Lock, Stock and Barrel

"You think you can keep us out of Florida? We're moving in lock, stock and barrel. We're gonna be in the pool. We're gonna be in the clubhouse. We're gonna be all over that shuffle board!" - Frank Costanza

A gap of over two weeks between Opening Weekend and your next game isn't exactly ideal - but it's something that the Yellow Jackets have had to deal with since squaring off against Calvin College on March 1st in Florence, KY. The Niners will depart tomorrow evening for their Spring Trip, in Ft. Myers, FL. The Jackets will play seven games after crossing the FGL, starting Mon. March 11th and concluding on Friday the 15th.

Although, it'll be nice to escape the snow-ridden terrain of Northwest Ohio - it is in a sense, a business trip. After all, once the Swarm returns, there will be only four days of down time until DC opens up its home schedule v. Ohio Northern (Tues. 3/19 at 4pm).

Curious as to what's on the Spring Trip checklist? Fear no more.

• Uniform(s)
• Hat/Helmet
• Glove/Equipment, etc.
• Shorts (aka the Trey Trumpower special)
• Sunscreen
• Flip Flops (or the always wonderful pair of Crocs)
• Gator Protection
• Flow / (Hair) Gel
• Not just 1 piece but 16 pieces of Flair
• Coach Klein's phone charger

Make sure you've got everything packed - see you in the sunshine state!

Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.

Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond

Start. The. Bus!

Opening Day is arguably one of baseball's most celebrated [annual] events, and in Northwest Ohio - it is no different. Today (2/28) at 6pm the Defiance College Yellow Jacket baseball team will depart for Florence, Kentucky to kick of its season against regional foe, Calvin College - in a non conference three-game set. The estimated four hour long bus trip will serve as a pre-cursor to the Jackets' haul to Ft. Myers, FL - which comes one week from tomorrow (March 8th).

Although the The George, which was constructed and opened in February 2012, has allowed the Niners to have someplace comfortable to call home during the winter months - the swarm is ready to let loose. And it will do so, starting tomorrow (3/1) with a double header at UC Health Stadium - first pitch is estimated for 12pm EST.

The Jackets' full 2013 regular season schedule can be found at www.DefianceAthletics.com

Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.

Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond

Spring (Training) is Over

One of the great parts about the game of baseball is it can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere and at any time. And as it turns out, Spring Training is no different. Harry Caray said it best, "It's the fans that need spring training. You gotta get 'em interested. Wake 'em up and let 'em know that their season is coming, the good times are gonna roll."

Just as much as these past four weeks have served to aid the Yellow Jacket baseball team in sharpening their skills and getting both their bodies and minds ready for the coming season - it also serves as a reminder that [college] baseball is back. And at least until May, it's here to stay.

The Diamond has put together an official Spring Training wrap up and behind the scenes account of what the Niners encounter on a daily basis. A special 'sneak preview' was shown today to the Jacket faithful at the team's First Pitch Luncheon at Scotty's Club 111. Re-done and set to a different tune, take a look at DC Baseball's Spring Training summary.

Opening Day is less than a week away, on Thursday (2/28) the Niners will depart for Florence, KY to take on a regional opponent - MIAA's Calvin College. Not able to make it down to the Bluegrass State? No problem, live stats can be found at www.DefianceAthletics.com

Also follow the Diamond on Twitter for daily updates of the 2013 season and a continual look inside Defiance College Baseball.

Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.

Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond