TORERO DIARY: behind the walk up music

There is more to the game of baseball than just its physical aspects. At the collegiate level, position players have "walk up" songs, which play for about 15 to 30 seconds prior to their at bats when the player is heading toward home plate from the dugout.

Torero Diary: Ohana Day

Toreros' baseball held its annual Ohana Day celebration this past week. Ohana Day is a special day celebrated by players, coaching staff, fans, advisors, donators and family. Ohana Day concludes the baseball team's sixweek, strenuous fall practice schedule consisting of practice and intrasquad games every day, with the exception of Mondays.

Torero Diary: Aluminum vs. wooden bats

For many years, collegiate baseball has been played with aluminum bats. The one distinction between professional ball and college ball was the difference between the sound of the ball coming off of wood, and the popular "ping" sound of metal. While the game remains the same, many people do not understand the gigantic differences between the two types of bats.

Torero Diary: Tobacco use far too prevalent in baseball

Ever since the early days of America's favorite past time, there have been many things that people associate with the game. Whether it is the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd in the postseason, the smell of hot dogs, peanuts or Cracker Jacks, the game is full of novelties for fans to enjoy. Another aspect of the game that has been consuming players since the early days of the sport is chewing tobacco.

Torero Diary: An in-depth look into the life of a USD baseball player

While this may be true for other USD athletic teams and organizations on campus, being a baseball player encompasses all aspects of college life. From the way we eat, dress, work and live, all of the baseball guys live with teammates either on or off campus. The daily routines of an athlete differ so much from that of a non-athlete, or as the team has come to refer to them, a "layman," that I thought it was time to enlighten those Toreros out there that do not play on a sports team.

Torero Diary: The transition from college to the pros

Making the transition from collegiate baseball to professional baseball is something that does not happen over night. Being one of the 10 players from USD's 2010 baseball team to be selected in the draft, I can state first hand that there are definitely some adjustments that must be made. After completing the first season in my professional baseball career, my eyes were open to many aspects which I did not experience in college.

Torero Diaries

Baseball Dreams

As I wrapped up a very successful senior season for the USD baseball team, I was not sure if my career would end there or if I would get the rare opportunity to play professional baseball. With the draft a month away, the idea of becoming a professional baseball player took over my thoughts.

Torero Diaries

Opening weekend full of fun and fireworks

The long anticipated opening weekend for us finally came last Friday as we hosted the Hoosiers of Indiana. Any spectator could tell that we were excited to get on the field and face an opponent other than ourselves in another 10-13 inning practice intra-squad game.

Torero Diaries

House of baseball and life of the laymen

Being a baseball player encompasses all aspects of college life, from the way we eat, dress and work, to our living situations. All the baseball guys live with teammates either on or off campus.  However, the daily routines of an athlete do very much so differ from that of a non-athlete, or as the team has come to refer to them, a "layman.

Torero Diaries

Coaching departures upset one Torero

 If you are from San Diego you know USD is the most prestigious and athletically sound school in the area,  therefore, making the rivalry between USD and San Diego State an exciting and intense event.  This got even more controversial between the baseball teams when two of our Torero coaches decided to take jobs on the staff of Tony Gwynn's team.

Torero Diaries

When baseball meets the Navy

At a very young age your parents try to instill in you that teamwork and unselfishness is essential to being a good teammate. As you get older, this is lost in the scuffle of competition, business, and hierarchy. The game has become so political and individualistic that some people forget the real reason they are on a college team.