2B SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WEDNESDAY APRIL 15, 2000 QUOTE OF THE DAY "The problem is that baseball statistics are not pure accomplishments of men against other men, which is what we are in the habit of seeing them as. They are accomplishments of men in combination with their circumstances." Bill James. baseball's most famous sabermetrician FACT OF THE DAY Sixteen million adults played fantasy sports in 2006. Although many Web sites offer free leagues, fantasy sports generated an economic impact of more than $1 billion a year. TRIVIA OF THE DAY Fantasy Sports Industry Trade Association Q: What is sabermetrics? A: Sabermetrics is the analysis of baseball through objective evidence, especially baseball statistics. The term is derived from the acronym SABR, which stands for the Society for American Baseball Research. It was coined by Bill James. — Wikipedia.com JOBS Kansan hiring for sports positions for spring, fall The University Daily Kansan is looking for aspiring sports writers to help with spring sports coverage. Help is needed with the coverage of rowing, spring soccer, club sports and intramurals. No experience is required. Check jobs.ku.edu for information about applying for these postitions. Please contact sports editor Andrew Wiebe at awiebe@ kansan.com for additional information. COMMENTARY Work continues in offseason In the world of Division-I sports, seasons end only in the sense that games are no longer played. But with recruiting, recovering from injuries or simply working out in the offseason, the preparation and grind never come to a full stop. So, as a tribute to that mentality, here are three facets of Kansas women's basketball's offseason to this point. After all, coaches always say the offseason is where the real work is done. Late in Kansas' Feb. 22 victory against Iowa State, sophomore forward Nicollette Smith hobbled to the sideline without putting weight on her right leg. Smith returned, unable to fully bend her leg, with three minutes left in the game, but the message was clear: Smith's right - Andrew Wiebe Smith leg, more specifically her right knee, was a problem. Last week coach Bonnie Henrickson said Smith had surgery April 7. "They're going in to clean it up," Henrickson said. "We don't know what exactly it is." Smith averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds while starting 34 of Kansas' 36 games this season. But the nagging knee problem did seem to affect Smith, especially late in the season. She made just one of 17 three-pointers during Kansas' final nine games and appeared slowed by her knee, which she wore in a brace for much of the season. "She was in too much pain down the stretch." Henrickson said. "She played on one leg." In her five years at Kansas, Henrickson hasn't shied away from playing freshmen and newcomers. And she'll have a large incoming group to work with in the offseason. SIGNEES IN LAWRENCE THIS SUMMER Henrickson hauled in five players for the 2009-2010 season. "Young players have played and produced in this program before, and that's exciting when you're coming in," Henrickson said. "But all these kids have great respect for what these returners did this year." Still, the layhawks could use more depth off the bench next season — a role Henrickson said any one of the five newcomers could fill. "I don't look at any one of them and say 'Well, she's not going to be able to do that,'" Hendrickson said. The five signes will join Kansas' returning players in Lawrence this summer. KANSAS' RETURNING OFFENSE This season, Kansas' offense normally ran through two players; junior forward Danielle McCray and junior guard Sade Morris. And for much of the season, the two delivered on the offensive end, leading Kansas in scoring this year. McCrav But this offseason, Henrickson said, the Jayhawks' post players must develop and create alternative scoring options to lighten the load carried by McCray and Morris. "Our bigs are going to get better." Henrickson said, "Those kids recognize Morris that they have to be able to produce and contribute more." Edited by Brandy Entsminger 2009 KANSAS COMMITMENTS Name Position Hometown Monica Engelman Guard San Antonio Marisha Brown Guard Kansas City, Mo. Annette Davis Forward Houston Carolyn Davis Forward Houston Tania Jackson Forward Lawrence NFL Vick continues journey back to Leavenworth RICHMOND, Va. — Suspended NFL star Michael Vick has begun the third leg of his trip back to a federal penitentiary in Kansas. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons Web site showed Tuesday that Vick has left the federal prison in Atlanta. Vick was held in a local jail for several days after he was brought to Newport News to testify at his bankruptcy hearing earlier this month. HOCKEY Minor league team signs 10-year lease to play A judge threw out Vick's bankruptcv plan. INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A Kansas City suburb has approved a 10-year lease with a minor league hockey team to play in its new events center. The judge also rejected an effort to keep Vick in the area while he works on a new bankruptcy plan, clearing the way for his return to Leavenworth, where he is serving 23 months for bankrolling a dogfighting ring. The unnamed Central Hockey League team committed to play at least 30 games per season at the Independence Events Center, now under construction. Members of the Independence City Council unanimously approved the lease Monday night The city hopes that about 150 events will be booked each year, including concerts, trade shows and scholastic sports games. Details about franchise are expected to emerge before the end of the month. City Manager Robert Heacock said the name must include the words "Independence" or "Missouri" or both. Associated Press THIS WEEK IN KANSAS ATHLETICS TODAY Track & field Kansas Relays, all day Lawrence THURSDAY Track & field Kansas Relays, All day Lawrence FRIDAY Baseball Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m. Lubbock, Texas Track & field Kansas Relays, All day Lawrence SATURDAY Tennis Texas, noon Lawrence Softball Texas, 1 p.m. Austin, Texas Baseball Texas Tech, 5 p.m. Lubbock, Texas Track & field Kansas Relays, All day Lawrence Soccer South Dakota, TBA Omaha, Neb. Women's golf Lady Buckeye Invitational, All day Columbus, Ohio **Rowing** Day 1, All day Oak Ridge, Tenn. Men's golf Texas A&M Aggie Invita- tional, All day College Station, Texas 417 E 189H, KICMO AT GIRLDENE VERIZON WIRELESS CONCERT SERIES SAT MAY 2 CAKE FRI MAY 8 GEORGE CLINTON &P-FUNK ALLSTARS WED MAY 13 GWAR SAT MAY 16 SISTER HAZEL FRI MAY 22 BADFISH A TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME SAT MAY 23 ROBERT EARL KEEN SAT MAY 30 BEN FOLDS FRI JUN 26 DEL McCOURY TUE JUL 14 GOV'T MULE FRI JUL 24 REV HORTON HEAT TUE AUG 4 GEORGE THOROGOOD JONNY LANG SAT AUG 15 AVETT BROTHERS TUE AUG 18 BLONDIE GET TICKETS AT GRINDERS IN KANSAS CITY, BOTTLENECK IN LAWRENCE verizon workforce Pitch WWW.CROSSROADSKC.COM The Bottleneck 137 New Hampshire • Lawrence Kansas Friday April 17th Truckstock Honeymoon w/ The Midday Ramblers Tuesday April 21st EOTO Thursday April 23rd The Kills w/ The Horses / Magic Wands Friday April 14th That I Grow w/ Blue Turtle Seduction COMING SOON: Kate Veogle, Delco Dellman, Split Lip Bayfield, The Sound, Trollab Kowre, Republic Tigers, www.thebottlenecklive.com