April 23, 2010
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University shortstop Brian Kownacki has gotten over one million hits this week. No, he didn't set an NCAA record because none of those hits came on the field. These hits have come on the internet.
For those who haven't seen it yet, here's the video of Kownacki's run-scoring leap over Iona catcher James Beck to score the final run in Fordham's 12-9 comeback victory over the Gaels on Tuesday night:
According to youtube.com as of 9:20 a.m. (EST) on Friday, the video, which was shot by Andrew O'Connell and features the play-by-play call of WFUV's Gregg Caserta, has been viewed 1,095,154 times and is listed as the most viewed video on the web site.
The video has vaulted Kownacki into the national spotlight, with an appearance this morning on the CBS Early Show. He has also appeared on FOX News' America's Newsroom, Inside Edition and CNN Headline News. Kownacki is a popular Google subject as a search for "Brian Kownacki" returns about 261,000 results.
The play was featured on ESPN's SportsCenter (it was voted the #1 of the Top Ten Plays from Tuesday), Pardon the Interruption, Around the Horn, Baseball Tonight, and SportsNation as well as being seen on most local and national news programs.
Here is a sampling of some news clips of the "Kownacki Flip":
What a play! Former Amity ballplayer an Internet hit (New Haven Register)
Fordham baseball player an internet sensation after acrobatic flip over Iona catcher (NY Daily News)
Fordham's Kownacki Leaps Over Catcher to Score (LA Times)
Fordham Baseball Player Leaps to Fame (NECN)
"My First Instinct was to Jump Over Him" (NBC News)
What A Play! Fordham Player Explains Daring Flip (WCBStv)
Fordham Baseball Player Flips Over Catcher, Becomes Web Sensation (WPIX)
Fordham Super Sophomore Saves the Day (Technorati.com)
Fordham Baseball Player's Leap Goes Viral (CBS News.com)
Fordham Basketball Might Want to Contact Kownacki (The Sporting Blog)
As for the team, the Rams are in Dayton where they will open an important three game Atlantic 10 series with the University of Dayton today at 3:00 p.m. The Rams are 7-5 in the conference, placing them in a five-way tie for fourth.
