Baseball’s Fan Fest ushers in upcoming season
Rice supporters flocked to Reckling Park for Fan Fest Feb. 2, an event hosted by Rice Athletics to ring in the spring baseball season.
Outside the field, fans enjoyed bouncy houses and food trucks. Inside the park, sponsored tents gave away products like protein chips and energy drinks. Festivities began at 11 a.m. with a question-and-answer session with coaches.
Head coach José Cruz Jr. reflected on the personnel changes over the offseason. He said the team suffered significant losses due tso experienced players transferring out of Rice but also gained several valuable transfers and impact freshmen.
Cruz said he anticipates the new depth in their roster and the strength in relief pitchers will lead to a great season.
Cruz then introduced the rest of his coaching staff, citing their versatility as the “Swiss army knives” of the team. The lineup concluded with volunteer coach Lance Berkman, a new addition to the staff and Cruz’s former teammate with the Owls and Houston Astros.
After the Q&A, the players signed posters for young fans. They then split into two teams and faced off in a friendly scrimmage, though the men wearing white pinstripes took home the win.
The event promoted the upcoming season, which starts Feb. 14 in Ponce at the Puerto Rico Challenge. The tournament, founded to promote Division I baseball to Puerto Rican youth, includes competitive teams from around the country. Rice will play Villanova, Michigan and Virginia over the weekend.
Cruz said that given his Puerto Rican heritage, he suspects the Owls will have a lot of cheering fans in Ponce.
Upon their return to Houston, Rice baseball will face Sam Houston on Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at home.
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