Baseball Team Holds First Practice Of The Fall
9/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 29, 2008
Houston -- Rice head baseball coach Wayne Graham welcomed back 16 returning lettermen from last season's team that reached the College World Series and a total of 14 newcomers to the roster as the Owls held their first fall practice of 2008 on Monday afternoon (Oct. 29) at Reckling Park.
The Owls return four offensive starters and five veteran pitchers who helped lead the team to a 47-15 record and the 2008 Conference USA regular season championship. Eleven of the team's 14 newcomers are from the high school ranks while three are transfers from other colleges. After a brief period of conditioning and drills, Graham divided the team for a Blue-Gray intraquad scrimmage. He was pleased with the team's physical condition for the first day of practice and stated three spots would get his closest attention this fall.
"This was perfect day for baseball and I am happy to return to practice," Graham said. "Everyone wanted to get started. We have to develop and evaluate the players and get them to improve. The gist of fall-ball is learning who we will want to play where in the spring. We have a lot of good players back and some new ones with a lot of ability.
"Catcher, first base and left field are spots where someone new has a real shot to break in the starting lineup," Graham said. "We have guys who can pitch, and the fall is a real opportunity for a pitcher to show he deserves innings in the spring."
Rice's fall baseball practices continue through Nov. 1. Last season the Owls won a home Regional and Super Regional to the College World Series in Omaha for the third-straight year. The CWS trip was the Owls' seventh since 1997.