Entry #56 - 2/1/06

As Opening Day is only 36 hours away, it is amazing but I find myself rather calm. In years past I have had huge butterflies and an uneasy feeling in my stomach, but not this year. I'm not sure why this is the case but I have actually been able to get some sleep this week. My wife is amazed that I have been getting home at a decent hour the past few days, because that has never happened in the past before our opening series. As I left the office tonight around 7:00pm, Coach Greene and Coach Mac were doing their best to convince me that their superior work ethic and organization throughout the day is the reason we are not in the office so late this week. Maybe they are right?

Is this team more prepared for Opening Day than last year's? I don't necessarily think so, but we have had a productive preseason. As a coach it is always exciting to get a new team "under the lights" for the first time. But along with that excitement comes the uneasiness of wondering if you have covered everything possible to insure that your players and coaches have an opportunity to be successful. This year we have a very veteran ball club with seven outstanding seniors, so I'm sure this has had alot to do with our preparation. But no matter how much you practice you just never know how athletes are going to execute under pressure. I know I am anxious to find out.

Throughout the college baseball season and especially during the early part, it seems like whenever I have a spare moment I always watch the Weather Channel. I have learned from experience that Mother Nature cannot be controlled, she is undefeated, and so I know it doesn't do me any good to watch the radar. But I just can't seem to quit. If I am at home I never miss the "Local on the 8's" on the Weather Channel. I can be watching a ball game on television and without looking at my watch, simply switch the station and there it is...our local forecast. This weekend the weather is still a mystery, but I'm optimistic that we will be able to get our games played. We have decided to take advantage of Friday's good weather and play a doubleheader on this day and then hopefully we can scratch and claw and get another game in on Saturday or Sunday. I am not a big fan of rain outs or canceling games so we will just have to see what transpires.

I spoke with my father earlier tonight and during our conversation he asked what my expectations were for the season. I would be lying if I did not say that I did not have high expectations for our club. I feel good about this team. I may be completely wrong but I think this group can play a little bit. Yes, the Atlantic Sun will pose a difficult challenge and our schedule is extremely difficult, but I believe this team is ready for it. I am excited about our program and the direction we are moving. I am proud of the foundation that has been laid. I am proud of all the players who have paid a price in years past in order to help get us where we are today. I am proud of the young men who are seniors in high school who have already committed to becoming a Buccaneer Baseball player next season, and I am proud of our players in our program right now.

I hope this year's ball club can do something special. It has been over twenty five years since an ETSU baseball team has had back to back 30 win seasons. It has also been over twenty five years since an ETSU Baseball team has been in the NCAA tournament. We want to break that streak and start a new tradition. We want to be one of those special "64" teams who have their names called to be in the NCAA Tournament. Don't get me wrong; our coaching staff doesn't sit around the office everyday and talk about going to the College World Series. I know how difficult that is to do. But if we don't dream about it, talk about it and work extremely hard every single day in order to become the premier program in the Atlantic Sun Conference and getting into the NCAA tournament, then it will never happen. And I don't ever like to say never. That is why we play the games. Until Next Time....

GO STATE!

COACH SKOLE