A few days later a flight crew fell ill landing into Chicago and they could not fly to Toronto for an early morning flight. My mom was supposed to meet me in toronto for an afternoon game versus the Yankees. I could have driven to Cleveland to make up the game a few days prior but I chose family. I still had a shot for 30-27 with some luck. There were four doubleheaders left, although I had to put it to three doubleheaders when I saw the changing of the schedule would have cost a thousand dollars and cancelled my three day trip with my dad and 3 brothers-where we saw Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Busch Stadium. I made all the games needed to for a few weeks and was sitting at 26 games in 25 days. I made the trip to Houston in the afternoon and got a 2:40 game to make a sedan service to the airport for a 5:12 flight that arrived at DFW at 6:25 for a Sunday Night game in Texas AT 7:05. Only a storm stopped from boarding that plane, so I cashed in a 30-29 final a few days later. I sat in the airport in Houston and all I could think about was "what Jim would do?" I knew I had to finish the streak even though I only had to see "The Ballpark In Arlington" to complete my 30 stadiums(31 if you include old Olympic stadium in MontreaL). I smiled the next day when I completed my last ballpark to see, and this unto itself was what I had originally set out to do. Nearly 4 years after making the decision to see all the parks I had done it!!
When I arrived home a few days later, I realized I made all the right descisions about being with family when I discovered Josh's impressive record of 30-26. Had I neglected my family and made a 30-27 bid that wouldn't have beat Josh's record AND I would have been even more devastated. I have that 2 hour visit with my mom at Toronto's airport. I spent 72 hours with my brothers and dad around me for the the first time in my adult life. I have these incredible memories that will last a lifetime Also, I received a "well wish from Jim himself, who has had a major setback personally, but was happy to hear that I was "inspired by his story."

I won't go into regret that if you factor if...... Instead I will speak of some positive things about the upcoming streak ATTEMPT. I spoke to Jim a few months ago and told him of my intention for another attempt at the world record, he sent his well wishes. I consider "Jim" a real hero for inspiring others just by living to the best of his own ability, and can only hope I can convey some of his 'tutorials' on life. So I get to raise awareness for the "HEADNORTH FOUNDATION' again along the way. Of course, the best part is I will already have one world record in my backpocket should I not hit my goals. I will be the only one in the history of the world to 'visit all 30 ballparks in under a month' 2 years in a row. This has not been an easy 308 days since I landed home in Canada last year. I have worked everyday since then to save enough money and resources for the trip. I have delivered over 100000 newspapers-----and 5000 pizza deliveries--------to save the 10000 dollars Canadian to put myself in this position once again. Many times I have wanted to give up with the physical torque of battling the weather elements and walking/running 5 miles a day. Several different times it looked like I would not be able to continue the regimen I had set out to do to accomplish this mission. I always think of Jim not giving up, and I find inspiration to go after it another day. Whether or not I break the record I will enjoy and relish each game, ballpark and nuance of all that is a baseball fan. I will not see delays from travel, weather,or extra innings as a negative thing, but as part of the journey. When I am done, I will be writing a book about the entire experience and hope that I will hear from you all as part of a 'research team' to what drives all of us.

Some say that us 'ballpark chasers' are crazy to put ourselves through these kind of things just to watch baseball, but they don't understand that this is more then just a game, it is a fabric of our being.

Chuck Douglas Booth

read more about Jim at www.jimmclaren.com or you can visit my website www.myspace.com/30baseballgamesin26days and scroll down to his video clips