Player Profile: James Campbell

Player Profile of the Day:

                                                 James Campbell #15

 

Bio: Campbell is a 6'1" 195lb SO Pitcher from Bridgeport, Conn. He went to St.Joseph H.S. and is majoring in Business here at Stony Brook. James played 2 years of Varsity while in high school and was named a captain as a senior. Named a 2009 All-FCIAC and was an All-District selection, going 7-2 with a 2.04 ERA as a senior and went 4-1 as a junior.

**As a freshman at Stony Brook he made 12 appearances including 6 starts on the hill. He had 18 K's in 31.2 innings. Made his first career appearance against UNC-Wilmington pitching a scoreless inning, in his first start he allowed no runs and one hit over 4 innings against Seton Hall and picked up his first career victory throwing 6 innings against Hartford. Pitched in  2/3 of an inning in the Myrtle Beach Regional against host Coastal Carolina.

**Entering into the 2011 season James eyes a spot in the Starting rotation. During the fall he showed much poise on the mound and put in some solid innings, establishing himself as a presence on the field. As the season progresses look out for Campbell to play a significant role in route to another championship and beyond.

Campbell Pitching at Home

Pitching in Alabama

Looking to play a bigger role in his Sophomore year, James eyes another Championship and beyond:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?

  "Personally I thought having the opportunity too pitch against top division 1 programs such as Alabama and Coastal Carolina as a freshman defined my year. It was a great experience and overall will help me coming into this 2011 season. I think what defined us as a team was how we won our America East Tournament as a 3 seed and went on to the NCAA Regional where we won for the first time at the D1 level."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?

  "Building arm strength, staying healthy and well conditioned was very important for me this off-season especially because I missed my freshman fall and most of the winter with an arm injury. Since I was healthy I was able to throw and took my pitches to the next level with the help of my pitching coaches."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?

  "I try to emulate Mariano Rivera, although he’s a closer and I’m not, he goes out there with great composure and dominates with one pitch. He’s very confident on the mound and gets the job done."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?

  "When I get the ball back from my third baseman in warm-ups I always step to the back of the mound, take off my hat and look over the right field fence and clear my mind before stepping up on the hill."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?

  "That nothing is going to come easy, if you want to make it to the next level your going to have to work at it."

What are your goals for this coming season?

  "Personally I want to be in the starting rotation, put in significant innings and help contribute to our team’s success. As a team standpoint I think we all have our eyes on making it back to the regional and advancing further than last year."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?

  "Having the opportunity to come in against some of the top teams in the country and having success but also failure that I can learn from."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?

   "I like to have my mind cleared and focused on what I have to do on the mound. Being mentally prepared for me has a lot to do with my success."

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 

  "When I'm not playing I like to go for a hike whether it’s by myself or with some friends, being in the outdoors away from everything helps me clear my mind." 

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Player Profile:Sal Intagliata

Player profile of the Day:

                                                    Sal Intagliata #14

                               
Bio: Sal is a 6'2" 190lb JR OF from Franklin Square, NY. He attended H. Frank Carey H.S. and currently is an Arts & Sciences Major here at Stony Brook. In high school he was a 2008 All-Long Island selection, hitting .507 with 29 RBI, 22 Stolen Bases, 2 triples, 10 doubles and a HR while slugging .740. His Sophomore year at Carey he hit .514. He was a multi-sport athlete playing and excelling in football as well as baseball.
**Freshman year at Stony Brook he played 22 games in the oufield. His first career collegiate hit came in a win over Fairfield on April 29. He had a clutch game-winning sac fly in the top of the 9th against Conference rival Binghamton. Also contributed to a win against Rider on May 2nd with 2 RBI.
**His sophomore year saw an improvement in playing time as he appeared in 36 games starting 16 of those. Sal set career-high marks in hits with 23 and doubles with 8. He hit his first career HR in the regular season finale against Binghamton. He had two RBI in consecutive games against Seton Hall and Fordham, and went 2-3 with two RBI against Albany. While playing in the Myrtle Beach Regional against top seeded Coastal Carolina he recorded a hit and had a RBI.
**This coming season Sal looks to increase playing time even more and start in the Outfield. After a solid fall and some winter work he is poised to play a big role in 2011 and help win another championship and even a regional.



Sal (left) after winning the America East Championship




Sal as the Burger King in the first annual halloween game

  After a championship seson in 2010, Sal looks to 2011 to be a bigger and better year including another Championship and even more:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?

  "Personally the year had it's ups and downs for me but as long as the team was winning and playing well you could not wish for anything better"

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "This offseason I worked on my swing a lot and overall strength and speed. I think the workouts I have done with our coaching staff have really helped me become faster and stronger"

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?

  "I try to emulate Nick Swisher. I love how he acts during a game he's always having fun and is a great teammate. Also his approach at the plate and overall swing. He may not be one of the greatest players but he's definitely having the best time."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?

  "Nothing too crazy but if I had a good game I wouldn't change whatever I did before it."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?

  "I would tell him you have to keep working your game no matter how good you are baseball is the hardest game and it doesn't get easier the older you get."

What are your goals for this coming season?

  "Goals for the season are going to a regional and doing better than last year, same with individual stuff just be better than last season."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?

  "Just how good of team and players we have we really can beat anyone out there on any given day."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?

  "Blast the iPod on the bus ride over and try to stay as relaxed as possible...and barrel roll chest bump with steve Marino in center field "

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to?

  "I play some video games but for the most part just hanging out relaxing."

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Player Profile: Keith Murakami

Player Profile of the Day:

                                                Keith Murakami #51

 

Bio: Murakami is a 6'1" 195lb JR Catcher from Monterey Park, California. He attended Bishop Amat H.S., Compton Community College for 2 years and is now a Political Science Major here at Stony Brook. In high school Keith played 4 years on varsity and was named All-League and All-San Gabriel Valley senior year. While at Compton Community College he hit .340 with 5 HR, 35 RBI as a freshman. As a Sophomore he hit .315 with 1 HR and 33 RBI. He made All-Conference in both years and Helped lead Compton College to two of its best seasons in program history and also helped lead Compton College to its first ever state playoff appearance in 2010. Played for the Academy Barons in the California Collegiate League freshman and sophomore summers. 

**Keith is coming in to his first season here at Stony Brook after transferring from Compton Community College. He is a left hand hitting catcher and can play some 1B as well. Right now he looks to be the backup for our regular catcher Pat Cantwell, but will play a huge role in getting us to our ultimate goal which is a Championship, winning a Regional and beyond. Look for Keith as the season progresses to learn more about how he preforms and what role he will play. 

Keith as a Part of Champion Team Lez Go 2010 In it to win it WS

Keith at Bat

Although he may be a rookie here at Stony Brook, Keith is no stranger to playing College Baseball. Hear what he thinks about the coming season:


Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
  "In the 2010 season i played for Compton Community College and overall we had a successful season. We made it to the State Playoffs where we lost to the #1 team in the state. This was the first time Compton College ever made it to the playoffs. We came together in the middle of the season and finished the season winning our last 18 out of 20 games. Personally i did pretty well both on and off the field. I made the All Conference team and finished the semester with a 4.0 gpa."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "This off season I worked on getting stronger and also worked on my defense. These were two parts of my game that i needed to work on in order to become a better player and more importantly, to contribute to the team. I went to the gym and i was fortunate enough to workout with Stony Brook Alumni Tom Koehler. I did all of his workouts which were really tough but i liked it a lot. I also got to learn many things from Tom such as calling pitches, look for tendencies, and I was also able to catch his bullpens."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
  "Of course i would like to have my individuality but when it comes to catching, i like to be like Kurt Suzuki, he is currently the Oakland A's catcher. When it comes to hitting, i like to look at Joe Mauer. He would have to be my favorite hitter."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
   "I do tend to be superstitious. Whenever i am on a hot streak, i tend to try to do the same exact routine and when I am slumping, i always change my routine. For example last year I was hitting extremely well, during this time i ate the same meal right before every game and even at the same time."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
  "I would have to tell any person to always give everything you have when you are out on the field. Do everything with the most effort because you never know who is watching in the stands. There can be professional scouts and also college scouts. I learned this the hard way in that one of my games last year at Compton College, I didnt run out a ball I hit and later found out that the Colorado Rockies scout was there to watch me and right after that he crossed my name off his list and left the game. So remember to always work hard because effort is something you can control in baseball. "

What are your goals for this coming season?
   "My main goal for this season is probably the same goal as almost everyone on the team which is to win a conference championship. I also want us to win a regional this year. As for a personal goal, i would just like to contribute to the team as much as possible to help win a championship. I had some regrets while i was at Compton College and i want to finish my upcoming season knowing that i worked my absolute hardest and put all the effort i could into this season."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
  "In 2010 Compton College worked together and worked very hard to make it to playoffs while Stony Brook did the same but won a conference championship and made it to regionals. I felt since i made the move to Division 1 baseball that i needed to work twice as hard as i did while i was at Compton College. I worked harder on every aspect of my game because i knew playing for Stony Brook would be playing on a whole new level. I felt that I have improved from this hard work and am ready to help Stony Brook win another conference championship and also to win a regional."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
  "When it comes to non physical prep, like many people on the team, i like to read over the scouting reports on both the pitchers and the hitters. Since i am a catcher I need to know about both the pitchers and hitters so I know the tendencies of each person on the team. Other than that, I will just listen to music and just relax until i have to start warming up. "

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to?
  "When i am not playing or training, my main hobby is to go fishing. A lot of the guys on the team know that I love to go fishing and i talk about it a lot. When summer baseball is over, me and my father will be going on a 4 day fishing trip to Mexico. Other than fishing i like to spend time with my family and friends back in sunny California."







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Player Profile: Chad Marshall

Player Profile of the Day:

                                                   Chad Marshall #7

Bio: Chad Marshall is a 5'10" 185lb SR SS from Paris, Ontario. He attended Paris District H.S. and at Stony Brook he has a Multidisciplinary Major in Biology and Sociology. In High School Chad played three years of Varsity ball and was named Athlete of the Year as a Junior and Senior. He was member of the 17U Team Ontario which won a gold medal at the Canada National Tournament. He also was on the 2006 Inner County Terriers that won the Premier Baseball League Ontario and the 18U Sandlot World Series in Nashville, TN.
**His Freshman year in 2008 was a breakout season, playing in 54 games, starting all of those at second base. He hit .285 with 27 RBI, 34 runs scored and was ranked 19th toughest player in the nation to strike out (1 per 20 AB). He had his first career hit against Charleston Southern and recorded 16 multi-hit games. This season helped lead the Seawolves to the NCAA Regional at Arizona State and earned Chad some post season honors. He was named to the All-America East second team, All-Rookie team and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
**His Sophomore season he played and started in 50 games, splitting time between 2B and SS. He ranked second on the team hitting .354, while leading the team in hits with 68. He recorded 17 multi-hit games and played well against some top opponents. He went 3-6 at Florida Atlantic, 14-20 against Vermont and had 3 hits and 4 runs scored against Albany. He had a stellar year defensively as well, making only 2 errors in 239 chances. In the America East Tournament marked by a 2 and out performance by the team, Chad tried his best to not allow that to happen. He had 4 hits with 3 runs scored against rival Vermont. He was named to the All-America East second team and the heartbreak end to the season left him hungry for another championship.
**In a year marked with a historic victory in the regional, Chad's Junior year had him as one of the teams leaders. He made 54 starts all at SS, hitting .299 with a career-high 32 RBI and 7 HR. He had 19 multi-hit games and had an OB% of .416. He tied a career high with a 5 hit game against Iona driving in 4 runs. During the Championship run Chad went 5-15 with 3 RBI, 3 runs scored and a HR in the Conference Tournament. He also recorded a hit in both games against Coastal Carolina during the Myrtle Beach Regional. He was named to the All-America East second team for his play during this Championship season.

Making a tag @ Myrtle Beach Regional

Hitting in the Conference Championship

Chad is one of two Seniors who are in their final year of eligibility and that makes him that much more hungry for his third ring in four seasons:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
  "well winning the conference championship is a big definition of the teams season."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "This off season is the first off season i havent returned to the mother land and stayed at school to get stronger and stay in the best shape possible."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
  "I like to think i play my own style of baseball, very defensive minded and not a power hitter just your typical scrappy middle infielder, i like to think of blue jay great john macdonald lol..."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
  "not a big superstitious guy but am big on keeping a fairly similar routine."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
  "never stop learning, you will never know the game inside and out listen to what other people have to tell you, take advice and never listen to someone who tells you you cant."

What are your goals for this coming season?
  "looking forward to pushing the team to another conference championship and much more."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
  "i believe that this years team has a very good balance of experience and young motivated players."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
  "i like to visualize things the night before and try and put myself in as many situations as i can think of."

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 
  "its not necessarily that i need to get away from the game but i enjoy playing other sports so playing a different sport every once in a while helps staying focused on baseball"


Video showing some of Chad doing some training in the off season:







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Player Profile: Pat Cantwell

Player Profile of the Day:

  Patrick Cantwell #3

Bio: Cantwell is a 6'1" 190lb JR Catcher/OF from West Islip, NY. Pat went to West Islip H.S. and at Stony Brook he is a Biology major. At West Islip Pat played 3 years on varsity and was a captain for all 3. In 2008 he helped lead his team to a 23-5 record and a Suffolk Class AA Championship. He hit .477 with 31 runs scored, 8 triples, 2 HR and 33 RBI. This led to his selection of All-League, All-County and All-Long Island. He not only excelled in baseball but was a 4 year varsity soccer player as well. He was a 3 time captain, named 2007 second team All-American, All-State, All-Region and All-Long Island as a senior.
**His freshman year in 2009 he appeared in 42 games, starting 31 of which 30 were at catcher. He led the America East with 15 runners caught stealing, hit .284 with 24 runs scored and 16 RBI. His first game played garnered his first career hit at Florida Atlantic, he had 2 hits on that day. This season earned him a spot on the America East All-Rookie team as he played a key role throughout the season.
**In the 2010 championship season Pat had an outstanding Sophomore year. He played in 54 games, making 51 starts, 14 as a catcher and 37 at RF. He ranked second on the team and 6th in the America East with a .361 avg, second on the team with 46 runs scored recording 25 multi hit games and 36 RBI. He also tied for 6th in the Conference with 15 doubles and 7th with a .439 OB%.  He played his best at the most crucial of games. Went 3-7 with four runs scored at San Diego State and against Maine he had a career-high 5 for 6 performance. In the conference tournament he hit .385 with 6 RBI with a huge go-ahead 2 run HR in the 7th inning against Albany in the title game. During the regional against NC State he had a hit and run scored in the 6-2 victory, the first regional win in school history. This year earned him honors of All-America East second team as an OF and was named the America East Conference tournament Most Outstanding Player for his contributions at the plate as well as on defense.

Pat at Pepperdine in Malibu

Catching a pen at UNC Wilmington

Winning a Championship for Cantwell last season was his main goal and looking to this season it is no different:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?

  "As a team I think that our attitude on and off the field helped to come together as a team instead of individuals pursuing their own goals.  We had one team goal and that is what we strove for."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?

  "Threw, hit, and lifted on a more consistent basis than ever before.  I have also started to read more books/articles relating to certain aspects of my game I feel I can improve upon."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?

  "I would have to say Troy Tulowitski.  He is a known presence on the field and I just feel like he is giving it 100 percent every time he steps on the field."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?

  "I always always have to stretch my hip flexors before I get into the batters box, otherwise I feel like I can’t move.  During the national anthem I always have to close my eyes."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?

  "Never settle for anything less than you deserve.  If you work hard at something, and truly want it, there isn’t a lot of things that can stand in your way.  Just go out and play.  A lot of people will tell you what you are doing right or wrong, but when it comes down to it, on the field just have fun."

What are your goals for this coming season?

 "Win a regional."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?

  "I think that our team has great leadership but I also feel like the hurt of the loss at the regional will help some guys to get after it even harder this year."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing? 

  "Listening to my Ipod or thinking about something fun.  Anything at all to get me ready to play."

 

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 

  "As bad as it is, play basketball haha."

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Some Bullpen Work

Got some video of my bullpen from last Friday. Views from the RH and LH batters boxes. Steve is catching and the sequence is FB in and out, Cutter in and out, CH and curve. I repeat a couple just because I didnt like the location. First from the windup then the Stretch.






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Player Profile: Maxx Tissenbaum

Player Profile of the Day:

                                                Maxx Tissenbaum #8

Bio: Maxx is a 5'11" 190lb INF from Toronto, Ontario. He attended York Mills Collegiate H.S. and here at Stony Brook he studies Business Management. He played 3 years of varsity while in H.S., played for Canadian Junior National team and played for an Ontario Youth team that won a gold medal at Canada Cup during which he was named Best Defensive Player. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft.
**Tissenbaum as a Freshman had a solid season posting numbers which aided in winning a championship. He played in 55 games making 52 starts at second base. He ranked third on the team with a .344 avg, he had 10 doubles, 4 HR and had 18 multi-hit games. In his first career collegiate game against UNC-Wilmington he recorded 3 hits. In the America East tournament he hit .375 and scored 5 runs en route to a championship. While at the Myrtle Beach Regional, Maxx hit .400 with a HR and 3 RBI. This season earned Maxx being named America East Rookie of the Week on April 20th, named to the America East All-Rookie team and was selected to the America East All-Tournament team.

Maxx hitting at LeMoyne

Fielding at CSUB

A Freshman year to be proud of for Tissenbaum leaves him hungry for another good year and a Championship:


Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
  "personally getting to play a lot early in the year helped to define my season. with coach showing that he had the confidence in me even when i did struggle it was a big mental boost. As a team we were defined by our defense. as an unranked team from the northeast we finished someting like 5 points off of top spot in the country."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "this winter i spent extra time running. for a middle infielder i'm not fast enough and so i've been trying to get my feet to work fast. i did a lot of extended sprints and then shorter more explosive stuff."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
  "I've always wanted to model myself after Derek Jeter, not only because he's always been so good at what he does but because of his work ethic. i remember at spring training one year he was on the practice field alone at 930 doing drills before anyone else showed up, and that goes a long way to making a great ballplayer."


Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
  " I'm pretty superstitious, in a game where 30% success is a hall of famer i think it helps to keep me sane. sometimes i'll tape a quote to the bottom of my helmet and tap it before every at bat, other times i say a song lyric over and over while taking my swings"

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
  "Every single day is an opportunity. even when you think nobody is paying attention and even when nothing is expected of you there is some other kid somewhere in the world who wants the same spot you do. you have to be willing to do anything you can to out work that guy, because every minute you waste is a minute you cant get back"

What are your goals for this coming season?
  "this year i want to win whatever regional we go to. last year we got our first program win in the regionals and that was a big step. with the core of guys we brought back i think we could really do some damage. we certainly have the pitching up front with Trop and Tyler and then our bats will be able to swing it with anyone"

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
   "before every game i listen to a podcast from a minor league instructor i met. he talks about the importance of having the right frame of mind, and his relaxed chilled out california way of talking goes a long way to doing that"

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 
 "  I love to play golf, and when i'm home during the winter i still have a soft spot for hockey so i play a lot. i also spend as many days as i can watching my sister play because i know how many years she spent in rinks and ballparks watching me"




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Player Profile: Tanner Nivins

Player Profile of the Day:

 Tanner Nivins # 24

 

Bio: Nivins is a 5'10" 190lb SO OF from Kitchener, Ontario. One of four international players we currently have, he attended St.Mary's H.S. and here at Stony Brook he is currently studying Social Sciences. In H.S. he played four years of Varsity baseball and was named 2005 Ontario Junior Player of the Year. He was a multi sport athlete playing football, which he was a four time MVP, and he was also a three time MVP in track and field as well as in Hockey. Played baseball for the Canadian junior national team as well as for an Ontario team that won a gold medal in which he was named offensive player of the tournament.

** In his freshman year here at Stony Brook he played in 56 games of which he started 50 in Center Field. He hit .298 on the season with a tie for second on the team in HR, with 9, and RBI with 48. In his first career collegiate game he hit a line drive home run to dead center against Akron. He played his best in key times, having a great series against Alabama going 6-12 with 6 RBI. He also had 2 hits and 3 RBI against San Diego State. During the biggest time of the season in the Myrtle Beach Regional he hit .313 with 3 RBI which helped bring the first ever win in a regional to SBU. The stellar freshman year earned Tanner two time rookie of the week in the America East as well as being named to the America East All-Rookie Team.

Tanner Celebrating a Championship

Making a great catch

Having a Stellar Freshman Year Tanner looks to build off of it and enter 2011 more prepared than ever:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team? "Looking back on 2010 really strikes a lot of great memories. Being my first year playing college baseball, I came in not knowing what to expect. However, I got a great opportunity to play everyday, and I quickly learned the expectations of this ball club. There are players on this club that play the game the right way, and they were great people to model my game after. As most teams, we had our share of ups and downs. But in the end, we learned from the downs as well as the ups, and it translated into a championship."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "For me, coming off an injury in the fall this off season was a crucial time period. I looked at it in a way that not only do I have to get myself ready to play, but I have to catch up to everyone who was playing all fall. I focused on getting as strong as possible, while maintaining my speed and flexibility. I have no days to waste, every single day I'm whipping myself into the best possible shape I can be. Aside from the weight room, I have also been throwing and hitting routinely. But that wasn't my main focus, as I know February we will be focusing on that every day."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
  "I get asked this question a lot, and every time I struggle with an answer. Of course I look up to the big name outfielders like Vernon Wells, and players alike, however I don't emulate my game after them. If anyone, it's all the guys in the minor league system grinding themselves to the ground just doing everything possible to make it to the bigs. Guys that aren't oozing athleticism or all five tools, but guys who pride themselves on giving absolutely everything they have on and off the field. Being a smaller guy who is clearly missing a couple tools, I know that I have to know how to take full use of the tools I do have."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
   "I've never been big into superstition. My worst enemy 90% of the time is myself. I get too into my head sometimes, and it causes me to think way too much. So focusing on superstitions is just another thing added to my already cluttered mind, so I tend to stay away from it. If I do have certain rituals, it's all in my muscle memory, and I'm totally unaware of it."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
   "Don't get complacent. The game of baseball doesn't stop itself, so you have no time to get lazy. If you're a guy who just loves the game and doesn't really care about results, then just have fun but don't let it get in the way of your teammates, and coaches dreams. Give it all, every day."

What are your goals for this coming season?
  "My goals for this upcoming season is to win another ring, and make it as far in a regional as possible. You can't focus too hard on personal success, because in the end all the personal accolades don't mean anything if we don't have a ring to celebrate with."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
  "Now having one year under me, I know what to expect. I've learned from last season, and I expect big time results. I've learned to control things like my frustration, and I now know how to learn from my failure and translate it into success. I also know by looking at the guys on our team that hard work truly does pay off. All I can do is take my numbers and add on! Not so it looks good in the books, but to help the team win our one common goal; a championship."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
  "I like to review scouting reports and talk baseball with the coaches and players. I'll study pitchers scouting reports so I am not surprised by anything that they throw at me. I like to relax myself, and always have a plan to success."

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 
  "I think getting away from the game is very key. You can't think, eat, and sleep baseball all the time. I like to hangout with family, friends, and catch up on some T.V. shows. Take some time to appreciate everything else besides the game. Because in the end; that's all that matters."

End of video below shows Tanner this summer Hitting a go ahead homer for his team.




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