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News Interviews CIF Finals Varsity Baseball: Pre-Game Interview
News Interviews CIF Finals Varsity Baseball: Pre-Game Interview
| CIF Finals Varsity Baseball: Pre-Game Interview |
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| Written by William Ngo | ||||||||||
| Thursday, 04 June 2009 21:42 | ||||||||||
Cameron Bedard, Steve Criss, Nick Foutris, Harvey Higger, Daniel Lucak, Ryan Plunkett, Kevin Warren and Patrick Zajac share their thoughts in an interview before the biggest game of their lives, the CIF Finals. They are the first team in Oxford history, to ever play in the semi-finals and the finals.
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Cameron Bedard 11
The position you play?
Shortstop and Pitcher
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
We try to just go through the same routine every time. As you may or may not know, baseball players get to be very superstitious. But we try to stay lose by joking around and when we cross the foul lines, we are serious and ready for the game.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
If we win this CIF Championship, it will mean the world to all of us. We have had so many talented teams in the past that crushed teams. We went through struggles this year and just came together as a great team and we deserve this. This is the dream that I have always wanted to accomplish. It is truly an honor to be a part of this and get the situation to do something not very many ballplayers get to do.
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
It has been such a fun ride. We started out a little shaky. Being a young team in such a pressured environment can be truly tough, but we just started to play so loosely and kept battling. It’s fun for us to know how all these teams come to play us and see our team and how small we are and think they will destroy us, and we just play the game and play better that day. We have no doubts we can win every game and plan on winning this thing no matter what. Leave it all on the field. Win or go home.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
I don't think anyone of us thought we'd ever make it this far, seeing how young we are and inexperienced who would think we would be competing for the CIF Title.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
That we appreciate all the support and just hope that there will be more in the future because this team deserves every bit of it. Hopefully a CIF title will bring about more support for baseball.
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Ryan Plunkett #3
The position you play?
Centerfield
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
I like to sit back, sing country songs, and make jokes. I see no reason to get worked up before games and will not go into what I do to get ready beyond that because it’s too much to list.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
It would be beyond words. Being my last year this would be probably the greatest moment in my life so far.
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
It’s been surreal, we are such a young team and to make it so far, I don't think these guys really know what they are getting themselves into having no CIF experience.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
I didn't think so, it was a young team, I was worried about winning league let alone worry about winning CIF
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
We are the most immature and shortest team you will ever see but somehow we get the job done...
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
I'm Patrick Zajac and I'm number 15.
The position you play?
1st base
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
We don't really have any pregame rituals. Except for Steve. He takes a poop before he goes out to the field every day. We just know what our jobs are and what we each need to do to play our best game.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
A championship symbolizes that you are the best in the division and no one and no team can take that away from you. We all would leave our mark at Oxford with a CIF championship.
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
This championship run has been amazing. This is the most fun I have ever had on any baseball team I have been on. We all get along so well and our chemistry is amazing. It's just been so much fun and rewarding just to be a part of.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
Never did I think we would ever make it this far. With so many young guys, I thought we would be lucky to make quarterfinals. But everyone has stepped up their game this season and we have peaked as a team at the right time.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
Even though we're young, we can beat any team on any given day. We may be small, but we have the heart to win CIF.
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Steve Criss, #51
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
I do not do anything special before games and I do not know of any ritual or anything. We are not a real serious team; we just get along great and play our hearts out together.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
This championship would mean so much to this team because we only have twelve players, which is not a lot at all. We do not have the best players either, but we find a way to put everything together and get the win. This next one would prove that even the underdog can come out on top. It would also show that heart and dedication wins championships, not a bunch of studs stuck together for a couple months. It would be the Dream.
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
The road to the championships has been thrilling. We have had some not so close games, and some real nail biters, but each time we came out on top. The greatest thing about it has been seeing each individual player shine in their own way and own specialty.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
I personally did not think we were going to get this far at first. Before the season started, we did not even know if we were going to have enough players, with several quitting, but we just happened to get some great freshmen who have contributed significantly along the way... But after the first league game when we beat sage hill in nine innings, I could see how passionate each person was and I knew that if we bound together and played through our mishaps, we could go deep.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
The one thing I want the fans to know is to cheer for us and not bag on the other team. But about our team, we do not expect anything less than a championship and we are going to do all that we can to play the best game we have ever played and come back to oxford with the Dream.
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Harvey Higger #2
The position you play?
Right field
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
I like to eat honey nut cheerios before every game. I eat them before I leave for school in the morning and I also take a bag with some so I can eat them right before the game.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
For this team to win the championship would be amazing. no one expected us to even win our own league, so for us to make it to the final game, it's just outstanding
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
This entire season has be incredible. Every game we have played, we have gotten better and better. Our team really came together this year. From the beginning of the season, I could tell that we were a close group, but this team has turned into so much more we have become a family. No one expected anything from our team, but our team chemistry and ability to work as a team rather than a group of individuals has made this incredible season possible.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
If you had told our team at the beginning of the year that we would be playing in the CIF championship game, I don’t think anyone would have believed it. We knew we were good, but so many of us lacked experience that a run to the championship would have seemed like a dream to us.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
Our team is small, but we don’t play like it. Other teams often underestimate us because of our size and lack of upper classmen. Off of the field, we're a group of freshmen and sophomores with 3 upperclassmen. But once we step on the field, all of that is gone and we just play the game.
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Nick Foutris #1
The position you play?
Second base
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
We tell jokes to each other and sometimes we sing our favorite so far is Jeremiah was a Bullfrog
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
A championship to our team and myself would be a dream. I've never been on a championship team before and it would be a new chapter in my career.
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
It's been a battle. A lot of people doubted us and many believed we couldn't do it. People look at us and think of the Bad News Bears. They never thought a kid barely over five feet and a hundred pounds could play the game.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
I honestly thought we would at the beginning of the season after our big victory over Sage Hill. However, during the middle of the season, I started to doubt myself until we became the league champions.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
We all act like retards but we play good baseball.
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Daniel Lucak, #7
The position you play?
Left Field
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
Not really anything special.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
Wow.... we've gotten so far. I never thought this little, young team would ever get this far. The first OA team ever to get to CIF finals. Wow. This will be something I will never forget, especially playing at Blair Field, the same where I've seen Jared Weaver and Evan Longoria play. It’s just amazing...
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
Hard work, hard work, hard work. I've never had to practice every single day after school, but I guess it works. From the first day of summer ball practice to now I’ve gotten so much better. During the season we had our ups and downs, but through the CIF playoff we were peaking, so I hope we reach our summit tomorrow.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
First of all, I didn't know how the season works or what the CIF playoff were, but if I had known, I would have said no way. I knew we were good, even academy league champion good, but not div. 6 CIF finals good.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
FUTTON!!!!!!!!!!!
What’s your name, and what number do you wear?
Kevin Warren, #21
The position you play?
I start at DH which is designated hitter.
How do you yourself and team get mentally prepared for the game? Is there any ritual you do before a game? If so, explain.
Before a game I just sit down, try to relax, get my emotions in check, and get ready for the game.
Can you explain what this championship would mean to you and the team?
A championship for our team would be pretty special, considering our youth (5 freshman and 4 sophomores) there are probably a lot of haters that thought we were too young and that we couldn't do it. To prove them wrong would be special.
Describe your run to the championship, what it has been like?
Our run to the championship has been all about overcoming the odds. For example the 2nd round and the quarterfinals we were down most of those games, but we were able to fight back and pull out the victory.
Earlier in the season, did you think this team would make it this far into CIF? Why?
Honestly, I did not think we would make it this far because of our youth especially after losing games to Sage Hill, CVC, and St. Margaret's. Guess I was wrong.
If there was one thing you would want the fans to know about your team, what would it be?
One thing that the fans should know about our team is that we are all good friends. We have great chemistry as a team and if the fans saw us when we are around each other they would understand that.
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