GEORGE SPRINGER, connecticut huskies

Despite its sparkling reputation as a basketball power and its increasing standing in football, the University of Connecticut 's baseball program hasn't traditionally been a top shelf program nationally. That's not to say it been deficient by any means, far from it. The Huskies have put together an impressive historical record withstanding Storr's bitter cold winter climate that makes throwing snowballs a far greater occurrence than curve balls for a substantial part of the year. In sum, UConn hasn't had opposition shaking in their boots, but they've been far from being patsies either.

Regardless of their location on the map, the Huskies have quickly earned status as an up and coming baseball program. Fueled by Head Coach Jim Penders, UConn has reached unprecedented hardball success since the turn of the century. Prior to his arrival in 2004, Husky baseball had compiled only a pair of 30-win seasons. Last season UConn won 30 games (36-24) for the fourth time in Penders' six seasons at the helm (and five of the past six) and for the second time in three seasons competed in the Big East title game.

Thanks largely in part to Penders' ability to recruit and develop top New England talent the Huskies have been able to go head-to-head in a conference which touts southern rivals such as nouveau power Louisville and upstart South Florida. Last season no young yankee excelled more than outfielder George Springer. A top notch prospect coming out of Avon Old Farms high school (where the team mascot is the Winged Beavers, no seriously, it is, google it) , Springer was drafted by the Minnesota Twins, but choose to go to UConn instead.

Last season Springer became the first UConn player in program history to be named the Big East Rookie of the Year as he batted .358 and led the team with 75 runs scored, 16 home runs and 57 RBI. Springer's accomplishments also earned him a spot on the All-Big East First Team. Over the summer he led his team in the Cape Cod League in batting and was named to the year-end CCBL All Star Team.

As if his baseball playing ability wasn't turning enough heads, Springer, his UConn teammates, and the South Florida Bulls baseball team, became somewhat of an Internet sensation at the end of the season. While waiting out a five-hour rain delay during the Big East conference tournament, the two teams had an impromptu dance-off which has received hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube.

Considering Springer's past exploits and future prospects, he jumped to the top of the gotta-have list for interviews.

Ping!Baseball: I don't think I can start with any other question but this one, simply because I won't be able to concentrate until I know the answer. What on earth is a "winged beaver"?  

Springer: (Laughs) A winged beaver is exactly how it sounds. A winged beaver. It is a beaver with wings.

Springer: For starters I was very fortunate to be drafted, only 1500 hundred kids are drafted every year and to be considered for that was very special. But it was a hard to decision but in the end I knew the University of Connecticut was the place I wanted to grow. It would give me a chance to grow athletically and as a person and I would get the opportunity to receive a college education. Coach's Jim Penders and Justin Blood made it a very easy decision for me because of their enthusiasm towards Uconn's up and coming future as a program and it was something I simply could not turn down.

Ping!Baseball: Don't you wish you were playing somewhere it doesn't snow so much?

Springer: (Laughs) I have lived in New England all my life and the snow doesn't bother me.

Ping!Baseball: You spent the summer playing with some of the best of the best of collegiate baseball in the Cape Cod League and flourished, earning a spot on the year end All Star team. How can you use that experience as a launching pad to another successful spring season at UConn?

Springer: Playing for the Wareham Gatemen last summer was very special to me. The cape is full of great players and I was fortunate enough to play with teammates Matt Barnes and Dave Fischer and play against teammates Pierre Lepage, Mike Olt, and Elliot Glynn. Playing against my own teammates actually taught me a lot about myself as a player but I learned a lot about the game from my coaches and other players. I plan on taking that experience and applying to the team not just myself. The team and my teammates success is my first priority and anything I have learned and anything I can do that can be beneficial I plan on doing. In the end if we win I'm happy.

Ping!Baseball: After being a win away from advancing to the NCAAs last season, an extended Husky postseason in 2010 is definitely in the realm of possibility. How is the team's determination and enthusiasm level headed into the season?

Springer: After falling one game short of the NCAAs last year we all had a bitter taste in our mouths. We all came back to school in the fall with a different attitude I believe, a more determined and focused attitude. Our team has been working extremely hard on and off the field and I believe that the realization by every player on last year's team have brought a different level of determination. We have a great core of returning players and very talented freshman and I think we are all anxious to start playing again and make a run.

Ping!Baseball: In addition to preparing for your on-the-field showdowns, have you been practicing your dance moves in anticipation for your trip down to Tampa when you face USF? I think it going to take more than the Macarena to rattle the Bulls this year.

Springer: (Laughing) The dance off was something no one will ever forget but that is farthest from our minds. South Florida is a very talented team, one of the best in the big east, and is very well coached they are going to be tough again this year. As a team we are focused on playing the game not dancing but just in case it rains down in Tampa we have a couple things ready to go and I'm sure they will as well.

Ping!Baseball: So, what impresses girls more, being First Team All Big East or having a million people watch dance on YouTube?

Springer: (Laughs) I believe my girlfriend could answer that one better than I could!