COACH STAN SANCHEZ- colorado state university - pueblo
PING!BASEBALL DIVISION II COACH SPOTLIGHT

You can call him crazy, you can call him outdated, but you also have to call him champ.

A few weeks ago CSU Pueblo got rocked by Nebraska-Kearney, losing a game 12-1 in which the ThunderWolves struck out 17 times against UNK's Ryan Shelton. The Thunderwolves' coach Stan Sanchez was so frustrated with his club he ordered his starters to leave the ball park and replaced them with nine new players - two of which were relief pitchers playing in the field. For many a move like that would seem to belittle the players and cry of disparagement. However when the ‘Wolves met up with UNK and Shelton again in the RMAC tournament, CSUP scorched the Lopers ace for seven earned runs and 10 hits in just 4.2 innings. Pueblo rode the momentum of the game to RMAC Championship and earned the league's automatic berth into the NCAAs.

Sanchez's style is definitely old school and he makes no apologies for it; nor should he. Under his guidance CSUP has become one of the winningest NCAA Division II baseball programs in the nation, consistently challenging for conference crowns and national prestige. The Pack have been ranked in the NCAA Division II's Top 30 poll over 50 times – with another likely around the bend should they win a game or two this week. In 2004 the ThunderWolves were ranked as the number two in the nation for two weeks. The Wolves haven't won a national title yet, but they also hadn't defeated Ryan Shelton either – he had only allowed three runs in three previous matchups with the Pack, all UNK wins - until Sanchez motivated his team to win. He just needed to figure out the right buttons to push.

While taking a moment to rest before the NCAA Central Regional tournament, Sanchez took some time to answer some questions from Ping!Baseball:

PING!BASEBALL: I've heard account of you being a passionate throwback coach who demands the game be played the right way without exception.  For example it was reported recently that you replaced all your starters due to an abysmal performance. How would you describe your coaching style?

SANCHEZ: Old school with modern athletes.  I try to teach kids how to play the game the right way.  The game was played the right way back in the 1950s and 1960s and that's where I learned out to play it and that's what I try to pass on to these kids.

PING!BASEBALL: An inspiring story for the Thunderwolves has been your nontraditional utility player Juan Martinez, who at 24, is a junior at CSUP playing in hopes of fulfilling a dream of playing professionally while obtaining a degree.  How is Juan doing in his pursuits?

SANCHEZ: Juan is in school and has given a valiant effort at being a NCAA student-athlete.  His passion is at the highest level and he is turning into quite a success story in and out of the classroom.  Last weekend, he was named to the all-RMAC Tournament team as we won the conference championship, and it's rewarding to see that because of the adversity he's been through and his resiliency to become a major contributor on our ball club. 

PING!BASEBALL: Despite a large number of Hispanics and Latin players in professional baseball there are relatively few playing collegiate baseball.  Any thoughts/suggestions on how more minorities can be influenced into playing ball on campus and getting an education instead skipping school?

SANCHEZ: It's about the quality of life, period.  The percentages of making it in the Major Leagues is pretty small, and to get a kid the type of education they need to get that quality of life is of the utmost importance.  Juan Martinez is a great example of that.

PING!BASEBALL: The Thunderwolves' team batting average is among the highest in the nation and four regular players are hitting over .400.  For what do you attribute your teams mile high batting average?  Thin Colorado air, emphasis on hitting...  loaded bats?!

SANCHEZ: It's because of their focus and hard work to be good hitters, their training and a little bit to do with the conditions (altitude, wind, etc.).  Sometimes, the depth of pitching in college baseball has a lot to do with it, as well.  We teach wood bat principles - shorten the swing and keep the barrel in the zone longer, and have better contact.  All of that comes together.

PING!BASEBALL: You were able to notch 900th career victory recently in a win over Regis. Did you do anything special to celebrate or was it just another number?

SANCHEZ: I'm not into numbers.  I'm into player development and challenging players to go in the right direction.  Wins are about players....I just need to get them in position to win.  It just shows I've had good players and good coaches shoulder to shoulder with me over the years.

PING!BASEBALL: Colorado's climate creates some difficulties playing baseball, especially during the first couple months of practice and the season.  Are there advantages to playing in the Centennial State?

SANCHEZ: The biggest advantage is it toughens up the mental side of players because they have to play in some uncomfortable conditions.  Kids that play in a warm weather climate just take it for granted, and our kids have learned how to deal with those kinds of temperatures and conditions and seem to grow thicker skin in bad conditions.

PING!BASEBALL: Which of your wins is your most memorable?

SANCHEZ: In 1994, during our first year as a program, we played at Wichita State, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division I , and we beat them 7-5 in their own ball park .  We went against Braden Looper that day, and they had Major League guys like Doug Mirabelli and Casey Blake on the field.  We didn't have one drafted kid on our team.  A win like that by our program just doesn't happen.  From that point on, it jumpstarted our culture of winning in our program.  We became nationally ranked and went to regionals in our first year.  It was the most significant win in our school history.

The second most memorable would have to be our win over Chico State in the 1996 West Regional Championship.  We became the first RMAC team to make it to the Division II College World Series .

PING!BASEBALL: One of your top players, senior outfielder Jason Fobes, not only is one of the top hitters in the nation, but also an outstanding student with a 3.89 GPA and is working towards his master's degree.  He was recently named the RMAC Academic Player of the Year for his dual proficiency.  Where does Jason rank among your top talents that you've coached both as a player and a person?

SANCHEZ: He's one of the top character kids we've ever had. His high level of excellence inside classroom and inside the diamond ranks him as one of the best we've ever had here.  He's the complete student-athlete.

PING!BASEBALL: How do you keep yourself entertained during long road trips?

SANCHEZ: I read scouting reports and stats, and try to find any edge I can against our opponents.  I like to read sports magazines and search for good metaphors and motivational message to inspire our club.

PING!BASEBALL: Complete the following sentence:  If it wasn't for baseball...

SANCHEZ: I'd be a dirtbag.  I came from the barrios in California, but I could hit a baseball and shoot a basket.  From the time I took my first snap as a high school quarterback and begin dating the head cheerleader, my life changed.  I was able to get out of the barrio. I could get hit a baseball, and as soon as I took my first snap as a HS quarterback, my life changed...got out of the barrio.

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