Cincinnati native Drew Schmidt, plays for his hometown Musketeers. Last season he batted .320 with 73 hits and 52 runs scored as the Musketeers made their first appearance in the Regionals last year. With the 2010 season still remaining, Schmidt already ranks in the top ten in school history in runs, walks and hit by pitches. His brother Zach is an assistant coach with the team. Check out his blog here.
BRIAN O'CONNOR- virginia cavaliers PING!BASEBALL SPOTLIGHT COACH
Most people, when they travel back to their hometown during the summer, load up the spouse, kids, and dog into a minivan and trek across the highways. Maybe they even stop along the way to see the world's second biggest ball of twine. Work is left behind. But Brian O'Connor went home a little differently this summer. No minivan. No dog. No ball of twine. And, he brought his work with him. In fact, he brought over two dozen college students with him. Head coach Brian O'Connor has led his Virginia Cavalier baseball team to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska …O'Connor's home town.
Going to the CWS for O'Connor, who was born in Omaha and raised in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa, is old hat. His father took him to numerous games as a kid. O'Connor then went to Creighton University in Omaha, and played for the Bluejays in the 1991 CWS. He was the pitcher of record in a semifinal matchup with Wichita State that is considered one of the greatest games in CWS history.
O'Connor made it back to the CWS as an assistant coach for Notre Dame under Paul Maineri (now with LSU) in 2002. He is the only coach at this year's CWS that's been to the series as a fan, player, assistant coach, and head coach. But technically, O'Connor is at the CWS every year. His likeness was used on the famed college baseball statue that sits outside of Rosenblatt Stadium (he's the player on the far right).
O'Connor's time at Virginia has been impressive. In six seasons, he has led the Cavaliers to 265 wins and a trip to the NCAA tournament each year. This year, it's led to a free trip back home.
“It is obviously very special for me, having grown up in the town…It is an unbelievable feeling” O'Connor said after securing the CWS bid. Ping!Baseball asked O'Connor if his personal experience with the CWS would help his Cavaliers in Omaha. “I don't know if it does,” he told Ping!Baseball. “I put it all on the table with them…all the distractions” he said. But he made it clear to his team: “We have earned the right to be distracted by being here (at the CWS)” he said. “But all of these distractions is what makes it great.” Now, O'Connor is home leading his team on the biggest stage in college baseball.
It's no gigantic ball of twine, but O'Connor will take it.
BRIAN O'CONNOR - virginia cavaliers 
Most people, when they travel back to their hometown during the summer, load up the spouse, kids, and dog into a minivan and trek across the highways. Maybe they even stop along the way to see the world's second biggest ball of twine. Work is left behind. But Brian O'Connor went home a little differently this summer. No minivan. No dog. No ball of twine. And, he brought his work with him. In fact, he brought over two dozen college students with him. Head coach Brian O'Connor has led his Virginia Cavalier baseball team to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska …O'Connor's home town. 
O'Connor made it back to the CWS as an assistant coach for Notre Dame under Paul Maineri (now with LSU) in 2002. He is the only coach at this year's CWS that's been to the series as a fan, player, assistant coach, and head coach. But technically, O'Connor is at the CWS every year. His likeness was used on the famed college baseball statue that sits outside of Rosenblatt Stadium (he's the player on the far right). 
