This is Coastal Carolina Baseball... An 11-time Big South Champion... Seven NCAA Regional appearances in the last eight years... Three 50-win seasons in the last four years... Backto-back regional hosts... Numerous draft picks, including three picks in the top-10 rounds in 2008... NCAA Conway Regional champions and Super Regional participant... A passion to work hard and compete everyday... This is Coastal Carolina baseball. 2008 NCAA CONWAY REGIONAL CHAMPIONS 1
Athletic Facilities The Coastal Carolina University baseball team calls Charles Watson Stadium/Vrooman Field home. The stadium has received significant upgrades in the past five years, making the field one of the best in the Southeast. In 2008, new seats and new turf outside the bases and home plate were installed. The clubhouse also was renovated, with new lockers, a new lounge and a new training facility. Future improvements include a hitting facility beyond the center field wall and new lights. Classroom Success The Coastal Carolina University baseball team has enjoyed great success in the classroom. The Chanticleers had an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team selection in Tommy Baldridge in 2008. Baldridge also was a nominee for the Lowe s Senior CLASS Award in 2008. Under the guidance of Associate A.D. for Academics and Student Services, Joe Mazurkiewicz, student-athletes at the University are provided educational opportunities and services that promote academic success. Study halls, tutors and peer mentoring are examples of resources that help the University s athletes reach their academic goals. 2 2008 NCAA CONWAY REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
Chants in the Pros Coastal Carolina had 15 former players in professional baseball at the end of the 2008 season. Included in the list are four players who were drafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Mike Costanzo played at Triple-A Norfolk last year, while Michael DeJesus finished the campaign in Double-A Chattanooga. John Mariotti David Sappelt Michael DeJesus Tommy Baldridge Pete Andrelczyk Mike Costanzo Player 2008 Organization 2008 Level Team Pete Andrelczyk Florida Marlins Low A Greensboro Bats Tommy Baldridge New York Yankees High A Tampa Yankees Mike Costanzo Baltimore Orioles AAA Norfolk Tides Andy DeLaGarza San Francisco Giants Low A Augusta GreenJackets Michael DeJesus Cincinnati Reds AA Chattanooga Lookouts Dock Doyle New York Mets Low A Brooklyn Cyclones Dom Duggan San Francisco Giants Low A Augusta GreenJackets Brett Grandstrand -- Independent Washington Wildthings Austin Hinkle Tampa Bay Rays Low A Columbus Catfish Luis Lopez -- Independent Bridgeport Bluefish John Mariotti Baltimore Orioles Low A Delmarva Shorebirds Randy McGarvey -- Independent Camden Riversharks Chris Raber -- Independent Washington Wildthings Travis Risser Tampa Bay Rays Low A Columbus Catfish David Sappelt Cincinnati Reds Rookie Billings Mustangs 2008 NCAA CONWAY REGIONAL CHAMPIONS 3
Chants in the Community The Coastal Carolina baseball team has assisted in several projects around the Myrtle Beach community. All of the Chanticleers helped out at the Grand Strand Miracle League. The GSML is a baseball league specifically designed for children with mental and physical disabilities. The Chanticleers also participated in the United Way Day of Caring, and Scott Woodward has read to students who are deaf or hard of hearing at Ocean Bays Middle School. The Chanticleers will dedicate the 2009 season to Jake Gagnon, a member of the Grand Strand Miracle League who passed away in the fall of 2008 due to complications from surgery. Jake started playing in the Miracle League at age two and loved Coastal Carolina baseball. The Chanticleers will wear a decal on their uniform in memory of Jake. Media Attention The Coastal Carolina baseball team has had plenty of media attention in the past decade. There are three television stations and the Myrtle Beach Sun News that cover the Chanticleer beat. Coastal Carolina also has received national media attention, as USA Today and Sports Weekly both have had feature stories on the Chants the past two seasons. Coastal Carolina also has had its games on an ESPN network the past four seasons. 4 2008 NCAA CONWAY REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
Athletic Training 2009 Coastal Carolina Baseball The Coastal Carolina Sports Medicine program helps all Chanticleer student-athletes stay healthy and ready for game action. Assistant Athletic Trainer Barry Lippman, ATC, has a baseball-specific training method that has a proactive approach. Lippman works hand-inhand with strength and conditioning coach Brian Gabriel to keep the Chants in peak condition. Lippman also has a training facility in the clubhouse for immediate access in case of injury on the field, and also helps the Chants with vision training, allowing Coastal Carolina s hitters and pitchers to see the ball better during the game. Strength and Conditioning The Coastal Carolina University baseball team gets stronger and quicker with the strength and conditioning program led by head strength and conditioning coach Brian Gabriel. Gabriel s workout is built on speed and explosiveness to gear the Chanticleers up for the rigors of a baseball season. Coastal Carolina s team average in the hang clean, the bench press and the back squat all showed a dramatic improvement from September to December. Gabriel also works with Assistant Athletic Trainer Barry Lippman to make sure Coastal Carolina s baseball players are in the best shape they can be in. 2008 NCAA CONWAY REGIONAL CHAMPIONS 5
Doyle a Bench Award Finalist Coastal Carolina catcher Dock Doyle was one of three finalists for the 2008 Johnny Bench Award. Doyle attended the awards banquet in Wichita, Kan., June 26. While Florida State s Buster Posey won the award, Doyle had a great two days, participating in events around the city and meeting a Hall of Fame catcher. Doyle threw out the first pitch in the Midwest Showcase Baseball Tournament and also visited local kids in a children s hospital. Woodward Makes Team USA Scott Woodward spent summer 2008 with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Woodward played in tournaments in The Netherlands and the Czech Republic and helped the squad to a 24-0 record. Woodward was the first Chanticleer to play on Team USA. 6 2008 NCAA CONWAY REGIONAL CHAMPIONS