Slide, B.J., slide: QB to learn from USF softball

Quarterback B.J. Daniels is USF's leading rusher with 519 yards, but in the interest of preserving his health this season, he'll use the Bulls' bye week to learn a little sliding technique ... from USF softball coach Ken Eriksen.

"I didn't want this to get out, but (offensive coordinator Mike ) Canales has actually talked to the girls softball coach, and he's trying to help me out," Daniels said. "I haven't played baseball since 10th grade, so I kind of lost it and forgot how. They're trying to get me to do that a little more. Right now, I'm just falling, but they're trying to get me to slide."

Daniels will get a tutorial from Eriksen -- himself a former Bulls baseball player -- after Wednesday's afternoon practice. We couldn't help but point out that USF also has a baseball program that could help with the slides, but sure enough, softball had 50 steals last season, while baseball had just 46, while playing in three more games. That's not a shovel pass, it's a riseball ...

USF softball may call Clearwater home in 2010

USF softball is prepared to play all of its 2010 home games in Clearwater if it speeds up construction of a new softball stadium and football practice fields next spring.

The Bulls are already booked to play 19 games at Clearwater's E.C. Moore Complex, where they will host four tournaments in February and March, bringing 75 college teams to Pinellas County. The Bulls played 10 games at the Moore Complex last season as part of two tournaments they regularly host there.

Mike Lockwood, recreation superintendent for the City of Clearwater, said Wednesday that USF had contacted his office to check on the availability of the softball complex for the remainder of the schedule. The Bulls likely would host 10 or 12 Big East games in Clearwater this spring, in addition to a few midweek games during the season.

USF athletics is in the process of choosing from three design-build groups who have submitted bids to handle the construction of major facility upgrades, which also include a new baseball stadium and new basketball practice facility adjacent to the Sun Dome. If the chosen team can begin the building process this spring, USF would play softball in Clearwater to help start the projects sooner.

Softball pitcher collapses

USF softball pitcher Cristi Ecks collapsed during practice this afternoon, according to an e-mail from the university's athletic department.

"USF Certified Athletic Trainers were present and followed closely by Emergency Medical Personnel,'' read the e-mail from Chris Freet, Assistant AD for Communications.  "Ecks was responsive and in stable condition when she was taken to the hospital.''