Back In The States
Hi Everyone, Well, I’m back in Seattle after a great off season, now it’s back to business and baseball. I’ve had a few things to catch up on since getting back to my second home. Those things included sorting out my house, working out at Safeco, (which I was reminded how awesome that place is), catching up with friends and family, spending time with my girlfriend and passing on some baseball knowledge to some aspiring little leaguers.
Today, I was fortunate enough to spend the day at the Ballard Boys and Girls Club of America. I held a camp for 50+ kids from the ages of 8 and up who were great to work with. I was able to give them my story of growing up in Australia with baseball being so foreign and how I came to play professional baseball.
Working out with the kids today really took me back to when I was their age and how I was so stoked to get involved with baseball. It also reminded me how important it is to have those facilities they have there as well as the coaches and staff running it. Not to mention noticing how supportive their Mum’s and Dad’s were taking time out of their weekend to have their sons or daughters at the camp, and helping me out to make sure the drills went smoothly. So I would just like to give a special thanks to the Boys and Girls Club of America and the parents for a great day.
Ryan spends time with the kids.
Spring training is a couple days away, it’s that time of year again where everyone hits up that massive grid like city in the desert escapes the cold to get prepared for the season. It’s always an exciting time because I’m just about to get back around my team mates but the nerves set in as its been a while since facing hitters and how silly I might look running laps after messing up a PFP! Plus that treadmill test kills you, my off season prep better serve me well! Will be good to slide back into that daily routine I have been seriously lacking for many months working out at random times. I just have to figure out what to do in the afternoons.
Last year I bought a guitar and tried to get really good, then as soon as spring training finished I shut it down, maybe I should finally try golf this year! OK, On that note I gotta pack bags and sort out rental cars for good old Peoria! I’ll check in soon! Have answered your questions below. See you in the desert.
Jenny – I don’t really notice if people admire me or not, I do have heaps of respect for certain athletes musicians and entertainers! Some people amaze me of what they are capable or their perception on life, and it would be strange and intimidating to be around them. As for myself, I think I have a very long way to go before I ever think I would be close to that category !! But my Mum thinks I’m pretty cool! ha
Mariner Mike – I haven’t had the chance to talk to Jack yet, I look forward to meeting him in a couple days though, I have a lot of new people I am going to meet staff and teammates, so I’m excited about that.
K Smith – Yes she did get out there and get amongst it. Had a surfing lesson with an ex pro which was great . Kinda hard to keep up the practice in Seattle though. My workout this off season were similar to previous years, a lot of spring training with my trainer Cale, who was a sprinter, also some boxing and yoga. As for surfing, I feel like it does get my shoulder in shape some what but the it is really just for fun and to be active, but I gotta say, it does burn a lot of energy. I am worn out after a good long surf .
Steven A Taylor – The Aussie roster is scattered with guys who have a time in the big leagues, the most recognized would be Grant Balfour. There are a bunch of guys with significant time in the big leagues . I haven’t had a good look at the roster but from what I hear it’s full of young guys who you will see in the big leagues in a year or two.
Kaipo -Thanks for your comment, my fish is short for me also but really thick through the middle to it holds my weight , and very easy to throw around ! I’ll have to come down for a surf after the season, but I better pack my thick wetsuit! Sorry, I’m soft when it comes to cold water!
Trevor / K Smith – Thanks for the Happy Birthday !! I’m getting old !! You better be rockin that #18 jersey!!
Big Al- Thanks for the nice comment ! I’m always nervous coming into camp, I get nervous having a stroll in the park , but I always feel I have a lot to prove , and I love that because it really keeps me hungry! Until I’m retired I think I will always be trying to prove myself!
Megan – As far as I know my family is fine , I think its way further south than where I’m at , it seems to happen every year where we get these really hot days in Summer and the Westerly winds blow the fires out of control . Scary stuff if you’re close to em 2 years ago they shut down the freeways all around Sydney it was that bad . OK that’s all from me but i will check in soon!! Keep warm!! Ryan
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Hey Ryan,
Just wondering how your holding up without your catcher in Oz?? The mail is that he’s had a big influence on 09 for you after some amazing outings at shark park in Newport?
Ryan,
Good luck in spring training! I hope Jack’s new pieces fit in well.
Any word on when they’ll get Rowland-Smith 18 shirts in the team store?
Your comments about leadership in your earlier blogs intriged me. I went to a military academy and was trained in leadership. I think you are spot on in what you posted. With that being said, what do you think about Griffey possibly coming back to Seattle? Do you think he’d bring the leadership that would be needed in the clubhouse?
Hope you are ready for the season Ryan!!! Hopefully this one will be MUCH better than last year. And you know I will be rockin that 18 jersey. Cost a fortune, but well worth every penny. SEE YA THIS SEASON!!! Go Mariners!!!
Yes ! nice to have you back
AND I agree with everyone…we want rowland-smith #18 shirts!!!!!!!!!!!
Style, understated. But look out!
Just letting you know that JM is gearing up.Caught her signing up on mlb.com.this morning.
I hear you are gearing up also. I guess your sister has already given it a name.
Enjoy Spring Training, ignore the mind games and come out of the blocks firing.
Hi Ryan,
I wanted to thank you so much for coming to the Ballard Boys and Girls Club. It was a great experience for everyone involved. I have worked at the club for 6 years and this by far was the most exciting thing I have seen done for the kids. It was so great to see you give each child that one on one attention. They had a blast. On a personal note my cousin was the one that won you glove and he was so excited, he couldnt stop talking about it. It is so great seeing people like you heading into the community and giving back. Thank you so much and I hope this is an organization that you will work with again. I know I think its the best but Im alittle partial. Thanks
Katrina Sigurdson
I’ll be down in AZ March 6th-9th.
I would ask if you know of any good dance clubs, since it will be my birthday Saturday night. I don’t want to get you into trouble. I’m not sure how tight a schedule the team has you on.
What is your day like during Spring Training?
Ok, have a good Spring Training! And welcome back to town!
Mark
Welcome home Ryan. I am rootimg for you to aquire one of the starting spots on the Mariners team. I know that you are very ready to assume that role. I will be watching you develop into a starter down in spring training. Set your sites High and go for it. Also, thanks for autographing at DJ’s sports before you left for the land down under. See you in AZ.
Hi Ryan,
I came to Safeco to watch you pitch whilst on holidays in Seattle from Melbourne last year. I thought you did an outstanding job in a very tough situation, and was infact the Mariners best starter during September.
I’ll be coming to Peoria from Mar 26 – Apr 2 to give you some support on the mound, hope to see you start during that week. Already got my KC, Tribe and Padres tickets.
Have a great spring training, and I have no doubt you will be in the starting rotation come opening day.
Hi Ryan,
I have been enjoying your blog down here in Australia – I have to declare I am your biggest fan in Sydney! I am an Aussie through and through but lived in Seattle for a couple of years so I know what you are experiencing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I am eagerly awaiting my #18 shirt and my Australian WBC shirt in the mail (the postage and the exchange rate is frightening but it will be worth it!).
It sounds like you had a great time here over the off season. We put on some nice weather so hopefully you enjoyed it and spring training goes well. I hope to make it back to Seattle later in the year to see a game or too. I have been to a number of games but haven’t been to a game where you have been pitching so fingers crossed you are featured more in the rotation.
Well, that is good to know. Last year we flew to Perth and could see fires outside the city, but it didn’t seem anywhere near as bad as they have been this year; we have some friends in Adelaide and some friends in Melbourne, all are safe, good to know your people are fine, too.
Good to hear from you again Ryan! I’m glad you had such a fun off-season. I’m so excited for spring training to start. I can’t wait to see you guys play again. And like everybody else, once the #18 shirt is in the store I’ll be wearing it. Hopefully it comes out before I head down to Arizona. It’s good to hear that your family in Australia is doing OK. It’s so heartbreaking to hear some of the stories. Good luck with the treadmill test! See you soon!
Hi Ryan,
My wife and I have been watching a TV show from Australia called Mcleod’s Daughter and really like it. What is your take on this show?
Jim
Hi again, Ryan. I don’t know if you remember there was a reporter at DJ’s when you were there signing back in October, but the story he wrote finally came out in the local freebie newspaper. Here is the link if you’re interested.
http://newcastle-news.com/2009/02/05/newcastle-player-among-bright-young-pitchers-for-mariners-in-%E2%80%9909
(That’s my daughter in the photo with you!)
See you in Peoria in a couple of weeks!
[...] gradually starting to filter in for Spring Training. Ryan Rowland-Smith took some time to write a short update the other day before heading down to Peoria, and had some brief words to say about the wildfire [...]
Hey Ryan, Fantastic season last year, I’m from Melbourne, Australia and had the time of my life watching you guys in spring training in Arizona 2007. Just wondering if it would be weird playing with Ken Griffey Jnr (if the deal comes off) after striking him out on debut was a huge highlight for you. Keep up the great work and I’m sure there will be a rotation spot for you this season!
Hi Ryan, Hey, just a quick note to “Thank you” for stopping, at the parking lot gate, in AZ to autograph some items for myself and a few fans. You have been very gracious with your time for us. We are a very loyal bunch of fans. Still rooting for you in your quest of a starting pitching position. GO MARINERS !!!!!!
I’m so looking forward to Spring Training! My dad’s actually working at the Sports Complex, prepping the field or something of that sort. I can’t wait to hit up a few practice sessions and then go to the actual games! It’s like the one dose of Mariners i get every year, living here in Phoenix. I swear, i don’t understand why the Mariners only play the Dbacks in Phoenix about once every 4 years! Sad.
Heather/Shrugs/everybody, before I forget (if you read reader comments), I ordered a personalized (pick a player) Rowland-Smith #18 shirt off the mlb website http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3415176&cp=.3306622 last year. I am impatient and couldn’t wait for the dang store to get them in…they’d better have them this year! Problem is, mine doesn’t have a hyphen…so will be remedying that before anyone thinks I made the mistake…never! However, I think the mlb website MIGHT have fixed that issue… I am looking to get a navy authentic jersey however and that better have the hyphen!
First and foremost, I surely hope you didn’t know anyone who perished in the terrible fires but glad to know your family is OK. I was reading about Australia’s “Leave early or stay and defend” plan…Interesting.
Anyways, happy to hear you are safely back in the states. Just read the article about starting pitchers on mariners.com…should be quite an exciting, competitive camp! I really hope we’ll be getting to see you every fifth day…I know a lot of us pulling for you, you deserve it! I know you are always looking to improve everything but is there anything specific, any skill or pitch you are looking to improve this year during spring training? Or do you use spring training more of a general warm-up (and of course audition)? Enjoy the warm Arizona weather while you can!
So excited and happy the season is starting up again…it wasn’t just baseball, pretty much ALL Seattle (including college) sports were simply in the toilet so there’s no where to go but up? Right?
So good to see professional sports icons and “famous” people give back to the community. I’m sure you encouraged some of those kids to dream big.
Will your girlfriend be going to spring training? I have been wanting to every year but haven’t had the chance yet!
Maybe I missed this on one of your profiles, but I have been wondering so I will just ask you here. What or who made you decide to become a pitcher? Were you considering any other positions at the beginning of your career (like as a kid)?
As always, thanks for taking the time to talk to your fans. It will be nice to get back into the swing of things (pun NOT intended) and have something to follow on the news and read in the paper…off season is so boring!! Though I am going overseas (literally) right before the season starts (crikey!) so I am going to have to figure out ingenious ways to keep up with you and the Mariners…
~Kiri Smith
How difficult it must be to make decision about playing in the WBC for Australia.You are the only Seattle pitcher eligible who is not on a big contract and not set in the rotation,although I am sure that will be the case as you have already proven yourself.
Whatever you decide I am sure it will come from your usual intense scrutiny and investigation of all angles and with a much emotion.
We are with you all the way,no matter which way.You are geniunely respected for your integrity as well as your pitching tenacity
Hi Ryan,
First congrats on a tremendous ‘08, I remember back to when you were selected in teh rule 5 by the Twins and thinking they made a mistake by sending you back.
Anyway I read a quote attributed to you on Yahoo!
“In Australia?” he said, smiling. “They couldn’t care less.”
In relation to the WBC, i just wanted to let yo uknow this isn’t the case. After our spomewhat unlucky appearance in the first WBC, I’ve been very much looking forward to seeing guys like yourself, Harman, Graham, Hughes and Oeltjen all guys who may have been a little young last time, regain some respect for Aussie Baseball.
I like many others will naturally understand if you make the call to stick with the M’s to secure your spot in the rotation & I’ll have the whole year to enjoy your performaces with them, but I do care and would love to see you pitch for the A Roos!
Good luck and all the best for ‘09 which ever way you choose to start it!
Spud, Sydney Aust
Hey Ryan,
Sorry to hear that you won’t be representing us in the Classic but completely understand your choice to decline the invite.
Just wanted your opinion on how you think we will fare now that our two best pitchers, yourself and Balf have both declined to participate.
Ryan, you are a stand-up guy, and I really appreciate that. I am a fifth grade teacher, and love to show that there are great people to look up to. Thank you!
Ryan,
I am a big Ms fan (born and raised in Seattle) but feel sad that you won’t be representing Australia in the WBC.
Were you thinking that it would be hard to maintain focus on playing for Australia while the 6 other rotation candidates are making their case in Peoria?
I hope you have the opportunity in 4 years to play for Australia and please know that we understand the sacrifice you made.
I’m rooting for you to make the rotation!
George
Hi Ryan,
Just like George I am rooting for you to make the rotation. I really like the way you pitch no nonsense and go out let it rip.
In the same as George I am a seattle lifer, however, I do have cousins living in perth, and know a few others in Australia. Someday I hope to visit.
Ryan you and the mariners are #1
Just had to pop on here and commend you for your difficult choice between the WBC and the Ms team.
Choosing to show what you’re made of, and put the team first even when there’s no guaranteed spot for yourself to start right away, to sacrifice a rare opportunity that means so much to you… well damn, man, that’s impressive. I hope Wak and company notice what you’re doing to contribute to the spirit of the club.
I don’t know as I’ll get out to the ballpark as much this year, but I’m definitely going to make sure the next M’s tshirt I get is #18.
You’re a class act, and if you believe in karma like I do, I think you’ve got great things in store for yourself. Good luck in Arizona.
So looking forward to you in the rotation. I know that the $s are the issue,but stay on it. Your ML journey is just beginning.Expect to see you around for quite a while yet.
It is a shame that you cannot play for Australia.Then:Does anyone in Australia even know that there is a WBC on?
No big deal in OZ.Bit different in Japan, Venezuela etc. Players in those countries are worshipped and the game understood and valued.
Your Olympic Silver Medal with the OZ team in Athens 2004 is a huge thing.
I empathise with the delemna you faced.
GO RYAN!
Hello Ryan, I’m new to your blog and I must say, you are one terrific writer.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to see that you are focusing on winning a spot in the rotation. I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope it all works out well.
Oh and also I was wondering something. If you make the starting rotation this year, then when you guys play in interleague games, you’re going to get to bat right? Can we expect a few home runs from you?
Anyways, good luck. Hope to see you guys if you come to San Diego this year!
Super stoked for spring training. Can only make it for a quick weekend trip, but I’ll be there over my bday. Can’t think of a better way to spend it, sipping beer and watching my favorite guys! My Dad said he caught ya in practice the other day, he’s already been down there for couple weeks.
How are you feeling about playing with Griffey Jr. for his 20th season? I’m really excited to see him back on the team!
Hope all is going well and hopefully I’ll catch ya in Peoria next week!
Hey Ryan,
Welcome back to the States.
Tough choice for both you and Grant concerning the WBC. I get the feeling that Australian players are put behind the 8-ball more so than the other countries players. I’m doing my best to promote Australian baseball here in North America and would like some of your thoughts. Drop me a line if you get a chance. bryan.wallace@austrade.gov.au
Good luck in your first outing, Ryan.
When you get a chance, let us know what it was like showing up to camp with so many new faces.
Great bolg RRS. Did you see the exhibition matches against Japan? I really feel for your team. All those errors. What do you think?
Style and understated like I’ve already said.
Like you never had a break:-your first outing today.
Great job in your first outing today, keep working hard!
Hey Ryan…
Congrats on your performance today against the hated Padres…still rooting for ya to make the rotation this year…
Still waiting to hear from the M’s for ‘Turn Back The Clock’ Day….I think a groovy funk/disco band is just what they need to pack Safeco…ha ha…
Once again..good luck this year…
Shane in Canada
Ryan great pitching yesterday along with your hitting. I know Wak was surprised,however, maybe you can dh as well
Awww dang, you have a girlfriend!
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[...] Another decent blogger placed an interesting blog post on Back In The States | ProlebrityHere’s a brief overviewHad a surfing lesson with an ex pro which was great . Kinda hard to keep up the practice in Seattle though. My workout this off season were similar to previous years, a lot of spring training with my trainer Cale, who was a sprinter, … [...]