Last season the Memphis Tigers had one of the best seasons in school history as they advanced to the NCAA Regionals and finished the year at 36-27. The program also received another boost when frequent University of Memphis benefactor FedEx pledged three million dollars to help replace the Tigers home field of Nat Buring Stadium and provide the team with a facility to rival any in the Mid-South region. It appeared Memphis was on the fast path to competing with Conference USA powers Rice, Tulane and East Carolina at the top of the conference standings.

This season however hasn't been quite as celebratory. Memphis has been forced to rebuild as they featured an opening day starting lineup with five talented, yet inexperienced newcomers and are currently 11-19 on the season. However the Tigers can boast one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the nation in speedy centerfielder K.K. Chalmers to lead the rebuilding effort. The senior Tiger captain epitomizes the phrase "big things come in small packages" as at 5'7", 165 lbs, Chalmers is a little guy, who plays a big game. When he hangs up his spikes at seasons end, the Wallace Watch List candidate will likely be Memphis' all-time leader in stolen bases, triples, walks, games and runs scored.

The Tiger leader recently found time to answer some questions from Ping!Baseball about a host of topics including the future of Memphis baseball, twisted testicles and where to get the best ribs in town.

PING!: I see your legal first name is Kellen, but your listed middle name is McRae. Where does the second "K" in your name come from?

Chalmers: When I was younger my older sister couldn't pronounce Kellen. So when I was born she called me K.K. for short and the name just seemed to stick. I'm not sure a lot of people even know my real name is Kellen.

PING!: You now have 97 career stolen bases (Chalmers actually reached the century mark last Tuesday night’s game vs. Austin Peay). Anything special planned for when you reach the century mark?

Chalmers: I hadn't really thought about my 100th stolen base. I didn't know that I was approaching it. It is always a good feeling to see hard work pay off and im sure my parents will have something up their sleeve for me.

PING!: The Tigers host conference rivals Rice, Tulane and East Carolina in Memphis. How much of a difference does it make when you play competitors of their caliber at home instead of on the road?

Chalmers: It is always fun playing conference series at home or away. I think it gives the home team a slight edge, but with teams of that caliber coming in you still have to get the job done on the field.

PING!: Last year you had played almost 150 straight games before being sidelined to injury. What's the worst injury you've suffered while playing baseball? Hopefully you've never had any injury like Cubs' centerfielder Felix Pie who suffered a testicular torsion (aka twisted testicle) in spring training this year.

Chalmers: Luckily I have been blessed as far as my career goes with injuries. I have had pulls, sprains, a separated shoulder, and a few other mild injuries. This past fall I broke my hand and had surgery to put a plate in so it grows back properly, but it wasn't all that spectacular of an injury. I was hoping for a little bit bigger scar though.

PING!: What has been your favorite place to play away from Memphis?

Chalmers: By far my favorite place to play away from Memphis is East Carolina University. The atmosphere that their fans bring to every game is unbelievable. Those guys out in the jungle behind center field always keep me on my toes and make the game fun for me. One of my close friends Harrison Eldridge is ECU's centerfielder and that also makes the series fun. Their fans do a great job of hazing me and riding me while I'm out on the field, but they also do a good job of keeping it fun. They have a picture and some other things of me hanging in their tent out there. I also was asked my freshman year to sign my strikeout K that they hang on the fence out there and to my surprise they still had it when we returned my Junior year. It is always a good time when you visit ECU. Clemson ran a close second with their centerfield crowd. Those guys did a great job also.

PING!: As a Tiger captain and the team's only senior you've been put in a position of a team leader this season. In what ways have you taken the title to task?

Chalmers: As a captain and somewhat of a team leader I just mainly try and provide as much knowledge to these younger guys as I can. I'm not a big motivational guy so I try and show them with hustle and hard work. I feel like I can make more of a difference that way than I can in words.

PING!: Since you are the only four-year player on the team, the club will need someone to take your place as a leader next season. Which of your Tiger teammates do you foresee assuming the role in 2009?

Chalmers: We have a couple of JUCO transfers that have come in this year and have made an impact on the program. My roommate Brett Bowen is one of those guys and if he is back next year I would be disappointed if he didn't assume that role. He is an amazing guy and can be another leader by example.

PING!: Memphis is famous for BBQ. When I lived there I was partial to Corky's for saucy ribs, but Rendezvous for dry. Where do you recommend for the best ribs in town?

Chalmers: I am a huge fan of Corky's BBQ. I don't get downtown to Rendezvous as much, and I'm not a big fan of dry ribs. If I had to recommend anything it would be Corky's. Their Banana Pudding is off the charts. A very close second would be Central BBQ down near the Liberty Bowl. If you like Corky's then you probably need to head down and see those guys at Central.

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