Team USA Chat

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Moderator: Team USA stars Ryan Zimmerman (Virginia) and Travis Buck (Arizona State) will join us from Taiwan at 11 a.m. ET. Feel free to get your questions in now -- we'll save them for when the chat begins.

Moderator: The guys are all here ready to share some of their summer adventures with you... let the questions begin. We have time for about 30 minutes worth of questions and then the guys have to get some rest for the big semifinal matchup with Chinese Taipei tomorrow!

Q:	Tim from New York, NY asks: For Ryan Zimmerman: What's a bigger thrill for you, hitting close to .500 for Team USA or participating in Shoes & Brews every year?
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: Shoes & Brews definitely. No, just kidding. Hitting .500 isn't as much as a goal as winning the gold medal this weekend. But, Shoes & Brews is a close second.

Q:	Mike Pelfrey from 1205 Tayih Landis asks: Are u mad at me? Im sorry about last night, i just wasnt in a very good mood. Well i guess thats all i really wanted to say. Maybe u can swing by later and play a few cards. Sorry again. T buck
A:	Travis Buck: See, everyone on this team thinks they are a comedian. Downstairs in the business center leaving messages.

Q:	Christi from Sugar Land, Tx. asks: J. Brent, I know you are enjoying the food there, but being from Texas I'm sure you are missing your favorite foods. What restaurant will you be heading to first upon your return?
A:	J. Brent Cox: Whichever free meal my family plans on taking me out on!

Q:	josh smith from whittier, ca asks: to the three of you, what do you have to stay about people on the baseball america staff saying that your team wasn't very good?
A:	Travis Buck: Well, I guess we have to be PC on this one because it is Baseball America... but, we were a little fired up when we saw that article. People are entitled to their opinions. I am used to it being at Arizona State. Ryan Zimmerman: Well, we were not very good at the beginning of the year, but these are the games that count. Japan was also pretty darn good and that was five of the losses. We just need to take care of business the next few days! J. Brent Cox: No response. Lets just win!

Q:	Big Burks from New York, NY asks: You guys enjoying the Asian nightlife over there? I hear the ladies are crazy.
A:	J. Brent Cox: Curfew is at 11... so don't know :) Gold medal night may get a little crazy!

Q:	Coach Sferra from ASU Baseball asks: Travis, Is your success this summer based on the outstanding left handed BP before you left Tempe? Good Luck the rest of the way!
A:	Travis Buck: Thanks coach! Look forward to coming back to Tempe and having some fun. Ever since facing you in BP and your nasty cutter, every lefty has been no comparison! See you soon!

Q:	Russ from NY asks: Who's been the best pitcher so far for Team USA?
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: Ricky Romero, Joey Devine, J.B. Cox and Luke Hochevar. But, Mark Romanczuk and Ian Kennedy were pretty unbelievable the last two days! Travis Buck: I have to agree with Zim! They've all stepped up this week. J.B. is just flat dominating at the end of games!

Q:	Chris from Cary, NC asks: This one's for J. Brent Cox . . . what does the J. stand for? Also, how similar as a pitcher are you to Huston Street? You guys seem kind of alike.
A:	J. Brent Cox: Javier Bob... no, just kidding. James.

Q:	Jim Sanchez from Aiken, SC asks: After a bit a shaky start, what's responsible for the turnaround this team has had?
A:	Travis Buck: We've came together as a team and put some of the individual goals aside. We are gellin and playing more as a team. We all have one goal and that is to come home with a gold medal.

Q:	Tim from New York, NY asks: For Ryan Zimmerman: How does the Virginia Beach area keep producing such great talent like yourself, David Wright, Kurt Isenberg, and BJ Upton?
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: Nothing in particular, but the organizations like AAU and the high school systems do a great job of putting together good competition.

Q:	Billy from Romney, W.Va. asks: What's the coolest thing about Taiwan? What's the most difficult?
A:	J. Brent Cox: Nothing really. The hotel is really sweet. Nice workout area and cold plunge and spa. It is pretty darn nice. The food is tough to get used to for a lot of us. The humidity, the pollution and the traffic (mainly scooters) is terrible... I can't wait to be back on the coast!

Q:	Dmitri from NYC asks: Hey, I just have a question about the level of pitching you guys face. Is it comprable to what you faced in college? or more advanced? Good Luck! -D
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: For the big games, like Japan and Korea, it is just as good if not better. Teams from overseas really hit their spots and it is a bit tougher to hit with wood. Japan has two really good pitchers (a RHP and LHP) that we call Schilling and The Unit. They are really good... and we heard they are top picks for next year in the Japan Pro League. Travis Buck: The velocity is the same if not a little more. A little weird seeing the speed in KMH. We have to go to Romanzcuk to get the reading. That guy is a math wizard. Japan, Taiwan and Korea has had some legit three-pitch pitchers.

Q:	chris from ny asks: coxs what happened your first outting in japan giving up 5 runs and a home run,and buck looking at the box score today was the first time you struck out twice in a game.Buck also what up with the shaky "D" this summer, Were both you guys scared playing in front of these crowds.
A:	J. Brent Cox: First of all, that wasn't my first outing (slap)... I gave up a cheap hit and let one get by the catcher and then it snowballed from there. Second of all, you can't hit me, so don't worry about it! Finally... if you have been watching TV, I've played in front of some big crowds at UT all season (ex: ESPN HD!) Travis Buck: I have a feeling someone is trying to be a comedian downstairs again. Well, got pitched tough today... that's all I can say. You have to take the bad with the good and the good with the bad.

Q:	Mark from lexington, ky asks: Coast, what coast do you live on Cox?
A:	J. Brent Cox: Bay City... The gulf... It's a Texas thing!

Q:	Ben Martin from Houston asks: For Travis Buck, what do you like most about arizona state?
A:	Travis Buck: I love playing for Coach Murphy. The tradition is awesome and we play in the best baseball conference in the nation (sorry J.B. and Zim!) The white cleats and throwback uniforms are pretty sweet too!

Q:	Elizabeth from C'ville asks: What has been the key to UVa's resurgence in baseball? And how do you think the football team will do this year?
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: The new coaches have been awesome. We have a lot of players that are really taking pride in the program. Football should be solid... maybe!

Q:	David from Hoover, Ala. asks: Mr. Cox, what do you prefer about closing rather than starting?
A:	J. Brent Cox: I've never really started at the collegiate level, so don't really know. I love the adrenaline at the end of games.

Q:	Andrew from Athens, GA asks: Hey guys, good luck with the rest of your USA season. Can you each enlighten us on what you think is the hardest part of college baseball at your school?
A:	J. Brent Cox: It is a pretty long season and trying to keep up with school work. Ryan Zimmerman: School work and just getting through the long season. It is pretty demanding on your body. Travis Buck: I would have to say the amount of games and some of the travel. You have to make sure that your mind is on the game at Packard Stadium when all the girls are in the stands sunbathing! Sorry Kristen and just kidding!

Q:	Owen Worden from New Bedford, MA asks: This question is for Ryan, do you think you'll come to the cape next summer if given the opportunity? And for J.Brent where do you hope to be this time next summmer? Good luck in the rest of the tournament take home the gold for the red, white and blue!
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: This time next summer I think we all want to be playing pro ball. If that doesn't work out, the Cape would be cool or playing again with Team USA and get more Under Armor. They really hook us up here! J. Brent Cox: Next summer I hope to be playing pro ball!

Q:	Greg from Florida asks: Is it tougher this year playing without more of the experienced guys like Tyler Greene who didn't make the squad this year? Thanks and good luck guys.
A:	Travis Buck: No, because we all have the same experience. Pretty much everyone on this team was new to international baseball. We have Mark Romanczuk and Jeff Clement who were both on the team last year and they fill us in on stuff. Tyler was my roommate at the Trials and I see that he is having a good summer up in the Cape!

Moderator: J.B. Cox is a little disappointed in the Texas turnout. Ryan Zimmerman is taking home first prize with over 70% of the questions!

Q:	Scott from boston, MA asks: Hey Ryan, Brion, Kiara, Aiden, Calen, Gretchen, Jim, Julian, Jess, Janna, Sarah and I are dissappointed we won't get to see you on the Cape next weekend but it was great to finally see you play a few games. You're doing a great job. Congratulations to you and the whole team. How did you guys like the people in Keene, NH throwing tennis balls at a car for prizes? Pretty crazy fundraising up there in the woods, huh? I hope to see you at Fenway someday.
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: The people in Keene were great. That was pretty crazy when they threw all the tennis balls on the field. J. Brent Cox: I don't know... too busy warming up in the bullpen.

Moderator: Time for a few more questions!

Q:	MK from New York asks: Heads up for the parasites in the food, Giambi still hasn't recovered from his trip to Asia!
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: We love Pizza Hut and McDonalds...

Q:	Karen C. from Tempe, AZ asks: For T-Buck: How has the team's reception been outside of the USA and say Hi! to your dad for me and Janet!!
A:	Travis Buck: Hi Karen! The people in Japan were great. They all love us over here. Excited to get back to Tempe. Pops got to see me hit a home run in Durham and that was pretty sweet. It has been a fun summer, but we have two more games to win. Evans and I are representing ASU!

Moderator: OK, last call for the J.B. Cox Fan Club to show up.

Q:	Daniel from Virginia Beach asks: Ryan who do you compare your self to that plays pro ball right now? You seem to remind me of Cal Ripken because you are such a class act.
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: Mike Gallego... just kidding. I don't know. Tough question. Travis Buck: Zim reminds me of A-Rod. Good pop, smooth actions in the field. He has better numbers than A-Rod though!

Q:	Jess from Washington, DC asks: Was it hard to hit those Japanese curveballs?
A:	Travis Buck: No, but the split finger fastballs, changeups, sliders and side arm action is crazy. They don't throw the curve as much.

Q:	Tim from New York, NY asks: If you had to take either Brian Maher or Beebo in a fox hole with you who would you choose and why?
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: Tim... aren't you at work? Thanks for all the questions... see you soon and I'll pay you later for adding to my fan club!

Moderator: Zimmerman is now up to 85% of questions. Amazing!

Q:	Rich from Buffalo, NY asks: Hey Zimmie.... saw you play against the teams from New England.... can you comment on the pitcher in Keene, NH, a Georgia Bulldog named Brooks Brown, who looked outstanding against you guys??
A:	Ryan Zimmerman: He was pretty good. We really had no idea where we were flying in from Japan and playing right away. He was good though and threw a good game. We got some big hits late in the game and J.B. dominated at the end to get the W.

Q:	Tim from New York, NY asks: If you get drafted next year, what's the first thing you're going to do with your signing bonus?
A:	Travis Buck: Buy a Denali! Ryan Zimmerman: Biggest slurpi ever... some big league chew... maybe a Range Rover. J. Brent Cox: Just got a new fishing boat, so that is out of the question. Buy some land, start a ranch with exotic animals and lease out hunts. How's that for a Longhorn!

Moderator: Thanks for all the questions! Cox is still heated about the no show of his fan club. The gang is heading to bed and getting ready for the big semifinal game tomorrow against Chinese Taipei.