March 22, 2010

March 21, 2010

My Thoughts - Recap SIU

Friday, we came out flat and SIU took it to us. We deserved everything that they did to us. Saturday, we came out with more intensity and a positive outlook on the rest of the weekend. We battled our tails off during the first game on Saturday, but SIU flat-out beat us. During the second game on Saturday, we kept our heads on straight and came out hot. We scored early and we scored often. It felt good to chalk one up in the left hand column for the first time in more than a week. It is always nice to win the final game of a road series. It makes the bus ride home a little more enjoyable.

We were welcomed home from SIU with snow all over campus. The weather out here always keeps us on our toes. We open up "The Ralph" on Wednesday against Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 3 p.m. It is going to feel good to play a game in front of our friends and family who haven't been able to see us play this year. Milwaukee is playing some good baseball this year. I actually coached two of their players this past summer - Ben Long and Cameron Amsrud. Ben Long has got some serious power. He was one of the most powerful hitters in the Northwood's league. Cameron is a funky right-handed reliever. We have our work cut out for us. The Panthers are going to get us prepared for our MAC season, which starts Friday at Bowling Green.

Can O' Corn #10 is "Spotlighting" fifth-year senior catcher Sam Kapacinskas ...

Brian (9:18 p.m.): Hey Sam

Sam (9:19 p.m.): Hey Bri Man

Brian (9:20 p.m.): alright - on Thursday I did a "Spotlight" on Hermsen. DId you read it, and How about you and me get into a "Spotlight" right now? Sam "The Big Spotlight" Kapacinskas.

Sam (9:20 p.m.): I did it read it. It was great stuff Bri. Dynamite. Just dynamite stuff. I'm down to get spotlighted up.

Brian (9:20 p.m.): Then you shall be "Spotlighted". .

Sam (9:21 p.m.): Awesome

Brian (9:22 p.m.): Kappy - throughout your career as a Huskie you have seen some playing time at Catcher, Outfield, Pitching, and even at 1st base. . . Kinda a utility man huh?

Sam (9:22 p.m.): I like to do it all. Jack of all trades sorta deal.

Brian (9:23 p.m.): Poor Mans Mark DeRosa . . .

Sam (9:24 p.m.): Of course. Jack of all trades. Master of none

Brian (9:26 p.m.): Lets give the audience an inside the day of Samuel Len Kapacinskas. . . Walk me through your typical NIU day.

Sam (9:26 p.m.): Well for starters my middle name is Albert
but i digress

Brian (9:26 p.m.): Ahhh your dads name is Len. . . My Bad My Bad

Sam (9:28 p.m.): NBD
An average day usually starts for me when I rise at 430 AM
I eat my standard breakfast of organic oatmeal and goats milk
and then proceed to do an hour and a half of yoga to find my inner zen

Sam (9:28 p.m.): I like to get a good che going in the morning

Brian (9:29 p.m.): I love a good che

Sam (9:30 p.m.): from their I proceed on to class to buckle down on my studies
remember Bri Man, we are student-athletes
student comes first.

Brian (9:30 p.m.): Thanks Coach

Sam (9:31 p.m.): Coach Sam "The Big Spotlight" Kapacinskas. I like the sound of that

Brian (9:31 p.m.): back to your day please . . .

Sam (9:33 p.m.): Of course, I digress. After class I head over to the locker room

Sam (9:35 p.m.): Get dressed up and head out to the field for practice
Practices finishes up around 430 and then as you well know Bri Man Spry Man on M and W we head over to the Yordon Center to get our lift on.

Sam (9:36 p.m.): After that I head home usually cook myself a nice dinner of rib eye steak and a big salad with a nice vinaigrette
From there I usually spend the rest of the night buckling down on my studies

Brian (9:36 p.m.): then some Jon Stewart. . . .

Sam (9:37 p.m.): I'm a big supporter of Jon Stewart
Yeah we're not gunna get into that

Brian (9:38 p.m.): That sounds like the longest day ever. . . Being your roommate I know you live your life that way. . . Kind of weird. . . But its your style . .

Sam (9:39 p.m.): I got style

Brian (9:40 p.m.): yeah - anyway - Conference is coming up this weekend at Bowling Green. . What are your thoughts on us having a successful MAC season? What do you feel we need to do as a team to get ourselves headed in the right direction?

Sam (9:41 p.m.): I think if we just take the mindset of taking the MAC season one game at a time
MAC play is a long season
and if you got caught up in the how long of a stretch it is you can fall into a trap of "we've lost three in a row so we have to win the next three in a row"
You just have to take the approach of winning the next pitch
winning the next inning, winning the next game

Brian (9:42 p.m.): I like that thought process
I feel that's doable

Sam (9:43 p.m.): It's going into each game with the mindset of wanting to go 1-0

Brian (9:43 p.m.): I feel the same way . .
You're a big reader right?

Sam (9:44 p.m.): I try to keep myself up to date

Brian (9:45 p.m.): What is your favorite book? Is there anything you are looking forward to reading?

Sam (9:46 p.m.): My favorite book-
Three Nights in August
or I am America (And so can you) by Stephen Colbert
and im looking forward to reading Thomas Friedmans - Hot, Flat, and Crowded

Brian (9:47 p.m.): If you were alone in a desert, what are your thoughts? Specifically, what will be your first thought?

Sam (9:48 p.m.): Easy, got to head for high ground so you can get a view of the surrounding landscape
Bear Grylls style

Brian (9:49 p.m.): Tom or Jerry?

Sam (9:49 p.m.): Tom

Brian (9:50 p.m.): Cubs or Sox?

Sam (9:50 p.m.): Cubs

Brian (9:50 p.m.): Better Roommate - David Reynolds or Myself

Sam (9:51 p.m.): You do have a bad baby powder habit that you just can't kick but I have to go with you.
You can't get that kid Reynolds to pick up after himself! And he's always doing laundry!
I can never get a load in

Brian (9:52 p.m.): Our Apt is basically a Kareoke Bar - I'm giving you one pick. . The Song of your choice and why?
Rip me a few lyrics -

Sam (9:53 p.m.): I've noticed your big on lyrics in these interviews

Brian (9:53 p.m.): Hermsen didn't have a favorite song . . . He's not invited over anymore - for that reason

Sam (9:54 p.m.): but im giong to have to go with ... Drum roll please ...

Brian (9:55 p.m.): ManEater - Hall and Oates?

Sam (9:56 p.m.): Na
The Thrill is Gone -B.B. King
or
Taylor Swift - Our Song (Reynolds loves that song)

Brian (9:57 p.m.): Who wins in a fight - John Rambo or Maximus (from Gladiator)
and why?

Sam (9:58 p.m.): Gladiator no doubt. That guy killed ppl with his bare hands.

Brian (9:59 p.m.): John Rambo killed people with his bare hands!

Sam (10:00 p.m.): he used guns and stuff
Rambo used performance enhancers
not maximus

Brian (10:01 p.m.): oh gezzz . . . Is there anything else you wanna say before I cut you off?

Sam (10:02 p.m.): let me see
Id like to thank all the loyal readers out there for checking out this blog on a daily basis

Brian (10:02 p.m.): This is a pretty popular blog . .

Sam (10:03 p.m.): and id like to throw a shout out to my dad Big Len and my mom Holl the Doll back in FL

Brian (10:04 p.m.): Better Blog - Can O' Corn or Thats Yummy Bro (Blog of former NIU Pitcher, now San Diego Padre Prospect, Nick Hall)

Sam (10:05 p.m.): funny that you say that I was just about throw a shout out to T.Y.B and Nick Hall because that blog is straight up the bomb.com

Brian (10:06 p.m.): sooo what's your answer?

Sam (10:07 p.m.): Your putting me between a rock and a hard place

Brian (10:07 p.m.): I know . . Do the right thing

Sam (10:08 p.m.): but if I had to pick one I would have to go with T.Y.B. strictly because he has a section where he names a Fan of the Month ... and I'm gunning for it. So Hall Trane if you're reading this. Post up T.Y.B for fan of the month

Brian (10:09 p.m.): You've been a big help Sam . . Big Help

Sam (10:10 p.m.): That's why they call me Sam "The Big Help" Kapacinskas

See ya'll at the Ralph on Wednesday!

Brian

If you have any questions, comments or concerns for Brian, please e-mail Baseball SID Zach Peters (zpeters2@niu.edu).