UM baseball practice starts in bad weather

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

After almost four months on the job, Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco is finally on the field with his players.

Forty-three players reported to the first day of fall baseball practice at Ole Miss Monday afternoon, under Bianco's direction.

The Rebels went through a 2 1/2 hour workout at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field, focusing mainly on fundamentals. However, due to wet field conditions following rain in the Oxford area Sunday evening, Ole Miss was not able to work on the infield as much as Bianco would have liked.

Still, the Rebels' first-year coach was pleased with Monday's practice.

"The first day went well and we had a lot of enthusiasm," Bianco said. "You expect a lot of excitement the first day. We didn't get to do as much as we would have liked on the infield because of the field conditions. However, I still think we had a productive day.

"It was definitely a learning day. We have returning players but we don't have anybody that is a veteran of our system."

Ole Miss will go through five weeks of fall practice. The Rebels will hold their first intra-squad scrimmage Saturday at Swayze Field.

Bianco was hired on June 7 after serving three years as the head coach at McNeese State. He compiled a three-year mark of 100-71 with the Cowboys, and led them to an appearance in the 2000 NCAA Regionals.

Ole Miss is coming off a 30-25 season, the Rebels' third straight 30-win campaign, and has 19 returning players.