The first homestand is over, and our boys played pretty well at home, but the frustrations which began the season in St Louis popped up again last night in Arizona. However, for an addict like me, it's great to be back at work and experiencing the daily routine which makes my assignment frustrating and interesting by turns.

In a change from the past few years, the owners were not at our entrance gate to meet us this year, but we walked past them in the service tunnel, and Charlie's eyes brightened as he saw me, and he reached out to pat my shoulder. As we walked toward the elevators, we passed the huge American flag which is stretched out to cover the outfield during the opening day pregame ceremonies. The flag must measure several dozen yards in both width and length, and spotting it there always makes me wonder if there are special flag etiquette rules for a banner this size.

The wallet sized guide to the stadium this year has shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the cover, and local broadcast commercials urging us to buy tickets feature Tulo sitting in a Japanese restaurant, with the chefs pounding their wicked cleavers on the counter in a lively rendition of the cheer which greets Tulo as he takes the field each game - claps in the familiar rhythm of 1, 2 - 1, 2, and then rapidly 1 2 3 4 followed by the shout "Tulo!"

On Monday April 7, we had the shortest game in Coors Field history - 2 hours and 5 minutes, with Aaron Cook pitching very very well, leaving the mound only in favor of a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, with the Rox leading 2-1.

And not surprisingly, the goofy, weird, and surprising phone calls have begun - (1)Did the guy who runs the power washer make it in to work last night? {forwarded to the janitorial offices} (2)I found manager Clint Hurdle's wallet in Safeway - can I talk to him, please? {took a message with contact information and turned the issue over to the clubhouse} (3)and I had the first of what will probably be several conversations with the caller who doesn't like black jerseys; wants more purple on the field; rejects my comments that by tradition, the home team pitcher chooses team jerseys for each game; knows "all about baseball" because a member of the 1951 Dodgers took her to her first baseball game; and after informing me that the black jerseys are unlucky, was startled to hear that the Rox were ahead 7-2. Turned out she had been watching the hockey playoffs. {Took her name and number and left the message for the front office. I know from experience that someone in baseball administration will probably return the call. Whether they will manage to convince her or not is another question}

Later in the week, the radio repeater went down, and we doubled and tripled up on one of the working channels. In jest, one of the stadium ops supervisors suggested that this year's intern get on a stationary bike hooked up to a generator and keep the channels on the air. Those interns work their tails off the entire season long, and for a couple of seconds, I think the poor kid thought it was a genuine suggestion.

It's great to be back in the swing!