Hogs open practice with some pop

FAYETTEVILLE — Expect more offense out of college baseball next season.

That was the conclusion quickly drawn watching Arkansas' first practice of the fall period Friday afternoon at Baum Stadium. The new baseball that will be used in the college game was on display, with several hitters launching long home runs in batting practice.

Runs began to decrease when bats were modified prior to the 2011 season and scoring hasn't picked up since. In an effort to infuse more offense back in the game, a new ball with lower seams was approved for the 2015 season.

Swings that resulted in fly balls about 20 feet shy of the warning track during batting practice last year are now sailing over the wall.

"The balls are definitely flying a lot better," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "The air was a little thin today and there was a slight breeze blowing out to left field, but what I saw was the ball leaving the bat with a lot more velocity. The ball was definitely traveling farther.

"I wouldn't say our outfielders were misjudging them, but they had to go back on a lot of balls they thought they had tracked down. It's definitely going to help."

Several players hit long home runs in batting practice, but none were as impressive as the seven hit by freshman catcher/first baseman Chad Spanberger, who swings from the left side. One of Spanberger's hits traveled over 400 feet, landing in the trees behind the bullpen in right field.

"He's one of the strongest kids on the team, if not the strongest as a true freshman," Van Horn said of the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Illinois native. "He has tremendous strength and a good swing, and can backspin the ball. It doesn't matter which way the wind is blowing when he hits it.

"A lot of times the difference between playing as a young person, as opposed to a sophomore or junior, is strength. A lot of these (freshmen) have it.

"I'm real impressed with our freshmen class and (junior college) transfers we have in here now. They're very physical, strong kids, fast kids and they're definitely going to help our team in 2015."

Spanberger, Tyler Spoon, Krisjon Wilkerson and Luke Bonfield launched multiple long home runs during batting practice. Diving catches by center fielders Damien Simms and Carson Shaddy were defensive highlights during the final portion of practice.

Arkansas practiced for nearly three hours Friday. The Razorbacks have 48 players competing for 35 roster spots in the spring.

The most notable personnel change this fall is the move of Blake Baxendale from catcher to first base.

"He wants to play over there and doesn't want to catch as much," Van Horn said. "We went out and got two or three catchers and a couple of good catchers back."

Van Horn said outfielder Clark Eagan might not practice this fall after undergoing a knee scope. He also said Jake Wise, whose eligibility ran out last season, is working with the catchers as a student assistant coach while he finishes his degree.

Arkansas will practice beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. The practice will culminate with a 7-inning scrimmage.