Latest news with #TennesseeBaseball
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Liam Spence went from Tennessee baseball to Savannah Bananas universe
Liam Spence strolled through the bullpen gate at Nationals Park. He stared into the camera, stepped into the spotlight and started to sing along to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' by Credence Clearwater Revival. The former Tennessee baseball shortstop air-drummed then cut loose in front of 42,000 people. He sprinted down the right-field line through sprinklers and performed for the 335 feet to home plate. Advertisement Spence caught his helmet and his bat, tossed to him by a teammate as the announcer introduced him in Washington, D.C., on June 27. The music kept booming as Spence stepped into the batter's box to face a pitcher standing on stilts. Spence is living life in the rapidly growing sensation that is the Savannah Bananas universe, traveling the nation and playing in sold-out major league ballparks. He plays for the Firefighters, throwing boomerangs and hurling himself into the jovial culture with trick plays and hijinks aplenty. 'I had no idea what I was getting myself into,' Spence said. 'I just knew I was going to have a summer like I had never had before.' Liam Spence put on cricket equipment to bat while playing for the Firefighters against the Texas Tailgaters in Richmond, Virginia, in June 2025. What led Liam Spence to joining Firefighters in Savannah Bananas world Spence made his Firefighters debut on May 23 at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals. Advertisement 'I legitimately played both games with goosebumps on me because it was so unreal for all two hours,' Spence said. 'The energy has been like that ever since.' Spence was playing independent league baseball in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a year ago. He was cut by the Chicago Cubs in March 2024, ending his tenure in pro baseball. He got a call from Tyler Gillum, the coach of the Bananas and a former junior college coach who recruited Spence as a prep infielder. Spence chose Central Arizona College over Gillum's South Mountain Community College, but Gillum was offering Spence an opportunity again: He wanted him to be part of the Bananas' world. Spence finally gave Gillum an affirmative after the season of independent ball. 'I'd love to be part of this,' said Spence, who was an All-SEC player on Tennessee's College World Series team in 2021, his lone full season at UT. He was drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Advertisement The Geelong, Australia, native submitted an audition video for the Bananas since he was in Australia during tryouts. He sprinkled in trick plays like kicking the ball for an out, an homage to Australian rules football. Spence got the job with the Firefighters, one of the teams that commonly plays against the Bananas. He didn't know what to expect when he signed on, but the draw of playing in packed venues like Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium pulled him in. "It just was one of those things where it was like, 'What is the reason holding me back?' " Spence said. "It is for anybody and everybody that just wants to play the game for fun like a kid again and enjoy it. I am super glad I made the decision to do this.' How Liam Spence has embraced 'Banana Ball' Spence grabbed a cricket bat and full cricket equipment for an at-bat in June. Advertisement He singled to center field with the flat bat against the Texas Tailgaters, shedding the leg guards and face mask when he got to first base. 'You are still playing baseball but there are a lot of extracurriculars,' Spence said. SPENCE: Tennessee baseball's Liam Spence is the toughest out in the SEC. Here's how he does it. 'Banana Ball' is a different game than baseball. It mirrors many of the core principles, but has its own rules such as a fan catching a foul ball is an out and there are no walks. The game lasts two hours instead of being unbound by time and teams score by winning innings not by scoring runs. Advertisement Trick plays are encouraged. Spence stressed that is harder than it seems. Choosing when and how to pull off a clever play requires savvy and touch with a runner racing for first base. He pulled off a dandy at Fenway Park on July 5, kicking his glove with his left foot to propel the ball to second base to start a 4-6-3 double play. Liam Spence stands by his Firefighters teammates as they play at LMCU Ballpark in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in June 2025 'When the game starts, it is a little harder because you have four seconds to get the guy out,' Spence said. The game around the game matters even more — it is all about the fans and the fun. Players go to the ballpark in uniform hours before first pitch to spend time with fans and sign autographs. Pitchers are encouraged to go into the stands to spend time with fans after they are done pitching. Music plays all game. There are on-field announcers and in-game happenings catered to fan interaction. Advertisement It is an event as much as it is a game, which is how Spence says 'Banana Ball' differs most from professional baseball and where the deepest joy is found. 'You wake up and there is not a thing that you are not looking forward to,' Spence said. 'Just to see the joy on people's faces brings you way more happiness than you can imagine." Boomerangs, entrances and the best summer job for Liam Spence Spence had two days to prepare for his performance at Nationals Park. Liam Spence attempts a trick play while playing for the Firefighters in the Savannah Bananas universe. Spence played at Tennessee from 2020-21. He knew the song was in the movie 'The Longest Yard' and got to work memorizing the parts he needed to know. He rehearsed three times but never with the sprinklers or the camera in his face. He had a knot in his stomach until it was show time in the fifth inning. Advertisement 'I blacked out,' Spence said. 'It was just one of those moments that is a blur because it such an adrenaline rush." Spence didn't know if the Bananas' world was for him. He took a chance and found it is as he stretched outside of his comfort zone to do things like the solo walk-up entrance. His former Tennessee teammates have been fired up for him. He has a boomerang he has kept with him since he was a kid. He decided to throw it and catch it in every big league stadium he plays in. That list includes four MLB ballparks so far and will tally six more before the year is over, including Baltimore's Camden Yards in August and San Diego's Petco Park in September. Advertisement The competitive side of the game remains for Spence. He — and the Firefighters — want to win. But he embraces putting on a show for the fans, balancing the competitiveness with the fun. 'A lot of people love it and we love it,' Spence said. 'It just a good time.' He will go back to Australia in November to play in the Australian Baseball League with the Adelaide Giants. He will scratch the competitive itch in the ABL, while the one-summer gig in "Banana Ball" could well become a repeat job. Spence knows full-well what he has gotten himself into now. Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Liam Spence: Tennessee baseball alum plays in Savannah Bananas world
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee baseball receives two transfer commitments
Tennessee baseball received two transfer commitments on Sunday. Henry Ford announced his commitment to the Vols after entering the NCAA transfer portal. He played in 111 games for the Cavaliers from 2024-25. Advertisement Ford was one of four Cavaliers to start all 50 games, 34 in right field and 16 at first base, during the 2025 season. In 2024 as a freshman, he appeared in 61 games, including 61 starts, primarily at first base. Ford recorded a .348 batting average, 28 home runs, 115 RBIs, 102 runs, 160 hits, 22 doubles, two triples, 50 walks, seven stolen bases and was hit by six pitches from 2024-25. More: Transfer catcher commits to Tennessee baseball Bowling Green transfer DJ Newman also committed to the Vols on Sunday. "I want to thank my teammates and coaches for a great three years at BGSU, but now it's time for the next chapter," he announced. "Let's get to work." Advertisement The 6-foot, 189-pound pitcher and outfielder appeared in 101 games, including 89 starts, from 2023-25 at Bowling Green. He also appeared in 27 contests (15 starts) as a pitcher. Newman (7-4) totaled 91 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in 85.0 innings. He recorded 15 home runs, 64 RBIs, 101 runs, 20 doubles, five triples, 55 walks, 28 stolen bases and a .388 batting average. More: Three Vols projected in 2025 MLB mock draft first round Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Two transfers commit to Tennessee baseball
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Tennessee running back's son commits to Vols
Tennessee baseball received a transfer commitment on Thursday. Rice freshman two-way player Blaine Brown announced his commitment to the Vols. He is the son of former Colorado and NFL running back Chris Brown. Chris Brown played for the Buffaloes and head coach Gary Barnett from 2001-02, and was inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. Advertisement In 2001, he was part of a Colorado team that upset Texas, 39-37, in the Big 12 championship game. Chris Brown totaled 182 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 33 attempts. Chris Brown returned for his junior season in 2002 and achieved All-America status. He was a runner-up for the Doak Walker Award, which is awarded to the nation's best running back. Following his junior season, Chris Brown entered the 2002 NFL draft and was selected in the third round (No. 93 overall) by Tennessee. He played five seasons with the Titans before concluding his professional career with Houston. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Father of Vols' baseball commit played for Titans
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee baseball year-by-year home run totals under Tony Vitello
Tennessee (46-19, 16-14 SEC) ended its 2025 baseball season with a fifth consecutive appearance in a NCAA Tournament super regional. The Vols also appeared in its sixth consecutive regional under eighth-year head coach Tony Vitello. Tennessee finished the 2025 season with 131 home runs to its opponent's 69 home runs. The Vols also hit 45 home runs in regular-season SEC competition, three more than their opponents (42). Advertisement Andrew Fischer led Tennessee in home runs with 25. Gavin Kilen (15), Dalton Bargo (14), Dean Curley (14), Reese Chapman (13), Cannon Peebles (11), Levi Clark (10) and Hunter Ensley (10) hit 10-plus home runs in 2025. Stone Lawless (5), Chris Newstrom (5), Blake Grimmer (4), Manny Marin (3), Jay Abernathy (1) and Hunter High (1) also recorded home runs in 2025 for the Vols. Tennessee hit 184 home runs during its 2024 national championship season. Below are Tennessee's home run totals each season under Vitello. PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years Tennessee baseball year-by-year home run totals under Tony Vitello Blake Burke Year Home runs 2025 131 (45 SEC) 2024 184 (72 SEC) 2023 126 (50 SEC) 2022 158 (74 SEC) 2021 98 (45 SEC) 2020 31 (SEC games canceled) 2019 53 (19 SEC) 2018 42 (20 SEC) *Home runs in SEC regular-season games are in parenthesis (SEC games in 2020 were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic) Advertisement More: Inside Andrew Fischer's historic on-base streak at Tennessee in 2025 Tennessee baseball individual home run leaders each season under Tony Vitello Christian Moore Year Player 2025 Andrew Fischer (25) 2024 Christian Moore (34) 2023 Griffin Merritt (18) 2022 Trey Lipscomb (22) 2021 Jordan Beck, Luc Lipcius (15) 2020 Alerick Soularie (5) 2019 Andre Lipcius (17) 2018 Andre Lipcius, Benito Santiago (7) Tennessee baseball individual home run leaders in SEC games each season under Tony Vitello Andrew Fischer Year Player 2025 Andrew Fischer (11) 2024 Christian Moore (20) 2023 Zane Denton, Griffin Merritt (9) 2022 Luc Lipcius (13) 2021 Evan Russell (10) 2020 SEC games canceled 2019 Andre Lipcius (6) 2018 Brodie Leftridge, Andre Lipcius (4) Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Breaking down Vols' home run totals each season under Tony Vitello
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee ace Liam Doyle among three finalists for Golden Spikes Award
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee Baseball starting pitcher Liam Doyle was named one of three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, which is presented annually to the best player in college baseball. Doyle currently has a 10-3 record with a 2.84 ERA and a national-leading 158 strikeouts. Doyle played a big part in the Vols reaching a fifth straight Super Regional. The junior picked up the win by pitching 6.2 innings against Miami (OH) in the Knoxville Regional opener. He closed out the regional against Wake Forest just three days later. Vols ace Liam Doyle breaks single-season strikeout record Wehiwa Aloy of Arkansas and Florida State's Alex Lodise join Doyle as finalists. The winner will be announced on June 21 at 6:30 p.m. before the first pitch of Game 1 of the College World Series finals. Fan voting is officially opening and will go until June 20. Department of Justice comments on Zakai Zeigler lawsuit Doyle is looking to become the first player from the University of Tennessee to win the award. Tennessee has four players named finalists. Todd Helton (1995), Chris Burke (2001) and Luke Hochevar (2005) all earned the honor. Doyle and the Vols will start their Super Regional against Arkansas on Saturday at 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
