Seasoned 'Noles begin baseball practice
Stephen Drew and Co. will have to practice around the construction at
Howser Stadium
By Steve Ellis
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Mike Martin's locker is on its side. A hard hat is needed to enter some
areas of Dick Howser Stadium.
But Martin isn't complaining - better that it is his stadium rather than
the Florida State baseball team that is under construction. The
Seminoles begin preseason practice today with much of last season's team
intact. Ace Matt Lynch turned down professional baseball to return.
Sophomore shortstop Stephen Drew will anchor the infield, which is being
coached by new assistant Link Jarrett. There are even more reasons,
including starting catcher Tony Richie, for Collegiate Baseball to rank
FSU second in its preseason poll behind Texas.
"We do like this ballclub," Martin said. "But we have to guard against
overconfidence."
First pitch is just three weeks away. Renovation of Howser Stadium will
force the opening series against Virginia Military Institute to be
played at St. Petersburg's Florida Power Park. The three-game series
begins on Jan.31 to be followed by a trip to Stanford the next week.
Martin is keeping his fingers crossed that the stadium will be available
for its home series against Evansville on Feb. 14-16.
In the meantime, the team will be able to practice in the stadium. The
right-field bullpen is available, and the indoor hitting facility is
about 85 percent completed. Batting cages are available. The clubhouse
is in partial disarray because of the renovation that includes expanded
grandstand seating, a new clubhouse and a new facade to the facility.
On the field, things will look mostly familiar. Gone are pitchers Blair
Varnes and Robby Read, who combined for 18 victories a year ago. But in
addition to Lynch, FSU returns Trent Peterson, Marc LaMacchia and closer
Daniel Hodges, among others.
Martin found a replacement for Ryan Barthelemy at third base in freshman
Eddy Martinez-Esteve, a third-round draft choice who reportedly turned
down a $600,000 offer from the Seattle Mariners. He moved in the fall
from outfield to third base, a position he last played as a junior in
high school. He'll be backed up by freshman Brandon Manasa. Nick Roxby,
who was expected to back up to Martinez-Esteve, has transferred to North
Florida Community College. Martin said it was because of academic
reasons.
Drew, a preseason first-team All-American according to Baseball America,
is healthy after injuring his hamstring in the fall. Newcomer Ryan
Landers will back up Drew. Brian Zech and and Kevin Richmond will
compete for the starting job at second base. That position will not
welcome former Alabama standout Pete Stonard, who was rumored to be
headed to FSU. Martin said Stonard was never released by Alabama and, if
he had been, FSU was not interested in bringing him in because he
violated team policy at Alabama. Martin said he never talked to Stonard,
who hit .411 a year ago. Jerrod Brown and Chris Hart are the top first
basemen.
Baseball America also gave Richie a nod as its second-team catcher.
Newcomers Blake Balkcom, who overcame knee surgery, and Matt Sauls join
Tony McQuade as the likely starting outfielders. At the positions where
some rebuilding is needed, including third base, FSU's schedule will buy
Martin some time. FSU plays just one preseason top 25 team until late
March. Florida, which FSU sees in early March, is not ranked in
Collegiate Baseball's top40.
FIRST SERIES
Florida State vs. Virginia Military Institute, Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at Florida
Power Park in St. Petersburg.
:D I'll be there since I only live 90 miles south of St. Pete :D
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Seasoned 'Noles begin baseball practice
