UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Within a few weeks, Rick Sofield will switch gears and get ready for spring training, but Friday night he looked out into a crowded banquet room and delivered a message similar to the one he shares with Pirates players.
At Penn State baseball’s annual first-pitch dinner, the Pirates’ third-base coach served as the keynote speaker. He challenged manager Rob Cooper’s team to come ready with a disciplined approach so the group of 18-22-year-olds won’t end their season with regret. The Nittany Lions finished 18-30 a year ago and went 6-16 in the Big Ten Conference, but they look to continue building and traveled to Cuba on Thanksgiving break for an academic and athletic experience.