Q&A With Husky Catcher Matt Lane
January 24, 2006 | Baseball
Jan. 24, 2006
The 2006 college baseball season is just about to get underway and the Diamond Dawgs hit the field last week for practice.
GoHuskies.com took a moment to talk with junior Matt Lane. Lane, the Huskies' catcher from Port Angeles, Wash., hurt his knee midway through last season after getting off to a good start. Now, he's recovered and ready to roll, whether behind the plate, at first base or as the designated hitter.
Over the next few weeks, prior to the Huskies' season opener Feb. 10 at New Mexico State, we'll periodically chat with a number of Husky players.
Here's what Matt had to say:
gohuskies.com: How's it been, being out here on the field for practice?
Matt Lane: It's been really nice getting out here. Last year, they were installing the new turf when we first got started, so we had to go practice other places. We didn't think we'd be able to get out here after only two days in the Dempsey Indoor. We expected to have to be in there for at least a week, but we've been really fortunate with the good weather.
gh.com: Does being outside make a big difference in what you can get done?
ML: Oh, it makes a huge difference. We've been able to do everything, from outfield cuts and relays to live defense with a full outfield to a bunch of live scrimmages.
gh.com: Tell us how you're doing health-wise. How's the knee?
ML: I'm a hundred percent now. It hasn't bothered me in a long time. I've been working hard in the offseason to get back in shape and everything. Hopefully, it's holds up, but it's been fine so far.
gh.com: Not being able to catch last season, you were able to play some first base. Was that a good thing?
ML: I played first all summer. That was a great opportunity to play another position since I wasn't able to catch. I had to do something. I don't know how much first base I'll be playing down here. Curt Rindal's there and he's a really good first baseman. It's basically up to the coaches as far as how much they utilize me there.
gh.com: You played summer ball in Fairbanks, Alaska. That must have been an interesting experience.
ML: I loved Alaska. Matt Kasser and I were roommates again for another summer. We had a great time. We had a good coach, a good team and a good group of guys. Playing in that league was an experience. It's a solid league. I'd never been to Alaska before and it was a lot of fun playing in that Midnight Sun game.
gh.com: So, they say that sometimes it's hard to get to sleep in Alaska in the summer, just because it's light all the time.
ML: It's true. Kasser and I would go to the video store about 10 o'clock after the games. We'd rent three movies and watch them until three in the morning and the sun would still be out. It'd set for 30 minutes and then come back up at 4 o'clock. It was tough to get to sleep.
gh.com: What are your impressions of this year's Husky team so far?
ML: Everybody's working hard. We know we have to work hard because we kind of dug ourselves into a ditch last season. This year, everybody's bought into the system and they're all playing for the team first. I like that a lot. It's how we should all play.
