Q&A With Husky Outfielder Nick Burnham
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. After spending a couple of days in the Dempsey Indoor practice facility, the Huskies have been able to get outdoors at Husky Ballpark the last week or so.
GoHuskies.com took a moment to talk with senior Nick Burnham. The fleet-footed outfielder from Bellevue's Eastside Catholic High is in his fourth year on the team and, always a team leader, has seen his role increase even more in that regard.
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 Nick had to say:
gohuskies.com: You must be happy that the weather has cooperated enough that you've been able to practice outdoors quite a bit?
Nick Burnham: It brings up the tempo of the game. Indoors, you can only get things going so quickly. Out here though, we can do everything live -- infielders, outfielders. We do a lot of defensive work and inside, it's not the same.
gh.com: Have you been surprised that you've been able to get outside this much, considering it's still January?
NB: Yeah, really surprised, especially with how tough the winter has been this year. It seems like as soon as we started practicing, it cleared up. I can't complain at all.
gh.com: As a guy that's been around, what's your impression of the makeup of this team?
NB: Everyone is going to say that we're young, but the young guys are catching on really quickly. We've got a lot of older guys who know what they're doing and can show them the ropes. I think the younger players have done a great job of picking it up and working really hard.
gh.com: You've been looked at as a leader in past seasons, but now that you're actually a senior, having you specifically thought about taking an even larger role?
NB: Definitely. Sometimes before, when maybe you wouldn't say something, this is now the time to say something. You're old enough that everyone looks up to you. You're kind of a guy that when people have a problem, they come to you.
gh.com: Changing the subject, as a former high school football player and a Seattle-area guy, did you get to see the Seahawks game on Sunday?
NB: Oh yeah, I was there. It was awesome. It was unbelievable. It reminded me of Husky football games when I was a kid when my family had season tickets. It was loud and crazy.
gh.com: So, does that mean you might skip a practice or two to go to the Super Bowl?
NB: I don't think so. It's funny. My mom actually asked me yesterday what the odds of me getting out of practice to go would be. I told her there were no odds.
