Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Fall Focus Turns to Series
10/28/2021 10:10:00 PM | Baseball
Three-game series starts on Friday at 6 p.m.
While the focus of most baseball fans in Houston will turn east to Atlanta on Friday, the Rice Owls will open their own version of a fall classic with game one of the Fall Ball World Series.
Teams led by coaches Paul Janish and Trevor Putzig will face off in a three-game series that opens on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by games on Monday and Wednesday. Putzig will send Roel Garcia to the mound in the opener while Janish will counter with Cooper Chandler.
Rice head coach Jose Cruz Jr. said the return of the Fall Series is an ideal way to wrap up his first fall schedule.
"During my experience here as a player, we closed out every fall with our own Fall Ball World Series and I wanted to be sure to bring that back. It's important to have the guys play for something and in this case we have some very unique gear for the winning team. Guys love the swag," he noted.
While Cruz and pitching coach Colter Bostick will be keen observers of the action, they left the selection of the teams entirely up to the coaches.
"We had a good time with the draft yesterday. The coaches made their own selections and one team chose to go more with defense while the other prioritized offense over defense. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out how each team was built. I think the pitching was pretty even on both sides so it's going to come down to execution.
While the mood will be competitive and good natured, it also offers a chance for a number of players to be asked to assume new roles.
"The Fall Ball Series will create some interesting situations," Cruz said. "We have enough guys to have two teams, but some guys will be asked to play different positions which is a great opportunity for them to showcase more of their abilities and skill set. I've told them that I love the Swiss Army Knife player that can play everywhere."
While all pitchers will be on a pitch count, Cruz said Janish and Putzig will be free to utilize them inside the game as they see fit.
"They can use the bullpen guys how they see fit, but with the pitch count, they'll have to be smart with how they utilize each pitcher. It's up to them, they understand the rules, so we are just there to watch."
Teams led by coaches Paul Janish and Trevor Putzig will face off in a three-game series that opens on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by games on Monday and Wednesday. Putzig will send Roel Garcia to the mound in the opener while Janish will counter with Cooper Chandler.
Rice head coach Jose Cruz Jr. said the return of the Fall Series is an ideal way to wrap up his first fall schedule.
"During my experience here as a player, we closed out every fall with our own Fall Ball World Series and I wanted to be sure to bring that back. It's important to have the guys play for something and in this case we have some very unique gear for the winning team. Guys love the swag," he noted.
While Cruz and pitching coach Colter Bostick will be keen observers of the action, they left the selection of the teams entirely up to the coaches.
"We had a good time with the draft yesterday. The coaches made their own selections and one team chose to go more with defense while the other prioritized offense over defense. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out how each team was built. I think the pitching was pretty even on both sides so it's going to come down to execution.
While the mood will be competitive and good natured, it also offers a chance for a number of players to be asked to assume new roles.
"The Fall Ball Series will create some interesting situations," Cruz said. "We have enough guys to have two teams, but some guys will be asked to play different positions which is a great opportunity for them to showcase more of their abilities and skill set. I've told them that I love the Swiss Army Knife player that can play everywhere."
While all pitchers will be on a pitch count, Cruz said Janish and Putzig will be free to utilize them inside the game as they see fit.
"They can use the bullpen guys how they see fit, but with the pitch count, they'll have to be smart with how they utilize each pitcher. It's up to them, they understand the rules, so we are just there to watch."
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