UNLV baseball shows eagerness to get started

As the morning sun slowly made its way over Wilson Stadium on Monday, a group of young men began assembling outside the right-field fence.

Their brief wait ended when a gate swung open. The three dozen baseball players dressed in red and black -- pitchers, catchers and position players -- streamed onto the field.

It was the first day of voluntary preseason practice, and just about every player on the UNLV roster was able to make it.

NCAA rules prohibit coaches from holding team practices until Jan. 29, but there's no rule preventing players from conducting their own workouts.

Senior second baseman Scott Dysinger coordinated Monday's practice with the help of some veteran teammates, and he plans to whip the team into shape by the end of the month, when second-year coach Tim Chambers and his staff can join the Rebels on the field.

"Everything is voluntary," said Dysinger, a Bishop Gorman High product. "We can't make it mandatory, but I told everyone we were going to practice if they wanted to come out."

There wasn't a player on the field who showed resentment over the extra preparation time.

"We need this time to get started," said newcomer Erick Fedde, a freshman pitcher out of Las Vegas High. "I've been working hard during the break, trying to stay in shape by running and throwing. I think the whole team is pretty prepared."

But the veteran Dysinger knew better. He has been through the painfully inadequate preseason training period before.

"Even starting now is kind of late," said Dysinger, a team captain. "Considering the season starts Feb. 17, if we wait until we're allowed to (practice officially), that's not going to be enough time to prepare."

On the bright side, the Rebels return the core of a team that batted .300 with 35 home runs en route to a 33-25 finish last season. Additionally, Chambers has bolstered his lineup with one of the strongest recruiting classes in the nation.

There is an overwhelming sense among the players that a Mountain West Conference championship is within reach.

"I see us going to the regionals," junior outfielder Brandon Bayardi said. "We've got a really good pitching staff, we're returning our top five hitters from last year, and we've got a good mix of older guys and younger guys. But we've still got a lot of work to do."

Chambers, who sat restlessly in his office as his players practiced, said he's eager to get back to work.

"This is frustrating," he said. "Basically, I come in for a couple of hours, check my calls, then I'm out of here."

The coach echoed Dysinger's concerns about the brief preseason.

"It's impossible to spend enough time with them," Chambers said. "It's impossible to get your guys ready in the amount of time we get."

He credited his veterans -- Dysinger in particular -- for taking the initiative to get an early start.

"It all flows down from our captain," Chambers said.

The coach was encouraged by his players' enthusiasm, viewing it as one more reason to believe that the Rebels will make a convincing statement this season.

"I think we're better this year," said Chambers, whose team started strong last season before struggling with injuries and pitching depletion down the stretch. "Our pitching staff is a lot deeper, but young. It's really going to depend on how our freshmen pitchers handle the nerves."

The Rebels, who will host the Mountain West Conference tournament in May, open their season with a seven-game trip beginning Feb. 17 at Loyola Marymount.

A 13-game homestand follows, starting Feb. 28 against Cal State Bakersfield. MWC play begins March 23 at Air Force.