Chucks Honor Shortstop

RIB MOUNTAIN - Even after earning the team's most valuable player honor, Wisconsin Woodchucks shortstop Ben Zobrist refused to take credit for the team's success during the 2003 Northwoods League championship season.

"There were several points last year where everyone on our team was the most valuable player," Zobrist said. "You can't put a finger on one guy and say he was the most valuable player.

"Now that I've had a chance to kind of reflect on it a little bit, knowing I was coming up here, it is really special to look back and see how the Lord blessed us in that season. It was a storybook season. You can't put together a better ending than it was."

Zobrist was presented with the 2003 Joe Dolan MVP award at Thursday night's Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony and Woodchucks Hot Stove banquet at the Midway Motor Lodge.

"The Woodchucks have been so good to me and given me so many opportunities," he said. "Coach Mike Bard (at Dallas Baptist University) knew that if they were asking me to come up and be a part of this, then I really needed to come do this. I was excited to do it. I am excited to accept an award, not on behalf of my own achievement, but on behalf of everyone on our team."

Thursday's banquet featured the induction of five new members into the Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame - Tony Kubeck, Ned Yost Sr., Joe Dahlke, Tom Kraus and Dale Langbehn.

Zobrist batted .319 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 22 runs batted in and 17 stolen bases for the Woodchucks last summer. While winning the Northwoods League championship was special, Zobrist's favorite memories revolve around his teammates.

"The thing that sticks out about my team is it was definitely the best group of talent that I have ever been a part of," Zobrist said. "But more than that, every guy on that team had so much heart and never gave up, no matter what the score was. It was awesome to feed off each other and know we were a team. It wasn't a bunch of individuals going out there and trying to win on an individual basis. That was the best thing, to connect with a group of guys like that."

Zobrist chose to transfer to Dallas Baptist University for his senior year after spending three years at Olivet Nazarene University.

"I wanted to see what I was made of at the Division I level, to see how well I could compete on a day-to-day basis at a program of that level," Zobrist said. "When it came down to it, I knew that was where the doors were opening. I knew I had to take a risk of leaving something that was a sure thing to go down to Dallas to do something that was completely new and different. I have not had to doubt that decision at any time.

"I am so excited for the season. It seems liked we've been practicing forever."

The decision to leave Olivet wasn't easy for the Eureka, Ill., native.

"It was difficult because I knew some people would be disappointed with that decision because I do feel a lot of loyalty towards Olivet," he said. "Olivet gave me a great chance to play college baseball that I never would have gotten if they had not. It was very difficult to leave that behind. But at the same time, I knew the Lord was calling me down to Dallas. It was obvious that was where I needed to be." Another benefit to Zobrist's decision to transfer was the added exposure he'll receive. One of his goals is to sign a contract to play baseball professionally.

"I really hope I get the chance," Zobrist said. "At this point, it doesn't matter, if I get drafted, I am going. I want to continue to play the game. I love the game of baseball.