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Show 318 r WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, .., , S I c,, f ,, , 1 - ro ., -- ,,, DIXIESUNNEWS.COM - 5 Trailblazers practice rituals, superstitions, routines i , .. ,- - 2018 ----- , L up :erest ,,i, , t r , ,oi :t , erro! , ,s,y r your . 1111 q't S ,, , ( - , . (- ... -, ) 7 ---) i . - , 1 I,- -- - .! , , ' .1J c! 1 O T): co xfP '.::',.!..,'. ) aJ z ' ',.4 ':3,..il (,::'--- 0: 0. T 7 C. z BY KYLE LINDSLEY Kyle DSN It's only weird if it doesn't work. A plethora of different superstitions and routines can be found in the wide realm of sports. These routines come to define a team and how they prepare both mentally and physically to perform at their highest level. Dixie State University baseball follows routines set by head coach Chris Pfatenhauer, along with individual routines the players have developed before, during and after games. trig Before Games The night before the start of a series against any opponent, DSU baseball coaches and players go over a scouting et Vith ely report. This includes different in L formation on what pitches an opposing pitcher may throw, along with different statistics DSU has about each batter. The day of a game players show up three hours before the scheduled first pitch time. For junior infielder Wyatt Branch, a business administration major from Stansbury Park, just about every pregame consists of the same pregame meal. "I usually get a Harmon's salad and a Neuro Sonic drink before games." Branch said. "When I come in I'll usually eat that then go get stretched by the trainer and get taped. After that we go out and get stretched as a team." After getting stretched, the players setup for batting practice, then followed by the opponents taking batting practice. When that is over both teams take "in and out," a pregame routine where coaches hit balls to each position player, typically starting with fly balls to the outfield and working in to grounders to the infield. Throughout the pregame festivities music plays from the stadium speakers, with the type of music played determined by Pfatenhauer. "We have a reggae day, classic or hard rock day, and country day," Pfatenhauer said. "We usually have a theme going each day." After each team has an opportunity to finish in and out, the DSU coaches remind players of different things to focus on during the game and refreshers on the game plan and the different scouting reports. Then comes the national anthem, and it is time for baseball. last-minu- te During Games Routines can be found during every at bat during a game. Each batter has their own walk-u- p song they have picked out that plays as they stroll to the batter's box. "We try to give everybody two walk-osongs," Pfatenhauer said. "I think it is a nice feature of our program to give the players their own personalized touch." Different patterns can be found on defense, from the way a player runs out onto the field to what they do before ut every pitch. "I never step on the foul lines going out onto the field," said infielder Joe Ray- mond, a junior finance major from Foresthill, California. "I always sprint out to my position, then between each pitch I lick my fingers, wipe them off and touch my hat." Seemingly each player has their own routine, whether it be what they do between each pitch in the field or how they orient themselves at the plate in their batting stance. After Games After the first half of a doubleheader, the team is supplied with food, Pfatenhauer said. It is consistently some sort of sub sandwich the players can eat before starting the second game. At the end of each game day the coaching staff usually does the same thing after a game. "After the games there's a lot that goes into the next day preparation," Pfatenhauer said. "We meet immediately after each game as a coaching staff and address the team." After the players and coaches meet the players head out and cleaning up the field, including raking and preparing it for the next day. "As a group, whether on a winning streak or not we try to stay in our routine," Pfatenhauer said. "We try and stay consistent." you e ch liPCOMING Best running routes in Si. George, GAMES und according to Trailblazer athletes e boN 011 BY MONIQUE CHAVEZ n , athc! DSN STAFF (le avor s or Wel Softball against LI California (our Karl State Baptist at Brooks Field ,1 March 13 Y 5 at 3 p.m. and p.m. litre ink Women's track at the Utah State Mark Faldmo eflC Invite hirst March 13-1- 4 1.1" Y that re(' Softball against California werc t and, err at Baptist University Karl Brooks Field March 14 at noon and 2 p.m. Women's Tennis in the PacWest Women's TenniS Championships at 2018 Y ic IY Surprise, Arizona March 18 of d ate! ing )1,1r ilated cOld' Baseball at Biola University March 19 at 3 p.m. Baseball at University March 20 at noon Biola Summer is almost here, and there are plenty of ways to get active and accomplish fitness goals in St. George, even outside of the gym. Perhaps the most classic form of exercise is going out for a run. Whether it is hiking, cycling, walking or running, it can get boring to follow the same trails every time. So, I decided to get some route suggestions from some of the best runners in town, the Dixie State University women's track team. Sky ler Stone, a senior exercise science major from Cottonwood, Alizona, recommended that new runners start slow. She said walking or jogbuildging one mile and ing up from there, adding an extra mile every week, will help build endurance. Store's favorite route to run is the Riverside Trail, of along the north bank the Virgin River. "I prefer to be on trails," Stone said. "I think just getting out in nature and being in a different not scenery where you're having to worry about cars or soccer balls flying at your head is nice." Stone said she runs approximately eight miles 5 a day, averaging miles a week. "My secret is gum," Stone said. "If I chew gum, I'm good for eight miles." Although she prefers trails, she has to do the street routes with the team at practice as well. So, she added when running on busy streets it is important to look out for drivers and pay attention to where you are going to prevent injuries. Stone said even her experienced teammates have tripped on small ledges and rolled their ankles on rocks from not watching their step. Marieta Wright, a sophomore elementary education major from Las Vegas, said she likes to run along the dirt trail by the Dixie Rock behind Pioneer Park. She said all she takes with her when she goes on a run is her watch and her car keys. "I try to make sure there is a drinking fountain on my routes," Wright said. "I would 50-5- rather not worry about bringing water and just go to a park that has drinking fountains." Wright said she tries to reach five to 10 miles a day and recommends the Riverside Trail to new runners who are trying to improve their stamina. Wright also added a good precaution to take when going on a run alone is to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back. Justin Decker, head coach of cross country and women's track team, said he tries to mix up the athletes' routes as much as he can. Decker said St. George has plenty of options. He said he likes to take the team on one of the many bike and hiking trails the city has at least once a week. He mentioned the Virgin River trail is especially nice because it include, markings of the distances which helps the runners keep track of how far they are running. For those willing to go a little farther, he recommended Zions National see ROUTES page 6 Lakers 2017 draft pick shows potential in game versus Jazz BY TANIA GANGULI TNS There is a market in the NBA for the type of player labeled as the "three-and-player," but Josh Hart doesn't see himself like that. "I think I do a lot more things than that," Hart said. "I think I can defend some of the best players, I can rebound, I can push it. I don't label myself a three-and-guy because I'm not going to sell myself short." Hart showed off how much his D D game has grown since the start of his rookie year against the Utah Jazz, He led the Lakers with 25 points. The Lakers lost to the Jazz 112-9- 7 in a game they never led. They fell to Forward Joe Ingles scored 22 with 10 assists for the Jazz. In addition to Hart, Tyler Ennis helped keep the Lakers in the game with 22 points off the bench, a career high. "(Ennis) did a great job of coming in and controlling the pace, " said Julius Randle, who scored 17 points for the Lakers. "Josh Hart, too, they were great 34-4- 6. tonight." Hart played 41 minutes for the shorthanded Lakers, who were without Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram, and Isaiah Thomas who had surgery in March. It was the most playing time he's had all season. Part of Hart's responsibility on Sunday was guarding Mitchell. "I guarded DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron," Hart said. " I think the biggest thing I learned is I can make it tough on those guys. At the end of the day, my mindset coming out of most of those games besides James Harden flaming me down there, I can compete with those guys." Early in the season, the Lakers sent the 30th pick in the 2017 draft down to the South Bay takers on a assignment. When he returned, he worked to become more aggressive offensively. "At the beginning of the year was timid offensively," Hart said. "I just tried to make my name on ue defense. But now, offensively, I feel a lot more comfortable." That diversification of his skills started to make Hart more valuable to the Lakers especially as they needed more bodies due to injuries. "Just aggressiveness, shooting the ball, he's a great finisher around the rim," Randle said of Hart. As for that three-and-label, Hart isn't the only one who doesn't like the constraints it presents. "Every time he gets the opportunity to play big minutes or have a D bigger role, he plays pretty good for us," Walton said. "He's one of our best finishers. He's one of our best rebounders, he can push it in transition. I would agree with you. Saying that he's a three-and-guy is kind of limiting what his potential is as a player. (c)2018 Los Angeles Times. D |