Interrogation Room: Brock Kjeldgaard
Brock
Kjeldgaard is the next subject to
step into The Interrogation Room. Kjeldgaard,
a converted pitcher, led the Timber Rattlers in home runs with 20 last year.
The Canadian slugger is asked about the 2010 Winter Olympics in
Q.
What have you been doing since the 2009 season ended?
A.
Since the 2009 season ended I have been keeping busy. For the first few
weeks I basically did nothing, giving my mind and body a much needed rest.
Then, the start of October came around and my off-season workout schedule
began. Since then, I have been working out hard 6 days a week. For
the past few weeks, I have also been hitting, throwing, fielding, just doing
everything baseball oriented. As well, I have been helping teach baseball
camps at an indoor facility in
Q.
What part of your game are you
working on the most?
A.
What I am working on most right now is my swing. I felt last year I became
a much better hitter in the last month or so of the season, so I am working on
things that I was trying during that time. I have also been working on
learning to play the outfield. It's probably the toughest thing for me to
work on here as everything I am doing is indoors and there is no chance of
getting outside since the ground is covered with a few feet of snow. Luckily,
I have the pleasure of working with another Brewer player, Adam Stern, who is a
strong defender in the outfield.
Q.
You played over 50 games in the outfield due to some of the injuries
to other players on the team. Is this extra work in the outfield during
this off-season something that you were asked to do or is it something that you
have taken upon yourself to do?
A.
Last season I had the opportunity to play both left and right field during the
season. I enjoyed being in the outfield and felt more comfortable every
game. There were some bumps along the way, but I felt I improved just by
playing there on a regular basis. That being said, I have a lot of work
ahead of me to become a quality outfielder. I was told to be ready to play
both first base and outfield. I am also working on building up my arm
strength more this off-season as it is very important in the outfield. I
was very happy to get time in the outfield as I know this only makes me a better
baseball player, and can only help my career.
Q.
When do you report for Spring Training in
A. I
am not exactly sure what my report date for Spring Training is yet. I will
head down sometime near the end of February to get outside. I believe
minor league Spring Training starts sometime in the second week of March
Q.
Canada won a bronze medal at the World Cup of Baseball this past September.
Did you follow the tournament? Did you get in touch with anyone that you
know on the team?
A.
Of course I followed the
tournament. It was great to see a bunch of guys I have played with
have success in such a big tournament. Unfortunately, not many people
around here knew about that success because there was little to no media
coverage of it. I know Jim
Henderson closed out the final game, and was pretty pumped about it. Also,
two of the guys I work out with here, Adam
Stern and Chris
Robinson, were on the team and said it was one of the most exciting
experiences of their baseball careers.
Q.
Speaking of medals, the Winter
Olympics in Vancouver start up in a few weeks. Can
A. I
am hoping the Canadian hockey team can recapture the gold. In this country
though, the people demand gold in hockey and anything less is considered a
failure. We have a pretty solid line up from top to bottom. But
there are also other teams who have put together some impressive rosters like
the Swedes,
Americans,
and Russians.
But you can be sure come February I will be cheering on the home
team.
Q.
Last year, you became just the third Timber Rattlers player to hit 20 or more
home runs in a season. Do you consider Time Warner Cable Field a park for
pitchers?
A. I
have mixed feelings about whether Time Warner Cable Field is a hitter's park or
pitcher's park. What I can say for sure is that it is one of the windiest
parks day to day that I have ever played at. To me, it felt like the wind
would blow in on more days than it would blow out, but I am sure if you asked a
pitcher he would say the opposite.
Q.
What advice -- if any -- will you pass along to hitters who will be with
the Timber Rattlers for 2010?
A. I
don't have much advice to pass on to hitters, other than to be ready for the
cold weather for about a month at the start of the season (and try not to miss
the barrel in that month or it will sting!). I would also tell them to
enjoy the time in
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