On the same day the playoffs opened at the major league level, members of James Madison's baseball team had the opportunity to improve their pro stock.

The bleachers at Long Field/Mauck Stadium were littered with 25 pro scouts Wednesday, as the Dukes held their annual fall workout day.

Head coach Spanky McFarland said it was the best scout turnout the school ever had for the event.

According to McFarland, most scouts were on hand to see a pair of junior pitchers, reliever Kevin Munson and starter Turner Phelps, along with shortstop David Herbek. All three spent the summer playing in the Cape Cod League.

Munson, who was a Cape Cod all-star game while pitching for the league-champion Bourne Braves, said he wasn't surprised by the large number of scouts on hand.

"We've got a lot of talent this year, and we've got a lot to offer," says Munson. "We've got a lot of guys trying to play at the next level."

"This will be a very serious day," says Phelps, an all-star alternate for Bourne. "And like I said it'll be like a job interview, I think."

McFarland said he didn't get much feedback from the scouts, who watched the Dukes taking batting practice, fielding drills, and run the 60-yard-dash prior to playing the fourth game of JMU's annual Purple and Gold fall series.

"They're pretty tight lipped. It's so early in the year," says McFarland. "Now it's just a matter of (JMU's players) having good years, and those guys coming back."