After the busy week over Spring Break with travel and games, this week has been a little more routine than most.

However, our team did get a little extra time off this week, which left us with some time off the field to get various things done. Some of us spend our time away from the field on school work, sleeping, doing laundry or just relaxing. A day off from baseball is used to rejuvenate our bodies and rest. I used my days off to catch up on school, do some laundry and get my hair cut.

I have been long overdue for getting my hair cut. You could say I am about two months overdue. I'm not a big fan of haircuts, so I had my girlfriend help me find a place to get it done. On Tuesday, my girlfriend Sarah took me to the place that she gets her hair done. I didn't want to pay too much for a haircut; I'm a college student who would rather spend my money on other things.

I did it... and didn't like it at all.  Sarah predicted the price to be around $20-$30.  I ended paying $60 for my haircut, and I was more than a little upset! I don't spend $60 on anything; I don't have any money. From now on I'm going to find someone on the team who can cut my hair. It may not be done well, but I can pay them off in sunflower seeds instead...

Coach Murphy regulates how long our hair gets by assigning four guys from the team to the "Fashion Committee." This committee is made up of four representatives, one from each class. If the committee agrees that a player has too long of hair, they will nominate him to get a haircut while sitting on home plate. It was good timing for me to cut my long hair; I had a feeling that I was close to grabbing a seat at the plate.

Coincidentally, the day after I got my hair butchered for 60 bucks, our freshman team manager, Brady Stern, received a free haircut at home plate. We made sure we gave him a good cut. He didn't like it too much, but he sure looks good now with a shaved head. Our team likes to have fun like this with each other. We are all a bunch of kids at heart.

Back on the field, we face Penn State this weekend at home. It's our final non-conference weekend before Pac-10 play starts next week against Washington State. Our team is good right now, but we're looking to become great.  The Penn State series will be a great opportunity for us to continue to get closer playing as a team. 

I think at this point in the season, we're getting comfortable with our roles and playing with one another. The young guys are also settling in and realizing how important their contributions are. I enjoy watching the team dynamic develop as the season goes on and seeing the freshman start to "get it."  I really like this team and I'm excited about our journey.

Go Devils!

Joe Pa

(photo courtesy of Arizona State Media Relations Office)