In the 100th, and likely final, episode of the Home Run On Wheels podcast, we reflect on the last two years and the impact we've hopefully made on the lives of children in the foster care system. It's been a bittersweet week with the first week of spring training corresponding with the death of Ron's grandfather. Ron also discusses his first week working for the Milwaukee Brewers and why the San Francisco Giants might have the most bland venue in all of baseball. Support this podcast

Home Run On Wheels

The 100th Episode

Chris Nelson, who spent five years in the Oakland A's system, joined the podcast to discuss his youth baseball camps in the Phoenix area - one of which is primarily for children in the foster care system (https://mvpacademy1.com/) .  Chris has partnered with the Milwaukee Brewers to use their spring training facility (https://www.azsmashersbaseballandsoftball.net/) at Maryvale and also has relationships with the Royals and Rangers in Surprise, and of course, his former team in Mesa. Chris and Ron discuss his playing career, the youth camps, the partnership with the Brewers and foster care organizations in Phoenix, as well as the Astros cheating scandal. Support this podcast

Former MiLB player Chris Nelson

We are adjusting to a snowbird life in the Phoenix area as spring training with the Cactus League has begun.  Maverick, the new Home Run On Wheels "Barketing Manager" is also adjusting to RV life well and went on his first road trip last weekend. Pitchers and catchers have reported and we're ready for spring training. Ron will be working for the Brewers in Phoenix and we hope to catch at least one game at every Cactus League venue. There are new faces in new places, and sports trades are kind of analogous to kids in the foster system getting moved from home to home. Support this podcast

Snowbird Life in Arizona

Home Run On Wheels has a new 'Barketing Manager' and his name is Maverick - a 2-year-old Border Collie mix with a birthday coming up. We also have other updates on our 2020 plans with dates and places, and how we're still trying to get some foster kids out to MLB spring training games in Arizona.  Support this podcast

Meet Maverick: The New Home Run On Wheels Barketing Manager

After visiting all 30 MLB stadiums in 2018, traveling down Route 66 and taking the RV into Mexico in 2019, Ron and Patti Clements reveal their 2020 plans for Home Run On Wheels. We also give thanks to our Phoenix-area friends for their hospitality and discuss a sense of community in RV parks. Be sure to subscribe to the Home Run On Wheels YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4bok33kCG9d2SpVXd-1qqA?view_as=subscriber) for the latest videos.

What’s Next For Home Run On Wheels in 2020

The Route 66 trip has concluded after the Home Run On Wheels RV spent a week in the Los Angeles area. Ron and Patti highlight their favorite moments in Los Angeles, including the hospitality of the Lakers and UCLA athletics for Ron's book - A Sports Fan's Guide To Route 66 - but also share their favorite moments and locales along Route 66. Support this podcast

Reflecting On The Route 66 Trip

Ron and Patti are in Victorville, Calif., and they discuss their last week on the Arizona portion of Route 66 and share their plans in California before finishing the Route 66 trek Thanksgiving weekend. Among the things for which they are grateful are the beautiful sites they've seen along Route 66, including the National Parks and monuments like Petrified Forest and Walnut Canyon in Arizona. Support this podcast

Giving Thanks On Route 66

As the Home Run On Wheels RV gets closer to California, Ron and Patti have been impressed by the landscape of New Mexico and Arizona. We also visited the only national park through which Route 66 passes and have been able to share the message of foster care along the way. Support this podcast

Southwest Route 66 Is A Sight To See

Ron and Patti are in New Mexico traveling down Route 66, which has several minor league baseball teams along the way. The Cardinals, Padres and Rockies are all represented, but not as much as the Dodgers, who essentially own Route 66 baseball with farms teams in Rancho Cucamonga, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Even Dodger Stadium is along the Mother Road. We also discuss the historic 2019 World Series and that we may or may not have head celebrity neighbors at a rest area near McLean, Texas. Was it 3 Doors Down or Florida/Georgia Line?

Why Dodgers Fans Should Travel Route 66

After a two-week hiatus, we’re back and talking Cardinals baseball along Route 66 in St. Louis and Springfield. The Dodgers also have their Double-A affiliate in Tulsa, and we share our thoughts on the 2019 World Series between the Nationals and Astros. Also, there are some interesting tidbits about Stan Musial and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Talking Baseball Along Route 66

Stephanie Tesreau of Home Run On Wheels book signing (https://www.facebook.com/events/2271901849788494/) in Fairview Heights, Ill., and how much baseball means to the city of St. Louis. The Cardinals are also back in the postseason for the first time in three years, but that’s what Cardinals fans expect every October.

Stephanie Tesreau of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services

As the MLB regular season comes to an end, Patti and Ron are beginning Route 66. Recording from Joliet, they discuss their time in Chicago, which included Blackhawks and Bears games, plus a surprise trip for Patti to the CIBC Theatre to see Hamilton. Are professional sports tickets overpriced? Certainly. Should children have more exposure to the arts? Most definitely. We also had a surprise meeting at Soldier Field – Patti’s first-ever visit there – and we provide more details for Ron’s book signing on Sunday, Oct. 6 (https://www.facebook.com/events/2271901849788494/) , at the Barnes & Noble in Fairview Heights, Ill.

A New Season Begins

We’re spending the last week of the MLB regular season in the Chicago area, where we will begin our next adventure traveling down Route 66. After seeing a pair of Brewers-Cardinals games at Busch Stadium, we’re curious to see if the two teams will face off in the postseason. In the meantime, we’ll experience a couple of firsts in Chicago with our first-ever visit to United Center on Wednesday and Patti’s first-ever game at Soldier Field on Sunday. Ron also has a big surprise planned for Patti on Thursday. We will be back in the St. Louis area on Oct. 6, where Ron will do a book signing in Fairview Heights, Ill. (https://www.facebook.com/events/2271901849788494/) , with a special giveaway.

Postseason Push Along Route 66

Randall and Gwen Floyd came out to the Home Run On Wheels RV in the St. Louis area to discuss their life as full-time RVers with their four children. The Floyds have their own YouTube channel, “ (https://www.amazon.com/Roaming-Wide-Living-Free-Beginners-ebook/dp/B07W4Y1GX8) . They are also parents of Ray, a 7-year-old boy they adopted as an infant through the foster care system. The sun was bright when Gwen took our group selfie. After spending an afternoon with the Floyds in St. Louis, we do  love the Floyds (http://everyonelovesthefloyds.com/) .

Everyone Loves The Floyds

There was some good news and bad news in the last week. After spending a week in the Hilton Head/Savannah area for vacation, we got off the Atlantic Coast just in time as Hurricane Dorian approaches. We are thinking of the people in The Bahamas who have been battered by Dorian. We also discovered a new (old) issue with the RV, but that’s some more bad news. A bit of good news is Ron is doing a book signing in the St. Louis area on Oct. 6. Listen to hear all the details of when and where.

Escaping a hurricane, more RV issues and new book signing

We chronicle our journey to all 30 MLB stadiums, traveling the country in an RV.

hubhopper

Home Run On Wheels

hubhopper