Dairy Queen Classic

[colbyjack]

I'm heading up to the Metrodome on Friday to take in the first day of the Dairy Queen Classic. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have hosted this 4-team weekend tourney the past several years, as Kat was able to check out Glen Perkins & Minny vs. Alex Gordon & Nebraska last year. Unfortunately, Minnesota doesn't have anyone of Perkins' caliber this year, and the teams invited don't exactly have that one can't-miss prospect like Nebraska (Gordon) & Florida State (Stephen Drew & Eddy Martinez-Esteve) had last year and Wake Forest (Kyle Sleeth) had two years ago. The three other team to participate are South Carolina (perenially a solid program, they're just lacking a top draft eligible prospect), Pepperdine & New Orleans. Pepperdine has some solid '06 & '07 talent.

 

Anyway, I just thought I'd throw it out there in case anyone is interested (Kat?). I hope to be interviewing at least one player in attendance (possibly Michael Campbell of SC and/or Andy Hunter of Minnesota), while making some contacts with my new PG gig.

[nikip43]

Minnesota got swept 3 games to 0 this past weekend by Arkansas for those who haven't had time to check it out.

 

Hopefully my view isn't too biased, but Arkansas has a very solid program in development and has potential to build on their somewhat lucky run last year to the CWS. Handing the defending Big 10 champs three straight losses albeit at home and early in the season really makes me feel confident about Arkansas chances again in the SEC.

[CarolinaTommy]

Arkansas has a very good baseball team, no doubt, but I don't really see it as being fair having two teams from different regions matching up with each other in February.

 

These teams from cold-weather regions are dealt a bad hand each year when they go down to Texas, Florida, etc. Many teams, such as Minnesota, are seeing the outdoor diamond for the first time since fall when they match up against other teams this early in the season.

 

I only mention this because I'm biased (from Ohio) and I feel bad for these teams to get off to such a difficult start to their season, which hurts their chances of making an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament. There is obvious bias here. The times when cold-weather teams can play warm-weather teams are pre-conference season, which happens to be February and part of March. For example, it would be more fair to have Minnesota and Ohio State match up in February, rather than Minnesota and Florida State. The two geographic entities are at different points in their seasons. It's not really fair, but unfortunately there is not much that can be done about it.

[colbyjack]

Wisconsin native Daryl Maday attends Arkansas. I just thought I'd throw that one in there...

 

For example, it would be more fair to have Minnesota and Ohio State match up in February, rather than Minnesota and Florida State. The two geographic entities are at different points in their seasons. It's not really fair, but unfortunately there is not much that can be done about it.

 

Actually, college baseball is seriously investigating ways to help level the playing field between the southern and northern schools. They're talking about a uniform start date to the college season, such as March 1st, and pushing back the CWS by a week. Northern teams still have to play in the cold weather, but they can still make their annual trips down south to play under the sun.

[Katuluu]

Hmm...I might be up for it. As of right now I have no plans for the weekend. We should try and round up Igor and the enigmatic Toby.

 

And I've liked watching Hunter for a few years now. Once he fills out in a few years he could be an impressive hitter. To bad they moved him out from behind the plate.

[wibball]

I see from the Arkansas web site Maday is doing great this Spring. According to the site, another WI native Ryan Zink who throws for Illinois-Chicago will get the start on Friday against the Hogs. Maybe there will be a WI tandem on the mound during that game.

[colbyjack]

I made it to the first game (South Carolina vs. Pepperdine) of Friday's Dairy Queen Classic, and spoke with Minnesota's Andy Hunter after that game. I will be posting that interview along with a game recap over at PG at some point this week. I'll be sure to add a link when I do (sorry I missed you Kat, I had to leave MN by about 3:30, and was away from my computer since last Wednesday).

 

According to the site, another WI native Ryan Zink who throws for Illinois-Chicago will get the start on Friday against the Hogs. Maybe there will be a WI tandem on the mound during that game.

 

Yup, both Zink & Maday were drafted by the Brewers in 2003, and they also both played for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League last summer. In fact, I believe Zink has already committed to the Mallards for this summer.

[MassBrew]

Looks like we need to shorten up that title, colby http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[colbyjack]

Yeah, no kidding. I just noticed that too.

[colbyjack]

Here is my Crack of the Bat column from this week, focusing on the players from South Carolina/Pepperdine game last Friday:

 

www.perfectgame.org/2005/...lassic.cfm

 

The Andy Hunter interview is also complete and should also be up at some point today (hopefully).

[MassBrew]

The Andy Hunter interview is also complete and should also be up at some point today (hopefully).

 

www.perfectgame.org/2005/...hunter.cfm