Fresh off a six RBI game Sunday, State College Spikes designated hitter Kyle Morgan was looking forward to his bass fishing trip Monday with several teammates.
For the first time all season, the Spikes enjoyed a day off from baseball. The Spikes only have two off days in their 76 game schedule, and for the players and coaches, the day is a chance to rest and relax.
"I think our club has worked hard enough to deserve a day, I'm going to give them tomorrow (Monday) off to relax," Spikes manager Gary Robinson said after Sunday's game. "After this we have six days on the road and another long grind before we get another day off."
Robinson said the pitchers would come in to do their normal throwing work, but they would have the rest of the day off.
The position players had the whole day off to themselves to recharge after 24 straight games.
While Morgan and some other players had plans for their day off, they weren't going to worry about baseball.
The break gave the players a chance to step back from the game and enjoy themselves.
"This is going to be a great way just to rest the body, stay off the legs and just rejuvenate for a little bit," Morgan said.
"We've been going all these days in a row plus the time we spent in Florida so its great to have a day to do nothing."
Even though the pitchers have to go through a short workout, the day off benefits them the same as the rest of the team.
Having a chance to leave baseball behind for a day and not have to worry about performing gives allows the athletes to better prepare for their upcoming games.
"They're huge, you can kick back let your mind wander and get it off the game," pitcher Kyle McPherson said. "It's big to get your mind off things and go have a normal life and not have to worry about travel or games."
Morgan said everyone on the team, from the coaches down, is tired from the daily grind, but the team has kept playing hard. While the Spikes have brought their best effort each day, the players are ready to take a break and re-energize.
Though the Spikes are a short-season team, the players have been working and playing almost non-stop since March, when spring training starts. For the college players, their seasons began in January and continued after the MLB draft and through extended spring training.
"There just aren't a lot of built in days off in short season," Robinson said. "So as managers and coaches we have to make sure we don't burn the guys out, that we're working them hard but also working them smart."
