For The Fans…
I want to shake things up a little…
To be quite honest, I haven’t had a good story to talk about in a week. So, with that said, I want to ask the fans of baseball if there are any questions or comments that they want to ask or talk about.
Please do not be shy, I want to be interactive with this blog because what we are writing in our blogs is for you (the fans) to read.
Also, I heard that there is an increase in spring training attendance and ticket sales this year in the cactus league. I would like to thank all the fans who come out and support what we do. Without the fans, this game would not be what it is today. So a special thanks to all the fans.
I will check back daily to answer your comments and questions the best I can.
Peace be with you, talk soon.
Daniel Schlereth
Bloggin' with D-back Dan 
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions!
1. Is Spring Training Camp harder/more difficult then you anticipated?
2. Who was your favorite player when you were growing up?
3. If you weren’t playing baseball, what would you be doing?
Thanks!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Hey Daniel,
It’s amazing how you want to take the time to talk to the fans. It’s definitely an admirable quality, one that many players don’t have.
Question: What is the most memorable game you’ve played in?
And, I’m sorry, but I’m a Rockies fan, so I’ve gotta know! Have you met Byrnes? Is he really as bad as we Rockies fans think he is?
Thanks so much!
Alex
http://bloggingwithanaltitude.mlblogs.com/
You pitched really well today! Awesome job! Thanks for listening to what we say!
1. Do you want me to write a song about you? I know it sounds kind of stalkerish, but I am an amateur baseball songwriter, so if you want me too, please tell me. And if you do, is there anything special you want me to put in it?
2. how do you feel when you go out there and play? Is it exciting? Nervous-making? Or are you really calm? Do you feel the pressure? Is this too many questions?
http://imbringingdiamondback.mlblogs.com
Julia…
Spring training is about what I expected. Lots of throwing, PFP’s, conditioning, and games. All of it is awesome though. The long days are worth it.
My favorite player growing up was Ken Griffey Jr. I was actually fortunate enough to play against Griffey the other day in Peoria. I did not throw but just being on the same field as my favorite player growing up was surreal.
If I wasn’t playing baseball hopefully I would be a little more muscular trying it out on the gridiron. If not that maybe something to do with the outdoors or commentating sports.
Hopefully I answered all your questions! Thank you for playing along! Take care.
Alex…
The most memorable game I played in was probably a heated contest between ASU and Arizona my freshman year at UA. We were down one in the seventh with two outs when I entered to pitch. I retired seven guys on seven strikeouts and one of our guys hit a grand slam in the eighth to put us ahead. I earned my first collegiate win that night and to top it off the game was played at Chase Field.
Thanks for the question,
Daniel Schlereth
PS. I have met Byrnes and he is the man, I don’t know what he did to you rockies fans but I can tell you it was most likely in good fun.
XCICIX, you didn’t leave a name so I went with your username.
You can most definitely write a song, and if I have a request it would be to put a little classic rock edge in there.
When I come into a game, I am very calm. I absolutely love the thrill of a tight game when it is on the line. I can’t really feel the pressures of the game because no matter what pitching is pitching, regardless of the circumstance. In baseball, things happen, you win some you lose some but no matter at the end of the day it’s important to me that I left everything I had on the field. I have always been fairly aggressive in my demeanor even though it doesn’t show on my face very much. I just love to compete.
Not too many questions whatsoever.
Take it easy,
Daniel
Congrats on everything you’ve done so far in baseball! It was great getting to watch you pitch last year in South Bend.
My question is, so far, do you feel you are coming along at the pace you thought you would? And what do you hope to accomplish this year?
Good Luck!
Callie
Callie,
Thank you for the congrats. To answer your question, I feel really good about my pace and progress as far as competing with the big boys in camp. My arm has never felt better. The competition is outstanding and I love the challenge that the hitters pose in each at bat. I hope to get to the big leagues at some point during this season. Not only do I want to join the club, but I want to help out the team as much as I can. It would be a dream come true to join the team this year. Take care.
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Wow, I can’t believe I’m talking to a professional baseball player! Haha. This is great, so many players don’t give fans the time of day and I just think that it’s awesome! I just have a quick question for you, who has been an influence to your baseball career. P.S. I hope someone hasn’t already asked this
Thanks Dan! Listen, I have been wondering, when you are in the clubhouse, looking around, do you see guys like Byrnes, or Webb, and think “Wow, they’re right there!”? I mean, coming up in the minors, maybe those were guys to look up to. Were they? What’s it like being around those great players?
mikesmind,
The biggest influence on my career have been two very special people. My dad, Mark, and my college coach Andy Lopez. My dad has always been the driving force behind anything I have done. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t treated differently than the other kids when I was growing up. He pushed me very hard as a youngster because he never wanted anyone to think I had it easy, being that I was an athlete’s son. We spent countless hours together playing catch and working on different things. He was always banged up during his career in professional football but always found time for me to hone my skills. He would take fastballs off the shins and just keep on catchin’. Back then I always thought he was just rough on me, but now as I have matured a little I know it was in my best interest. He pushed me very hard in school (even though my grades weren’t always up to par) and in life but I thank him for that now. Secondly, Coach Lopez was definitely a positive influence in my life. Lopes might have a reputation as a little bit of a yeller and pulling crazy stunts to get his guys to play hard. But, during my three years at the University of Arizona, I understood early on it was to get his players to give their all on the field. Something that he stresses on a day to day basis was to be on time and do things right. Even though he is a baseball coach, he certainly taught my teammates and I about life off the diamond. Alrighty, sorry for the rambling but I thought I would take a little extra time on this comment just to talk about how important Mark Schlereth and Andy Lopez are to me and how much they have positively influenced my baseball career up to this point.
mattman365,
It is definitely cool to share a locker room with guys like that. However, I was very fortunate growing up to be around some really great athletes when my old man played with the Broncos and Redskins. So I would have to say that although I respect Brandon Webb and Eric Byrnes and how they approach the game, it is not really a “shock” to be around professional athletes. You have to remember that people like Webb and Byrnes are just normal people. Being around the guys and talking with them is great. I just have to look at it like any other team I’ve been on except I will get a chance to ask and learn from some of the best ballplayers in the world. I definitely feel lucky to be suiting up with the great players that we have.
Daniel,
Thank you for answering my question, and please feel free to ramble away! Being able to talk to an athlete that is actually willing to talk to you is really great. I hope I can meet you in person someday, you seem like a very cool guy. I’m from New England so if you guys ever play like Portland, Lowell, or Pawtucket, or Boston, I will definitley get tickets to that games so i can see you. I’m not a stalker I would just really like to meet you because I think it’s great that there are still players out there who take time for the fans. Thanks again for answering my question. Good luck this season, and I hope I get to see you pitch!
~Mike
Dan~
First of all I want to say Im a fan of yours! Next question is, what is your overall feeling about the world baseball classic? Do you like it, dislike the idea(because of potential injuries), and do you think we could improve are American support for the World baseball classic. Thanks Man!
~Brian
Brian-
I have alot of feelings about the WBC. First and foremost, I want to play in it. Secondly, I think it is an excellent idea. I don’t see a problem with the classic at all. It is held once every four years and seeing how most of the other countries are so behind it, I think the USA has something to prove in the next WBC. I know I can speak for many American players on this subject, watching two other countries compete for the championship is not ok. The USA is home to the greatest ballplayers in the world. After all, baseball is AMERICAS past time. I know if I ever got a chance to play in the classic I would be ticked if we didn’t bring it home. So, to answer your question, we could most definitely improve American support!
Daniel
Hi,
I’m a 14 year old from Rochester, NY and I was wondering if you could sign an autograph for me.
Thanks,
Ben Trageser