COLUMBUS, Ohio — The season does not begin until late February, but autumn is the perfect time to hone skills and build camaraderie for the Ohio State baseball team.

The annual Scarlet and Gray World Series, a best-of-five intra-squad series that began Monday at Bill Davis Stadium, will conclude five weeks of practices for the Buckeyes. While the World Series has always given players a chance to gain game experience before the season commences, this year’s series carries added significance because the roster includes 10 true freshmen.

“What we’re trying to do is create that intensity and create that atmosphere that they’re going to face in the spring,” coach Bob Todd said.

“It’s (an opportunity) to see how everybody competes (and) to get the younger guys a chance to actually have some intensity and pressure on them,” senior infielder Tony Kennedy said.

The coaching staff not only uses the series to evaluate talent but also to continue teaching the intricacies of baseball.

“One of the things we’re doing is really stressing fundamentals and introducing an awful lot (to) the freshmen,” Todd said. “If you talk to some of the freshmen they’re saying, ‘I thought I knew a lot about baseball (but) I hadn’t even scratched the surface before I came here.’”

He said the best way to instruct freshmen is through live action.

“We need them to understand the game of baseball is a game of reaction and you can’t really practice a lot of reaction until you play innings and play a game,” Todd said.

Coaches are not the only ones giving advice to incoming players, however.

“Just relax,” Kennedy said. “When you first come in and play games nerves usually get the best of you — it happened to me. If they’re able to relax and let their abilities shine through they should be fine.”

Conducting the series in the fall allows the team to create companionship and to develop an identity early, both of which can make a difference during a long, grueling season.

“It’s a good chance for getting chemistry especially (with) the freshmen since they’re new to the team,” junior infielder Michael Arp said. “There’s a lot more team chemistry this year (already). We’re eating together, we’re lifting together, and it seems like we’re pushing for each other every day of practice.”

The winning team of the series will enjoy a tangible reward in addition to pride and bragging rights.

“The winning team gets to eat chicken and ribs and a pretty good meal while the losers are getting beans and hot dogs,” Todd said. “So there is some incentive to play well and win ballgames.”