Terrible free food
Vouchers for terrible free ballpark food
Writing seven leads in thirteen innings because no one can get a base hit.
Translators
Batting Practice
Air conditioned press boxes
The winning clubhouse
Vin Scully
Tommy Lasorda
First pitch
Advanced Stats
Saying 'Advanced Stats', then rattling off three or four in superior tone.
Walk-off home runs
Blowout by the 4th (see: #4)
WARP (See #13)
Arguing with bloggers
Establishing, in no uncertain terms, whether you're a blogger or a journalist
Brad Lidge
Friendly Public Relations people
Bench clearers
Making fun of football. Or any other sport
Players with no filter
Scouts
Trade rumors. Work. For. Days.
SABR
Kevin Costner
Jim Thome
Stats packs
Spring Training. Because covering baseball any other time isn't enough privilege.
Quoting 'Bull Durham' and 'Major League'
Twitter
Tweeting any mundane activity a player is doing in the clubhouse. They need to know!
Baseball Reference
Press lunchrooms
Radar gun readings
Waiting by a player’s locker for, as it turns out, no reason. Obviously nothing better to do
Bar & Grills. Two birds, one stone
Talking about Alex Rodriguez existence
Watching a baseball game on their laptop while covering a baseball game
Photographers
The radio guy
Hearing a baseball player say, ‘I just take it day by day.’
Hearing a baseball player say, ‘I’m just hear to help the team.’
Hearing baseball players say stock quotes that screw your story to dust
Season press passes. One hassle down.
Debating the DH
Rookies
Prospect guides
Being ‘The Kid’
Being ‘The Veteran’ that no one will mess with
Comeback stories
Fans explaining baseball to you via tweet
Phone interviews in pajamas
Derek Jeter
A late deadline. Preferably a really, really late one.
Copy editors
Bob Uecker
Talking trash to a player in the press box. While watching him pitch or hit. Safe Zone.
Complaining about having to be a baseball writer. Oh the pain.
From time to time, I'll get off the regular track and do something different. Hope you enjoyed it. This list was inspired by the brilliant 'Stuff Journalists Like' list and site.
In celebration of Women's History Month, here's an interview with Double-A Southern League President Lori Webb. She made history in 2012, when she became the first woman ever named league president in MiLB. Her professional background is rich and impressive [read her bio: http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=l111&ymd=20070221&content_id=180450&vkey=league3, but Webb shares that there are, of course, some added pressures to being THE FIRST. She also talks about her plans for the league, as well as her advice to anyone pursuing a career in baseball:
Greatest Lessons: I've learned several lessons that have been helpful, but the best advice came from the previous president, Don Mincher, who always stressed these three things (among many others) to me:
a. You can't unring a bell
b. Sleep on it - things will look differently in the morning
c. Family comes first
Women In The Minors: I have always admired Sylvia Lind who is the Director of Baseball Operations Initiatives at Major League Baseball; as well as Tina Gust, Lillian Patterson and Kelly Butler at Minor League Baseball. I also had the pleasure of working with Melissa Hill at the Southern League several years ago when she was the Director of Business Development/Marketing in 1996-97. She is now working for the Cincinnati Reds in Baseball Operations. The traits that all of these women share are their positive outlooks, willingness to go the extra mile, and always being ready to share their knowledge and expertise with others. I have found that most women in baseball are smart, savvy and very friendly towards other women.
How It All Began: I started working for the Southern League in 1994 after answering an ad in our local newspaper. The league had just moved its offices from Trussville, AL to Marietta, GA and the new president was looking for an executive assistant. Several women showed up to wait for an interview, and I ended up getting the job. I had never work in sports before, but I guess you could say I had "transferable skills" and I just tried to learn as much as I could as fast as I could - and through the years I took on more responsibilities and when the vacancy came up in 2012, I decided I was ready for a new challenge.
Relationship With MiLB President Pat O'Conner: Pat is a very busy man, and I only see him a couple times of years at meetings, but it is reassuring to know he is only a phone call away, and he makes himself available to all the leagues in MiLB. He strongly supports women and minorities working in the front offices of baseball, and I applaud his actions in trying to get more of us employed in these executive positions.
Does being the first female president of a league bring an added element that makes you want to succeed even more? Is that at all daunting?
Definitely! I want to prove to myself that I can run with the big dogs! It is a bit daunting, and I know there are a few men still left in baseball that don't believe women should be involved too much, but they are certainly a minority. I've been lucky to have been welcomed and accepted into the world of baseball by so many wonderful men - umpires, general managers, other league presidents and of course, Southern League owners and directors. Everyone is eager to see my succeed and I want to make them proud of me! And for the few doubting Thomases out there, I would love to earn their respect in the coming years as I grow in this position.
How Women In Minors Could Influence The Future Of Women In Baseball:I believe the future holds a lot of promise for women in baseball. There is still a long way to go before having women in executive positions is not even worth a mention, but little by little, we are being invited in, and once we have a seat at the table, we can have the opportunity to work elbow to elbow with the men and they will see that we are not threatening at all, just maybe have a different perspective on problem solving - and that's a good thing!
Plans For The League: For my first full year as president, I just want to settle in and make sure I get out to all the ballparks a couple of times, and ask lots of questions. I've sat behind a desk since 1994, and I am eager to get out and talk to the general managers, operations staff and anybody else that wants to speak with me. I love being at ball games, watching the fireworks and the goofy promotions on the field. It will be fun to sit next to the fans and get an idea of what they think we are doing right and what we can work on to make their experiences better.
PED's Crackdown In Minors: I think tougher punishment in the minors may prevent some of the drug use in the majors. I believe that every person needs to be held accountable for their personal actions. For every player on a minor league field, there are thousands who were not quite good enough to stand in their spikes. Players need to remember that they ARE role models for kids, but more importantly, this is their job - and taking illegal drugs to enhance their athletic ability on the field is just plain cheating. I really admire those players who have been caught, been suspended for 50 games or more, and then come back with a new attitude. Mistakes can be learning experiences and character builders in so many ways!
Southern League News: We are looking forward to opening a new ballpark in downtown Birmingham this April and going to Jacksonville, FL for our All-Star Game on July 17. At this time of year, we are all busy preparing for the season ahead and like every year, just hoping for good weather, big crowds and great baseball.
During the off-season, first baseman Saxon Butler said he wanted to drop weight and committed to a diet plan and rigorous exercise. All of that was new to him.
“I'd never tried to do that,” he said from Tampa Thursday. “But I'd never been close to weighing 242. In college I was around 225-230, and then suddenly when I was in professional baseball, for some reason I gained. Most people lose weight playing everyday. It was weird.”
In 61 games between Class-A Short-Season Staten Island and Class-A Charleston, he hit .296, 45 RBI, and 13 home runs. He was nearly impossible to catch in home runs in New York Penn League, leading all hitters long after he departed for Charleston. His consistency at the plate and big power was on display, as he flipped duties between first base and designated hitter.
But his energy level was affected by the end of the season. He met with people in the Yankees organization, and they agreed that it would benefit him to drop some pounds.
The eating plan was hard, but the exercise part, believe it or not, was even more foreign.
“I'd never been a big workout guy. I did things to keep my heart rate up. It was all about building muscle, but shredding fat. I'm at the weight I want to be.”
While the season was a successful one, Butler, 23, learned the lesson of entering professional baseball: it's a lot harder than it looks. That whole bit about baseball being a marathon might be over-used, but it's simple and true. Butler made the most of it. He just felt the effects of his labor by the end.
“My body was so tired. I'd tell myself, ok, time to go play another game. But my body was saying no. Now I have a lot more energy. I don't get sluggish like was.”
With five weeks left, he can continue the process of being in better playing shape. The goal is to continue those habits he began this winter.
“I wanted to be more athletic. Now I'm just maintaining what I did. I'm better equipped than I was last year.”You can follow Saxon Butler on Twitter @SaxonHolt33
When Beau Wright, or any other pitcher, takes the mound they have one job.
Get outs however they can, minimize damage, trust their defense, and their ability.
But what about those people in the stands? The simplicity of the moment is intensified by expectation.
"Pitching under the lights, in front of a lot of fans," Wright said from Florida, when asked what made the season tough. "Especially in Staten Island and Brooklyn, in front of those fans. My first half was ok, then I adjusted and the second half was a lot better."
Part of the adjustment was keeping every part of his life in order, so that he was more prepared for every game.
"Learning and keeping to a routine helps [to start] the day leading up to the game. From what you eat, to the time you wake up, then transferring that and making sure your body is ready."
The lefty spent all of 2012, his second year of professional baseball, in the New York Penn League, logging 41 innings for the Jamestown Jammers. He finished with a 3.70 ERA and 40 strikeouts, and gave up just 2 home runs. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2009 and was drafted by the Marlins in 2010 out of Orange Coast College. Despite the procedure being pretty far behind him, the physical aspect was only part of the overall challenge.
"I'm more focused this spring, because relaxing is a big thing I'm learning. Fastball command as well. But the main thing is not to stress. Spring Training can be super stressful, especially for first timers or guys trying to make the squad."
Cutting down on walks is a major priority heading into the regular season.
"That's one [end of season] stat I didn't like. I'm just trying to keep under control and work with it. I threw harder toward the end. I worked on my explosiveness this off-season. I did conditioning, worked on speed, and did a lot more weight training. So far, so good."You can follow Beau Wright on Twitter @LeftbutWright35
In 2012, lefty Matt Bywater split time at three levels, clocking quality playing time in the South Atlantic and Carolina Leagues. And a taste of Double-A, in the Eastern League.
In 19 games, five of them starts, with the Frederik Keys, he went 2-1 with a 5.67 ERA, striking out 37 batters. He pitched 17 innings for the Delmarva Shorebirds maintaining a 1.56 ERA, with nine strikeouts, five walks allowed. He got in just one game for the Bowie Baysox, but picked up his first Double-A win. He went five innings and gave up two hits.
Here's what he had to say from Orioles camp:
Anything different this off-season? "Not really. Since leaving school, I've had off-seasons training at the same place. This year, I worked out on my own. I focused mostly on throwing fastballs for strikes."
Minimal Free Passes: "Compared to my first year of pro ball, I did better. I kept the walks down last year." [Overall he allowed nineteen walks]
Early Going: "I feel great. We start games in a week. And I just want to actually be playing in games again. I feel stronger after this off-season."
O's Plan: "For the most part, their main goal for me is to get guys out. I'm not a power pitcher. I need to not focus so much on striking guys hitters out with my fastball, and use my changeup and breaking pitches."
Some players are tackling double duty this year as they take part in the World Baseball Classic [March 1st-13th].
There are sixteen teams that made it to the first round of pool play with rosters comprised of 411 players, as of January 30th. Of the 411, 69 of them played in the minor leagues this past season. Here’s a deeper look at who they are and what countries they will represent. *Note: This list does not include any players that spent time in the Majors last year.
Third baseman Ray Chang is the lone MiLB representative for China. He spent last season playing for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.
Five MiLB players are representing Brazil. Pitcher Murilo Gouvea ended the season with the Class A Lexington Legends (Astros). Pitcher Andre Rienzo spent 2012 climbing the ranks through the White Sox system before ending the year with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Third baseman Felipe Burin was signed by the Mariners in 2009 and spent a few years in the Venezuelan Summer League. He was promoted to the AZL Mariners in 2011, and finished 2012 with Rookie League Pulaski. Shortstop Leonardo Reginatto spent this season with the Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades, where he improved in a few areas, including batting average (.276) and lowered his strikeouts to 26. Rounding out the Brazilian minor league representatives is centerfielder Paulo Orlando. He spent 2012 with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Japan and Cuba round out Pool A and neither team has any minor leaguers. Most players on those rosters either played in a foreign league or didn’t play anywhere last season. Pool A will play March 2-6 in Fukuoka, Japan.
Pool B has the largest concentration of minor leaguers with 31 in this group alone. South Korea has none and of the 28 players on their roster, 27 of them didn’t play in any professional leagues in 2012.
Australia, on the other hand, has the most minor league representatives with sixteen.
Catcher Tim Kennelly progressed through the Phillies system , splitting time between Double-A Reading and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Pitcher Peter Moylan took a similar path in the Braves organization ending up in Triple-A Gwinnett. Pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith spent the 2012 season in Triple-A Iowa (Cubs). Pitcher Andrew Russell made the leap from Double-A Mississippi to Gwinnett. Pitcher Warwick Saupold was promoted in 2012 to the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers. With seven seasons under his belt, Catcher Allen de San Miguel reachedTriple-A with the Norfolk Tides. Shortstop James Beresford spent 2012 with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. DH Mike Walker was a Manatee and played for High-A Brevard County. Outfielder Corey Adamson played in the Midwest League as a member of the Class-A Fort Wayne Tincaps. The Class-A Ashville Tourists was the final destination of outfielder David Kandilas.
Pitcher Ryan Searle began the season in High-A Daytona and made quick work advancing through the Cubs organization to finish the season in Triple-A Iowa. Pitcher Clayton Tanner was released by the Giants organization in 2011, and was picked up by the Reds. By the end of the 2012 season, he was back with the Giants finishing the year with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. Pitcher Brendan Wise played in Rochester. Utility player Luke Hughes began the year in the Oakland A’s organization but was DFA’d and eventually picked up by Toronto, who assigned him to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51's for the remainder of the year. Infielder Stefan Welch made the move from High-A to Double-A ending the season in Altoona playing third base and first base for both teams.
The Netherlands have 13 MiLBers on their roster.
Pitcher Shairon Martis made an organizational move from the Pirates to the Twins and ended the season in Rochester. So did pitcher J.C. Sulbaran who moved from the Royals to the Reds and ended up playing for Double-A Pensacola, plus pitcher Loek Van Mil who went from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers (Indians), to Triple-A Salt Lake with the Angels. Pitcher Tom Stuifbergen played for the High-A Fort Myers Miracle. Catcher Spencer Kieboom spent his first season in pro-ball with the Low-A Auburn Doubledays. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts played for the Double-A Portland and middle infielder Jonathan Schoop played in Double-A Bowie. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons spent 2012 in Double-A Mississippi and utility player Curt Smith was in Double-A Jacksonville. Utility player Hainley Statia progressed through the Brewers organization and finished the season in Triple-A Nashville. Infielder Nick Urbanus moved from Low-A Spokane to Class-A Hickory. High-A Potomac was the 2012 destination for outfielder Randolph Oduber while outfielder Kalian Sams played in Double-A Jackson, for the Suns.
Chinese Taipei has two minor leaguers representing their country. They are pitcher Chia-Jen Lo who played in High-A Lancaster and pitcher Yao-Lin Wang who played for the High-A Peoria Chiefs.
Pool B will play March 2-5 in Taichung, Taiwan.
Pool C has the highest concentration of Major League players with 54 which includes the entire roster for the Dominican Republic.
Venezuela has one lone minor league player. He is pitcher Cesar Jimenez who spent the 2012 season playing for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
There are eight minor leaguers on Puerto Rico’s roster. Pitcher Jose Berrios ended his first pro season with the Gulf Coast League Twins. Pitcher Hiram Burgos progressed through the Brewers organization and jumped from High-A, finishing the season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. Pitcher Fernando Cabrera spent 2011 in the Oakland organization, moving in 2012 to the Mets organization, playing for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Pitcher Xavier Cedeno spent his second season in Triple-A Oklahoma City. Infielder Andy Gonzalez was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A in 2012 to finish in Nashville. Pitcher Jose de la Torre began the season in the Cleveland organization but was moved to Boston in exchange for infielder Brent Lillibridge. De la Torre finished the season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Similarly, pitcher Nelson Figueroa ended up in Pawtucket after coming from the Yankees system. Eddie Rosario ended 2012 by playing for Class-A Beloit at both second base and centerfield.
Spain rounds out Pool C and has five minor leaguers on its roster. Pitcher Richard Castillo played six games for High-A Palm Beach before being promoted to Double-A Springfield. Pitcher Chris Manno spent the season playing in Double-A Pensacola Pelicans. Nationals catcher Adrian Nieto started the season in Rookie League GCL, before being promoted to Class-A Hagerstown. Infielder Jesus Merchen spent the year with the Triple-A Tucson Padres and outfielder Engel Beltre played in Double-A Frisco, also Padres.
Pool C will play March 7-10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Pool D is made up of the US, Mexico, Italy, and Canada. The US has 27 players on their roster and all of them are Major League players.
Mexico has one player that played in the minors last season. He is utility player Alfredo Amezaga and he spent 2012 with Iowa.
The minors have four representatives playing for Italy. Pitcher Matt Torra played for theTriple-A Durham Bulls and catcher Drew Butera played for Rochester. First baseman Chris Colabello spent 2012 with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. Utility player Tyler LaTorre skipped a level this season. He started the season with High-A San Jose before being promoted to Fresno.
Canada has 12 minor leaguers. Pitcher Andrew Albers ended the season in Double-A New Britain. Pitcher Mark Hardy progressed quickly through the Padres organization making it from the AZL Padres to Double-A San Antonio in one season. Pitcher Trystan Magnuson played in High-A Dunedin before being promoted to Double-A New Hampshire where he finished the 2012 season. Pitcher Scott Richmond spent his second season with Triple-A Las Vegas. Pitcher Jameson Taillon completed his season with Double-A Altoona after beginning 2012 with High-A Bradenton. Catcher Chris Robinson spent the entire season with Triple-A Norfolk. Utility player Cale Iorg skipped a level this season progressing from High-A Lakeland to ending the season in Triple-A Toledo. So did utility player Adam Loewen who began the season in High-A St. Lucie before being promoted to Triple-A Buffalo. Left fielder Jimmy Van Ostrand began the season played independent league ball after being let go by the Astros in 2011. He played 27 games with Sugar Land in indy ball before the Nationals organization picked him up and assigned him to Double-A Harrisburg. Centerfielder Tyson Gillies made his way up the Phillies ladder in 2012, finishing with the Double-A Fightin' Phils. Outfielder Rene Tosoni spent all of 2012 in the minors, ending it in New Britain. Outfielder Tim Smith ended 2012 playing for Double-A Mississippi.
Pool D will play March 7-10 in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information about the WBC, you can check out their website at www.worldbaseballclassic.com
Brandon Nimmo spent 2012 adapting to a full season of playing professional baseball.
Now, he says, he's ready.
"I feel more prepared for this season, physically and mentally," he said on his drive to Port St. Lucie, Florida, home of the Mets spring training complex. "Just with last year's experience, you're only going to get better. My body is more ready for it."
Nimmo, 19, played for the Short-Season Class-A Brooklyn Cyclones in 2012, hitting .248 with 40 RBI, 6 runs, and 46 walks. He admitted to fatigue, and at times it showed. But it was more good than bad, and a solid follow up to a 2011 debut pro-season, in which he played in just ten games. Last year, he played in 69 games. Not an easy jump.
Here's what else the outfielder had to say just hours before arriving at camp.
On getting stronger this off-season: "It turned out well. I trimmed fat, got rid of some body fat. I'm around the same weight as last year, around 185, but I'm a lot stronger. I was working on mobility. It was a really productive off-season."
On heading to Arkansas: "I went there and worked with a great group of guys in professional baseball. We pushed each other. It was all about getting more flexible and stronger. I can't have my back and legs getting tired...
On 'feeding the wolf': "I worked a lot on my legs. We did dead lifts and one leg split squats. I wanted to train this year with that mindset. And my legs are a lot stronger."
On the challenges of his first full professional season: "It's something everyone has to go through. You're feeling your way around to see what works for you and what doesn't."
Instructs/Spring Training: "The Mets told me after instructional league that they were happy with my progress. My focus this spring is to be healthy and to just make sure I'm ready. I trust the Mets. I feel good about everything. And I'm going to have fun and let it play out."
Brandon was selected by the Mets in the first round (13th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft. You can follow him on Twitter @You_Found_Nimmo
When it's suggested to Casey Lawrence that this is an important season for him, he quickly and quietly chimes in.
"It is," he said, just two days before reporting to Blue Jays camp in Florida.
The pitcher, 25, came into the organization in 2010 as a non-drafted free agent. That might not mean much to anyone unfamiliar with the system of baseball, but that's not the easiest way to make it with a team. The guys that are drafted high are going to get the most attention and have the best shot. The guys drafted in the lower rounds have it tougher. And FA's that show up without being selected, need to be your scrappiest fighters. They have a lot to prove.
"I knew coming in I had to make an impression. I went from being a reliever to a starter... my whole life as a starting pitcher. I only pitched relief a few times in college. My first year I had a couple of promotions. But I was still more comfortable in a starting role."
He split time between Class-A Short Season New York Penn League and Class-A Midwest League in 2010, pitching seventy-seven innings and finishing with a 2.33 ERA. He followed that up with a similarly successful campaign, with a heavier workload. Through 151 innings he posted a 3.04 ERA with 111 strikeouts. He stayed away from the long ball, allowing just 12 home runs, repeating the number of innings in 2012. And lowering his home run total to 10.
The lessons he's taking in are not just about how to pitch, but how to deal with inevitable mind trickery.
"I'm starting to realize that some days, no matter how good you feel, you're just not going to have it. So I just have to work on that and learn from [those times.]"
This off-season he re-focused his energies, and it was about lifting, lifting, lifting.
"I hit the weight room harder than ever before. So I need to carry that throughout the season."
He's spent a lot of time developing his slider and breaking pitches. He also continues to fine-tune his sinking fastball.
"Pretty much my whole career I've been able to keep the sinker down in the strike zone. I have to keep the ball on the plate and as long as it has good tilt, it works. That's something I've worked on every single year."
Age isn't a non-factor for players. They battle against it sooner than you might imagine. But what else can they do but what they've always done? Lawrence has to face a lot of obstacles, but they serve to fuel him. Something he's accustomed to.
"All my life I was told I was too skinny, that I didn't throw hard enough...you just have to remember to use that as motivation. Because at a certain point that age becomes experience. People look at it like the higher the age, the harder it is. I don't believe in that."
Continuing with more college coverage here at HHOTF, and to bring more attention to players that are draft eligible, here's Charleston Southern University's Drew Woodall on being an everyday backstop, the 'ultimate goal', and 'the little things.'
As a freshman in 2010, Woodall was put in a challenging situation, but one that gave him an opportunity to further develop his skills. By the end of the season, the former high school team MVP had played in 33 games, starting 21, and finished up hitting .224.
"I'd been catching since I was seven. But freshman year the everyday catcher got injured in the first game, in the seventh inning. The coach wasn't used to playing freshman that often, but they needed me. I ended up splitting time."
"I think [splitting time] helped a lot. I might not have had that much experience. I was able to get a better grasp of the game that I wouldn't have."
"That definitely helped me at the plate as well. Sophomore and junior year I also split time, but this year I've played everyday so far."
Junior year he played 38 games, started 26, and hit .211 with 10 RBI. This year, he's already making an impact with good contact hitting. In 17 at-bats, he's hitting .294, with 5 hits, 4 RBI, and 5 runs scored. The team has won three of their first five games.
"I'm trying to work on my hitting. Not to hit for high average, but to hit a with a guy on and score the run, or to get guys over. I want to be successful at the little things."
"Bunts are huge here. Hitting balls in gaps as well. We don't have a bunch of guys that are going to hit fifteen or sixteen home runs. But we have guys that are going to get the runs in by doing other things."
"I was told my whole life I wasn't good enough to be a Division 1 player. I came to Charleston Southern and fell in love with the place, and the fact that it was a small school. I was able to do a lot here, that I might not have been able to do at another school."
For the past few years, Woodall has played for the summer league Morehead City Marlins. In 2012, he finished his college season and went to play 31 more for the Marlins and hit .213 with 9 walks.
"That's definitely helped me a lot. Obviously, hitting with metal is much different from wood. I've been able to square the ball up better. And the competition is great. You're facing and meeting guys you would never get to in any other situation. I was able to play against guys from Stanford. So that's pretty cool."
Future aspirations....
"The ultimate is to go to the next level. That's the dream. But, I'm not the biggest guy [Ed. Note: He's 5-10, 185 lbs. according to USC and MHC information]. I've never had a really strong arm. If it doesn't happen, I would love to stay in baseball and be a coach. I want to help people the way that coaches helped me."
Outfielder and redshirting senior Billy Ferriter has done well to kick off the season, but the team as a whole has struggled.
The Huskies are 1-2, taking both losses against rival Purdue. They defeated Indiana State 4-3 in a barn-burning fifteen-inning contest that gave them a much-needed sense of themselves.
"We didn't have much energy toward the middle of the game. But then we really got it, and I think that's because we do have such good camaraderie."
Ferriter is known as a natural leader and is becoming comfortable as a more vocal kind. Something he might need to call on in himself, and isn't afraid to.
"[I haven't had to] yet. It's starting to get to that point, though. The coaches have really handled it and want us to play with more fire."
LJ Mazzilli leads the way in batting average (.400), OBP (.438) and total bases (9). Ferriter is hitting .260 in 16 at-bats, with a double and 2 runs scored.
There are a few key areas that need to be cleaned up, but Ferriter's also quick to take responsibility.
"Our starting pitching struggled a bit. We just didn't come out with enough energy. I mean, we can say we were tired after a long game, but that's our fault."
In the off-season, he focused on being more efficient at handling the inside pitch. Pitchers were working him on the inner part of the plate, and he knew that area needed work.
"I did a lot of repetitions, so that I was used to seeing it over and over again."
As for the team, the fundamental truths are simple.
"Our younger guys need to get more experience. The starting pitching needs to improve. And we have to get those big hits. We have to be more clutch."
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