Jan. 28, 2010
By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Part eight of UCFAthletics.com's feature on this year's newcomers focuses on Chris Taladay and Alex Besaw.
#20 Chris Taladay - C/IF - Fr. - 6-0, 205 - Windermere, Fla./Olympia
Q: What is your first memory of playing baseball growing up?
- Being able to hit in my backyard with my dad.
Q: Is there a game you played in that you remember the most?
- Winning the Orlando Baseball Classic.
Q: What have you enjoyed the most so far about being at UCF?
- Being able to play baseball.
Q: What would be the one place or thing you want to visit before you die?
- Outer space.
Q: Is there anything you have to do before a game, such as any pregame rituals?
- I eat buttered pasta the night before a game.
Q: Growing up, what was your video game of choice, as well as your favorite place to go as a kid?
- 007 Golden Eye, and going to hangout at the field.
Q: What do you prefer watching: Top Chef, 24, American Idol, Price is Right, Deadliest Catch, The Office?
- Price is Right because I'm good with money.
Q: If someone was making a movie about your life, who would you want to play yourself?
- Larry the cable guy.
Q: What would be the one thing you would wait in line overnight to have?
- Anything over $100.
Q: Tell us one thing you would like people to know about you.
- I like classic and custom cars.
#30 Alex Besaw - RHP - Jr. - 6-1, 220 - Eugene, Ore./Skagit Valley CC
Q: What is your first memory of playing baseball growing up?
- It probably had to be tee ball. I remember the times where I was the last hitter of an inning and the coach would always tell me to just keep running no matter what. I would hit it as far as I could and always go for the inside the park home run.
Q: Is there a game you played in that you remember the most?
- I was a freshmen in high school starting at second base on the varsity team and we upset the #1 team in state and finished the year 14-2.
Q: What have you enjoyed the most so far about being at UCF?
- I like everything about UCF so far this year. But one thing that is great is that this is the first year for me playing baseball in really nice weather. It's a little different where I come from considering that it rains about nine months of the year back in Oregon. I also like just hanging out with the team on and off the field, we're always having a good time together.
Q: If you won a trip to see a game at any ballpark in the country, where would go and why?
- It would have to be Fenway Park because I have been there before when I was 12 and the experience of the game and the people was awesome. I would like to go back since I am older now.
Q: What would be the one place or thing you want to visit before you die?
- I would like to go to Hollywood and go on the set of different sitcoms and movies and see the actors in action and how it all works behind the scenes.
Q: Is there anything you have to do before a game, such as any pregame rituals?
- I don't do anything superstitious really but I like to keep to myself I guess. One thing that I do though during the day is visualize myself on the mound in my mind. I visualize myself in different competitive scenarios and always dominating the hitters.
Q: Growing up, what was your video game of choice, as well as your favorite place to go as a kid?
- I remember playing Madden Football '92 a bit, as well as Diddy Kong Racing and Mario Kart. My favorite place to go as a kid was anywhere that my summer ball team took my family. When I was 12 we played in the Babe Ruth World Series in Indiana, and then when I was 14 we traveled to Boston to play in another world series. My summers always consisted of long car rides with my family.
Q: What do you prefer watching: Top Chef, 24, American Idol, Price is Right, Deadliest Catch, The Office?
- I like watching the auditions of American Idol just because people with no talent think they are the best because their family says so. The Office is great as well but I never miss a show of The King of Queens, Kevin James is the best actor around.
Q: What reality show would you like to be on the most?
- The ESPN show Dream Job seemed like it would have been fun.
Q: If someone was making a movie about your life, who would you want to play yourself?
- I had the chance to meet Kevin Costner once and we were able to talk baseball for a little bit so I would say he's a pretty good fit.
Q: What would be the one thing you would wait in line overnight to have?
- Waiting overnight just doesn't sound like a good time, I don't see myself wanting something that much.
Q: Tell us one thing you would like people to know about you.
- This being my third school in my third year, I think back to when I was in high school and i could have never imagined playing college baseball in Florida, but I think the route that I have taken to get here was the best for me and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Meal tickets for Saturday's Fan Fest, and season tickets for the 2010 campaign are already on sale. The Knights will play 36 games at home this year including Opening Day Feb. 19, and reserved chairbacks are just $199, while reserved bleachers seats are only $150. Faculty/staff, youth and senior season tickets are $99. To purchase tickets, call 407-823-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com.