DUBLIN, Ohio - Another day, another dollar...and another successful golf outing for the Capital University Baseball Program.  As is the case with most NCAA collegiate baseball programs, fundraising is central in raising the necessary funds to augment provided operational budgets, and the Comets are no different.  The 5th Annual 'Dick' and Marcia Hartmann Family golf outing rivaled all others with regard to outcomes!  Baseball alumni, friends, and family of the program teed it up for another successful outing.

The Hartmann Family golf outing is the mastermind of head coach Scott Manahan and long-time Capital supporters Jeff, Rick and Roger Hartmann and their respective families with 100% of the proceeds being dedicated to supporting the baseball program's growing financial needs and cost burdens.  Manahan has made it clear, without the Hartmann families support and that of the incredible turnout of baseball alumni, family and friends of the baseball program, a number of essential elements of the program could not, would not, be experienced due to rising costs.

The head coach went on to say, "With the NCAA establishing a ceiling of only 40-games for the season (standard number of games amongst NCAA III teams), and the fact are season is over the first week in May, we only have two, two and a half months to play."  As one might expect, a time window of only two and a half months is rather challenging with Mother Nature having her say (and way), academics priorities, scheduling conflicts, etc., therefore, Spring Training, where the team can practice, prepare and play is a central building block to a successful season.

For the past three years, Coach Manahan and the Comets have traveled to the MLB Jackie Robinson Training Complex (formerly known as Dodgertown, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training facility) in Vero Beach (FL) to participate in the annual NCAA Spring Invitational where NCAA Division III teams from all over the country come to escape the winter weather...and play baseball.  

Manahan says, "Nearly a third of our season is played at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, and perhaps more importantly...this experience is so important for us as it allows the coaching staff to analyze and evaluate all of our players in preparation for the conference season that immediately awaits us upon return to Columbus."  He goes on to say, "It's hard enough to get outside in February, and with conference play beginning in March, the importance of Spring Training can not be stressed enough."  

In closing, the head coach said, "Without the support of the Hartmann's, the baseball alumni, and the many faithful family members and friends of the program getting involved with this fund-raising effort (the golf outing), we would be very challenged to even 'the playing field' with regard to our season, so we are incredibly grateful...thankful, for all of the support, as without it, things would be rather challenging."