Kansas senior shortstop Erik Morrison recently sat down and talked to Kansan baseball beat writer Shawn Shroyer. The interview is transcribed below.

Shawn Shroyer: The first thing I have to ask is, who in the world is Peter Wazlawick, who you referenced as your favorite athlete in last week’s KU baseball questionnaire?

Erik Morrison: He’s probably one of my best friends out of baseball out here at Kansas. I met him through a roommate of mine and he’s just been a real supportive friend out here and a good golfing buddy. He’s always down to golf any time I want to golf. He’s not the most coordinated guy on the planet, so I kind of threw that in there to give him a little press.

SS: Well, you mentioned golf, so what do you think about Tiger Woods’ chances of pulling off the grand slam this year?

EM: That’s a tough feat, but if anybody can do it, it’s that guy. That’s probably the most admired sports figure in sports today. I remember I was out at the 2000 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and it was a rainout. Him and Payne Stewart – it was Payne Stewart’s last tourney there – were both sitting in the clubhouse and me and my buddy, we were in eighth grade, you know, little kids trying to peek in the doors and they came out, signed a couple things for us and gave us each a golf ball.

SS: So, in your four years here in Kansas, in the Midwest, what’s the one thing you miss most about California?

EM: I miss the smell of the ocean and a home-cooked meal. I got real close to my brother right until I left and I miss seeing him. He’s got a kid now and I wish I could kind of be there to see his kid grow up and stuff. But I’m out here doing my thing and he’s back there doing his thing.

SS: And going back four years, there are a lot of stereotypes about the Midwest, so what was the one thing that maybe surprised you that you didn’t expect about Kansas?

EM: That it really is as flat as everybody says. I lived out in the mountains where I could ride my skateboard 10 minutes to the beach – out of the mountains and into the water.

SS: So, after this season, you’re probably going to begin a professional baseball career outside of Kansas. Is there anything you’re going to miss about Kansas?

EM: I’m always going to have ties here. This has just been a fabulous experience for me to come out here and spend my tenure here at Kansas. I’ll be here in the offseason. I got an internship in Kansas City next fall out at Hallbrook Country Club, so I’ll be here working out. As long as I’m playing baseball, I’ll probably be in Lawrence in the offseason working out, just because of the amenities and facilities are here for me to use.

SS: I know right now you’re focused on the season, focused on the moment, but last year you were drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates – and bless their hearts, they’re doing the best they can – but is there any team you’d prefer draft you this year?

EM: I’d say a West Coast team, just because I grew up on the West Coast and most of their minor league affiliates are on the West Coast and their Spring Training is in Arizona. That’s the warm part of the country and that’s what I want to get back to. It’s tough playing baseball in the frigid cold weather, so I’d like to go to a West Coast team, but it really doesn’t matter. I really hope someone gives me an opportunity and I’ll let my play speak for itself and let it carry me as far as it can carry me.