Settling in at home

Irish Insights

Irish reach Big East baseball tourney semifinals

Notre Dame earned a spot in the Big East tournament semifinals and a day of rest with a 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh (41-16) on Thursday in Clearwater, Fla.Thursday

Video: Mike Elston on playing ACC opponents

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about the new challenges the team will face by playing five Atlantic Coast Conference teams every year, starting in 2014.Wednesday

Video: Mike Elston on Tony Springmann

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about former Bishop Dwenger standout and current Irish defensive lineman Tony Springmann, and the value Springmann has by being a versatile lineman.Tuesday

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly added a twist to the practice routine for this season.

Kelly told reporters that the team practiced inside Notre Dame Stadium on Thursday. The plan is to get the team more comfortable on their home field.

"I felt at times that we ran into the stadium like we were running into the Basilica or running to the Grotto," Kelly said. "We're running into the stadium, to a football stadium, I want our guys to feel comfortable in there. We were in there like six or seven times last year so by going on Thursdays, I want our guys to feel comfortable in the stadium, in the locker room, in the tunnel, on the field, on the sidelines."

Thursday's preview of playing in the stadium also served as a test run for the grass surface.

Kelly said the grass held up really well.

"I'm not sure what the case was in years past, they always talked about digging up the field," Kelly said. "It was good today, and we will continue to do that based on what I saw today."