June 14, 2000

By Mark Long
Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. - Florida State always visits its favorite practice facility during trips to the College World Series.

This year, something was missing, though.

Gene Ralston, from nearby Bellevue, wasn't at the Seminoles' practices this week at Don Roddy Field. But his cooler was.

Ralston, suffering from a bleeding ulcer, kidney stones, cataracts and other ailments, collapsed at his doctor's door in December, spent several weeks in the hospital and nearly died.

Though Ralston always tries to make FSU feel at home in Nebraska, he was too ill to make it down to the practice field this week. But he made sure his cooler was there, filled with cold drinks for the Seminoles.

When coach Mike Martin found out about Ralston's health problems after practice last week, he loaded up the bus for a short road trip.

Ralston's wife, Marilyn, had been warned in advance the team was coming, but not Gene.

"So he opens his front door and he sees the bus in his driveway," Martin said. "And you should have seen the look on his face. I don't know if you can ever feel better than I felt right then."

The Seminoles lined up to shake Ralston's hand, wish him good health and tell him they missed him at practice.

"That's what Omaha is all about," Martin said.