A year ago, pitcher Turner Phelps was the first overall pick in the James Madison baseball team's draft for its annual Purple and Gold fall series.

Prior to this year's draft at Grafton-Stoval Theater on JMU's campus, Phelps was the first to remind everyone of that fact.

"You know, I've never lost one of these Purple and Gold World Series," Phelps said Sunday night, prior to the start of selections. "So once I get drafted, the draft is pretty much over. We know who's going to win."

"He always likes to act like he's going to be the first pick," junior pitcher/first baseman Trevor Knight said with a smirk. "But I doubt that he's going to be the first pick this year."

"If I don't go number one today, this draft is a joke," cracked Phelps.

But when head coach Spanky McFarland announced the gold team's first pick, it was Knight, not Phelps, whose name was called.

As Knight nodded his head in Phelps' direction, the pitcher stared blankly ahead, not acknowledging his snub.

This year's best-of-seven Purple and Gold series begins this Wednesday at Long Field/Mauck Stadium. McFarland, who serves as the draft's commissioner, says the point of the evening is to add a sense of importance to the series, which serves as the culmination of fall practice.

"Guys get drafted, and they play a little highlight clip behind them. They get escorted to the stage," said McFarland.

McFarland and the players say the draft is a natural way to raise the intensity of the series.

"Once we get on our separate teams, it's all business," said Knight. "We talk a lot of smack, and we go out and compete everyday."

"We all kind of live for this in the fall," said senior outfielder Matt Townsend. "And it's kind of what you play for all fall, to get drafted and stuff."

"If you win Purple and Gold, you'll be able to talk trash for a full calendar year," added junior relief pitcher Kevin Munson.

Phelps didn't have to wait too long. He was the Purple team's first pick, second overall. And he wasted no time sending a message to the gold team.

"So they just lost it for their squad," said Phelps. "I'm not planning on losing. I'm going to win this thing. Single-handedly, if I have to."