ASU baseball notes: NCAA acts as fashion police

The Arizona State University baseball team displayed its sense of humor when it practiced in shirts and ties before last weekend’s Fullerton super regional, but the NCAA evidently was not laughing.

Sun Devils coach Pat Murphy on Tuesday said the team was reprimanded by the NCAA for wearing inappropriate workout attire.

“We were having too much fun,” said Murphy, whose team departs for the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., today. “I mean, it’s supposed to be about the student-athletes, right? And we get reprimanded for practicing in shirts and ties. I think the NCAA has a little bigger fish to fry.”

The NCAA was not done with ASU after the shirts-and-tie reprimand.

Curt Schilling attended Tuesday’s workout at Packard Stadium and was expecting to throw batting practice. But the NCAA deemed that the Boston Red Sox star — who is in the Valley rehabilitating his ankle — cannot take part in team drills.

Murphy’s suggestion for the NCAA: Lighten up.

“Someone thought it wasn’t kosher,” Murphy said. “Come on. That someone needs to think about the bigger picture.”

ARMS REST

ASU used whatever pitchers were available to get through the three-game Fullerton super regional, and the last couple of days have been about doing. . . well, not much of anything.

“We had a meeting with the pitchers on Monday,” Murphy said. “They were enjoying things, but I could tell that (fatigue) was not out of their systems just yet. I told them I’d stay away from them for a couple days, and they can tell me when they are ready to get back into it.”

Right-hander Jason Urquidez — who, with lefty Erik Averill, is a candidate to start Friday’s opener against Nebraska — said he is eager to return to the mound.

“I thought I might be a little sore, but I feel good,” said Urquidez, who won Sunday’s game with 3 innings of effective relief. “I’m ready to throw on the side and flush my arm out a little bit, and I’ll be ready for whenever.”

WELL-WISHERS

Murphy’s answering machine and e-mail inbox were chock full after the Sun Devils clinched a spot in the College World Series.

Among those who sent their congratulations were former ASU pitching coach Bob Welch, Diamondbacks general partner Jeff Moorad and infielder Craig Counsell — who played for Murphy at Notre Dame — and several of Murphy’s former Sun Devil players.

One of those was Dustin Pedroia, an All-America shortstop from 2002-04 and one of Murphy’s all-time favorites. The coach on Tuesday repeatedly expressed regret that Pedroia, who is now in the Red Sox’s system, never played in a College World Series.

“My heart goes out to Pedro,” Murphy said. “He should be here with us. He would be a great story in Omaha.”

THROWBACKS

Many Sun Devil players showed up to speak to the media on Tuesday wearing vintage ASU jerseys. First baseman/outfielder Jeff Larish sported a 1980s maroon Barry Bonds uniform that fit him very snugly.

“I don’t know how Bonds fit into this,” said Larish, who is a lean 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds.