Baseball Factory is privileged to work with programs from every level of college baseball. We strive to educate and guide our players when it comes to choosing the right school. The more information a player knows about a school, coach and program, the better. Recently, Dan Mooney went one-on-one with Ryan Wheeler the assistant coach at the University of Richmond. Check out our list of College Alumni and see what alumni played last year at Richmond and other Division I programs.

1. How long have you been coaching? How long at the University of Richmond?
This is my 15th year coaching and my 5th at the University of Richmond.

2. Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
I was very fortunate to have been given a chance to start my college coaching career at the Division I level by the great pitching coach Jim Farr (Kansas City Royals Scout). I learned a lot from him on what it takes to coach and recruit at the highest level. But I have also tried to learn from some of the greatest coaches in college baseball and over the years I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some of them. They include Head Coach Jack Leggett from Clemson University, Head Coach Mark Marquess from Stanford and Head Coach Scott Bradley from Princeton University.

3. What is the first thing about your school and program that you’d want a recruit to know about?
The first thing I want a recruit to know about the University of Richmond is that it combines the best of both academics and athletics. As a student, you will open many doors academically that will challenge you in the classroom while receiving one of the finest degrees in the country. As an athlete, you will have an opportunity to train and compete at the highest level in college athletics.

4. What do you look for in a prospective recruit for your team?
We want a prospective recruit to be the right fit. There are thousands of good students out there and thousands of great athletes but we are looking for the true student/athlete who can balance the rigors and demands of college athletics. We also look for student/athletes who are of the highest character, who are unselfish and willing to fit into the team concept to make our program better.

5. What qualities do you look for in a prospect on the field? Off the field?
On the field we look for athletes who possess a passion for the game and the ability to get better. We want players that [are] coachable and who are willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. Off the field we want mature, responsible young men who can handle the demands put on them academically.

6. Where do you try to see a lot of your recruits?
There is no magic formula to recruiting and where we see potential players for our program. We recruit nationally and see our future players at a variety of events including camps, showcases, tournaments, travel teams and of course our own camps at the University of Richmond.

7. Do you recruit from Junior Colleges?
We do occasionally recruit from junior colleges but it is hard to find the player that is the right fit both academically and athletically. In general, we find about 1 player every 2 years from the junior college level.

8. Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What do you try to accomplish?
The fall is the best time for us to teach and establish the way we are going to play here at the University of Richmond. We spend a lot of time working on the fundamental aspects of the game as a team and spend time individually working with players to enhance their abilities. The fall is a great time for us to evaluate our returning players who have gone away and played summer baseball as well as to evaluate our freshman to see how they will fit into the big picture of our team.

9. Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
We do have a full time strength and conditioning coach who works with our team each and every time they work out on campus. In addition, this individual provides workouts for our players to do on their own when they are home for winter break or over the summer.

10. What is your favorite away game, series or ballpark?
Of course it is always great to play on our home field on the campus of the University of Richmond. We have a great setting where students, faculty, staff and the community can stop and watch great college baseball. When we travel it is always great to play in the bigger venues across the country such as in the ACC or SEC conferences.

11. What part of the 2011 schedule/year are you looking forward to the most?
I think we are most looking forward to our conference schedule this upcoming season. This is our chance to show that we are one of the best teams the Atlantic 10 has to offer and a chance to represent the University of Richmond and the Atlantic 10 in post season play.

12. What do you think of the new BBCOR bats?
I think the new bats have changed the game in a good way. You must be able to throw strikes and eliminate walks on the mound, you must play solid defense and you have to execute situational opportunities offensively. Pitchers are now rewarded for making quality pitches instead of making good pitches and giving up base hits due to the bats. Position players must be fundamentally sound both offensively and defensively. One-dimensional players on either side of the ball can cost you critical outs. The games are much closer so the strategy and fundamental skills of the game are important once again.

13. Anything planned for your facilities (upgrades, changes, etc.)?
There are plans to upgrade our current facility. A more stadium like setting is planned for Pitt Field which will include 750 chair back seats, more bleacher seating, a new press box facility, a new locker room, upgraded indoor mounds and batting cages and lights. In addition, a new seating and picnic area will be added to the right field area where fans can enjoy the games at Pitt Field.

14. Is there anything you would like to add about your coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
The University of Richmond is a hidden gem in the mid-Atlantic region. The support we are given by the university, our alumni and our community is top notch. We have one of the most beautiful and scenic campuses you will find and I encourage those interested to come take a look to see what the University of Richmond has to offer.

Check out more"Conversations with College Coaches"