Spurling preparing to be a teacher

Many say the hardest thing to do in sports is to hit a round ball with a round bat. Ducks first baseman Matt Padgett disagrees.

Padgett, who's in his 13th year of professional baseball, was also the kicker for the Clemson football team in college and says - all things considered - kicking a field goal is harder than hitting a baseball.

"You get one shot," Padgett said. "There are a lot of variables and you have to count on a lot of other people. At the plate, its just you."

Originally drafted by the Marlins in the 5th round of the 1998 amateur entry draft, the South Carolina native also spent time in the Phillies and Cubs systems. In his first season with the Ducks, the 33-year-old is hitting .262 with two home runs and 22 RBIs in 43 games.

Q&A

If you weren't playing baseball, you'd be...?

"I'd like to think I would've stayed in the football worldBut who knows maybe a lawyer or something like that."

Most intimidating pitcher you've faced?

"Billy Wagner."

Most famous person in your cell phone?

"Josh Beckett."

Something teammates have teased you about?

"Playing up here, there are a lot of guys from New York on the squad. Being from South Carolina, every now and then I get the whole southern guy thing. They start giving me a hard time."

Dinner with three famous people; who's invited?

"George Washington, Jesus, and Peter Griffin from Family Guy."