Extra Innings and a Thousand Gifts
- Joni Lynn Schwartz
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
My Grandma Dalen was the biggest Twins fan I knew—until I met my husband.
Last year, my husband had the opportunity to attend Twins Fantasy Camp. This year, he brought the girls and me along, and it’s been one of those trips we’ll never forget.
We flew to sunny (and hot!) Fort Myers on Saturday. The only camp item that day was registration, so Sunday felt like the real start. Since my husband and my cousin were veterans, they spent Sunday throwing and hitting while the rookies went through the gauntlet. My cousin is the reason my husband went to camp in the first place—convincing him last year with, “You’re never going to suck less than you do right now.” The girls and I took advantage of that window to head to the beach.
First airplane ride ✅
First time seeing the ocean ✅
Sunday afternoon brought the draft reveal. My husband and cousin were drafted as a duo—first-round picks this year by Frank Viola, who had also drafted them last year. This year, Frank was coaching alongside his son, Frankie, which made it a unique experience!
Monday kicked off a two-game set. My cousin was on the mound breaking bats with wicked speed, including Dick Bremer’s. A win in the morning followed by another win in the afternoon.
Monday night was a highlight of my time in Florida—the coaches’ dinner. I was invited, and it quickly became clear why Frank Viola is so respected. He’s not just an incredible baseball player; he’s a genuinely great human. He drafts players he actually likes. At dinner, each player—and their guests—shared why they were at camp. Some came for redemption, some for health reasons, and others keep coming back because of the friendships. This team even had two women on it, which was such an inspiration for our girls to see.
Tuesday morning started with a tough opponent, but the team held strong for another win. The afternoon game was hot and demanding. When the starting pitcher felt a tweak in his elbow in the second inning, my husband came in as relief—without much notice. He gave his best effort and battled through it. One of my favorite moments was watching my favorite woman pitcher come in later to finish the game.. The result didn’t go our way, but the fight was there.
By Wednesday, sore muscles, injuries, and a bit of an attitude check were in order. My cousin was back on the mound, the defense struggled, and Frank lit them up. It worked. They flipped the switch, came together, and earned another win. One more hot game followed that afternoon. Our 71-year-old pitcher took the mound for the second time this week, and no one would’ve guessed his age—he brought the HEAT.
My husband was solid in the outfield, got hits, and ran fast…not as fast as me, but fast. And as of Game 6, he’s been hit by a pitch SIX times—it’s like the ball has a magnet to him. Wednesday, he went 5–for–5. Just let the man hit the ball!
They ended pool play with a 5–1 record.
Game 7—the first playoff game—was intense. We were up, we were down, and then tied. At the end of the 7th, it was 7–7, sending us into an extra inning. My cousin came in during the 6th and ended up pitching through the 7th and the extra 8th, locking things down when it mattered most.
In the bottom of the 8th, my husband led off, got on base, and with solid hits from his teammates, scrambled his way to third. With runners on first and third, my cousin was intentionally walked, loading the bases with one out. Then the baseball player who reminds me of Santa himself stepped up to the plate. He has a reputation for getting the big hit—and he delivered. My husband crossed home plate for the 8–7 win. Best of all, Santa’s kids and grandkids were in the stands to witness it.
Following that intense game, the girls and I were off for another quick trip to the beach—sun, sand, and a deep breath after all that adrenaline.
The championship game was a hot one, played at Hammond Stadium, where the Twins hold Spring Training. My cousin was back on the mound, breaking bats with his solid pitching. The game stayed scoreless through seven innings, heading once again into extra innings. Because of Fantasy Camp rules—pitchers are limited to 10 total innings during playoffs—my cousin couldn’t pitch the 8th. The Judge took the mound instead, the starting pitcher from the previous playoff game.
In the top of the 8th, the opposing team put their bats on the ball and scored three. In the bottom of the inning, Frank Viola gathered the team for one final motivational speech. Despite the effort, the inning stayed scoreless. A hard-fought week ended with a 2nd place finish.
If you made it to the end and you’re a regular Make Monday Matter reader, you might be wondering how this all connects. Back in June, I started writing down the little ways I saw God showing up in my life—the very specific, often easy-to-miss moments—after reading 1,000 Gifts (Amazon affiliate link). On this trip, I finally wrote down my **1,000th gift from God… and then kept the list going.
It’s easier to notice blessings on vacation than in the usual grind of life. But I know God is with me in the mundane, the exciting, and every moment in between—I just need to pay attention. As I sit here writing about this gift-filled week, we’re winding down our trip: my husband at the final banquet, my girls and I cleaning, packing, and getting ready for our flight home. My gratitude is overflowing.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV)
One More Gift: The Family Jewels
Before closing this chapter, there’s one more gift I don’t want to rush—the people. This week wasn’t just about games played or wins earned, but about the teammates and coaches who made the experience what it was. A team that started as strangers and ended as friends.
The Family Jewels were coached by Frank Viola, alongside his son, Frankie, who stepped in this year when Jeff Reardon was sidelined while recovering from heart surgery. Together, they created a competitive, supportive, and fun team. Frank made time not only for his players but for the fans too. He talked with my girls every day—about movies, volleyball, and whatever else came up—and ended the week by giving each of us a hug. Frankie offered words of wisdom to my husband on the mound: “Don’t think, just do.” Good one, Maverick.
Each player brought something different to the team—and yes, Frank clearly liked you.
Our catcher, Todd, one of the most experienced campers, caught all eight games and took more than his fair share of hits to the family jewels, making him question whether Frank should’ve chosen a different team name. Another veteran, Randy, worked hard to include everyone and, despite tweaking his pitching arm, shifted to the infield and continued to put the ball in play at the plate.
Mike and Andrew were the father-son duo my girls loved watching. When Mike got on base, he found a way to keep moving, and when he crossed home plate, we noticed. Andrew was steady in the outfield and consistent at the plate. Jim, the final batter in the lineup, returned this year after a serious medical issue ended his last camp—making this week one of redemption.
Bobby, “The Judge,” pitched a solid first-round playoff game and even took time to chat running with me between innings. Staci and Tracy were reminders that this camp isn’t just for the guys. Staci was a reliable pitcher, moving the ball around the strike zone, and Tracy found her swing and added speed as a pinch runner. Dale brought his family, delivered key hits, and could keep a conversation going longer than most innings.
Will was 71, though you wouldn’t guess it. He showed up prepared, pitched well, and made a point to connect—sharing stories and pictures with teammates and us fans, too.
Brooks was back on Frank’s team again this year—a teammate my husband respects for how he plays the game and how he treats people.
And my cousin, Josh? A pitching machine. Grandma would be proud.
Last was my husband, Jeremy—willing to bring all of us girls along and let us be part of this baseball community. He supported his teammates, stayed on the move with his endless energy, and, as Frank says, is one heck of an athlete.
Every good and perfect gift—even a week on the baseball field—comes from above.
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