2008 Woodie Awards
BASEBALL: Cards sign potential Anna successor
Beals says Issler's glove will be beneficial addition to ballclub
Ryan Wood
When it came time for Cincinnati native Tim Issler to make a decision that would fulfill his lifelong dream of playing Division I baseball, he said he had two potential career paths.
The first was to stay in Ohio and play for Wright State, which plays in the Horizon League. However, Issler said he was attracted to Ball State's academic standing and the chance to play for a program that has experienced much success this decade.
Cardinals coach Greg Beals announced Wednesday Issler's intent to play at Ball State, a signing that could help fill the vacancy left when Dean Anna was drafted by the San Diego Padres following the 2008 season.
After winning the Mid-American Conference in 2005, the Cardinals have failed to provide an encore performance the past two seasons. Issler said he wanted to help lead the program to another conference title and the NCAA Tournament berth that accompanies it.
"I'd say a big part of it is the baseball reputation," Issler said of why he wants to play for Ball State. "I'm really excited about the team. It's a really young team, and coach Beals is really optimistic for the next few years. Hopefully we can get back to the top of the MAC."
Perhaps Ball State's most glaring weakness while posting a 28-25 record in 2008 was in the field. The Cardinals' .953 team fielding percentage was the third-lowest mark in the MAC. Anna finished with a .940 fielding percentage and 16 errors.
Beals said Issler's best asset as a player was his glove, and the new recruit will help solidify Ball State's subpar middle-infield defense.
"It's very exciting to get a player of Tim's caliber," Beals said. "He's a very good defensive player, and that was obviously one of the weakest parts of our team last year. We're looking forward to adding his glove to our ballclub."
Batting in the cleanup position during his senior season at Xavier High School, Issler posted a .426 batting average with nine doubles and 24 RBIs. Despite his good numbers at the plate, Issler said he expects to earn his place in the Cardinals' batting order.
The first was to stay in Ohio and play for Wright State, which plays in the Horizon League. However, Issler said he was attracted to Ball State's academic standing and the chance to play for a program that has experienced much success this decade.
Cardinals coach Greg Beals announced Wednesday Issler's intent to play at Ball State, a signing that could help fill the vacancy left when Dean Anna was drafted by the San Diego Padres following the 2008 season.
After winning the Mid-American Conference in 2005, the Cardinals have failed to provide an encore performance the past two seasons. Issler said he wanted to help lead the program to another conference title and the NCAA Tournament berth that accompanies it.
"I'd say a big part of it is the baseball reputation," Issler said of why he wants to play for Ball State. "I'm really excited about the team. It's a really young team, and coach Beals is really optimistic for the next few years. Hopefully we can get back to the top of the MAC."
Perhaps Ball State's most glaring weakness while posting a 28-25 record in 2008 was in the field. The Cardinals' .953 team fielding percentage was the third-lowest mark in the MAC. Anna finished with a .940 fielding percentage and 16 errors.
Beals said Issler's best asset as a player was his glove, and the new recruit will help solidify Ball State's subpar middle-infield defense.
"It's very exciting to get a player of Tim's caliber," Beals said. "He's a very good defensive player, and that was obviously one of the weakest parts of our team last year. We're looking forward to adding his glove to our ballclub."
Batting in the cleanup position during his senior season at Xavier High School, Issler posted a .426 batting average with nine doubles and 24 RBIs. Despite his good numbers at the plate, Issler said he expects to earn his place in the Cardinals' batting order.
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