Baseball Columns
2011-12 Senior CLASS Award winners reflect on award’s meaning
They’ve graduated with degrees that will serve them for the rest of their lives. They’ve left lasting impressions on the college communities they have served for four years. They have competed in intercollegiate athletics at the highest levels. They are the nation’s most outstanding senior student-athletes in 10 NCAA Division I sports. And this is what the Senior CLASS Award means to them:
Brian Holt, Creighton, Men’s Soccer: “It is important to value…
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Ramsey walks the walk - leading in the clubhouse as well as everywhere else
In more than three decades as Florida State’s head coach, Mike Martin has coached his share of special Seminoles. Every now and then, a Florida State player comes along that embodies everything Martin looks for in a young man. He felt that way about Buster Posey, Baseball America’s 2008 College Player of the Year, and he feels that way about James Ramsey.
“I cannot say that I’ve had anybody like this in the program,” Martin said. “Buster Posey was one…
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What defines Nola is what he does when no one is watching
Where Austin Nola wound up as a college baseball player wasn’t by accident.
In fact, it’s hard for him or anybody who has known him a while to imagine LSU’s senior shortstop anywhere but in the Tigers’ purple-and-gold and right in the middle of the Alex Box Stadium diamond – where he’s been a starter from the middle of his freshman season on.
Understanding Nola’s connection to LSU also provides a glimpse into who he is as a person. The Baton Rouge native…
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The “right things” matter to Virginia’s Tyler Wilson
In a conversation with Tyler Wilson, it doesn’t take long for the magnetism of his personality to become perfectly apparent. Virginia’s instantly likable senior righthander has a clear, confident voice and a naturally friendly disposition. It’s no wonder his teammates are drawn to him and eager to follow his lead.
“Everbody loves Tyler Wilson, there’s no doubt,” Virginia coach Brian O’Connor said. “He’s just got an infectious personality—he’s…
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Frazier Hall put baseball dream on hold to help his older brother chase another dream
Like any other kid who picked up a baseball or a glove when he had barely mastered the art of walking, Frazier Hall had a full set of dreams lying in front of him.
Those aspirations grew and developed clarity as he got older and realized there was a bright future ahead on the diamond.
But when his older brother encountered a life-altering hurdle several years ago, Hall did something unlike a lot of those same youngsters whose dreams have taken flight.
He…
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Columbia pitcher Dan Bracey loves a challenge
The first thing you notice about Dan Bracey is that this is a guy who loves a good challenge.
Let’s face it, the right-handed pitcher from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, chose to go to Columbia for crying out loud. As if that’s not a challenge enough, right?
“I liked everything about Columbia,” says Bracey. “I love the feel and the pace of the big city. Plus there’s nothing like going to a school where you have Nobel Laureates as your professors.”…
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Intangibles make Bibona hard to resist
UC Irvine coach Mike Gillespie has gotten to know countless players in nearly 40 years as a college baseball coach. It’s safe to say Daniel Bibona ranks up there with his favorites.
“I’m a huge fan of his,” Gillespie said. “Anybody that’s around him or really watches him, it’s impossible to not like him. There’s nothing not to like.”
That goes for fans, coaches, teammates and media—it’s simply impossible not to like Bibona. Both on the… Continue Reading
Daniel Bibona passed up the pros for another shot at Omaha
Danny Bibona’s college baseball career is proof that dreams come true.
When Bibona signed on to join former coach Dave Serrano and the Anteaters before the 2007 season, he wasn’t really sure what to expect. The Anteaters had a solid program but weren’t the juggernaut they are today.
Signing with the Anteaters was a risk, but it was one Bibona was willing to take.
Three years later, Bibona couldn’t see himself with another program. As with former stars…
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Towarnicky has his sights set on assisting poverty-striken areas after graduation
You know those university promos where a school will boast about how its students go out and make a difference in the world? Well Appalachian State’s David Towarnicky is a prime example of that mantra. In fact, if ASU doesn’t come out with a television spot or a website promo with David as their centerpiece, they’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
It’s not as if being a team leader while playing first base, hitting .300-plus in three of his four seasons…
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Seniors and Their Experience Can Be a Team’s Glue
Because of its developmental nature, baseball might have more nomadic athletes than any other college sport. A player can sign with a Division I program as a high school senior, elect to transfer to a junior college for more playing time, return to Division I at a different school and move on to professional ball before becoming a senior.
Not every fan likes to see a roster loaded with seniors. The assumption is a player worth having will probably sign a minor-league contract as a junior… Continue Reading
