Jan. 30, 2010
WACO, Texas - Despite freezing temperatures outside, the Baylor baseball team managed to open spring practice with the help of a new addition to the program.
The Bears escaped the cold by using the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Practice Facility, where they were able to go through the majority of their usual preseason drills.
"We also used this facility a few times in the fall," head coach Steve Smith said. "It has allowed us to do some defensive stuff, and back in the fall we had some extended periods of time when if we hadn't have had a place to go inside, we would've just fallen behind on that part. It's large enough that you can make some pretty long throws."
The temperature outside was 29 degrees with a 19-degree wind chill when practice started at 9 a.m. Despite returning from a six-day trip to Cuba just two days ago, the Bears were excited to back to work.
Baylor has plenty of holes to fill with the departure of five position starters, but Smith said he's optimistic about the season because the Bears lost just three of 13 pitchers.
"The only time I would not feel good about the season is if we really didn't have what we needed on the mound," Smith said. "If you've got a chance on the mound, then you've always got a chance. We've got good arms, and we've got veteran arms, so we're not counting on a bunch of guys to do it for the first time. We've got to be better, and we've got to be much more consistent on the mound, but that's what we're working on."
Returning to compete for spots in the weekend rotation are senior Willie Kempf, juniors Shawn Tolleson, Craig Fritsch and Jon Ringenberg, and sophomore Logan Verrett. They're also expected to get competition from freshman lefty Josh Turley.
The Bears also have holes to fill in the outfield, where they lost Aaron Miller, Ben Booker and Adam Hornung. However, the infield returns plenty of experience with senior Raynor Campbell, junior Landis Ware and sophomores Dan Evatt and Joey Hainsfurther. Baylor also has a veteran leader behind the plate with senior Gregg Glime.
Baylor finished the 2009 season 30-26 after a third-place finish at the Baton Rouge Regional. The Bears open the 2010 season Feb. 19-21 with QTI Apparel's Opening Weekend Classic. Baylor is slated to play two games against both Duke and 22nd-ranked Georgia.
