April 11, 2002
Moderator: (3:58 PM ET ) San Diego State junior left-handed pitcher Royce Ring will be joining us shortly, please
continue to use the form below to submit your questions.
San Diego: With Tony Gwynn coaching next season and a lot of talented players coming in, how close/far are the Aztecs from becoming a "powerhouse" like Cal State Fullerton?
Royce Ring: (3:59 PM ET ) I think we're no more than 2-3 years away. We've already signed some good prospects with him being named the next head baseball coach.
steve burt /bermuda dunes: Royce, when you go up 0-2 on a batter and you think you can over power the guy do you automatically waste a pitch or try to put 3 in a row past him?
Royce Ring: (4:01 PM ET ) Depends on the type of hitter it is and where he is hitting in the lineup. The third pitch I'll look to throw to a location and perhaps get a call.
Adam Streltzer (Santa Monica, CA): Royce, thinking about the recent 3 game sweep of the University of New Mexico, did the team have a big offensive production solely as a result of a general emotional response to the sudden illness of Coach Dietz or do you think the team was just finally ready for an offensive explosion?
Royce Ring: (4:03 PM ET ) We feel we're still capable of scoring more runs, with or without Coach Dietz. We feel the New Mexico series was probably one of the best we've played this year. We feel we've still got more in the tank.
Joshua Jones, La Quinta CA: Royce,
Why did you decide not to sign with Cleveland when you were drafted out of high school?
Royce Ring: (4:04 PM ET ) One reason is I was drafted in the 41st round. It was a draft and follow. They wanted me to go to junior college first and then follow my progress. I got an offer to play DI baseball here and decided that was what was best for me.
Tim (Belmont): First off, I wanted to say congratulations on your success as a San Diego State Aztec. I was just wondering, who would you compare your closer mentality to (either past or present)? And do you have any superstitions or rituals that you perform before pitching?
Royce Ring: (4:06 PM ET ) I think most closers in the major leagues have the same mentality. Prepare and focus yourself for one inning, 1-2-3.
I don't really have any superstitions.
george(Tempe): hey Snacks, any chance you're going to get another shot at DH.
Royce Ring: (4:07 PM ET ) Actually I think I am shut down for the year, hitting wise. Hitting is done for me. We all wish we could hit forever but I have to give it up.
RodgerD: How has Jim Dietz's recent health problems affected the team?
Royce Ring: (4:08 PM ET ) I don't think it really has. We're going to play the same day-in and day-out with or without him. We hope he comes back soon and watches us succeed.
sdsufan: sdsu has used a few catchers this year, do you have a preference on who you throw to? why did manfred sit for so long?
Royce Ring: (4:09 PM ET ) Brian Manfred has been here for four or five years and he is really solid defensively behind the dish. I like a bigger catcher to throw to and he is by far our biggest catcher. Plus he is still hitting well.
tom seattle: when you lose a game are you hard on yourself or do you learn from your mistakes? how about teammates, coaches, etc...
Royce Ring: (4:10 PM ET ) When you're a closer and you don't close a game or lose a game you feel kind of bad that you let your teammates down. But you have to have the ability to bounce back.
Michelle (San Diego): Which is the hardest park to play in?
Royce Ring: (4:12 PM ET ) It changes. We had trouble at BYU. They always find a way to get a runner on base. It's almost impossible to go through a flawless game there.
tom seattle: after you give up a home run, do you try to comeback and get a strike or to get the guy to swing at a bad pitch?
Royce Ring: (4:14 PM ET ) I like to go after hitters and challenge them regardless of who it is. I think a sign of a good pitcher is if he can bounce back and try and get the next hitter out.
tom seattle: What advice do you have for a possible high school draft pick in deciding on whether to make the jump or go to college?
Royce Ring: (4:16 PM ET ) Back in high school I wasn't really into going to college I wanted to play ball. Going to college is one of the best things you can do. You learn a lot and mature a lot in college. You never know when you might get hurt so it's good to have school to fall back onto.
Brent (Atlanta): How would you pitch to Barry Bonds?
Royce Ring: (4:18 PM ET ) Truthfully I've been thinking about that. I would try to pound him up and in like everyone else tries to do or maybe just throw it down the middle and see if he can hit it. He is an unbelievable hitter.
Royce Ring: (4:19 PM ET ) Thanks for all the great questions, gotta get to practice
