Today might be an ordinary day for most students on Ohio's campus, but it won't be for former Bobcat centerfielder Matt Stiffler. He'll be waiting for a call from Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and the 2008 Major League Baseball draft to reveal which franchise he will be playing for next season.
Before the draft, which begins at 2 p.m. today and carries through tomorrow, the senior worked out for the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds. The workouts began with a 60-yard dash, Stiffler said, followed by throwing exercises and batting practices.
I wasn't really nervous before. I just wanted to get out there and show them what I could do
he said of the time leading up to the workout in Cincinnati. But once I walked into the Great American Ballpark you can't help being nervous. Almost every scout in the organization was watching me.
After practicing with the Reds on Monday, Stiffler hopped on a flight and worked out for the Orioles Tuesday before returning to Athens later that night. The second workout was easier than the first, Stiffler said, adding that he's heard from scouts close to both teams that each is interested in drafting him at some point.
The funny thing is two of the scouts (from the opposing teams) are really good friends he said. They've been getting in a contest of who'll pick me.
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said he was confident that Stiffler would be selected in the draft, having previously stated that he'd spoken on the phone with an unspecified major league team interested in Stiffler.
I'm almost positive
he said. How high he goes
that's anybody's guess.
Carbone and the rest of the coaching staff provided the slugger with some mental advice before the workouts, Stiffler said.
They've kept my mind straight
he said. They tell me to go do what I've done all four years at (Ohio).
Nothing too out of the ordinary will be on the schedule for draft day
Stiffler said. He'll watch the draft after his classes and attend a picnic with his former teammates ' who have served as an important base of emotional support for him since the season ended May 23.
The other players give me some humility, he said. I've heard a lot from them.
Stiffler's professional chances were boosted by a stellar senior season
after which he was named First Team All-MAC. He batted .354
the second highest average on the squad
and knocked out a team-leading 18 home runs with 58 RBIs. Stiffler will also leave his mark upon Ohio's record books
finishing first in career triples with 16 and third in career runs with 172.
,",17,Archives,Dylan Scott,200806058360midsize.jpeg,Ohio's Matt Stiffler dives back to first base during a home game against Bowling Green May 3rd. Stiffler is expected to be taken in tomorrow's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.,",",",","
25216,2008-06-05 00:00:00,Like You Haven't: Co-ed dorm rooms sweeping through Ohio,",You asked for it and you may soon be getting it: The co-ed college dorm room. Yes
