My name is Mark Cooper. I've managed the Penn State Pride in the Corked Bat Fantasy League since 2003. Thursday morning I leave South Florida for Orlando, where I will be attending the 2008 amateur draft being held at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

I've seen a lot of cool baseball-related things in my 36 years (for more on that, see http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/6/3/544799/thursday-s-draft-will-most), and I've met a lot of cool people. I imagine Thursday will rank right up there, as well.

The draft opens to the public Thursday at 12:30 p.m. I plan to be in line at noon. Each team will have a representative announcing its picks. Some of the more well-known retired players who will be representing teams include Dave Winfield (Padres), Al Kaline (Tigers), and Billy Williams (Cubs). Alex Fernandez, the former pitcher, will be representing the White Sox. I feel like saying something to him for the way he treated me two months ago when I umped his son's baseball game. His team, Archbishop McCarthy, lost 13-1 that day. And for some reason Fernandez felt like cursing me out for my strike zone.

Also expected to attend are the first few projected picks, including guys like Tim Beckham, Tim Melville, Pedro Alvarez.

Not only do I plan on blogging that day, but I hope to have some great photos to post as well.

Thursday can't come soon enough.   TEAM REPRESENTATIVES (courtesy of mlb.com)

• Angels: Demetrius Figgins
• Astros: Enos Cabell
• A's: John "Blue Moon" Odom
• Blue Jays: Vernon Wells
• Braves: Ralph Garr
• Brewers: Dave Nelson
• Cardinals: Dennis Martinez
• Cubs: Billy Williams
• D-backs: Roland Hemond
• Dodgers: Maury Wills
• Giants: Felipe Alou, J.T. Snow
• Indians: Travis Fryman
• Mariners: Harold Reynolds
• Marlins: Jack McKeon
• Mets: Tim Teufel, Al Jackson
• Nationals: Devon White
• Orioles: Scott McGregor
• Padres: Dave Winfield, Randy Jones
• Phillies: Greg Luzinski, Dickie Noles
• Pirates: Steve Blass, Chuck Tanner
• Rangers: Jim Sundberg, Mark McLemore
• Rays: Brian Anderson, Don Zimmer
• Reds: Ken Griffey Sr.
• Red Sox: Luis Tiant
• Rockies: Vinny Castilla
• Royals: John Wathan, Al Stewart
• Tigers: Al Kaline, Willie Horton
• Twins: Tony Oliva
• White Sox: Alex Fernandez
• Yankees: Tino Martinez