Wow, it’s cold out here, Ritch Price thought on a blustery day in January. Price, Kansas’ first-year baseball coach, thought he knew what January weather felt like.
In California, it was in the 70s and sunny. In Oregon, it was a little damp, but still tolerable. In Texas, it was downright hot.
Price, in a way, wished he could go back to those places — sites of his old jobs — for just a moment to warm up, but then he remembered where he was.
He was just outside the Kansas dugout at Hoglund Ballpark, staring his shivering players in the eyes. His players were fidgeting, almost praying to hear the words, “Go home. Practice is off.” But they wouldn’t be going, even if Price couldn’t feel his fingers or toes.
“Come on, guys. I’m from California,” Price beckoned on that 25-degree day. “If I can be out here you guys better be with me.”
Price’s Jayhawks may not have accomplished much that day, but the message was clear. Their coach meant business. And so far, that determination has led to unfathomable results. Kansas swept College World Series regular Louisiana State, unexpectedly tossing it into the national ratings at No. 21.
Maybe, just maybe, Price has stumbled across a sleeping giant that required only a boost of confidence, a sense of pride that has been absent in the Kansas baseball program for years.
“I remember when I first met with the team, that they were just real down on themselves,” Price said. “They had no confidence. After having so many losing seasons in a row, they just expected to lose. We wanted to change that around.”
Price has done that and then some. Athletics Director Al Bohl hit a grand slam in luring Price to Kansas from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. In Price, he got the ultimate baseball man, mixed with the ultimate teacher.
Baseball is Price’s love. His eyes light up and his voice perks throughout any baseball-related conversation.
His coaching career began during his collegiate summers, when he coached his former American Legion team.
Then, Price paid his dues. He coached at the high school level in Oregon and Texas. He turned around two junior college programs in California, and, at his most recent job, transformed Cal Poly from a Division II nobody to a Division I NCAA-Tournament caliber program.
All along, Price soaked in as much baseball knowledge as possible. The result is a baseball genius. Price has a plan for every part of baseball.
Hitting approaches. Recruiting. Mental improvement. Scholarship allotment. Game strategy — you name it.
So when this baseball guru speaks confidently that this weekend was no fluke, one is almost forced to believe him. He boasts of his team’s speed, clutch hitting and gutsy pitching.
And he marvels at the relationship that has formed with his team, as do his players.
“He’s such a player’s coach,” senior pitcher and outfielder Kevin Wheeler said. “Everything that he does is to try to make us better.”
That’s all the Kansas baseball players ever required. They needed a coach that believed in them at all costs and put their interests first.
By that account, Price already has earned his team’s respect, even if that means practicing in weather Price still can’t believe exists.
