The development of a college baseball player centers a lot around things they learn on campus. While a lot of emphasis heading into the spring is what happened during fall baseball, many Sam Houston State players left Huntsville over the summer to continue to improve and play ball.

The West Coast League, Cape Cod League and the Texas Collegiate League were just a few summer leagues that nine Bearkats played for during the summer of 2009.

"The biggest advantage of going out and playing summer league is the players are able to gain experience on the field," said Sam Houston Hitting Coach Jim Blair. "The position players are able to get more at bats, and the pitchers are able to pitch almost double the innings they pitch during the regular season."

Athletes have the opportunity to travel across the country, play with different teams and for different coaches.  For some athletes this is one of the keys to improvement.

"Players who choose to play summer ball have the opportunity to be coached by other individuals. There may be one thing that the athlete is lacking or hasn't been able to understand but they are able to understand whatever the problem is from the different coach, instead of just hearing it from us," Blair said. "By playing for different people, you can only gain knowledge of the game because every coach has something to help players improve."

Sam Houston graduate assistant coach Ryan Webber, a former Bearkat, played for the Texas Collegiate League and knows the value of summer baseball.

There is nothing to lose, and everything to gain when an athlete has the opportunity to play for a summer league baseball team," Webber said. "Student athletes are not only getting more playing time, but if any of the athletes have aspirations to go into the majors leagues this is a chance to get the feel the minors, the constant traveling, everyday games, and even using a wooden bat."

Not only does the playing time help each individual athlete but in the long run Sam Houston baseball gains an advantage as well.

"Having players play just increases Sam's exposure and across the board we are able to improve our team," Webber said. "Take a freshman for instance who usually doesn't play their freshman year, when they come back from one season of summer league it is almost night and day. They have become a competitive athlete by being exposed and being forced to play with other collegiate members."

Apart from playing, an important factor is which summer league is best for each player. Blair puts the main emphasis on where players will gain the most experience and where they are most comfortable.

"We would never want a player to play for a summer league team and not be able to get the most playing time as they could, or feel uncomfortable with the location of team," Blair said. "It is imperative that each player come out with the advantage. We want each player to play at the highest level possible while still receiving adequate field time."

With nine Bearkats having played summer ball, SHSU is ready to start their regular season and continue deep into the conference. The Bearkats will travel to Ft. Worth Feb. 19 for their season opener against top 25 ranked TCU.

The home opener at Don Sanders Stadium is Tuesday, Feb.23 against Prairie View A&M.

Season tickets for Sam Houston baseball are on sale now on line at www.gobearkats.com. Go to the season ticket information page for complete details.

Fans also may contact the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.