Question and Answer with Dwaine Bacon

[NCCubFan]

http://www.diamondjaxx.com/images/players/bacon.jpg

 

Dwaine Bacon, Outfielder for the 2005 Southern League First Half Champion West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, has graciously agreed to answer questions from posters on NSBB! If you would like to send a comment to Dwaine, or if you would like to ask Dwaine a question, feel free to post it here. I will allow the questions/comments to be posted until August 5th at midnight. Once Dwaine has had an opportunity to answer them, the responses will be posted.

 

From the Jaxx website:

Quote:

Acquired:

Selected in 16th round of 2001 draft

 

Bio:

2004: Selected as a Souther League midseason all-star ... Selected by Baseball America as the fastest baserunner in the Cubs organization

 

2003: Led the Florida State League with a .392 on-base percentage

 

2000: Had 74 stolen bases as a sophomore at Florida A&M, the 2nd-best total in Division 1 baseball

 

 

This session will be coordinated as in accordance with The NSBB Q & A Guidelines

 

Thank you to Dwaine for taking the time to interact with us on such an up close and personal level! I encourage everyone to visit the official website of the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. In addition, thank you to all of you for making NSBB such a wonderful community!

[rawaction]

Thanks Dwaine for taking our questions.

 

First off, you were rated the fastest baserunner in the Cubs minor league system last season. Have you ever actually had a footrace with guys like Felix Pie, Chris Walker, or Corey Patterson?

 

Secondly, can you briefly describe the art of basestealing for us? What do you look for from a pitcher to know you can run on him?

[chicubs]

1) Whats your 40 yard dash time?

 

2) Do you believe that you will be able to achieve enough success outside of base stealing to reach the big leagues?

[NCCubFan]

You started the year in Iowa, then returned to West Tenn. Was it disappointing to get sent back a level, or did you see it as an opportunity to get more playing time and build on previous success?

[Jon]

Mr. Bacon-

 

First off, how are the injuries to your groin and pinky doing?

 

What's the key to getting a good jump on a flyball hit to the outfield? Is it all practice or are there other things that an outfielder has to do to make a quick break on the ball?

 

There are a good number of brothers in minor league baseball right now, but what is it like to have a brother playing professionally in a different sport? Is it nice to be able to watch him play during the off-season?

 

I was under the impression that you started working with Vince Coleman before he joined the Cubs organization. How long have you been talking with him?

 

Thanks!

[Flames24Rulz]

Hey Dwaine, i have an unrelated baseball question for you. Since you are a very fast runner, did you take up any other sports like maybe being a wideout/Kick Returner in football or being on the basketball team? I know Track is during the baseball season, so i left that out.

 

Congrats on a great 1st half and well wishes on a great 2nd half as well :D

[abuck1220]

thanks for taking our questions...

 

you've always been a big on-base percentage guy. however, patience and taking walks are not very often associated with the cubs' organization. what has been the organization's attitude toward your approach at the plate? have they encouraged you to be more aggressive, or are they content with you being a guy who walks and uses your speed to turn walks into doubles?

 

also, while in mesa this spring, my brother and i noticed that you were wearing some unusual looking pants while playing in a big league spring game...the part of the pants around the ankles didn't have the usual elastic, so the bottom of the pant leg was very loose. i thought that it was maybe because you got whatever pants were available at the big league park, but then i saw you wearing the same type of pants the next day at fitch. do you do that to your pants on purpose?

[RyCubsFan]

Dwaine, you have a lot of fans here at NSBB. Congrats on having such a successful year so far. Gotta love that OBP!

 

Question: Does the organization regularly communicate with players regarding their progress? That is, does someone in the organization sit you down ever and talk about how they see you progressing, what they want you to work on, and how they see you making an impact on the club? Do you hear from members of the Cubs organization higher up letting you know they are watching your progress, and to give you encouragement?

 

Do you have any personal goals as far as when you would like to make the majors?

 

How would you compare your style of game to Juan Pierre's?

 

Thanks for your answers, and we're all rooting for you!

 

Ryan