Brown endures long collegiate road
By Kristina Helfer
for the Daily Collegian
April 18, 2011
Three colleges, four different baseball teams and five years later, Mark Brown is finally preparing himself for his last baseball season and graduation.
After his parents’ divorce, the outfielder and pitcher decided to transfer from Franklin and Marshall College, where he played Division III baseball, to Penn State’s main campus. Unfortunately for him, the University Park campus ran out of housing space, forcing Brown to attend Abington’s branch campus for one year, where he again played Division III.
“I went to Penn State Abington because I couldn’t transfer up here immediately because something was wrong with the housing…I didn’t know that I probably could have lived off campus up here,” said Brown.
After five years of consistent changes, Brown never allowed his situation to tear him away from the sport he loves. Brown is now an outfielder for the Penn State Baseball Club and praised the team, saying that he and his team are fortunate to have such great coaches such as Bill Lippert.
It might not be Division I ball, but Brown is content with where his journey has taken him.
The camaraderie between him and the club players was evident when warming up at practice. Brown said the club team is relaxed and he has a lot of fun with the team.
“With the club we’re still like a family, but it’s more relaxed.”
His junior year, Brown finally got the chance to come to University Park, but once again, he did not get the opportunity he dreamed of — to play Division I ball. During his first year at University Park, Brown played for the club team because the varsity team couldn’t offer him a roster spot.
His troubles didn’t end there though. Brown spent his true senior year redshirted on Penn State’s varsity team in 2010. He is now ineligible to play the 2011 season as a redshirt senior because of credit transfer issues that have haunted him through his entire collegiate career.
Brown was unable to get all of his credits transferred from the three different schools he attended and was forced to take multiple intensive courses toward his Life Science major in one semester.
He ended up struggling in his courses and his lack of credits destroyed any chance he had at reaching his hopes of playing Divison I baseball.
Penn State varsity baseball head coach, Robbie Wine, and Brown’s former pitching coach, Jason Bell, said Brown’s lack of credits toward his degree made him ineligible for varsity, but still eligible for the club team.
The coaches also said that Brown only got to go to practice and play in varsity interleague games during the fall 2009 season, but was then unable to play the 2010 or 2011 season.
“I would have rather played on varsity because I put in so much work during my whole life,” said Brown.
But now, Brown said he wouldn’t move up to varsity even if he was given the opportunity.
Brown believes it would be unfair for him to leave the club team because he has already given his teammates his commitment.
A varsity team’s competitive nature is what drew Brown in. He said he wanted to experience the coaching, facilities and continuous play that come with playing for a varsity team. Brown missed out on those advantages given to varsity players and it hindered his ability to grow and improve, he said.
“I do think since all the transferring and moving around my skill hasn’t really improved as it should have,” said Brown.
Nearing the end of college now, Brown is focused on graduating — satisfying his mother’s wishes.
“She wants me to graduate and wants me to do well in school,” Brown said. “That’s her primary thing, she wants school first then baseball, but I’ve told her baseball’s what I enjoy doing, so I am not going to cut out baseball.”
Brown does not regret anything he did over the period of his collegiate life, but if he could go back and change one thing, it would be to come to Penn State University Park directly after high school.
Mark Brown wants to make sure baseball is a part of his life forever. He will graduate this spring and plans to move out to California to play baseball where his father lives.
“I love baseball because of my teammates and coaches. I love all the members on the club team,” Brown said.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/04/08/baseball_club_feature.aspx
for the Daily Collegian
April 18, 2011
Three colleges, four different baseball teams and five years later, Mark Brown is finally preparing himself for his last baseball season and graduation.
After his parents’ divorce, the outfielder and pitcher decided to transfer from Franklin and Marshall College, where he played Division III baseball, to Penn State’s main campus. Unfortunately for him, the University Park campus ran out of housing space, forcing Brown to attend Abington’s branch campus for one year, where he again played Division III.
“I went to Penn State Abington because I couldn’t transfer up here immediately because something was wrong with the housing…I didn’t know that I probably could have lived off campus up here,” said Brown.
After five years of consistent changes, Brown never allowed his situation to tear him away from the sport he loves. Brown is now an outfielder for the Penn State Baseball Club and praised the team, saying that he and his team are fortunate to have such great coaches such as Bill Lippert.
It might not be Division I ball, but Brown is content with where his journey has taken him.
The camaraderie between him and the club players was evident when warming up at practice. Brown said the club team is relaxed and he has a lot of fun with the team.
“With the club we’re still like a family, but it’s more relaxed.”
His junior year, Brown finally got the chance to come to University Park, but once again, he did not get the opportunity he dreamed of — to play Division I ball. During his first year at University Park, Brown played for the club team because the varsity team couldn’t offer him a roster spot.
His troubles didn’t end there though. Brown spent his true senior year redshirted on Penn State’s varsity team in 2010. He is now ineligible to play the 2011 season as a redshirt senior because of credit transfer issues that have haunted him through his entire collegiate career.
Brown was unable to get all of his credits transferred from the three different schools he attended and was forced to take multiple intensive courses toward his Life Science major in one semester.
He ended up struggling in his courses and his lack of credits destroyed any chance he had at reaching his hopes of playing Divison I baseball.
Penn State varsity baseball head coach, Robbie Wine, and Brown’s former pitching coach, Jason Bell, said Brown’s lack of credits toward his degree made him ineligible for varsity, but still eligible for the club team.
The coaches also said that Brown only got to go to practice and play in varsity interleague games during the fall 2009 season, but was then unable to play the 2010 or 2011 season.
“I would have rather played on varsity because I put in so much work during my whole life,” said Brown.
But now, Brown said he wouldn’t move up to varsity even if he was given the opportunity.
Brown believes it would be unfair for him to leave the club team because he has already given his teammates his commitment.
A varsity team’s competitive nature is what drew Brown in. He said he wanted to experience the coaching, facilities and continuous play that come with playing for a varsity team. Brown missed out on those advantages given to varsity players and it hindered his ability to grow and improve, he said.
“I do think since all the transferring and moving around my skill hasn’t really improved as it should have,” said Brown.
Nearing the end of college now, Brown is focused on graduating — satisfying his mother’s wishes.
“She wants me to graduate and wants me to do well in school,” Brown said. “That’s her primary thing, she wants school first then baseball, but I’ve told her baseball’s what I enjoy doing, so I am not going to cut out baseball.”
Brown does not regret anything he did over the period of his collegiate life, but if he could go back and change one thing, it would be to come to Penn State University Park directly after high school.
Mark Brown wants to make sure baseball is a part of his life forever. He will graduate this spring and plans to move out to California to play baseball where his father lives.
“I love baseball because of my teammates and coaches. I love all the members on the club team,” Brown said.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/04/08/baseball_club_feature.aspx
Club Baseball's Spring Trip Leads the Way for a Successful Season
By Kristina Helfer
For the Daily Collegian
March 17, 2011
Penn State Baseball Club recently returned from its spring break trip, earning four wins and two losses.
The team traveled to both Greenville, N.C. and Plant City, Fla. and played Maryland, East Carolina, Illinois St., UNC Charlotte, Minnesota St., and Central Michigan.
Similar to the 2010 spring break trip, the team had a slow start and lost their first two games to Maryland and ECU. They did not have the chance to face the two teams again due to rain.
“We just need to focus on the little things, the little things that come with not being outside,” said senior first baseman and club president Rob Slauch. He also said that being a northern school hinders their ability to practice outside like their southern competition, resulting in slow starts.
The team then traveled to Florida and won their last four games, never allowing the opposing team to score more than two runs.
Slauch credited the team’s success to the rookies, giving praise to freshman right fielder Dale Johnson who had a clutch double during one of the games to take the lead. Another freshman Slauch commended for his leadership role was pitcher Evan Masters. The left-hander pitched PSBC’s final game against Central Michigan (6-2) where he logged four strikeouts in five innings.
“A lot of guys stepped up. I don’t want to say one person was better than another. I thought the pitching on the whole, you could say that the pitching stepped up. We didn’t give up more than four runs in any one game,” coach Bill Lippert said.
Lippert was also happy to see his younger players in action, and said they contributed to the team’s four wins.
Lippert believes the trip went great and that the only changes the team needs to make are to pitch more strikes, to run the bases more efficiently, and to have better judgement of pitches when it comes to hitting.
The team’s previous achievements set the bar high for the spring 2011 season.
“We want to come out and win our conference certainly first and foremost, to get invited to the regional which will give us a chance to go to the World Series,” Lippert said. “We got very far last year and just game up one game short. We expect to play well in conference.”
On Saturday, the team will be hosting conference rival, Pittsburgh, whose 8-7 conference record last year fell second best to Penn State’s 11-1.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/03/17/Club_baseball.aspx
Club baseball eyes spring break trip
By Kristina Helfer
For the Daily Collegian
March 6, 2011
Penn State Division I Baseball Club has reached the NCBA World Series seven times and the NCBA National Title game three times in the past eight years, but has struggled to capture the title of national champions.
Referred to as “The Beasts from the East,” the team appears to be on top of the league every season, but keeps falling short.
This year, the team’s season starts off with a trip down south over spring break when it will finally get time to play outside.
In the past, national title game after national title game, the team has found itself face to face with the powerhouse from the West, Colorado State University. Senior Jesse Zahoran has been to two of those national title games and is ready to see his team finally be ranked No. 1 in the National Club Baseball Association.
Zahoran contributes CSU’s titles to perfect execution and flawless play, but believes his team can finally beat them this season. The previous World Series losses motivate the players and have fueled their fire to win.
Where the team lacks in skill, the players make up for it with their passion and commitment to the game.
“It sounds cliché to say, but words can’t describe what it would mean to me,” Zahoran said.
And his teammates agree with him. Freshman outfielder Dale Johnson said although he probably won’t get a lot of playing time during the season, he’ll still be there to support the seniors in anyway he can, so they can graduate champions.
Coach Bill Lippert said the team’s approach to the season won’t change though numerous important players from last season graduated. Lippert also said keeping the opposing team off the scoreboard by pitching well will win games.
With seven seniors and only two freshmen, the team will lose even more experienced players after this season. Zahoran is worried by the unbalance and hopes the younger players can take over the leadership roles left behind by the graduating seniors.
The team will use its spring break trip as an indicator of whether or not this year’s squad can finally break the mold and become the NCBA National Champions.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/03/01/Club_baseball.aspx
For the Daily Collegian
March 6, 2011
Penn State Division I Baseball Club has reached the NCBA World Series seven times and the NCBA National Title game three times in the past eight years, but has struggled to capture the title of national champions.
Referred to as “The Beasts from the East,” the team appears to be on top of the league every season, but keeps falling short.
This year, the team’s season starts off with a trip down south over spring break when it will finally get time to play outside.
In the past, national title game after national title game, the team has found itself face to face with the powerhouse from the West, Colorado State University. Senior Jesse Zahoran has been to two of those national title games and is ready to see his team finally be ranked No. 1 in the National Club Baseball Association.
Zahoran contributes CSU’s titles to perfect execution and flawless play, but believes his team can finally beat them this season. The previous World Series losses motivate the players and have fueled their fire to win.
Where the team lacks in skill, the players make up for it with their passion and commitment to the game.
“It sounds cliché to say, but words can’t describe what it would mean to me,” Zahoran said.
And his teammates agree with him. Freshman outfielder Dale Johnson said although he probably won’t get a lot of playing time during the season, he’ll still be there to support the seniors in anyway he can, so they can graduate champions.
Coach Bill Lippert said the team’s approach to the season won’t change though numerous important players from last season graduated. Lippert also said keeping the opposing team off the scoreboard by pitching well will win games.
With seven seniors and only two freshmen, the team will lose even more experienced players after this season. Zahoran is worried by the unbalance and hopes the younger players can take over the leadership roles left behind by the graduating seniors.
The team will use its spring break trip as an indicator of whether or not this year’s squad can finally break the mold and become the NCBA National Champions.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/03/01/Club_baseball.aspx
