Matt Boyd Blogs From Team USA - Day One
June 22, 2011
Oregon State left-handed pitcher Matt Boyd was named an alternate for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team last week. He checks in after his first full day with the team.
Hello Beaver Nation, this is Matt Boyd writing from a dorm room in Keene, N.H.
I am here with Team USA. I arrived yesterday in New Hampshire after being picked up in Cape Cod. There were seven of us from the Cape Cod League that were picked up by Team USA to go join the team in Keene. The ride took about four hours as we picked up players from various points in the Cape. After getting settled in, a few of us that rode in the van together walked down a street in Keene and had dinner at a local grill.
The amount of apparel we received yesterday upon arriving was great, from uniforms to shower shoes. We got it and apparently if you make the final roster, you get even more stuff.
This morning, after various meetings with coaches and trainers as well as getting our head shots by the "infamous" Mr. Hank Hager, we went out to Franklin Pierce University to practice inside due to the inclement weather. We went through various drills, like PFP work (Pitcher Fielding Practice) and catch play.
It was interesting meeting players whom I have competed against for the last few years. I got to talk a lot with Pac-10 pitchers Brady Rodgers, from ASU, and Stanford Pitcher Mark Appel about everything, from how they hold their pitches to experiences for playing them over the past seasons. The one thing that was brought up by Brady, though, was how he thought our crowd was one of the toughest to play in front of. Not because of the size of it, just because of the noise and how all of our fans are right on top of you at Goss Stadium. It's a true testament to our support.
I wouldn't trade this experience for anything; from the friendships I am making and the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the game. It is such an honor to wear the USA across my chest and sport the Red, White and Blue.
Now I'm off to the only TV in the dorms to watch the Vanderbilt-UNC game downstairs.
Until next time, Go Beavs!
Matt
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