The Strange, but True Story of an MLB Fan Cave Reject

When I decided to go all out for the MLB 2012 Fan Cave, I had every friend tell me this is perfect for you. "There isn't anyone I know that knows as much about baseball as you" and "you already watch almost every game anyway" was the things I heard most often. The support from my friends and family really pushed me to try out for the Fan Cave. I changed my Twitter handle to @Mapes4FanCave. I started a plan to get support from MLB players. I made what I thought was an entertaining, though not technically perfect video. My followers went from 90 to over 200 in a pretty quick span. I made extra videos inspired by Jeremy Guthrie and Logan Morrison that they enjoyed. I got ESPN's Matthew Berry to shout me out to 338,000 followers with praise. Hell, if you searched MLB Fan Cave on Twitter, I came up in the first five things! For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was doing something right. I watched as many applications on YouTube as I could. I thought oh that person is good, but I think I've still got this. I was pretty confident, heading into the top 50 that on a pre-planned trip to Boston for a Celtics game, turned into making my friends wander around Fenway Park for two hours, while I wore a sandwich board to have material ready for right when I made the top 50. (Thanks again Jenn and Jason)

Then February 8th happened. The day I had been waiting for. Top 50 announcement day. I checked at midnight, no top 50. I checked at 3AM no top 50. Then I got a text from my brother, "Sorry dude, I don't get it." Don't get what? I refreshed the page again and searched every person, there's Ricardo, there's Ricky, there's Lindsay, where am I? I refreshed over and over looking for me and it hit me, I didn't make it. First stage was shock. Then I looked through and wondered how did these people get in over me? Even though I has watched their videos on YouTube before I watched Andrew Burdick's video again, it's 1:16 long and he's sitting next to a half empty scotch bottle! Are you kidding me?!?! The rules said no alcohol! How did he get in? In came the second stage of anger. I threw a couple things as I watched video after video that I didn't even think would make it cause the "rules" said so. I couldn't believe when the number of people that didn't follow them hit double digits. I really just wanted to know why. I called the casting manager after finding his number on his website to no avail. I got an answer from the Fan Cave through DM on Twitter about violations being considered, but not grounds for a disqualification. As the afternoon went through, I received text after text, tweet after tweet, Facebook post after Facebook post, saying that they were proud of me and I did everything I could. That's when things changed. It wasn't really about making it anymore, just knowing that all these people cared, completely changed my perspective.

I had my "pre-top 50" friends Abby Mollenhauer, Ricardo Marquez, Ricky Mast, and Steve Sievwright. We'd hit each other up on Twitter and I was glad that most of them had made it through. (Sorry Abby) I said to myself, if I'm not in. I have to make sure one of them do. Soon after came the announcement that it would be narrowed to a top 30 with them going to Arizona for Spring Training. I had never been so jealous in my life. I still thought I belonged. I don't know why, I don't know how, but there were people in the top 50 who thought the same. I exchanged tweets with Kelsey Shea Weinrich and Travis Miller. Then it was Megan Washington and Taylor Hensley. I started to really like these people. Let's be honest. I saw the first nights of the tiny chat on Twitter and wanted to come hang out, so badly. Not just to talk baseball, but I just wanted to know more about these people. They just seemed so awesome. Still not sure how I was the anointed, adopted top 50 (and top 30), but I had never been so happy to be invited to something so random. It felt like I belonged. Baseball really is the game that brings people together more than any other.

Over the past two weeks, I've met so many amazing people that have made me laugh, smile, and yes even dance. I hope that I've done the same for them. It's so weird to care that much about people that you've never even met in person. The worst part for me, is knowing that there are at least 13 people that I care about, that will have the same heartbreak as me. I will be there for them, the same way that they were there for me. Would I go back and change it so I made the top 50? Of course I would. I'm happy with how it all ended though. The Fan Cave would've only lasted eight months. However, I made friends that will last for longer.

On the last day of voting. These are the people that I think deserve your vote to get to the top 30. In no particular order:

Ricardo Marquez
My brother from a Latino mother. You were the first friend I made in this contest and I truly believe you've got one of the best chances to make it to NYC. Hell even our brothers follow each other. This would be awkward for most people, but for us it's awesome. No one has made me laugh the way you have. You're the funniest person in the competition. Use it to your advantage. Be careful on the nut shots though. (Sidetrack idea: What if you said here comes another nut shot then cut to a shot of you doing shot glass of peanuts, I'll be quiet now)

Ricky Mast
Somewhere I think the casting agency sat in the room and said well we have this funny Braves fan (me) and we have this funny Braves fan (you). You made it and you deserved it. I was at happy hour at Chili's saw your video on YouTube and said to my friend uh oh, this guy is good. I hope you can make it so they #PutABraveInTheCave

Steve Sievwright
When I first started the contest, I went through a lot of the applications on YouTube and a lot of it was crap. Pure crap. Then I watched yours and it was the first one that actually made me laugh. Congrats.

Kelsey Shea Weinrich
I still don't like that your middle name is after Shea Stadium. Your facial expressions kill me every time. Crazy hair Kelsey is one of my favorite people, ever. Why a certain company would hide that inside a costume, I don't know. You've probably grown the most in the last two weeks and you seem truly happy. Oh and join the fantasy baseball league with Ricardo :)

Lindsay Guentzel
I have a secret. I was really jealous of you before the announcement. I told my friends at work "I can't believe the stupid girl in Minnesota got on morning radio already." There was no surprise to me when you made the top 50. Then I actually talked to you after the top 50. You're the total package. Smart, funny, attractive, comfortable on TV/Radio, hard-working and most important you're a great person. In my opinion, there isn't a person in this contest that has tried harder than you and you deserve to make it all the way. Plus, you look AMAZING in a Braves starter jacket.

Travis Miller
Thanks for wanting me to be a part of this group. When you commented that if I can't make it in, please make sure this guy does it meant a lot. It was a pretty sweet reverse jinx on your part. The effort you've put forth to bring the top 50 together is unparalled. Ugh why am I saying so many nice things to a Mets AND Marist guy. If you're ever in New York (aside from the Fan Cave) you know to hit me up. Miller, Mapes, and Marquez in the morning I still say is ratings gold.

Megan Washington
The adorable girl that wait what likes wrestling?! Are you serious bro? If you don't make it all the way I really hope you come down to Wrestlemania in Miami for dinner and drinks on me.

Ben Christensen
The phenomenon of the MLB Fan Cave top 50. No one has gotten more national media attention than you. I hate tattoos, really really hate. You've made me second guess this. I thought it was all beard and tattoos, but there might not be another person in this contest that knows as much about baseball as you. You are gonna go far. Don't trim anything either!

Matthew James
In my opinion, you had the best put-together video in the entire competition. I feel bad that you had to re-edit it because you were worried about getting DQ'd and it ended up not mattering. Plus, I need you to teach me how to make a QR code for 2013. Just watched your last video, had to go back and add that it was awesome.

Taylor Hensley
TayyyyyyyTayyyyyyyy everyone thinks you're all just cute and bikinis. There's a lot of baseball love in there too and it shows. Next photo shoot get a Rollie Fingers mustache on. There hasn't been a person in this contest that my friends are more jealous of that I know personally.

Christy McGaugh
The funniest girl in the top 50, but still full of class. I'm glad that if I'm ever in Arizona, I've got some one to hang out with. Use your homefield advantage well in the top 30!

Mike Heidner
My favorite of the I can't believe that many Tigers fans made it in. I envy the fan cave in your house.

Kurt Peter
The only person with the balls to make a new video almost everyday in the top 50. They were all good, day 4 is still my favorite. Happy birthday and I hope you get a ticket to Arizona for it.

Jeremy Dorn
Why the hell won't Corbin Bernsen retweet you? Seems like great PR for him. Best of luck stealing Taylor Swift away from Travis in Arizona.

Brad Jeffers
The breakout star of the "St*ff that MLB Fan Cave Finalists Say" video. Everything you did in that was gold. Still waiting for you to get in a bikini though, I'll hit you up with a hundred votes.

Dan Sharp
I'm supposed to hate you because you're a Phillies fan. I can't hate on your dedication though. Get off your damn roof and go have fruity pebbles with Taylor though, before I do.

Brian Boynton
The Rangers lost the World Series last year because of me. I bought celebratory shots of Patron for a friend to take when they won in Game 6. It's all on me. I'm sorry.

Brian Pasnik
Anything that spoofs "Rookie of the Year" is great in my book. You're one of my brothers favorites, but he's a Cubs fan too, so take it with a grain of salt.

Ally Williams
Last, but not least. Please dance one time. PLEASE. I'll do anything.

That covers everyone. I'm 99% sure. AbbyMo I know you didn't make the top 50 either, but we're both gonna learn from this and make it in 2013. You have an open invite to come visit and I'll take you to a Yankee game.

Thank you again to all of you for everything. If any of you ever need anything, you know where to find me. I know you all can't make it to NYC, but I truly hope you all make it to Arizona. Just make it the most amazing time of your life. Any time you have doubts just remember I'd give anything to have your chance right now.