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| Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball head coach Darin Loe |
Which side is up? Cats continue pre-season preparation
Maryville, Mo. - Your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team continues its preparation for the 2017 NCAA season this week with outdoor practices thanks to the temperate winter weather. As the B2R strolled through practice, the comforting sound of mitts popping and bats pinging filled the air. Music blared through the PA system with songs I've never heard of, without electric guitars, no drumsets to speak of, and words that the whole team was singing along as if Glee went terribly wrong and found itself with pine tar, batting helmets, and eye black. Far be it for the B2R to switch out "I got a lot of enemies..." with AC/DC "Back in Black" or Metallica "Enter Sandman" because this is not the alumni game and I don't need Coach Loe fired-up, I need a pack of Bearcats ready to run through a wall. So the B2R will not be one that "tryna drain me of my energy" and will head-bob away. Sup.
Stands behind home plate receive work & with ramps and elevated seating
Of the many observations on the field, the B2R noticed that Northwest worked on the stands behind home plate. Don't worry, there is still so little foul ground behind home plate that the fence could touch the umpire's butt depending how far he squats for the pitch. Northwest took out some rows of bleachers, elevated the seating by adding a ramp and platform, and it looks very nice. If you like to sit ground level, you will still want to grab 3rd base line seating for your folding chairs but the seats behind home look terrific and a lot more accommodating for folks.
Which side is up?
After watching who was playing where, the B2R wondered if mass hysteria was setting in the third base dugout at Bearcat baseball field.
While watching practice, the B2R felt like the mayor in the original Ghostbusters movie. I could not believe my eyes. Infielders playing outfield. Outfielders playing infield. Nick Howard strapping on catcher gear. Left fielders playing right field. Team Papi versus Team Jersey. Cats and dogs living together. The B2R knows there is a method to the crazy world of college baseball but all of these changes had me wondering which way is up.
Let me welcome you into my state of confusion:
Please identify the outfielder at practice in this group:
If you guessed James Holler, that's not what made my jaw drop.
Please identify the infielder at practice in this group:
If you guessed Roy, that's not what made my jaw drop.
So color me confused and disoriented after practice but so long as someone hits a bomb and throws in (1) a bat flip, (2) a warm glass of milk, and (3) a power nap, the B2R will be just fine.
Travel day is Thursday
On Thursday, February 2, 2017, your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team officially hits TRAVEL DAY meaning the fellas board a charter and head south to Oklahoma to open the season on Friday. I'm sure the fellas will rock their best mock neck shirts and blazers for the exciting start to the season.
Pictured (Left) Jake Lewis, (Center) Joseph Hietpas, and (Right) Jimmy McElwain
Go Cats!!
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