The calendar just flipped to 2020 and believe it or not baseball season is already upon us as the Oregon State Beavers held their first media availability on Tuesday at Goss Stadium.

A few select players and new head coach Mitch Canham looked ahead to the upcoming season, spoke about expectations entering Year 1 under Canham and more.

Q&A with Canham held with members of the media below:

Q: What have the last few months been like, getting back into this organization from a leadership standpoint?

Canham: More than exciting. I dont look at this as an organization Ive said this a million times but this is a family, from the guys in the clubhouse, the coaching staff, the athletic department, the community, its been unbelievable. I knew what this environment was like having been here, but, again, just a reminder how truly remarkable Corvallis and this baseball family is. Its been great watching these guys grow tremendously each and every day. Their work ethic and how tight they bond together is special.

Q: Is there anything that has surprised you coming back all these years later?

Canham: I dont think so. I lived right around the corner, I had a house here my dad lived down here, my aunt and uncle and I came back several times in the offseason, had a great relationship with all the coaches and would pick their brain and just loved being down here as well. I would say as new as I am, I guess, I dont feel new at all. This has always been a huge part of my life.

Q: Were there any jitters when you took over?

Canham: Nope; excitement, thats it. I just focus on being the best I can each and every day. The reality is the people Im surrounded with and my family have been extremely supportive and this is opportunity. Theres no threat to it; Its a challenge and a great opportunity.

Q: Whats been the biggest adjustment for you, coming from the pro level to the college level?

Canham: I dont think there are a ton of things that are providing big change. I was fortunate in the Mariners organization to focus primarily on people and process and I dont feel like thats any different now. We still focus on character, being a great student and also being a strong athlete. Keeping those three things in mind, weve already defined what our key pillars are here to success and we hold each other accountable to them. The biggest one is being selfless; thats something Ive been preaching as part of the Mariners organization and same thing here. Everyone has a few different things going on throughout their schedule and now the scope of things is a little bit wider than coaching at an affiliate but I feel like the history I had managing two companies back up in Washington and also doing professional baseball has kind of combined it all into one great opportunity.

Q: What have you seen from your guys so far in just the work they put in this offseason?

Canham: Its very clear what they want to do and their expectations of their performance is extremely high, but we know that how we practice builds trust and confidence in one another. We challenge ourselves and the guy next to us to really get better and look at those failures on a daily basis, on a pitch-to-pitch basis as opportunity to build strength. We know that we have a strong schedule and thats what we want every year, is to go out there and play the other top programs out there so that we can grow. You step in and watch any of the practices and times that were together and you can see the guys are inquisitive and even the coaches, having a strong growth mindset is important to us. Everyday showing up to the office early in the morning, its joy. Everyones coming in very excited and we know the players are showing up to the field (excited) as well, they love this time together. We have fun but fun is also working our tails off and trying to accomplish something only one team gets to do a year.

Q: You mention expectations and we know what they are here. When you got together before the start of practice or fall ball, did you set expectations or mention expectations, or does it go unsaid?

Canham: Part of this program is we have the same vision every year of what were here to accomplish. That happens by getting the best out of ourselves and growing, which is a tribute to Coach (Pat Casey) and all the other alumni that have come through here, coaches and players alike. The atmosphere here when youre playing a game, too, is extremely special. I think everyone who gave me a hard time sitting behind home plate when I was here helped me transform into the man I am today and Im grateful for that.

The first thing we did was go camping, get to know each other. And for us as coaches was spend some time, step back and really understand who these young men are, what changes theyve made rather than trying to over-coach, really observe and build that trust so they can go out there and compete, free the mind and also when we have something to say we make sure its the right person delivering the message. Sitting down early on it was very clear they have a lot of leadership in that clubhouse identifying what they want and how theyre going to get it.

Q: How would you describe your coaching style?

Canham (with a smile): Myself. I dont try to be anything Im not that advice was given to me many times over. Coach Casey, when I first started coaching, expressed a few things that really helped me out. I talked to everyone that I really respected as a former coach of mine and gave them the hard Q&A and tried to information seek as much as possible. Im very competitive while my wife has also helped me come more compassionate and patient I guess kids will do that for you, too. Im just trying to really be a good listener to the coaches and the players, rather than just jump to it. I know as a player I was quite fiery, and I would always be the one to lay into guys and let them know how I felt. I think Ive started to find balance, but still got a long way to go. Fortunately, I have a great coaching staff that communicates really well with me and helps me better myself each and every day. Accountability is probably one of our biggest things as well; rather than letting stuff slide by were trying to help each other become the best versions of ourselves and weve got to do that together.

Q: Whats it been like going from the minor leagues to knee deep in college baseball and recruiting?

Canham: The recruiting part is exciting. I get to go out and talk about Oregon State University and Oregon State baseball. I dont find it difficult whatsoever and its something Im extremely passionate about, so why wouldnt you want to share the vision about what were doing here and talk about the people that are here? Something that I really value is when we bring out young student athletes, getting to know them and finding out if theyre really going to fit our culture here and getting feedback from our student athletes. Their opinions really matter, and these guys know what it really takes to be part of this family.

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Oregon State baseball: Q&A with Beavers coach Mitch Canham on his return to Corvallis, expectations and more - OregonLive