.

In a short few months of pro ball he went from the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs to the Jays. This is one of the best stories going in baseball right now.

And on the 30th of July we as team were introduced in front of the Jays game at Rogers Centre but the best part was Scott was getting his big league debut as a starter and we were all there to see. What a treat! Congrats "Richie," we are proud of you and don't look back.

More on our team.

If there is one guy out to dinner there are usually 10-to-15 if not more. Conversations full of stories, talking shop and a lot of laughs.

We have everything on this team from our MLB veterans to our high school phenom, Brett Lawrie, who will join us after the World Juniors in Edmonton.

We're like a huge blended family of brothers we eat together, listen to the same traditional music together (The Tragically Hip) and we play TOGETHER. There is no "I" on this team and all egos have been checked at the door. If there was any to begin with?

The first game against the USA was a good start.

We came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 4-3 when Scotty Thorman doubled in the 10th. We had some good solid pitching and timely hitting.

Game two today and we are officially underway.

Stubby Clapp Houston Astros Hitting Instructor CooperReese Childrens Boutique cooperreeseboutique.com Owner