Baylor Bears start fall Practice!

The players are lacing up their cleats. The leather mitts are popping from blazing fastballs. The ping from the impact made on aluminum bats echoes across the street.

Fall baseball practice has arrived for Baylor, and although most of the team still hasn't had much of a break from the game since spring practice started late last January, the Bears are back on the diamond preparing to contend for their first College World Series appearance since 2005.

Baylor will return six starting position players and a deep pitching rotation for the 2008 season.

But head coach Steve Smith said the fall is an important time to evaluate the incoming freshman class as well as the progression of his returning players after summer leagues at various locations across the country.

"Obviously we have a lot of new guys," Smith said. "We get a chance to see them up close and personal, so there is a lot of evaluation going on. A lot of the teaching going on for the guys is much of a review since we have so many returning players."

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