Finally, an even start in college baseball

By John Helsley

Published: February 22, 2008

It's opening day for college baseball. All of college baseball.

Now that's different.

With the NCAA's move to a uniform start date — today — teams from cold-weather climates at least find themselves at the same starting line with those programs from the South and West.

No more head starts.

Last year, Miami had three weeks of games in by now.

No guarantees, however, that this will close the so-called great divide.

"The pro is, it makes for a fair playing field,” said Oklahoma coach Sunny Golloway. "It's something that should have happened a long time ago. I know we've sat here before and watched other teams open two, three, four weekends ahead of us.

"Is it going to make an even playing field for Michigan and Arizona State? Absolutely not. But it gets us closer.”

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, traditionally caught somewhere in the middle weatherwise, open today harboring very different concerns.

The Cowboys, home for a planned four-games-in-three-days series with Gonzaga, are watching the weather.

The Sooners should find sunshine in Los Angeles, but also the nation's No. 1-ranked team in UCLA.

What lies ahead for both schools?

Each is rebuilding to some degree.

"Sometimes those new faces are better than the old faces,” said OSU coach Frank Anderson, whose club finished one win shy of a College World Series berth a year ago.

In the Cowboys' case, they're hoping the starting pitching is much better. The team, seemingly as always, is built around its bats. Shortstop Jordy Mercer and first baseman Rebel Ridling are back after big years and Washington transfer Matt Hague is an All-American filling third base.

"I think this group, although they will have some growing pains, will have a chance to be pretty good,” Anderson said.

"We've got good athletes.”

The Sooners are in transition almost everywhere, although ace right-hander Stephen Porlier returns to give them front of the rotation mound presence.

Initial impressions will come quickly for OU.

"You mix playing No. 1 on the road, opening weekend, with a very young club, what do you get? We're not quite sure,” Golloway said. "I know that would scare a lot of coaching staffs, but our staff is very confident.

"We do have a very young club. We feel like we have a very talented club.”

Nationwide, fears and optimism are similar.

To the start line.

Opening pitch: Today.

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