The Futures Game is one of my favorite baseball events of the year. I hope to share some of what I saw with you below.

Some of you have been to Fan Fest in the past. Hats of to Kansas City for doing a fine job with the family friendly event. Everything from getting an autograph from Fergie Jenkins, learning how to slide with Cal Ripken, Jr. or making a purchase from the Pin Man, the experience is wonderful. I dropped a few dollars with vendors and came away with some things I wanted. If Fan Fest ever comes to a city near you, make sure you give it a try. There really is something for everyone.

Downtown Kansas City is all dressed up and ready for a party. The fountain at the Convention Center is spewing beautiful blue water. The city is nuts for their Royals.

Last night we went to the Negro Baseball Museum at 18th and Vine in the jazz district. It was a beautiful evening and the place is first rate. Give it a look and see for yourself.

Of course, The Futures Game didn't disappoint. The hitting was outstanding. The pitching left much to be desired and the food in the press box was just as I would have hoped for. More about that later.

Before the game I had a chance to speak with several of the United States players. I was sitting right behind the Reds Billy Hamilton on the plane from Phoenix. I heard him engage the people next to him in baseball talk. He was kind and generous with his conversation. They saw his Reds duffle bag with the number 44 on the side and they knew he must be going to the game-they just didn't know who he was. I really don't think they ever found out. but he was really nice to them.

Today I asked him about his speed from home to first? He said he was 3.4 to 3.5. He didn't know that Mickey Mantle was 3.2. He said he is learning how to hit from the left side of the plate to get to first base quicker. Quicker? Do you know how fast you run, young man? He said his sisters think they can beat him in a foot race but he admits they have no chance. He has no timetable for his arrival in Cincinnati. He just wants to work hard to learn how to get on base regularly. Really a very, very nice guy. And very humble. He hit a triple by flying around the bases. He disrupted the pitcher when he was on third and scored on a pitcher's error.

And that's why I like the Futures Game. Little to no arrogance among the players. Everyone I spoke with was a gentleman and kind with their time and comments. Some even remembered the conversations we had during the Arizona Fall League. That surprised me.

Mike Olt of the Rangers told me he is very excited about the prospect of playing in the outfield as well as first and third bases. Olt is an outstanding athlete. He will make a tremendous fantasy play because he will be eligible at multiple positions and he can flat out hit. His defense is much better than people ever credit him with.

I asked Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich to tell me something he hasn't told anyone else-ever. He laughed at that, thought for a moment ans said, "I've got it. I was one out away from quitting baseball when I was 6 or 7 years old. I was afraid of the ball. I thought it would hit me and I would get hurt. I told my dad I wanted to quit. My dad told me to play one more game. If I got a hit, he'd give me $5. If I didn't get a hit, I could quit. I hadn't gotten a hit until the last at-bat. I hit a dribbler in front of home plate and beat it out for a hit. I didn't quit. And I'm still playing." i thought that was a great story. He just looked at me and laughed. What a nice guy.

The Royals did a great job on the food in the press box. After all, let's get our priorities straight. They had it all-hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, you name it. It was a first rate spread. Peanuts, popcorn and very nicely sized pretzels. I was very impressed. And bathrooms very close. Full soda machine with Mountain Dew. Yes, I like Mountain Dew. And Dr. Pepper. The doctor was in.

Oh, the game? Man, did the United States team rake. In batting practice, the Astros Jonathan Singleton and the Cardinals Oscar Taveras put on a show. Taveras hit a ball right under the batter's eye in dead center field. He hit another one into the fountain in right-center. Singleton crashed and crushed the ball as well. I asked Taveras about his swings right after he finished hitting. "I know I did it, but I didn't look." Right.

There were a number of giant offensive shows during the game. Including the multiple hit performance of the Tigers Nick Castellanos who was voted the Most Valuable Player. Jurickson Profar was incredible at the plate. He took the ball to the opposite field as well as straight away.
Mike Olt was banging along with Wil Myers and others of course. I was glad to see the only two Indians prospects in the world, Francisco Lindor and Jesus Agular both had nice games. I was very quietly rooting for them. Very quietly. Your the only people who know.

Pitching was pretty mediocre. There were a few guys I really liked including the Mariners Taijuan Walker, Marlins Jose Fernandez and others. The Dbacks Tyler Skaggs pitched well. The pitching didn't overwhelm. I'm not as impressed with 101 miles and hour if a guy gets hit. Anyway, most guys had the ball up in the zone all night and the weather was not conducive to allowing fly balls-they just flew and flew and flew into the gaps.

I forgot to tell you that during batting practice I got hit in the arm with a hard hit foul ball. Why didn't I see it? Because I wasn't looking. If I was looking I wouldn't have gotten hit. I didn't rub it. I was really, really tough. All I did was run into the bathroom to cry. No-that's not true. I toughed it out. Did I quietly bend down and pick up the ball? Would you have? Did I? I'm not sayin. It's my secret and I'll never tell.

I've had better hot dogs. I forgot to tell you that. The chicken strips were dynamite however. I'm still paying for them.

Who do I think is coming to the majors the soonest? I'm saying Wil Myers. He doesn't have much more to prove.

I reminded the Blue Jays Anthony Gose that he told me he would be the best center fielder ever when I met him in the Arizona Fall League. He remember it and told me exactly the location where he said it. He was right. He still believe that. I told him I liked his attitude. He made a great catch and throw today.

I don't want to talk about the bad performances. These guys were nervous. They were excited and I don't blame them. No matter what happened today, we can't rain on their parade. It was a wonderful day.

Tomorrow I'll share my experiences at the Home Run Derby. Hope you'll join me on twitter @BerniePleskoff during the contest. I'll be tweeting if all goes well.