Canzano: The Tao of Mitch Canham on display

"Whatever it takes," he said.

I caught up with Oregon State baseball coach Mitch Canham on Wednesday in an exclusive interview. He slipped into a zen-like state as we had an extended talk about the Eugene Regional.

What?

You expected the guy to be uptight with everyone in a tizzy about the Beavers and Oregon Ducks in the same four-team winner-take-all double-elimination bracket this weekend?

The fans bickering?

The noise?

All of it goes into a mental funnel, Canham said.

“When the game is going on, all I really hear is the beat,” he told me. “‘What kind of song is being played right now?’ I don’t always hear the lyrics. I’m paying attention to the game. As much stuff as can be going around, I leave that to those who want to pay attention to it.”