6B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2008
THOMPSON (CONTINUED FROM TB)
As a result, Thompson had coaches from all over California and Nevada knocking on his door to play at their schools. However, it was Price — the coach who traveled the greatest distance to see Thompson — who landed the prize recruit.
"The thought of moving away was the hardest for me because all the schools I wanted to go to were so far away," Thompson said. "But the coaches were awesome and just knowing I'd have a chance to play in the Big 12 and hopefully go to the College World Series was the biggest deal for me."
Considering Kansas hasn't
reached a College World Series since 1993, those expectations might seem a little lofty, but they aren't much higher than the expectations for Thompson himself.
Price cautioned that Thompson is sure to endure the growing pains that most freshmen go through early on, but he doesn't expect Thompson to take long to adjust to the speed of the college game. By season's end. Price said hed like to see Thompson hitting around .300 with double-digit home runs and, most of all, playing solid defense.
"He has really good hands, he has a plus arm and he profiles as a professional third baseman." Price
said. "If he plays well defensively, I know he's going to play. He's going to struggle, there's no doubt. Every freshman struggles the first half, but if he can handle it mentally and not bury himself. I think when the season's over he'll have very good numbers."
And by the time Thompson's Kansas career is over, he could solidify himself as Kansas' single-season and career record holder in home runs. Travis Metcalf, who is now with the Texas Rangers, is Kansas' current leader in both categories, with 18 home runs in 2004 and 29 in his career, but the latter may fall by season's end. Seniors
Erik Morrison and Ryne Price, who both have 24 career runs, are on pace to surpass Metcalf's career mark.
Coach Price isn't a betting man, but he won't be surprised if Thompson owns both records within three years before pursuing a professional career of his own.
"When I walked on this campus five years ago and Travis Metcalf was standing next to me, I thought 'This guys has a chance to be a big time player,' Coach Price said. "He fulfilled his dream and I think Tony has that same type of future."
Edited by Madeline Hyden
BASEBALL
Royals start training early for pitchers, catchers
From left, Kansas City Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre, catcher John Buck, and pitchers Luke Hochevar and Brandon Duckworth autograph items during a Royals Caravan stop yesterday in Pittsgurk. Kan. Royals baseball players, coaches and other team members are visiting cities in the Midwest.
BY ALAN ESKEW ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sean Steffen/ASSOCIATED PRESS
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Officially,
the Kansas City Royals open spring
training on Thursday with pitchers
and catchers.
In truth, most of the team's 31 pitchers and seven catchers have been in for volunteer workouts for a week at the invitation of rookie manager Trey Hillman.
three in the Royals' rotation, plus veteran catchers John Buck and Miguel Olivo. Beyond the pitchers and catchers, several position players including David DeJesper, Joey Gathright, Billy Butler, Ryan Shealy and Alex Gordon were also at camp
"I don't know any specific counts," Hillman said of the early
This is my perception: that there's a lot of energy very early. I don't believe there is any way of thinking that's a bad thing.
TREY HILLMAN
Manager
arrivals. "It's not been a priority of mine, simply because it was the unofficial official invite camp."
At least 30 players already working out. Among the early arrivals were Gil Meghe, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke, who are the top
early. The first full squad workout is not scheduled until Tuesday.
" T h e r e seems to be a little excitement in the air," Hillman said. "It's very exciting for me. This is my perception: that there's
a lot of energy very early. I don't believe there is any way of thinking that's a bad thing."
Besides Hillman, who spent the past five years managing Japan's Nippon Hamp Fighters, Kansas City has two new coaches, Rusty Kuntz
and Dave Owen.
Hillman will have his pitchers throw to hitters on Thursday.
"I'm going out on a limb here, but I suspect we'll be the only club throwing live batting practice the first day of pitcher's-catchers reporting," Hillman said.
Hillman said the pitchers would have a screen in front of them when throwing batting practice.
"That is not optional, and the hitters will all wear helmets," Hillman said. "I've seen guys move that screen out of the way and get smoked on the shin. I've never seen a major injury from it, but I've seen contusions that put you two to four days behind. You can't afford to get behind. We're trying to get ahead. We've got spots open."
The Royals have finished last in the American League Central the past four years, including three 100-loss seasons from 2004-06.
Hillman and his coaching spent most of Wednesday in meetings with general manager Dayton Moore, scouts and other front office personnel.
"It is going to start getting faster; things are going to start speeding up," Hillman said.
"I'm going to be open-minded about everybody that is invited to camp. Do something to grab our attention without hurting yourself. I don't want guys coming out the first day trying to make the club. We always have to evaluate in spring training, but we always have to put the spring training evaluations in perspective."
Junior guard Mario Chalms shooting a three-pointer during the men's basketball game at Texas Feb. 11, 2008.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
"We just missed a lot of open shots," Chalmers said. "We had the looks. We just couldn't knock them down."
The recent decline in shooting from the guards is a bit surprising, as earlier this season they shot much better. The four-guards had been shooting 44 percent from the field before the Baylor game and 40 percent from beyond the three-point arc.
These statistics show that the last two games could be an anomaly. Good shooters can go through bad streaks. Still, this isn't a problem the Jayhawks can take lightly.
If the guards continue to struggle from the outside, Kansas' offense
becomes highly one-dimensional.
The Jayhawks have to go inside when the guards are missing, and the Longhorns showed that a good team can shut down the low post offense. For Kansas to regain its spot near the top of the polls and to contend for the Big 12 title, Chalmers, Rush, Robinson and Collins all need to regain the shooting form they showcased for most of the season.
"It's very wide open." Chalmers said about the conference. "We just have to keep playing our ball and keep being focused."
They also might want to make their open jump shots again.
Edited by Nick Mangiaracina