BLAKE FORSYTHE, tennessee volunteers

Despite being wedged in a dismal economy, not all stocks are falling. Despite the negative buzz that has burdened the auto industry as of late, stock in the All American company Ford has risen steadily over the past year. Twleve months ago you could pick up a piece of the company at a buck fifty per share, but it's now approaching the $12 mark. Yet the wisest of Wall Street could have earned even more serious cash by plopping down some dough down on another All American product, Tennessee backstop Blake Forsythe.

As a freshman Forsythe batted a dainty .173 without a single homerun as be backed up second-team All-SEC selection Yan Gomes. When Gomes transferred to Barry University following the 2008 season that left the Volunteer catching duties in Forsythe's hands. Volunteer fans had every reason to fear for the worst considering Blake's meager offensive output; however he quickly put those concerns to rest. The Memphis native earned a first-team All-SEC status last season after batting .347 with 15 home runs and a .486 on-base percentage which placed him the top ten in school history. Following the season Forsythe was rewarded with a spot on the USA Baseball National Team and is considered a potential first round pick in the 2010 MLB draft.  

Recently Ping !Baseball was fortunately enough to catch up with the burgeoning backstop and for a quick Q&A:

Ping!Baseball: What were some of the deciding factors that propelled you to attend the University of Tennessee? Was its proximity to Dollywood a factor?

Forsythe: Well as you know, I am from the great state of Tennessee and I felt like it was just the right place for me. Getting the in-state scholarships as well as an athletic scholarship, I felt like it would take a burden off my parents not having to pay for my college. Also, playing in the SEC has always been a dream of mine growing up and seeing my brother get the opportunity to play at Arkansas made me want to play ball in this conference even more. (Laughs) I do love the area that Dollywood is located but I'm not too sure that it had an effect on my decision.

Ping!Baseball: Headed into the 2009 you had a .173 batting average with zero homeruns. A few months later you ended the season as one of the best hitting catchers in the nation, batting .347 with 15 homeruns to earning first team All SEC honors and a spot on the USA collegiate national team. To what do you attribute your breakout season?

Forsythe: I ended my freshman year with bad results as an individual but more importantly, I was able to learn so much about myself as a person and a baseball player. I gained an incredible amount of knowledge about the style and speed of play in the SEC and realized what it was going to take to become a good player in this conference. The summer after, I went on to play in the Coastal Plains League and this is where I really found out how to overcome my own adversities. Also, my coaches here at Tennessee never gave up on me and made it a point to me that I was going to be a great player for this university and to just keep working. I had a pretty good summer and this sort of boosted my confidence and I told myself that I was going to do big things the following year.

Ping!Baseball: What was one of your best non baseball memories or experiences from playing on Team USA ?

Forsythe: Definitely the friendships I was able to make with the best collegiate players in the nation. I had the opportunity to get to know all of these players that most people just read about in articles but I got to know them on a personal level. I realized how complete people they were on and off the field. Also, probably the coolest experience was going to Japan and getting to see how much different of a world they live in. Every aspect of their daily life is completely different from what I am used to and it makes you respect other peoples' culture on a personal level.

Ping!Baseball: You're obviously going to be a bit biased, but doesn't it blow your mind that baseball is not an Olympic sport?

Forsythe: Absolutely, that was something that we were trying to make known this summer so that maybe the right people could come to their senses and change that for the better. Baseball is something this country really takes pride in and we feel like it should be a part of the Olympics.

Ping!Baseball: Your brother Logan also played for Team USA and is currently a top prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization. Has his experience playing in the SEC and being a top draft selection helped you as you develop in your career?

Forsythe: I would have to say that my brother has been the most influential person in my life. We are only two years apart, so I have always been able to associate things with him in my life whether baseball or not. He has gone through everything before me, so it really helped to kind of know what I was stepping in with the SEC and Team USA . It's funny because we actually think just alike on about everything whether food, music, movies, or whatever. Hopefully I'll be able to play with him or against him in the near future.

Ping!Baseball: Statistically, the Volunteer pitchers left room for improvement in 2010 as only one hurler had an ERA less than 5.00 last season. As someone with the perfect vantage point, how does the staff look headed into the new season?

Forsythe: I really have a lot of confidence with our pitching staff heading into this season. We have some veterans including Bryan Morgado that will help guide the rest of this staff to a great season. Our younger guys from last year have gained some experience with the SEC and have matured a good bit in their mound presence. We also have some new guys this year that can really step in and help us out in situations.

Ping!Baseball: As a Memphis , TN native you automatically earn recognition as a BBQ connoisseur. Where is your favorite place to have ribs when you're back at home?

Forsythe: Well I am a huge BBQ fan so I have a few places that I love to visit when I go back home. The world-famous Rendezvous downtown has the best dry-rub ribs you can possibly get but when I'm looking for the wet-ribs, I have to go to my favorite place called Griddley's. For the best pulled pork and BBQ sandwiches, you've got to go to Corky's because you'll just fall in love with everything in that restaurant. As you can see, I'm kind of love my food back home so when I go out of town and see signs like, “Best BBQ Around” I've got to check it out and am usually not convinced haha.

Ping!Baseball: When you're not on the diamond or doing school work, how do you like to spend your free time?

Forsythe: I love the outdoors so when I can find the time, I try and go fishing with my buddies to relax and enjoy some fresh country air. One of my favorite things to do, though, is riding four-wheelers (ATV's) with my friends because it is a very thrilling experience and I usually max it out as much I can. Another thing about me is that I really enjoy figuring out how certain things work around the house and in cars. So when something breaks, I usually try and fix it without having to get someone else to do it.

Ping!Baseball: Most importantly, have you decided on your walk-up song for this season?

Forsythe: Well I really like something to get me fired up and last year I used a song by Disturbed so I think I've got another one from them in mind. We'll see what happens.