Flaunting the law, setting a bad example for the kids in other ways, grooming and acquiring dogs … not a typical Amey family vacation, but an appreciated one just the same.
Not to mention the addition of a second great-grandchild, although it appears highly unlikely we’ll be able to maintain the new-GGC-per-vacation ratio again for a while.
Most atypical of this particular vacation was the fact that we didn’t go anywhere except Indianapolis and Reelsville, which for me hardly qualifies it as a vacation (isn’t “vacate” part of the word?). I thought about soliciting donations to send us somewhere — since you folks seem to enjoy vacation news every bit as much as sports news — like Carly and Sam did on “iCarly,” but I remember that got them in a lot of trouble, and I’m pretty sure their fictional webshow has a lot more fictional viewers than I have readers.
So the highlights, such as they are, come a little closer to home.
• July 4 — A not-too-respectable 2 for 5 at the Jung family reunion softball game, and my earned run average took a beating too. I was impressed by my cousin Bridget diving for balls at shortstop in 100-degree weather (she’s the only member of the family I’ve covered in a sports event, having played second base for Lake of the Four Seasons in an MSA tournament many years ago) and I hope her two sons, who played first and second base for our team, were too.
• July 5-8 — These days were reserved for watching grandson Garrett Drake and his Terre Haute North 10-year-olds in District 4 Little League tournament play. He was 3 for 5 with a triple, no errors, ran the bases well, and his team outscored three opponents 54-2. July 7 was a particularly good day; Garrett was 2 for 2 including the triple, and Stella Grace Wilson was born.
• July 10 — We tried to think of cool stuff we could do in a day’s drive, and this was about our only success: a noon matinee game for the Indiana Fever against the New York Liberty.
It would be our first WNBA game since Stephanie White was playing, and a chance to catch up with her — she’s an assistant coach now — and another old friend, PR guy Kevin Messenger.
Problem is, you never know how long it’s going to take to get to Indianapolis from here right now, and after already finding ourselves behind schedule we also discovered street work being done that blocked our access to Delaware Street and the parking garage.
Panic set in, exacerbated by a couple of missed turns, a couple of wrong turns — and the eventual realization that the parking garage wasn’t accepting Fever parking on a weekday anyway. So we (I) finally pulled into a lot about a block from Bankers Life Fieldhouse that was only about half full. The lot right across the alley from the police station.
Even though we arrived in the middle of the second quarter, the game was a dandy. Although our seats were in Row 4, that meant we were in the first row of the stands (the first three rows are courtside), the Fever kept themselves from making the game a rout by forgetting Tamika Catchings was on their team for a while, and Cappie Pondexter of the Liberty got sizzling hot in the second half. Tamika re-inserted herself in her teammates’ consciousness in the nick of time, however, and with a two-point deficit and 8.4 seconds to go, the Liberty used Pondexter as a decoy to avoid tying or winning the game (Cappie’s storm off the court after not getting the ball was almost worth the price of admission).
The rest of the day was designed to be spent at Circle City Mall, but I was getting worried about the car. Jenny reasoned that it would either have been towed or it wouldn’t have, so we headed to the mall — early dinner at P.F. Chang’s (mu shu pork was outstanding) and looking for baby clothes and video games with the kids (who are much better shoppers than their dad).
Finally we couldn’t put it off any longer and had to head back to where we’d left the car. To my absolute astonishment, it was still there — no ticket, nothing. I’m guessing the cops figured nobody would be dumb enough to park illegally right next to the station, so we got a free day of parking in Indy — but you’d better believe I was looking out of the corner of my eye for people chasing us as I waited for traffic to clear and we could get back on the road.
I am NOT recommending this parking idea, by the way.
Oh, and on the way home we stopped and picked up Krissy, dog No. 5.
The rest of the time is a blur of lethargy right now, although we did have one trip to Reelsville to meet Stella Grace. Great-grandfather is not prejudiced at all in seeing movie-star looks (Angelina Jolie?) in this little doll.
I do recall seeing Spiderman and also bowling with the kids (my old self-assessment of myself in recreational sports was that my golf scores and bowling scores were about the same, so apparently I’ve improved a lot at golf). The dog grooming is a bit of an exaggeration; I tried brushing the massive long-haired Gabby a couple of times, until she had enough and lumbered off, and I’m not sure trying to wrestle two 50-pound puppies into a bathtub counts as grooming.
The bad example? Well, I tend to keep work hours even on vacation (that’s 3 to midnight or so for a morning paper) and Darcy and JoJo are more than happy to join me in staying up late and sleeping even later.
They may not be as appreciative of those habits a couple of weeks from now.
Andy Amey can be reached after 4 p.m. at (812) 231-4277 or at 1-800-783-8742; by e-mail at andy.amey@tribstar.com; by mail at P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN, 47808; or by fax at (812) 231-4321. Follow TribStarAndy on Twitter.
Sports
AMEY TAKES AIM: Deciding not to ‘vacate’ during ‘vacation’ – & other ventures
- Sports
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Defense: West Vigo second baseman Lucas Fagg fields a ground ball for an out in the Vikings semi-final sectional baseball game with Edgewood.
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West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
High school baseball sectional games between West Vigo and Edgewood have had a tendency to be unpredictable over the years, but the Vikings and Mustangs outdid themselves in that area Thursday evening — and Thursday night.
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
Indiana State starting pitcher Greg Kuhlman did his best.
Actually, he did far better than he ever has previously in an ISU uniform, but while Kuhlman’s gutty pitching effort spoke volumes, ISU’s bats remained ominously silent. -
BOYS TRACK REGIONAL: North gets three winners, South two at Evansville
Terre Haute North had three winners, Terre Haute South two, and the Patriots and Braves finished second and third respectively at the Evansville Regional for boys track on Thursday at Evansville Central.
Hurdlers Cam Stewart and Cole Seward and discus thrower Lee Davis were the winners for North, enabling the Patriots to finish with 60 points to 59 for the Braves. -
Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
Ask any IZOD IndyCar series champion and he’d say he would gladly give up that championship to win one Indianapolis 500.
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South Vermillion pitches team to sectional title, wins for her dad
South Vermillion snapped one streak and extended another Thursday night to win Class 3A Sectional 28 8-5 over Brown County at Edgewood High School.
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. -
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. -
North baseball pulls away from South in sectional opener
In high school baseball little things mean a lot, and the crack in the door doesn’t have to be open very wide.
Terre Haute North burst through that crack in the bottom of the second inning Wednesday evening at Terre Haute South, scoring seven two-out runs and going on to a surprisingly easy 12-2 victory over the host Braves. -
Blank, Mundy named McMillan Award winners
Posing side-by-side for photos following Terre Haute North High School’s Senior Awards ceremony, seniors Calvin Blank and Chanli Mundy couldn’t look more different.
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Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
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West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
- Local Interest
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman's Evans honored as Great Lakes' top athlete
Rose-Hulman senior Liz Evans earned her fifth career NCAA Division III Great Lakes Region Field Athlete of the Year honor, according to results released Wednesday by the U.S. Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
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Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman's Evans honored as Great Lakes' top athlete
- High School
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West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
High school baseball sectional games between West Vigo and Edgewood have had a tendency to be unpredictable over the years, but the Vikings and Mustangs outdid themselves in that area Thursday evening — and Thursday night.
- BOYS TRACK REGIONAL: North gets three winners, South two at Evansville
- PREP ROUNDUP: Martinsville adavances in Class 4A THS Sectional
- South Vermillion pitches team to sectional title, wins for her dad
- Green's grand slam helps Shakamak to sectional win
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- College
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
Indiana State starting pitcher Greg Kuhlman did his best.
Actually, he did far better than he ever has previously in an ISU uniform, but while Kuhlman’s gutty pitching effort spoke volumes, ISU’s bats remained ominously silent. -
Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
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Terre Haute's Mascari running 10,000 meters for chance to get to Hayward Field
Indiana State freshman and Terre Haute North graduate John Mascari is among the enormous group of Sycamores competing this weekend at the NCAA East Preliminary. The top 48 NCAA track and field competitors in each event on this half of the United States are narrowed down to 12 who will compete at the NCAA meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
- Sports Columns
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. - TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Shooters compete to fight cancer
- TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
- TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
- Pro Sports
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. - Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
- Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
- Colts introduce free-agent signees
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Terre Haute Rex
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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
- Rex out of playoffs
- Rex mix, match their way to win
- Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
- Colts
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. - Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
- Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Werner at top of game
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Auto Racing
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Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
Ask any IZOD IndyCar series champion and he’d say he would gladly give up that championship to win one Indianapolis 500.
- TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
- Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
- TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
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Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
George: I slipped up
LeBron, Wade on OT win
Hill responds after Game 1 loss to Heat
Vogel: We've got to play better
Spoelstra: Welcome to the Eastern Conference Finals
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Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
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Coach's quick call saves Moore football team
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Tiger Woods on his relationship with Sergio Garcia
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Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway
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Red Wings take 2-1 series lead
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McReynolds: 48 Team primed for Chase
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Shakira's Shocking Talent
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GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
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Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
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