Jamie D'Antona Chat Wrap

April 11, 2002

Tommy at Wake Forest: Jamie: You've hit some incredibly far home runs. Two questions: 1) Which do you think went the farthest? 2) What's been the most memorable home run of your career?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:39 AM ET ) Probably between this past Sunday against a pitcher from North Carolina or the home runs against Tennessee Tech in the regional. The most memorable one was the first one against Central Florida because that was my first one in college.

Chad Trumbull, CT: Hey, I am a sophomore catcher at your former school Trumbull High and I want to know how much work it took you to get where you are now. I want to know what exercises and drills to concentrate on in the gym as well as on the field to have explosive hitting. I am told that I have potential to play division 1 ball and I really want to get better and pretty much be like you or close to it. Thanks.

Jamie D'Antona: (10:42 AM ET ) In high school I worked 33 hours a week in the batting cage and pretty much hit for 30 of those hours. You need constant repetition. We work in the weight room on squats, lunges, and mostly lower body because more power hitting is done through legs. Time in the batting cage and understanding your own swing will help.

Frank (Trumbull): Just wanted you to know Jamie that we're all rooting for the Demon Deacons and you. What's the biggest difference you notice between Trumbull baseball and baseball at Wake?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:44 AM ET ) Thank you for rooting for the Demon Deacons. Trumbull has had a very big tradition in baseball and the ACC has had the same. Now Wake Forest is having the same luck. Here we are playing more of a national forum of the best players. Exposure is more intense and the people I am working with seem to love the game just as much as I do. Both have been great experiences, but different in their own ways.

Sally (Winston-Salem): Go Deacs!!!!! What do you attribute Wake's incredible season to thus far?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:45 AM ET ) Everybody helping out all times, no one has been the big name this year. The team has gelled on and off the field very quickly. Everyone knows their role and what to do individually and that has helped out the team.

Jim (Davidson): I miss seeing you at first doing those amazing splits and scoops. Which do you like better - playing first or playing third - and why?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:46 AM ET ) Love playing third base. It has been a position that I have played for a long time. I like to use my arm and throw. I feel like I am more in the game at third. But when it comes to just playing, I would play anywhere.

Tony: I heard that you went to Alaska last summer to play baseball (how weird is that!!) Any comments on your experience there?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:47 AM ET ) It was a great experience. My host family was wonderful. They gave me every opportunity to experience Alaska. My teammates were extremely talented and the league was very competitive. It is a place I would love to go back to and vacation because it is beautiful scenery wise and the fishing was excellent.

Mike Klimas(Phoenix): Congratulations on an oustanding Freshman year and continued success this year and for years to come. You deserve it. Where do you plan to playi this summer? Does the Wake Forest Baseball team have any plans to travel West in the next two years?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:49 AM ET ) As of right now, I am playing with the Chatham A.s in the Cape Cod League this summer and we actually are going to go play in Minnesota next spring instead of going to Rice this year.

Blayne(Raleigh): Jamie, how do you feel this team compares to the last three Wake Forest ACC championship teams? Do you think ya'll can win your 4th title in 5 years with such a competitive conference?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:51 AM ET ) I would say this team is just as good. We are young, but we are playing very good baseball right now. There is always a chance for us to win the ACC Tournament. You have to beat the best to be the best. Clemson, FSU, Georgia Tech, UNC and everyone in our conference have shown that they.re the best.

Brad (Indy): Hello, Jamie who did you idolize the most growing up, and did you try to modle your game after them, and do you still? Thanks!

Jamie D'Antona: (10:52 AM ET ) I didn.t watch baseball that much when I was growing up. Pretty much whenever I went to do anything with baseball my father always came and he was a big influence on me.

Ben(Rhode Island): Hi Jamie, I wll be playing for an old team of yours this summer and Coach Kennedy says I have big shoes to fill. I will be the 3rd Baseman for Team Connecticut. Any suggestions or advice for playing the schedule and/or playing for coach Kennedy

Jamie D'Antona: (10:55 AM ET ) Get on Coach Kennedy.s good side. That has been the best team that I have ever played for until I got here. Anybody thinking about playing ball after high school in the Northeast needs to play for someone like Coach Kennedy and an organization like Team Connecticut.

Sue: How did you end up at Wake Forest? I know you are from Connecticut.

Jamie D'Antona: (10:56 AM ET ) I always wanted to go down South because I am not a big fan of the winter. I wanted to go some place warmer.

Carlos D.(Norwalk ct): Hey Jamie, when do you think you will be coming home. Maybe You can come down to Triple crown and break the cage again LOL. Im glad your doing well buddy ,)

Jamie D'Antona: (10:57 AM ET ) Hopefully I will be home after we go to the College World Series and I will definitely give you and your family a call after that.

Terry (Winter Springs, FL): Who would you say has been your toughest opponent so far this season and why?

Jamie D'Antona: (10:58 AM ET ) Probably Rice. Their team is just incredible for talent. Anybody in their lineup can hit for power and average at the same time. Their pitching staff is pretty good and one of the better ones we.ve seen. They are very offensive.

Todd: Is it hard to balance the athletics and academics at a school like Wake?

Jamie D'Antona: (11:00 AM ET ) Yes! I.ve had tests the last two days and playing ball at a division I school like Wake is pretty much a full time job, so it is extremely difficult to balance academics, athletics and to try and maintain somewhat of a social schedule.

Rochester Hills, MI: With fishing your favorite relaxation off the field, will you be able to find any time to tackle the walleyes on Crooked Lake this summer?

Jamie D'Antona: (11:02 AM ET ) Hopefully I will be able to get up there sometime this summer. I miss the days that I was able to go out on that lake and be with the whole family.

Carlos D.(Norwalk ct): Hey Jamie, What would you say would be the biggest difference between High school(or AAU) ball and D1 ball?

Jamie D'Antona: (11:05 AM ET ) Probably the overall abilities of the team. High school you usually had a couple of kids that could play well and in AAU that percentage was higher. But in division I and especially the ACC it is the best people that you can find. It is more intense and more pressure and there is more of a higher level atmosphere.

Kyle (Princeton, NJ): Good job this year so far, man. My question is: How did going to Team One at Notre Dame help you? Is that where Wake Forest noticed you?

Jamie D'Antona: (11:06 AM ET ) That is where coaches were finally able to see me play. Going to Team One or Area Code whichever one you go to is a glimpse of what kind of talent that Wake Forest and the ACC see everyday.

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