The green grass and blue skies are calling.

With the regular season just around the corner, the Penn State baseball team can hardly wait to lace up the spikes again. While visions of Big Ten championships are still bright in each player's eye, the realization of that dream will require a strong effort on the part of the infield.

Leading the charge will be senior second baseman Mike DeRenzo, who begins his final season in blue and white as a tri-captain and go-to guy. Penn State coach Joe Hindelang said last year's third-team All-Big Ten second baseman brings an immeasurable amount to the lineup.

"He brings a tremendous amount and solidifies the infield at that position," Hindelang said. "He's all business when he steps on the field."

DeRenzo, who started all 53 games for the Nittany Lions last year, comes off a season in which he hit .355, scored 52 runs -- the most of any Penn State player -- and had a .949 fielding percentage. However, the two-time first-team Verizon Academic All-America selection says the stats don't mean a thing without the trophy.

"I definitely want the Big Ten Championship," DeRenzo said. "This being my last year, I only have one more shot to get that."

While one part of the double play combination is set, the shortstop position is still up for grabs. Tentatively, fifth-year senior Willie Melendez beat out sophomore Mike Milliron for the starting spot, but both say that could change at any minute.

"[The coaches] strive to have a consistent shortstop, but they do give everyone a shot," Melendez said. "We want a team out there that's going to get it done today."

Milliron, who has been battling a sprained left shoulder for the past 10 days that has kept him out of batting practice, started 46 games in his first season of collegiate baseball last year, but hit only .216. No matter who sees the most innings at the position, Hindelang said it's crucial to make the routine plays.

Perhaps the key component to the infield this year will be first baseman Clint Eury, who started 46 games last season as a freshman. Possibly the strongest fielder in the infield, Eury made only three errors in 395 chances last year for a .992 fielding percentage, highest among anyone with more than 15 chances.

Another question arises on the hot corner, where junior Adam Warchal is slated as the starter. In the fall baseball season, Warchal moved from the outfield to third base at Hindelang's request, and was a natural fit.

"We asked him at the beginning in fall if he could do a good job at third, it would help un-muddy the water," Hindelang said. "Just his strength of arm, he has the athletic ability to play the infield."

Another interesting twist this weekend will be switching from the manicured astro-turf of Holuba Hall -- to which the team has been confined due to the cold weather and snow -- to the grass and dirt of the infield. It was a problem last season for the Lions, who made nine team errors in two season-opening games at Norfolk State. It's the combination of several factors, including the white backdrop of the walls, the true bounces off the turf and the lack of wind.

However, the group isn't worried. The players say that fielding will definitely be a strength for them this season and that they always strive to get better.

"We just want to say, as a unit, the Penn State infield -- those guys get it done," Melendez said.

There's only one place to get it done -- on the field. This weekend, they'll get their chance.