The University of Miami baseball program will host its annual Fan Fest & Alumni Game on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. Festivities are set to begin at 4 p.m., and admission to the event is free. The team autograph session is set for 4-5 p.m.
The concession stands, including the famous Mark Light Shake stand, will be open, while representatives from the bookstore will be on hand selling the newest baseball apparel. Other activities for kids include long toss, a "Dress Like a Cane" station and more, while representatives from the Miami ticket office will also be on hand for a Select-A-Seat event.
Miami Hurricanes baseball alumni will take batting practice on the field before being introduced at 5:30 p.m. The alumni will then take on the 2016 Hurricanes in the annual exhibition game slated to begin at 6 p.m.
The UM baseball team has continued to build preseason momentum by achieving high rankings among the preseason polls released by many national publications.
The Hurricanes checked in at No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports baseball preseason coaches poll.
Miami was ranked No. 4 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s top 25 released in December, marking Miami’s highest preseason ranking from that publication since 2005. Miami was also ranked No. 6 by D1Baseball.com in its first top 25 released in early January.
The Hurricanes’ Baseball America preseason ranking of No. 6 released earlier this week is its highest since 2007.
Miami returns 18 letterwinners from a 2015 team that won a second straight ACC Coastal Division title and qualified for the College World Series for the 24th time in program history. The Hurricanes ended the 2015 season in Omaha, Neb., and were ranked No. 6 by D1Baseball, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Baseball America, Perfect Game and USA TODAY in year-end polls.
Two Hurricanes – juniors Zack Collins and Bryan Garcia – have earned preseason All-America recognition from both Louisville Slugger and Perfect Game.
The Hurricanes, who earned the No. 5 national seed entering last year’s postseason run, won 50 games and extended their own college baseball record by qualifying for the NCAA postseason for the 43rd straight year; Miami has not missed the NCAA postseason since 1972.
Season tickets to the Miami Hurricanes’ 2016 baseball season at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field are available for as little as $99, while family plans (two adults, three youth) for the entire 35-game home slate are available for just $199. Call (305) 284-2263 for more information.
Posted by: UMike | February 12, 2016 at 10:57 AM
It's the mark of that. Usually that player transfers out never to be heard from again. Can you think of one?
Posted by: Lur-ker | February 12, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Lurker, I remember Thompkins having the greatest Spring a WR ever had, no one could cover and he barely saw the field in the fall.
Posted by: UMike | February 12, 2016 at 12:28 PM
Lurker, I remember Thompkins having the greatest Spring a WR ever had, no one could cover and he barely saw the field in the fall.
Posted by: UMike | February 12, 2016 at 12:28 PM
************************************
That's because he was facing our defense in the Spring.
Posted by: raizecane | February 12, 2016 at 12:30 PM
The spring road is littered with Richard Gordons
Posted by: Go Canes! | February 12, 2016 at 12:39 PM
If reputations were built by how a player performs during spring practice, Kendal Thompkins would be an All-American.
Thompkins, a rising senior receiver, has enjoyed solid spring camps the past two seasons. Two years ago, he caught a team-high eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. In last year’s spring game, Thompkins again caught a team-best seven passes for 84 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown reception.
_________
Back from Boston and right into Randy Shannon’s office to discuss spring practice. Here’s some of what Shannon said about the Hurricanes’ offensive showing (tomorrow’s blog will cover defense):
….Shannon was absolutely gushing about the performance of receiver Kendal Thompkins, whom he called the most improved player of the spring. A heart-to-heart talk between Thompkins, Shannon and receivers coach Aubrey Hill before workouts began in February apparently got the rising sophomore’s head on straight. Thompkins’ attitude changed and so did his performance. “Like any kid that comes in, they think, ‘I’m the guy,'” Shannon said. “But you have to prove yourself and Kendal did a great job this spring.” In the spring game on March 27, Thompkins caught a scrimmage-high 8 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. While LaRon Byrd, Leonard Hankerson and Travis Benjamin all stood out during various stages of spring practice, Thompkins was the team’s most consistent pass catcher and has “put pressure on the other receivers” for playing time, Shannon said. The coach wasn’t naming names, but we can assume that Thearon Collier has found himself some competition.
Posted by: UMike | February 12, 2016 at 12:50 PM
When its ShowTime some guys just fold.
It's like the shorts and t-shirt tough guys. All the hooping and hollering...then you put on pads and they disappear....
Posted by: Da U N Houston | February 12, 2016 at 01:02 PM
I never claimed Rumph was a recruiting emphasis hire, anyone who did is mistaken and obviously so, therefore again allow me to reiterate, he's there to get corners ready to press within five yards of the line at least 2/3 of the time. He's also never recruited players to college before this year. He's expected to get shut out more than expected to close at this point in his career.
If he face-plants when time comes to close with Smarks 2017 and corners can't successfully reroute at the line leading up to that, then shine the spotlight on him because he'll have earned it like TS/GD earns us laughing at the pic of his mom for the icon he feels he wants to share with the world with every sid-tard regurgitated talking point that carries no weight as he deposits the same inane crap under a new regime on the comments of the blog.
Until then just watch out for roster clogging setbacks that will hamper the rebuild that's starting or wait for the basketball team to no show both halves of a game to sound an alarm that's relevant to the present of UM men's athletics.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 12, 2016 at 01:03 PM
LOL
Shots fired!
Posted by: SinisterCane | February 12, 2016 at 01:15 PM
I'm still waitin' on Gray to do something...hasn't done $h!t in the Fall from what I've seen.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 12, 2016 at 01:17 PM
Did OGV just stick up for a coach at UM that's not Coach L? I believe hell hath frozen over.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 01:18 PM
I'm still waitin' on Gray to do something...hasn't done $h!t in the Fall from what I've seen.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 12, 2016 at 01:17 PM
Agreed!!!! I have that mentality on a couple of guys, let's see if they were being held back or just don't have it.
Posted by: Da U N Houston | February 12, 2016 at 01:27 PM
Rumph just offered AH LB James Houston
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 01:44 PM
^^ It was special enough for Houston (6-1, 220) to be courted by his hometown team but it went to the next level considering who delivered the news to him.
"My current coach told me that I should call my former coach (Mike Rumph)," Houston said. "He let me know about the offer and that I had jumped to the number one spot for linebackers they want. Ever since he went down there, I was hoping it would work out like this. I couldn't stop smiling because I loved Miami growing up."
The opportunity to follow a high school coach to the college level is always enticing for any prospect. Rumph being in Coral Gables is no different for Houston.
"It adds a lot because he knows how to coach," Houston said. "The fact that they brought him on shows they know what they're doing too. He's part of their history, in the 90s and early 2000s. It's funny to see him come up in 'The U' movies but he was part of that atmosphere."
Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are the rest of Houston's BCS offers. The Badgers holding an advantage is a perfect example of early bird gets the worm.
"Wisconsin is definitely at the top right now because they were my first offer and the first school to visit for me," Houston said. "I respect that and that's why they're ahead but I'm exploring all my options. I don't have set dates but I hope to see pretty much all my offers. When I feel like one program is the best for me, I'll go ahead and say it."
Houston has only seen Miami and Wisconsin once each from his offer list. He did camp at Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee over the summer.
Amazingly enough, six of Houston's teammates outnumber him in the scholarship department but that hasn't diminished his appreciation of being highly touted.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 01:45 PM
James Houston: "I couldn't stop smiling because I loved Miami growing up."
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 01:45 PM
Translation: "I used to love Miami. But not so much anymore."
Posted by: nemo2002 | February 12, 2016 at 02:12 PM
Posted by: nemo2002 | February 12, 2016 at 02:12 PM
Win the Coastal or the our shabby recruiting cycle continues
Posted by: SinisterCane | February 12, 2016 at 02:17 PM
Go listen to Earl Little talk about Miami: http://miami.cbslocal.com/audio/joe-rose-show/
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 02:25 PM
http://www.campusrush.com/miami-hurricanes-basketball-jaquan-newton-sixth-man-1599430863.html
Posted by: Go Canes! | February 12, 2016 at 02:30 PM
Listening to that interview with Earl, they weren't lyin' about that North Miami defense, maybe the best defense to ever come outta Dade.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 12, 2016 at 02:48 PM
Peter Ariz @PeterAriz 2m2 minutes ago
CJ Henderson from Columbus has committed to Miami #Canes
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 04:19 PM
^^ CJ is a speedster! Being recruited as a DB
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 04:24 PM
247: http://247sports.com/Player/Christopher-Henderson-83912
HUDL: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2704635/christopher-henderson
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 04:27 PM
Corey Bender @Corey_Bender 31s31 seconds ago
Henderson is a big get out of the backyard for #Miami. 4-star ATH is Scout's 150th-ranked player overall @Comeup_5
http://www.scout.com/player/202019-christopher-henderson/recruiting …
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 04:30 PM
O_C,
Whats the word on Grimes? 5* WR out of STA.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | February 12, 2016 at 04:54 PM
Good news is there are 4, 4* OL in the Miami area for 2017. Theyre big too, 6'5" 325 types.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | February 12, 2016 at 04:58 PM
James Houston: "I couldn't stop smiling because I loved Miami growing up."
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 12, 2016 at 01:45 PM
Translation: "I used to love Miami. But not so much anymore."
Posted by: nemo2002 | February 12, 2016 at 02:12 PM
He only said that he loved Miami, so we still have a shot. If he'd said that Miami is his dream school then there'd be no chance.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | February 12, 2016 at 05:29 PM
*** Star Gazing ***
I take a look at Rivals every year just to see whats in the area. If we just took care of home every year, we would come away with this.
Offense
**** QB Jake Allen 6'2" 195 Ft. Lauderdale
**** RB Kyshaun Bryan 5'9" 187 Plantation
***** WR Trevon Grimes 6'4" 195 Ft. Lauderdale
**** WR Jerry Jeudy 6'1" 158 Deerfield Beach
**** OL Navaughn Donaldson 6'6" 335 Miami
**** OL Tedarrell Slaton 6'6" 339 Plantation
**** OL Kadeem Telfort 6'6" 323 Miami
**** OL Kai-Leon Herbert 6'4" 262 Plantation
Defense
**** DE Guy Thomas 6'3" 205 Miami
**** LB Vandarius Cowen 6'4" 215 Palm Beach Gardens
**** LB De'Andre Wilder 6'2" 204 Miami Gardens
**** LB Tyler Dunning 6'0" 221 Ft. Lauderdale
**** DB Stanford Sameuls 6'1" 161 Pembroke Pines
**** DB Marco Wilson 5'11" 163 Plantation
**** DB Trajan Bandy 5'9" 173 Miami
**** ATH Daniel Wright 6'0" 165 Ft. Lauderdale
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | February 12, 2016 at 05:30 PM
Thats a staggering number of elite athletes in our back yard. Wed still need to shop for DTs, but man oh man, weve got to get ourselves back to locking down the Miami area.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | February 12, 2016 at 05:33 PM
And to be honest, Miami produces plenty of DTs, it just seems to happen in bunches. We have to get better at closing the deal on elite local DTs when they are here. If all we had to do was poach 1 DT a year, it shouldnt be that hard.
... it shouldnt be that hard...
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | February 12, 2016 at 05:35 PM
Chill out with all the hate rumph talk. Once we start winning they will come!!!
Posted by: Elliott | February 12, 2016 at 06:48 PM
Louisiana's governor is threatening to cancel the next season of LSU football!
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14764642/louisiana-gov-john-bel-edwards-threatens-future-lsu-tigers-football-tax-proposals-passed
Posted by: TonyCane | February 12, 2016 at 06:57 PM
Wow, shots at my mom for a drooling f*cktard that that still hasn't learned to write.
I don't talk about people's moms, especially OCD's, who's had enough troubles since she hatched that losing retard.
Go f*ck yourself, you minimum-wage-earning cowardly piece of vermin sh*t.
Posted by: Lur-ker | February 12, 2016 at 09:17 PM
Canes will do extremely well in its backyard. CMR will have more commits to meet important needs in the program. I expect great success for CMR and his assistants
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 12, 2016 at 09:20 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: SOUP | February 12, 2016 at 10:14 PM