Resident Throws Ceremonial First Pitch at Padres Game

Checking Another One Off the Bucket List!

It’s debatable which is more fun – sitting down and creating a “bucket list” of activities one wants to experience before “kicking the bucket” or actually getting to check off items on the list?!

It’s a tough call but I have to say that checking off the experiences is proving to be very rewarding.  After turning 40 a couple years ago I decided it would be as good a time as ever to start working on a list of activities I’ve always wanted to do, and it wasn’t more than a couple months before I had my first opportunity.  Last year a Groupon offer came across my email inviting me to strap myself into an authentic NASCAR stock car and drive upwards of 160 MPH around the Fontana Speedway just east of LA.  It was the perfect way to launch the bucket list and an experience that I will never forget.

About the same time last year I jokingly commented on a friend’s Facebook post that a life of fame held zero interest to me, except that “I would love to be just famous enough to get invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Padres game”.  Little did I know that this goal would end up being the second item on my bucket list to get checked off!

Just a few weeks ago I got an email from our office that the company’s charity group was hosting a Night at the Ballgame, which also provided us the opportunity to bid on items including a chance to throw out the first pitch at a Padre’s game.  I quickly bid on it and waited expecting that I would likely be outbid by others.  To my surprise I ended up being the sole bidder, and so on Friday May 31^st I got to live out another dream of mine!

When the moment arrived my goal was to soak in the once-in-a-lifetime experience and to not make a fool of myself out on the mound!  Trying not to think about the possibility of bouncing the ball 10 feet short of home or air mailing it to the backstop, I fortunately was able to harness just enough athleticism to actually get the ball over the plate and then step back and reflect on the surreal moment.  Now on to the next one on the list!

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 Jim and his wife Jo, have lived in Carmel Valley since 1987 and first got into the real estate business in 1992 after a successful career in the construction industry in South Africa.  Kevin Dalzell joined the Dalzell Group Real Estate team in 2002 after playing professional rugby  in Europe (represented the U.S. in two Rugby World Cups) and is now living with his wife, Nina, in Solana Beach.  Ryan Dalzell coordinates the team’s marketing program, and he joined the group in 2004 after working as a flight instructor.  Ryan lives in Carmel Valley with his wife Julie and their 3 children.  Amber Worsham recently joined the team as the new Marketing Manager & Transaction Coordinator.  With over five years of experience in marketing real estate in Coastal North County, Amber provides us with extensive expertise in the print, internet and direct marketing aspects of the business.