North Carolina State University Athletics
A Weekend on The Road (3/25/09)
3/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
NC State senior third baseman Drew Martin gives an insider’s view of what it is like to be a college baseball player.
Well, it’s Thursday and that means no more stress for Drew, especially since we have a road trip this weekend. We left for Winston-Salem around 4 p.m. to play Wake Forest in a three-game series over the weekend. After a long, intense week of studying for my test that I had earlier today, it feels good to get away from everything and just play baseball. The studying wasn’t the only thing that was intense going on this week for me, in step aerobics we had cardio day. All I want to say about that is long-distance running and the rowing machine all in one day is just not my cup of tea.
The bus trip seemed extra short because Joey Cutler and I passed the time by beating Coach Chris Hart and Coach Brian Ward in a game of Spades. Might I add that Coach Hart thinks he is the best Spades player in the world and we beat them in an embarrassing fashion but no one is bragging here.
We arrived in Winston around 6 p.m., we had time to unpack and grab a bite to eat across the street. Then it was off to practice. There was supposed to be some rain in the forecast for later that night and when we got to the field it already had the tarp on it. So we went back to the hotel and everyone had some time to do whatever they wanted. Most guys just played cards or watched March Madness. Card games are big on the road because normally there is not that much that we can do and also we do not like to go places and waste energy. Being the hotel gives us the chance to really bond as team and get to know everyone on a different level.
When we go on the road our days are normally identical because on Friday and Saturday our games are at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday it is at 1 p.m.. On Friday and Saturday we have to be in the lobby at 9:45 a.m. for team breakfast. After breakfast we have free time till lunch, which is at 2:45 p.m. For the most part guys either go back to sleep, watch television, play cards or do school work. Some guys have to do school work if they have test’s or papers due the follow week but for the most part we like to just get our rest because down time for us is rare.
Sunday’s are different due to the 1 p.m. start time, we normally have to get up a little earlier and also we don’t have the down time like Friday and Saturday. On Sunday we always have a little church service for the guys who would like to attend. We go eat breakfast and after that it is time to go to the field.
Overall the weekend went pretty well for us we came out with two wins out of three and we played very well Saturday and Sunday. This was a big weekend for us because we needed to get back on track and just win. That’s not to diminish any of the other weekends, but getting back on track at this time in the season was huge for us.
I told all you readers that something ridiculous always happens on the road and I would have to say that Pratt Maynard is the winner of this week’s award. Just a little background on Pratt Maynard before I tell you the story, Pratt loves the game of baseball and plays as hard as I have ever seen someone day in and day out. He does well in school and is a great all-around guy, but let’s just say he’s not the brightest bulb in the box and can be very absent-minded. Back to the story, Pratt and I were going to go play cards in Dallas Poulk’s and Pat Ferguson’s room after the game Saturday night. I proceeded to ask Pratt if he knew where their room was and he said “Yeah, it’s right here.”
So we walk in the room thinking we were going to see a couple of the guys playing cards. But no, there was no one in the room, I said “Pratt where is everyone, I thought we were going to play cards after we dropped our laundry off?” I then see him looking around the room and stands there for a couple of seconds. He then looks me dead in the eyes and says “This isn’t Ferg’s room, this is my room.” I stood there dumbfounded on how someone could be looking for another person’s room and walk into his own room after being in the hotel for three days. Let’s just say that Pratt Maynard will more than likely receive this award again before the season is over.
Well that’s about all I have for this weekend at Wake Forest. I hope to see everyone out this weekend for the games against Virginia Tech.
Just for the record Cutler and I beat Coach Hart and Ward again in Spades on the bus ride home. That makes us 2-0 and I will be keeping a tally throughout the year for everyone to see.
DM#7
