Feb. 20, 2008
The University of Notre Dame baseball team welcomes 19 newcomers to the diamond this season. The class was ranked as one of the top in the entire county — fourth by Baseball America and sixth by Collegiate Baseball. In the coming weeks, UND.com will feature each Irish newcomer leading up to the team’s Feb. 22 opener against Liberty. The 11th Notre Dame player in the spotlight is catcher Cameron McConnell.
Hometown: Bannockburn, Ill.
High School: Deerfield
Position: Catcher
Height/Weight: 6-1/205
Bat/Throw: R/R
If you were to play another sport at Notre Dame, what would it be?
Basketball.
Best thing about the team:
The guys.
What are three words that best describe coach Schrage?
Quiet, Knowledgeable and fatherly.
Which professional player would you compare yourself to?
Yadier Molina.
What is your favorite major league ballpark?
Wrigley Field.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Cameron McConnell… Where to begin?
What is your favorite/most memorable sports moment?
Signing my National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Notre Dame.
Are you a fan of the American League’s designated hitter or do you prefer the National League style?
National League style… It’s real baseball, it involves managerial skill, double switches, pinch hitting, using your bullpen the right way… bunting, stealing, hit and running… National League for sure.
Should college baseball switch to wooden bats?
Yes, collegiate baseball should be played with wood bats.
Who is the best hitter and pitcher in major league baseball?
Hitter: Manny Ramirez from the right side, Barry Bonds from the left side. Pitcher: Josh Beckett from the right, Johann Santana from the left (C.C. Sabathia is close)
Favorite baseball team:
The Cubs… I bleed Cubbie blue, and they will win a world series in my lifetime, I promise.
Favorite player:
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
I have plenty of pre game rituals and superstitions, but I prefer to keep them to myself haha.
Why did you choose Notre Dame?
I chose Notre Dame because it was by far the right choice, Notre Dame is amazing.
— ND —