Pitchers and Catchers Report

• Pitchers and catchers have now reported for the Brewers, but none of them made the biggest news of the day.  Milwaukee signed Rickie Weeks to a contract extension.  I like the deal, but hope he can stay healthy and continue to improve defensively.  
• The Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association has released its preseason poll.  They have expanded their rankings this year to 20 teams in each division.
• UW Milwaukee is opening its season Friday at Tennessee .  Also don't forget to vote for their 20th anniversary team.  
• Here is a good editorial on why they should bring varsity baseball back to UW Eau Claire. 
• A newspaper in Tennessee says It may be the best time ever to be a Cheesehead.    I couldn't agree more.
• Appleton Native Trent Whitcomb has commited  to play at Division 1 Eastern Illinois next year.  
• The Timber Rattlers box office manager was one of the Super Bowl ticket holders that didn't get a seat in the game.  They are offering tickets to the  other displaced fans. 

UW Milwaukee Panthers

Scott Doffek is the head coach of the UW Milwaukee Panthers.  He answered a few questions for this blog.

BAW:   With the increases in home schooling and online school options, have you ever recruited someone that didnt play high school ball but just played  on a traveling all star team?

Scott:   That is certainly becoming far more prevalent.  I am torn on this subject.  I love the fact that some players want to play for there school and represent there hometown.  That shows some allegiance. However, with the explosion of traveling teams and the exposure they get you can hardly blame any of them for going with that option.  We have recruited players that have chosen to play for traveling teams as well there high school.  Our job is to find the best talent and the best fit possible for the University. We need to look everywhere.

BAW:   Do you have any tips for youth ball players hoping to play college ball someday?

Scott:   My suggestion would be to take care of there academics.  Finding the right fit for a college needs to start with that.  If you have prepared yourself and done well in in school you have opened a lot of doors.  Just like anything you need to work on your craft.  Baseball has become a year round commitment like all sports be at the same time I think you will find most coaches are looking for a well rounded athletes.  If you can play football or basketball or whatever do it!  Just make sure you are getting in your baseball reps along the way.  There is no substitute for competition.

BAW:   Does the lack of D1 baseball schools in the state help or hurt you when recruting?

Scott:   I think this state just loves its sports.  Whether we have 1 or 5 D1 programs people are going to go out support whatever quality product is out there.  In some regards the state has become a big recruiting pool for the D1's.  Coaches from all over now there is only one hometown D1 program that they are going to have to fight through.  There a few schools out there that have really done a great job of recognizing the talent that it is here.

BAW:   Are any of your players signed up yet to play in the Northwoods League this summer?

 Scott:  Yes, we currently have 5.  I'm sure before it's all said and done that number will be closer to 10.

BAW:  Do you have any players whose names might be called in the draft this June?

Scott:   I think we have a few.  Paul Hoenecke who was drafted out of high school by the Tigers is certainly on the radar screen as well as Doug Dekoning and Chad Pierce.  We have 5 or 6 players not yet eligible but are waiting in the wings as well.