J.J. Brock assists in all aspects of the UT program, but his main responsibility is working with the infielders.

TOLEDO, OH - J.J. Brock is in his third season as an assistant coach on the Toledo baseball staff. Brock assists in all aspects of the program, but his main responsibility is working with the infielders. He also helps coordinate the Rockets' diverse offering of baseball camps.

"Coach Brock made an immediate impact working with our infielders," Head Coach Cory Mee said. "We ranked as one of the best teams in the nation last year in turning double plays. I think that was a direct result of his efforts in working with our players up the middle."

In Brock's first year, Toledo ranked 12th in the nation, averaging 1.15 double plays per game. UT turned a school-record 62 double plays in 2005, besting the previous mark of 58 set during the 2002 season.

Brock sat down with Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director Brian DeBenedictis to discuss his role with the program and pitching.

Q: As an assistant baseball coach for the Rockets, could you describe some of your most important responsibilities?

Brock: I have different responsibilities, ranging from academic monitoring to camps and recruiting. But when it comes to working with the players, I am the infield coach, third base coach and I assist with coaching the hitters and baserunners.

Q: What is your infield philosophy?

Brock: I like to explain to our guys that the infield is the book cover of our team. When fans come to the ballpark, we want them to see energy and enthusiasm on our infield. With that excitement, we also have three keys to success: communication, control and making the play. If we communicate well, everyone is tuned into the ballgame and knows where to be and what to do. To be honest this is an area that needs to be improved from last year, and I feel that we are getting better. As the infielders gain more confidence, their communication skills will continue to improve. Control is the next key, and it refers to both the mental and physical sides. An example of this is avoiding off-balance throws. Making the play is the final key for us. We work on being technically sound on ground balls and other plays, but when it comes down to it, all that matters is that we get the out. So it's okay to improvise and be creative. Lastly, we want to be aggressive. I believe that more plays are made by being aggressive. We want the mindset of attacking every ground ball.

Q: How do you use your practice time to develop the skills of your infielders?

Brock: I'm able to spend a lot of time working individually with each infielder. We isolate the hands with a series of glove drills, and work on the fundamentals of each position. In particular, we practice turning double plays nearly everyday. I believe that consistent practice is one of the reasons we were 12th in the country in double plays during the 2005 season. We also try to break things down. We'll start with the basics and progress into more complicated techniques. Most importantly, I think the guys appreciate being able to spend time working on their skills individually or in small groups.

Q: Jason Watson was a tremendous shortstop for you last year. How do you replace him?

Brock: After losing Jason, our biggest concern on the infield was the shortstop position. Day after day in the fall, Jake Oester answered that question. Not only was he consistent, he also showed good range. In my opinion, Jake was able to make a smooth transition to shortstop because of a dedication to improving his agility and a willingness to learn a somewhat different strategy on ground balls. I'm excited to see Jake lead the infield.

Q: Can you comment on Scott Boley's development as a third baseman?

Brock: Scott has worked hard to become a very good third baseman. He has great arm strength, range, quickness and athleticism, all of which enable him to make outstanding plays. He's also as good as I've seen fielding the slow roller. We've worked on staying low and making the right quick decisions on ground balls and hot shots since third base is such a reactionary position. I see many similarities between Scott and another player that I have had the privilege of coaching, Mark Teahen, the starting third baseman for the Kansas City Royals last year. One of the things that made Mark such a good player was his consistency. I believe Scott will have a great year for us because he is becoming more and more consistent every day.

Q: How have the two freshmen infielders adjusted this fall to the college game?

Brock: Our freshman infielders give us great hope for the future. Tim Krofcheck, a high school shortstop, learned how to play second base very well. He showed tremendous range this fall, and developed a feel for throwing from different arm angles. He is also much improved at turning two from second base. We knew he would be an offensive threat, but Tim also showed that he will be an outstanding defensive player as well. Another freshman Ryan Satterlee showed that he can play different positions because he has a great feel for the game. Ryan became more aggressive on plays this fall which will help him adapt to a quicker college game. He has naturally quick feet, but is using them more effectively now. The new aggressiveness will help the strength, accuracy and health of his arm. I think Ryan's versatility will really help us this year.

Q: Josh Colliver appears to be settling in at first base. Can you comment on Josh and your work with him this fall?

Brock: Within the last year, Josh has converted from being a catcher to a first baseman. He is such a good athlete that the transition has been a smooth one. One dimension Josh brings to first base is his great range. Also, our infielders would say they enjoy throwing to a tall first baseman. Josh Colliver is just that. However, it's ironic because this fall Josh has worked at staying low and working from the ground up. Especially for Josh, since he is 6-foot-6, working close to the ground helps him with his footwork around the bag. So we've addressed that area, and he has really improved. Josh also plays the game the right way. Plus he is eager to learn something new every day, which makes my job that much easier.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about the infield or the team?

Brock: Yes, I'd like to comment on the leadership of Ryan Laude. One of our captains, Ryan has shown to be unselfish in his role on the team and as an infield leader. Whether he is playing first base, second base or in the lineup as the designated hitter, Ryan is going to help those around him. It's that unselfish attitude that promotes great chemistry for the team. Lastly, I've enjoyed working with the infielders throughout the fall, and I'm looking forward to seeing the practice pay off this spring. Like every season, we'll need to handle adversity. But I feel confident that the personalities of our infielders will help us stay consistent and make a big difference.