It's about that time

I would love nothing more than to be able to say with great excitement, that we are just 10 days away from opening the 2008 season.  On March 1st, we are supposed to play at Nebraska Wesleyan to begin a new year.  If that is going to happen we are going to need a big time shift in weather patterns.  It doesn't seem possible that it could be this late in February with temperatures like this.  I do not remember a winter like this.  I believe it was just last year, we held our first two practices at the soccer fields because the temps were in the 50's.  I haven't heard from the guys at Neb. Wesleyan, but I cannot imagine their field being ready next weekend.

Regardless, we are preparing the team to be ready for the double-header next weekend.  If the forecast changes, we must be mentally and physically ready to play.  This can be a difficult thing for college baseball players, especially in the northern states.  I am wondering what some of our freshmen are thinking as they walk through snow to get to baseball practice.  Most of our first-year players haven't even thought of playing baseball this early in the year.  They must wonder how in the world can we be 'in-season'.

I am very happy with how our practices have been running.  For most of our pre-season, we have been able to use the Lamberti Recreation Center for a three-hour time slot.  This has been much different than the two-hour practices we have run in the past.  I believe this change has helped the development of our young team.  With an increase in squad size, the three-hour practices have helped everyone take enough reps. to get comfortable with our offensive/defensive plays.  I also have been impressed with the attitude of our players, they have a unique ability of having fun but staying on task.  I am amazed at how this group acts like veterans considering we have 27 new faces on this year's roster.  

That is about all for now, I will do my best to keep information posted on this site.  I think it is a good way to get information out, and if this year is anything like last year, there will be plenty of weather updates to pass along.