Florida Gator junior centerfielder Matt den Dekker is one
of the top players to watch on one of the top teams to watch
in 2009. Last season den Dekker hit .333 with career highs
in runs, RBI, doubles, homers, and triples and had a pair
of 13-game hitting streaks. In addition to being savvy with
the bat, the advertising major from Fort Lauderdale was a
perfect 20-for-20 on stolen-base attempts and played stellar
defense to help a resurgent Gator team get back into SEC title
contention.
After earning First-team All-SEC honors and being named a
member of the league’s inaugural Defensive Team, den
Dekker was a member of the 2008 U.S. National Team over the
summer. He helped the red, white and blue compile a perfect
24-0 record and won the gold medal at the FISU World Championships
in the Czech Republic.
Despite a busy, globe trotting schedule, den Dekker had time
to answer a few questions from Ping!Baseball.
PING!BASEBALL:
Despite a couple of down seasons - by Florida standards
anyway- the Gators are getting some pretty good buzz headed
into the season and are being mentioned as a team to beat
in the SEC. How is the confidence level in Gainesville these
days? It has got to be pretty optimistic.
DEN DEKKER: We
were disappointed with the outcome of last year in the postseason,
but we have been really focused this fall to improve and
to build on the success we did have. We are extremely excited
and are counting down the days until the season opener on
February 20th. We also have such great team chemistry on
this year's team and have welcomed in some talented new
players who will play a major role this season.
PING!BASEBALL:
I was just looking over the Gator schedule and you guys
really hit the ground running with Louisville and Miami
the first two weekends. Wouldn't you rather slip into the
season slowly like a nice warm bath?
DEN DEKKER: This
is the way you want baseball to be. We want that competition.
Our first two weekends we play a pair of teams that are
nationally-ranked. Our schedule should really prepare us
for the tough SEC schedule that we play. It will be a challenge,
but we are all excited and we will be ready when February
20th comes.
PING!BASEBALL:
Yourself, Josh Adams and Patrick Keating were all named
to the Wallace Award Watch List last week. What other Gators
not on the list should fans keep an eye out for this season?
DEN DEKKER: Senior
outfielder Avery Barnes is a great player who is very exciting
to watch. He always sets the tone for the game. With his
great speed and ability to work the count, I think he is
one of the best lead-off hitters in the country.
Infielder Brandon McArthur has come back for his sixth year
and is a tough player who can really grind it out. He really
knows a lot about the game and will be a huge part of our
offense this year.
We had a group of freshmen pitchers that made the adjustment
to college baseball well during the fall workouts: Nick
Maronde, Alex Panteliodis, and Anthony DeSclafani. They
will all be a major part of our pitching staff this year.
PING!BASEBALL:
Last March, you elevated at the wall and robbed Auburn's
Hunter Morris of a home run. Hunter would later be your
teammate on the USA Baseball National Team (you can see
it online here.
Did he remember the grab and mention it to you over the
summer?
DEN DEKKER: Yes,
he did remember the catch. I made him watch the video a
few times and we joked about it all summer.
PING!BASEBALL:
That wasn't the only great catch you made during the year
and you had only a single error in the field for the season.
Would you rather win a game with a big hit or game preserving
grab?
DEN DEKKER: I
would much rather make a big catch; there's nothing better
than a guy thinking he got a big hit than taking it away
from him. It gets me really pumped and it gets the whole
team excited.
PING!BASEBALL:
What was your best non-baseball memory from your tour with
Team USA?
DEN DEKKER: Getting
to see what life outside of the USA was like. It is a whole
different life overseas with tons of different cultures.
Also, the moment we got back home and having the opportunity
to eat American food for the first time in a month was great.
PING!BASEBALL:
Since you spend the summer globe trotting with the National
Team did you get to catch the summer blockbusters at the
theaters? Where do you side on the Batman vs Ironman debate?
DEN DEKKER: Although
I have never seen Ironman, I have watched Batman like 10
times - it is a great movie.
PREVIOUS PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS
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Previous Years
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PREVIOUS COACH SPOTLIGHTS
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2008
MATT
DEN DEKKER - florida gators
