Fall baseball practice is usually a time of change and transition, adjusting to incoming freshman and transfer players.
This year, the team must adapt to a new coaching staff as well.
In June, an assitant coach at Clemson University, Kevin O'Sullivan, was hired as the new head coach for the UF baseball program.
"Coming in as a new coach, there's obviously a lot of excitement on my end of it and a little apprehension as well," O'Sullivan said. "There are a lot of changes taking place, not only with your job, but with moving and all of those types of things."
"But we've got some great leadership on our team, which has made our transition a lot easier, a lot of good kids," he said. "I think it's gone as good as it could go."
During fall practice, O'Sullivan's goals are to get to know the guys personally, both on and off the field, and to build team chemistry, he said.
Once the regular season arrives in spring, starting with a Feb. 22 season opener, O'Sullivan's goal every year will be to win a national championship, he said.
O'Sullivan went to the national championship three times with Clemson.As far as the UF is concerned, he likes the team chemistry and leadership. The players are as excited about this season as he is, he said.
"The kids are hungry and wanting to get back to postseason," he said. "So hopefully everything will fall into place, and we'll be able to get back to postseason and see what happens."
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