East Texas Baptist University's baseball team and coaching staff looked forward to the fall practice season as a time to build unity and get some work in before really getting down to business for 2010 in January.

Mother Nature, however, had other ideas.

The Tigers, coming off a 16-24 season marred by some key injuries at critical times during the year, spent only about five days or so actually working out on the surface at Woods Field this fall. The heavy storms and rains that have pummeled Marshall since the beginning of September forced ETBU to either work out indoors, in batting cages, or not at all.

However, fourth-year head coach Sam Blackmon believes his squad got some things accomplished during the fall despite the interrupted schedule.

"For what we were able to do, I think the guys did an outstanding job with their ability to work hard and adapt to the crazy schedule," Blackmon said. "It was a bit of a letdown to not be able to really get out there and get a good look on the field, but we were able to get some things accomplished despite the conditions.

"There's not a whole lot you can do working out in a gym, but we're thankful we did have that available to us. I think the biggest thing we've discovered about this bunch is their unity and camaraderie. In that regard we got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time."

Blackmon and his staff currently list 45 returners on this season's roster, which is dotted with some veteran experience and leadership. ETBU returns 23 lettermen among that group, including eight starters.

"We have improved leadership with our returning guys who have gotten older," Blackmon said. "They've blended well with the new guys we've brought in. I think our talent level has risen specifically from the standpoint of work habits and character."

ETBU returns some production offensively, with senior centerfielder and two-time all-conference leadoff hitter Kyle Pope. Pope, who plays on the ETBU football team in the fall, will return coming off a .386 season that saw him lead the team in hits, runs, doubles and stolen bases.

Also returning is two-year starting first baseman Matt Hale, who hit .310 with five home runs and 26 RBI last season as a junior. Junior third baseman Ryan Yezak (.307) was ETBU's RBI leader last season, with 35, and junior infielder Luke Leftwich (.310, 5 HR, 29 RBI) is also back to add some offensive pop.

Junior catcher Ricky Brooks hit .349 with a team-high six home runs and 19 RBI in just 83 at-bats last season, while senior second baseman Jeremy Phillips was a nice addition to the lineup with numbers of .348, two home runs and 27 RBI.

The Tigers, who will resume workouts in January, have finalized their schedule for next spring over the last couple of weeks. ETBU will play 23 of its scheduled 40 games at home, including 10 in a row to open the season. ETBU will play 14 of its first 17 games at Woods Field, but that ratio changes drastically in April when the Tigers will be at home just three times in 15 games.

"We like the way it works out, the more you can play at home early the better just because your younger guys will have a better feel and will be more comfortable at home," Blackmon said of the 2010 schedule. "Our home games are obviously front-loaded at the beginning of the schedule but if we play well during that stretch we can build some momentum and make that a true advantage."

ETBU opens the season on Feb. 13 with a home game against Ecclesia College, which is located in Springdale, Ark.