Welcome to the first installment of Quick Hits, a short question-and-answer with a Madison Mallards player.

Our first interview is with Mallards second baseman Joe De Pinto, who plays his college ball at Southern California and was featured in Sunday's State Journal.

What's the transition to a wood-bat league like?
"I enjoy it personally. I like hitting with wood almost more than metal. You come here, play in front of 6,000 people, use woods bats, you feel like a pro. And it's pretty fun."

You listed Frank Sinatra as one of your favorite musical artists. How'd you get into his music?
"I really couldn't tell you. I don't think my parents really listened to him that much. Maybe just, I'm a Yankee fan, too, and after every Yankee game they play New York, New York. And so, hearing him there, I guess I just kind of bought one of his CDs and started listening to it."

How are you enjoying Madison?
"I love it. I think it's great. I've got a great host family (the Maickes), it's fun coming to the ballpark every day and seeing a lot of people here. It just seems like everybody cares about the team a lot."