The Florida State Seminoles have made it
to the College World Series so many times (19 appearances
and counting) that Coach Mike Martin should strongly considering
getting a time share in the Cornhusker State. 
With
2008 Player of the Year Buster Posey and a pair of top pitching
starters gone from campus this season, a twentieth return
to Omaha won’t be easy, but it is far from being out
of the realm of possibilty. The Seminoles return five seasoned
batters from last year's squad so they will be in an excellent
position to score runs; they just need the pitching staff
to make sure the opposition doesn't score more. That's where
sophomore Geoff Parker comes in. A Ping!Baseball Freshman
All American last season, Parker went 6-2 (with five of his
six victories coming during stiff ACC competition) with a
4.50 ERA in 14 appearances his first year in Tallahassee.
This season he will looked upon to step up his game to lead
FSU both on and off the diamond to keep the Seminoles post
season streak continuing - a vaunting task for a sophomore.
However the big righty from Dade City, FL is up to the ask.
Just as he is to answering a few questions from Ping!Baseball.
PING!BASEBALL:
What above anything else made you choose Florida State as
the school for you?
PARKER: Honestly
it was my number one choice. I had a baseball coach and
a friend's father that was big into FSU. My friend's father
is a big supporter of me and played a big part in my decision.
I also came to camp here and that's what sold me.
PING!BASEBALL:Only
four teams have made it to the College World Series than
Florida State, yet the Seminoles have never won the whole
enchilada and took home the top prize. Is that something
the team is aware of as you compete for a national championship?
PARKER: I
don't know if they are aware of it, actually I thought we
had won one before. But then again, I'm not too big on knowing
everything about baseball. I just like to play. But we are
all working towards accomplishing that goal.
PING!BASEBALL:
Your bio states you were a "standout both at the plate
and on the mound" in high school, yet your own action
last season was on the mound. Any chance of picking up the
stick again or are you concentrating on pitching from here
on out?
PARKER: I
would love to hit. I like hitting, but I think I'm going
to focus all my concentration on pitching.
PING!BASEBALL:
In an exchange with Jason Leturmy, the FSU Assistant Sports
Information Director, he mentioned that despite your sophomore
status, you'll be looked upon to be a leader of the young
Seminole staff. Are you a vocal leader or leader by example
type, and is this a role you plan on embracing?
PARKER: I
have been a leader in the past, for example on my high school
team. Even as a freshman last year, I felt I was one of
the leaders. I see myself as more of a lead by example type
of guy. I am not that vocal, I can be when I need to be,
but I would rather lead by example. I do want to embrace
that role hopefully next year I will have one of the captain
positions.
PING!BASEBALL: Are
there any players you emulate or admire that you model your
game after? I used to try to bat like Pete Rose which ultimately
ruined my game like no other.
PARKER: I
have never really modeled my game after any one, but I've
been told (before the steroid issue) that I look like Roger
Clemens on the mound. He is one of my favorite pitchers
of all-time.
PING!BASEBALL: Have
you selected your walk-up music for 2009? What factors do
you take into consideration when making your selection?
PARKER: I
have selected it, my song of choice is Indestructible. I
like it because it's inspirational in the beginning.
PING!BASEBALL: Where
you're not on the diamond or classroom, how do you like
to spend your time?
PARKER: Sleep,
I like to sleep, I like to play video games. I like just
hanging out with friends, playing video games with friends
even the whole on line thing. Recently my game of choice
is FIFA '09. My teams are either Manchester United or L.A.
Galaxy, those are the two teams I use a lot. It's all about
(David) Beckham, I'm just trying to make him better, get
those stats up. Also, one of my buddies on the swim team,
she and I will get together and will play Rock Band. We
have a little band going. There is also Tiger Woods '09,
maybe an occasional Call of Duty.
PING!BASEBALL: I'm
a big fan of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the
Food Network where they go to local restaurants and sample
some of the best local fare. Have you found a place unique
to Tallahassee that you like to go to eat?
PARKER: I'm
sure that anybody here would agree with me when I say Gumby's
- pizza and pokie sticks. I love their pizza and pokie sticks
which are just like a cheese pizza, they are awesome! And
you have to go with the ranch dipping sauce. Also, MoMo's
pizza, they just have huge slices, I mean as big as your
head. There extra large pizza is something like 36 inches,
it's ginormous.
GEOFF
PARKER - florida state seminoles
