Tulane Baseball Update From Omaha - Sunday
Jun 20, 2005 | Baseball
June 19, 2005
OMAHA, Neb. - One day after earning a hard-fought 3-1 victory over No. 2 Oregon State in the opening round of the 2005 College World Series, the Tulane baseball team enjoyed a day off from competition. The day, however, was far from uneventful.
After a late breakfast, the Green Wave practiced for 90 minutes at nearby Millard South High School, and like they did two days ago, the pitchers closed out practice with another round of batting practice. While Chris Worster - who hit three bombs in the last practice - added another homer to his two-practice tally, it was Billy Mohl who stole the show with three round trippers in nine swings.
Following a little down time and a trip to a nearby shopping mall, the team boarded the bus for a "Steak Fry" down on the Missouri River. The team, along with nearly 500 fans were on hand for the event, and several people were treated to a hour-long cruise on the river on a steam boat.
Not lost on the players was the fact that Sunday was Father's Day. In the third installment of the Question of the Day, Tulane players were asked "What is your favorite baseball moment that you shared with your dad?"
"I don't have one specific memory that stands out of my dad and baseball. However, if I could remember the day he first put a little red plastic bat in my hand, that would probably be it. Instead, my fondest memory of my dad and baseball is the countless hours we spent watching hitting video in high school. My dad would videotape every one of my at-bats, and regardless of whether I went 3-for-4 with a homerun or 0-for-4 with four strikeouts (which did happen at least twice), we would analyze my at-bats. This daily analysis of my swing was the key to keeping my swing consistent, and my success was therefore a direct product of my dad's help. Those daily sessions with my dad are the thing I have certainly missed most in college. So, that said, I would like to thank my dad for the time he spent helping develop me into the player I am today. I would not be where I am today with out his help."
-Scott Madden, senior, Metairie, La.
"My favorite moment had to be when I was 12 years old and my dad coached my Little League team. That year, we won the championship and it was the last year he ended up coaching me."
-Billy Mohl, junior, Sugar Land, Texas
"I definitely wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my dad. The countless evenings spent driving around town to find an open batting cage and then hitting until sunset are memories that I treasure. We learned so much from each other and grew so close over those years. One memory that always gives me a laugh is the time my dad was telling me what pitches to throw from the dugout...in Pig Latin. 'Urve-cay All-bay!" "Ast-fay All-bay!' Priceless dad. I'm sure we're the only two people in the world who can decipher such a complex language. I love you dad, thanks so much for everything!"
-Matt Goebel, junior, Austin, Texas
"My favorite moment was seeing the excitement on my dad's face after I hit a home run in the state championship game in high school. That is a moment that I will never forget."
-Rustin Rebowe, freshman, Norco, La.
"I would like to thank my dad for always being around me and baseball. My father has coached me since I was tiny, and he stuck with it all the way through high school. He has taught me by far the most about baseball of anyone I have ever met. I think that by always having him to answer questions about the game, it has taught me a great deal about the game. It is an understatement to say that he has got me to where I am today."
-Tim Guidry, junior, Metairie, La.
"I'll never forget playing catch with my dad for the first time. I learned everything I know about baseball from him."
-Robbie Whitman, freshman, Metairie, La.
"My dad has always pushed me to try my hardest and never give up when you commit to something. My best memories were the times we were out at the field practicing when no one else was. Those were the times when it was just us two and baseball. No distractions. However, my most special moment with my dad would have to be when we hugged after beating Rice this season to get to the College World Series. That was one of the best moments of my baseball career."
-Tommy Manzella, senior, Chalmette, La.
"My dad spent hours hitting wiffle balls and playing catch in our front yard."
-Cat Everett, freshman, Houston, Texas
"There hasn't been just one moment with my father and baseball. He's been by my side through almost every single game, the good and the bad. We've had cries of sadness and tears of joy through many games. Regardless of the situation, we've had many favorite moments."
-Matt Riser, junior, Picayune, Miss.
"I can not pick out just one moment that my father and I had together in baseball that stands out. The one thing that has always stood out about him to me is how he always pushes me and comforts me at the same time. He has taught me everything I know about hitting and fielding, and for that I want to thank him. But most of all, I want to thank him for being a great father."
-Brad Emaus, freshman, Senoia, Ga.
"My fondest memory with my dad and baseball would have to include the year the North American Mimosa Wild-Fighting Cobras took the playground in 1994. Kerry Cantrelle and my dad were hilarious together. We had so much fun; even our team name, displayed on our uniforms, made baseball fun for the whole team. Also, the countless hours spent in the garage hitting off the tee or soft toss into the net with my dad is a priceless memory."
-Nathan Southard, junior, Luling, La.
"My favorite moment was hugging my dad after game three of the Super Regional this year to go to Omaha for the 2005 World Series."
-Ricky Fairchild, junior, Dallas, Texas
"My 24-plus hour road trip back home with my father following the AAABA Johnstown World Series back to Houston."
-Mark Hamilton, sophomore, Bellaire, Texas
"A far as baseball is concerned, my father has been the most inspirational person in my life. Each time I have the privilege of taking the mound is a new greatest moment in baseball between me and my father. When I touch the field, I always know that he is right out there with me and that I could not be there without all of his help and support. Growing up, we spent every day in my back yard throwing and working on my mechanics. The bruises on his shins can bear witness to my progression from a Little League pitcher to a college pitcher. He has always been there for me and I love every moment I get to spend with my dad out there on the baseball field. Dad, you really are the greatest!"
-Daniel Latham, sophomore, Covington, La.
"I want to thank my dad for always being there for me and for teaching me how to throw a baseball."
-J.R. Crowel, junior, Boynton Beach, Fla.
"Over the course of my life, my dad has always been there for me in anything that I decided to put my mind to. This is most evident in my life-long aspirations in baseball. I firmly believe that I have gotten to where I am today as a direct result of his loving support. I cannot even begin to count how many times my dad drove me to Baseball USA, a local batting cage with a handful of tokens for me to use up. How many camps he sent me to and sometimes made me go to. Of all the countless moments that my dad and I have shared along seemingly our baseball lives together, one moment stand out. I was about nine years old and we just so happened to be playing a game on Fathers Day, and my dad asked me to go out there and get a hit. And the end of the game I ended up with probably the only two home runs I have ever hit in my life, and they were both for him. No one could ever be more deserving of that and so much more. Dad, I will never be able to repay you for all the work and back-breaking stress that I have caused you, but thank you for teaching me morals and values that really matter. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love you dad, thanks for everything."
-Peter Connick, freshman, Metairie, La.
"Throughout my life, baseball has been a common bond that I have shared with my father. I want to thank you, Dad, for everything you have done for me in baseball, but more importantly, outside of it. Thank you."
-Brian Bogusevic, junior, Oak Lawn, Ill.
"Over the years, baseball has been a key aspect of my relationship with my father. I want to thank you, Dad, for always being supportive. I know that without you, I would not be where I am today. You have provided me with guidance on and off of the field. Thank you."
-Will Rice, freshman, Houston, Texas
"I would like to say thank to my dad for always being supportive in my baseball career. Also, I want to thank him for building the mound in our backyard and catching countless numbers of bullpens with no gear. Hope to see you in a couple of days."
-Brandon Gomes, sophomore, Fall River, Mass.
