University of Minnesota Athletics
Steak 'n' Beans Series Shakes It Up
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 2, 2014
Most colleges around the country have some type of intrasquad world series, but most of them refer to it by the school's colors, according to Assistant Coach Rob Fornasiere. Although Minnesota has had an intrasquad series for about 30 years, it wasn't until 2002 that the Steak 'n' Beans series was born.
Fornasiere is credited as one of the pioneers of the series, as he was looking for a way to "spice up the competiveness" of fall practices. At the same time, the Dugout Club was interested in serving a meal during the fall, so marrying the two ideas was natural.
The concept of the Steak 'n' Beans series is simple; the winning team eats steak and watches the losing team eat beans from across the table.
Senior Catcher Matt Halloran is no stranger to the series. He's gone 3-for-3 during each of his Steak 'n' Beans appearances. He mused that although the games are fun and competitive, they're great opportunities for young players to get used to Division I play.
"The young guys can get some experience and show the coaches what they can do at this level," Halloran said. "The coaches love it because they can evaluate the young guys and show them what they need to work on."
Although the series is only Maroon versus Gold, Siebert Field is dressed for the occasion. The scoreboard, uniforms and other game day features are used to make it the real deal.
"It's a different atmosphere than playing a regular intrasquad or scrimmage in practice," Halloran said. "We make it a game and get ready like it's a game."
To keep with the game day atmosphere, the series is usually a nail-biter. Fornasiere credits head coach John Anderson and pitching coach Todd Oakes for splitting teams evenly.
"Even though one team is ahead in the beginning, it might not last because the pitching will change," Fornasiere said. "Most of the series have not been wipeouts and have gone right down to the last game and to the last out."
The series is something that the players can look forward to each season, especially those who haven't won before. Fornasiere said there's always some trash talk happening between the teams, and Halloran laughed as he admitted that winning is mostly for bragging rights.
"We all want to be the ones eating the steak."
Story by athletic communications student assistant Lexi Diederich
Up next: Steak 'n' Beans Game 3 at 3:30 p.m. on Friday; Steak 'n' Beans Game 4 at 1 p.m. on Saturday
The leaves are changing, Siebert Field is alive and the Minnesota Gophers baseball team is split down the middle. It's a series featuring Maroon versus Gold, and anyone's game.
The fans are on their feet, and it can only be the one thing: the annual Steak 'n' Beans series.
Most colleges around the country have some type of intrasquad world series, but most of them refer to it by the school's colors, according to Assistant Coach Rob Fornasiere. Although Minnesota has had an intrasquad series for about 30 years, it wasn't until 2002 that the Steak 'n' Beans series was born.
Fornasiere is credited as one of the pioneers of the series, as he was looking for a way to "spice up the competiveness" of fall practices. At the same time, the Dugout Club was interested in serving a meal during the fall, so marrying the two ideas was natural.
The concept of the Steak 'n' Beans series is simple; the winning team eats steak and watches the losing team eat beans from across the table.
"It's been something that I'd witnessed and read about from other teams around the country, but to my knowledge, no one has the same name as we do," Fornasiere said.
Senior Catcher Matt Halloran is no stranger to the series. He's gone 3-for-3 during each of his Steak 'n' Beans appearances. He mused that although the games are fun and competitive, they're great opportunities for young players to get used to Division I play.
"The young guys can get some experience and show the coaches what they can do at this level," Halloran said. "The coaches love it because they can evaluate the young guys and show them what they need to work on."
Although the series is only Maroon versus Gold, Siebert Field is dressed for the occasion. The scoreboard, uniforms and other game day features are used to make it the real deal.
"It's a different atmosphere than playing a regular intrasquad or scrimmage in practice," Halloran said. "We make it a game and get ready like it's a game."
To keep with the game day atmosphere, the series is usually a nail-biter. Fornasiere credits head coach John Anderson and pitching coach Todd Oakes for splitting teams evenly.
"Even though one team is ahead in the beginning, it might not last because the pitching will change," Fornasiere said. "Most of the series have not been wipeouts and have gone right down to the last game and to the last out."
The series is something that the players can look forward to each season, especially those who haven't won before. Fornasiere said there's always some trash talk happening between the teams, and Halloran laughed as he admitted that winning is mostly for bragging rights.
"We all want to be the ones eating the steak."
Story by athletic communications student assistant Lexi Diederich
Up next: Steak 'n' Beans Game 3 at 3:30 p.m. on Friday; Steak 'n' Beans Game 4 at 1 p.m. on Saturday
Players Mentioned
C
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