University of North Carolina Athletics
Q&A With Chad Flack
February 20, 2008 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Chad Flack is one of six seniors returning on a team that has been a College World Series finalist two years in a row. The senior third baseman ranks among Carolina's career top ten in at-bats, hits, home runs, extra base hits, RBI and total bases. Flack is also on pace to play in the most games ever by a Tar Heel and potentially eclipse a couple of those offensive records. TarHeelBlue.com caught up with the Forest City, N.C., native this week as the team prepped for its season opening series at Florida Atlantic.
THB.com How does it feel to be playing away from Boshamer stadium during your final year as a Tar Heel?
Flack: "It is a little weird. I mean you get used to playing at a place for three years and that becomes your home. Now you have to travel 20 minutes away to play your home games. So it's a lot different, but it's for a good reason and I think will be just fine playing up there."
THB.com How is playing at the brand new USA Baseball National Training Center in Cary during renovations to Boshamer stadium?
Flack: "It's a really nice park all the way around. It is a nice place to watch games, especially for the fans. There is definitely a pitcher's advantage there. We haven't hit many home runs there until yesterday (Sunday's scrimmage), I think we hit about seven. It's going to have its days, but I think the majority of those days it will be more of a pitcher's park. A place where I mean your going to have to hit it a ton to get it out of there."
THB.com After two straight College World Series second place finishes, what are your expectations for the 2008 season?
Flack: "That is definitely the goal to return to the College World Series, but we want to finish it out this year. We don't want to go back again and get that second place feeling."
THB.com What does it mean to you to be on pace to play the most games ever as a Tar Heel and hold records for the most at-bat and hits ever at Carolina?
Flack: "I wouldn't say right now it means too much to me. I have always been a team guy and I want win, I could care less what my stats say or anything like that. My main stat is the win column and that is what I am concerned with. I'm sure later on I'll look back and see what I have accomplished. As of now and during the season it is not on my mind at all."
THB.com What has it been like seeing some time behind the plate this fall and potentially this season?
Flack: "Catching has been a fun experience. I haven't caught since I was 9 so it has been an interesting getting back in to it. Fedex (Tim Federowicz) and (Mark) Fleury are great catchers, so I have learned a lot from watching them and asking them for quick pointers. I have tried to work hard at catching so that if the situation arrives I would be ready. It has been a challenge, but a lot of fun at the same time. I want to help the team in any possible way I can."
THB.com How you have matured over your time playing at Carolina?
Flack: "I think the toughest thing about playing baseball is learning how to deal with failure. My first two seasons were very good, and last year I think it really made me mature a lot with what happened. When you look back on things, everything happens for a reason and I am more than happy to be back right now. I can not wait for the season to start."
THB.com How was taking this past summer off, after playing the past two summers in the Cape Cod League?
Flack: "It was a lot of fun. I just got to relax and play a lot of golf. Hang out with some buddies that I haven't seen in a while. You know when you play baseball and go into summer ball it becomes a year round course. I got to go home and see some stuff I don't get to see too much. So, I got to hang out with them and I was able to relax."
THB.com What role will the freshmen players play on the team?
Flack: "They are a bunch of great guys. They play hard. We do have some power arms, but we have a couple good bats in there that can help us out too. I think they're getting a good feel out there, learning how we play the game and how coach wants the game played. Again, I think they're going to help us out a lot."
