Diamond Hogs

Devonnie Mann
Gamma Chi

Music is playing, seats are filling up, hot dogs are grilling, ice chests are swarming into the outfield and then we hear, “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to beautiful Baum Stadium at George Cole Field!”  

Whether you are a die-hard Razorback baseball fan or not, everyone can appreciate a beautiful day at Baum watching our Hogs play ball. If you’ve ever been to a Hog baseball game you know what I’m talking about when I say that there is nothing like spending a gorgeous spring day in Fayetteville at a game. Even if you aren’t a big baseball fan, we can all agree that we are all generally big Hog fans.

As a fan, a day at the game can be spent a few different ways: you could be cooking out in the outfield with friends, sitting in the stands or watching the game from one of the suites. It honestly does not matter how or where you watch the game, because all of these are equally as enjoyable. A day at Baum in itself is a great way to spend a beautiful day enjoying one of America’s favorite past time.

Baseball season is just around the corner, and there is a lot of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season. Our Razorback baseball team was ranked eighth in the Collegiate Baseball preseason Top 40 poll. With key returning infield players such as sophomore Dominic Ficociello, senior Bo Bigham, junior Matt Reynolds and redshirt senior Tim Carver, as well as help from a good freshmen class, the 2012 season is looking very good for the University of Arkansas baseball team.

One of the team’s captains, junior right-handed pitcher DJ Baxendale, was named second-team preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. DJ was also ranked in College Baseball Daily’s preseason top 100 players in college baseball, along with sophomore right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek and sophomore infielder Dominic Ficociello. Our 2012 Hog baseball team will also include the freshmen All-Americans and right-handed pitchers, Barrett Astin and Nolan Sanburn. This team has incredible potential to have an amazing season ahead of them.

There is no denying that with a hopeful team like this, you have got to get out to Baum Stadium to watch our Diamond Hogs play ball. Opening day for the 2012 season is on Friday, Feb. 17, with the Hogs hosting Villanova. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.. Mark it in your planners, pencil it on your calendars and set an alarm on your phones y’all, because this is a baseball season you are not going to want to miss! 

Devonnie is a sophomore studying journalism, political science and legal studies. You may contact her at damann@uark.edu.