Friday

SethSpeaks: Growing up in Wisconsin, who was your favorite team, and who were some of your favorite players to watch?

Korey Feiner: I loved the Brewers growing up. Going to County stadium and sitting in the family section for $5 a seat was great. I liked watching Paul Molitor and Robin Yount. As I grew older I turned into an Orioles fan because I liked watching Cal Ripken.

SethSpeaks: Tell us a little about your high school career, some memories or stories. And did you participate in other sports or activities?

Korey Feiner: The best part of high school baseball was playing on multiple travel teams throughout the summer my junior and senior years. I got to meet a lot of different people and travel to different places. I was a two time all-state wrestler and a QB and CB on my high school football team.

SethSpeaks: Were you heavily recruited out of high school? Was there any thought of pro ball at that time?

Korey Feiner: I wasn't heavily recruited out of high school. Being from a small town and not specializing in one sport, I never got a great look by any D1 colleges except UW-Milwaukee. I definitely had aspirations of playing college ball and someday pro ball but never thought it was a guarantee by any means.

SethSpeaks: You went to UW-Oshkosh, a Division III powerhouse. What made you decide to go there, and describe the baseball tradition at the school.

Korey Feiner: After I didn't get any looks from any D1 schools and UW-Milwaukee stopped encouraging me to come, Coach Tom Lechnir from UW-Oshkosh called me and ask to meet with me. He never promised anything but said if you are good enough to one day play pro baseball, you will not get overlooked at Oshkosh. The tradition there was something I had no idea about until I was there for a year. The number of professional players that come back helped my career immensely. I got to work with multiple professional catchers and get the best coaching from all of them.

SethSpeaks: The Twins signed you after the draft in 2004 as a free agent. Were you expecting to be drafted? Were other teams talking to you?

Korey Feiner: I was expecting to be drafted due to the fact I went to a few pre-draft camps and performed well. Other teams had contacted me throughout my senior year and I thought I would be chosen sometime during the second day of the draft. When it didn't happen I was upset but Mark Wilson, a Minnesota area scout, called me 15 minutes after the draft and offered me a free agent contract. I wasn't mad that I wasn't drafted, just happy I was getting a chance to play pro ball.

SethSpeaks: If you weren't playing pro baseball, what would your career of choice be? Did you finish college?

Korey Feiner: I graduated college in Urban and Regional Studies and City Planning. If I didn't play ball I'd probably be working as an electrician for my father. Although in the future Trevor Plouffe (Rockcats shortstop) and I plan on writing and directing movies.

SethSpeaks: How would you describe yourself as a player? What are your strengths, and what areas would you say you most have to improve upon?

Korey Feiner: As a player I see myself as a defensive catcher. I take pride in my defense and being the leader of the field. If I could improve on one part of my game it would be becoming a better hitter in the lineup.

SethSpeaks: Last year, you spent the season at Ft. Myers. The Florida State League can be tough on hitters. How did you feel about your season?

Korey Feiner: The Fla. St League was different because of the heat and the thick air. The ball definitely doesn't carry well and there are very few fans at the games. But it was my best year both offensively and defensively. It was a positive year for my career that I hope to build on.

SethSpeaks: As a catcher, what is your role in developing the pitchers that you catch? How do you go about doing that?

Korey Feiner: Being a catcher that prides myself on defense, calling a game and handling a staff is very important. If the staff is pitching poorly or we are losing a lot of games, I see it as my fault and try to make the adjustments to get back on track. I do this by studying hitting charts, mixing in the hitters weaknesses along with my pitchers strengths.

SethSpeaks: Last year, you caught Matt Garza for a month or so, and Kevin Slowey for a half-season. What was it about them that made them so good?

Korey Feiner: Matt Garza was my roommate in Beloit and Ft. Myers and we stay together in spring training. We have stayed close friends and catching him was fun. His velocity and confidence are his best assets. He has electric stuff that is hard to beat if he's on. Slowey on the other hand has some of the best control out there. He challenges himself day in and day out to get better. He doesn't back down and continually gives you quality outings. He stays loose throughout the game has fun playing.

SethSpeaks: Who were some of the coaches or people that have helped you get to this point in your career?

Korey Feiner: My father, Scott, was always there to coach me in Little League. I had three brothers and all summer we spent the evenings playing catch and wiffle ball. Coach Lechnir at Oshkosh gave me the skills to compete at the next level. Now that I'm in pro ball many people such as my A-ball manager Kevin Boles have helped me to grow as a professional.

SethSpeaks: What was the adjustment to pro baseball like for you?

Korey Feiner: The biggest adjustment was the length of the season and number of games you play. You have so many at bats that you can't dwell on the bad. You have to have a short memory.

SethSpeaks: What do you think of playing in such cold, rainy and snowy conditions as you have seen thus far this season?

SethSpeaks: What do you think it will be like to put on a big league uniform in a regular season for the first time?

SethSpeaks: Is there anything else that you would like to share with Twins fans around the country about yourself?