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Chat Reel: Mike Neill
Hero enjoys hometown support
Latest: Thursday September 21, 2000 09:24 PM
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Mike Neil is focused on bringing home the Gold. Brian Bahr/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to this evening's chat will Mike Neill, welcome Mike.
Mike Neill: Hello everybody back home.
From Guest: How did it feel when you hit that two-run homer the other day? If you can describe the feeling that you had.
Mike Neill: Just an overwhelming feeling -- awesome. In that type of situation I was just trying to hit the ball and play. I never knew it would go out of the park. It was a great feeling.
From Scott: Do you consider yourself to be a home-run hitter?
Mike Neill: No. I consider myself to be a pretty good hitter with some power but not a home-run hitter at all.
From John Thornton in Seaford, Del.: Mike, I just wanted to know how it feels to go from playing baseball in a town like Seaford, Del., to the Major Leagues, and now to the Olympics? I know everyone one in Seaford is proud of you.
Mike Neill: I have a lot of friends and family in Seaford -- Delino DeShields is from there. We played a lot of big, little league games when we were growing up and won most of them. I think I won four or five big titles in little league, and basically that experience has helped me all the way through.
From Karen Rittenhouse Blaise in Paris: Hi Mike, remember your old high school pal? I was amazed and impressed to see you on CNNSI's website! Congratulations! I was wondering if you have been receiving lots of support from our hometown of Seaford? Also are you planning on staying in Australia after the Olympics to see a bit of the country? Best of luck for the coming games. I am rooting for you! Cheers.
Mike Neill: Karen and I were good friends way back -- and had a couple of classes together, and it is good to hear from her. I am getting a lot of e-mails from friends back home, and it is great hearing from you all. And as soon as the games are done we head back home. Karen, thanks for helping me in English -- and all the classes!
From John: Did you ever think that you would be coached by Tommy Lasorda?
Mike Neill: No, I didn't. He's been a treat, and fun both on and off the field. He likes to have fun and loosen things up. But on the field it is all business.
From Sean Dunne in San Francisco: How does the type of baseball played internationally compare to that in the U.S.? And Neilly, keep up the good work! We are all watching and supporting you.
Mike Neill: Thank you very much. The competition is unbelievable. If you guys got a chance to see the U.S. basketball team yesterday. The game was supposed to be blowout, and it ended up a five-point game with about 30 seconds left. I just think that is an example of how close all the different competitions are here.
From AndyfromSeaford: Do you still keep in touch with Delino Deshields?
Mike Neill: We talk two or three times a year. Usually Thanksgiving and Christmas definitely and then in the offseason, sometimes we talk.
From Stuart : What do you think of the U.S. team being called the "No name" Olympic team?
Mike Neill: I think there are a lot of good players, who have played a while and have hoped for an opportunity. If they want to call us "No name" that's fine. Hopefully they will give us some names if we come home with the Gold!
From Steve Winkler in Port Colborne, Ontario: What team remaining do you feel is the biggest threat, and what pitcher poses the greatest challenge to hit against?
Mike Neill: I think all the teams are a pretty good threat. Cuba and Japan obviously are the top couple of teams, but in this tournament you never know what is going to happen. The top pitcher is -- I couldn't tell you. We have been seeing some real junk-ball pitchers, and we've struggled a little with them. We aren't use to seeing it. Maybe if we get someone who is throwing hard we can hit him a little better.
From Verity: What is the atmosphere in the village?
Mike Neill: Pretty unique. All the different countries -- a different feeling walking thru them. The U.S. has it's own road here and we feel like a family. The U.S. has a little house and there are 16 guys here! There are two houses for the whole baseball team and there are 15 or 16 in each house.
From Chip: Not including baseball what is your favorite Olympic event?
Mike Neill: I'd have to say basketball. I always liked it growing up.
From AndyfromSeaford: Do you think the games will improve your chances of getting called up to the Majors?
Mike Neill: Right now, the focus is on helping us win the Gold. When this is all over with, maybe, I hope so, it might open some doors for me. But right now I just focus on bringing home the Gold.
From Alan: What do like most about Australia so far? Have you had any personal time to do any sight seeing?
Mike Neill: During the Olympics it has been kinda busy, not much time for sightseeing. I like the beaches because we have had some more time during our training period at the Gold Coast. I thought the beaches were awesome and down town Sydney is kinda neat.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have this evening with Mike Neill. Mike thanks for joining us.
Mike Neill: Thank you!
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