New ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith takes notes while assistant coach Ben Greenspan looks on. The Sun Devils held their first official practice Monday afternoon at Packard Stadium. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)ASU baseball began its first official practice open to fans and media Monday afternoon, giving fans a chance to watch the Sun Devils practice at Packard Stadium before moving across Tempe Town Lake to Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The team, led by new head coach Tracy Smith, was working on pitcher infield practice and also ran through a series of outfield drills before transitioning to footwork and base running.
The catchers, including sophomore Brian Serven and junior RJ Ybarra, were dressed in full gear and split reps in Monday's practice.
Junior Jordan Aboites was at shortstop and sophomore Colby Woodmansee, who became the starter when Drew Stankiewicz suffered an injury, was opposite him at second base.
The ASU baseball team huddles around head coach Tracy Smith at the pitcher's mound at Packard Stadium during a break in Monday afternoon's practice. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)Out at @ASU_Baseball's first Fall practice. @ASUSkip rocking the Graham-style bucket hat: pic.twitter.com/1HGgIDmm9L
— Stefan Modrich (@StefanJModrich) October 20, 2014
Additional notes:
— Per SID Thomas Lenneberg, the annual Halloween Scrimmage tradition is being replaced with a best-of-five "Maroon and Gold World Series."
— Fall practices will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Packard Stadium from Oct. 20 - 25, Oct. 27 - 31, Nov. 2 - 7, and Nov. 9 - 15.
— The Maroon and Gold World Series is scheduled for Nov. 17, 18 and 20, and Nov. 22 and 23 if necessary, at Phoenix Muni.
Reach the assistant sports editor at smodrich@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @StefanJModrich
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