Friday, April 17. 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Renovation, recruits focus of program
Continued from page 1B
Meares and Joe Carter all developed in their time here into amazing players," Stephenson said.
As games have been won, expectations and tradition have grown. Wichita State now uses its large stadium and fan support to recruit great players to its program.
Lawrence High School graduate and starting Shocker second baseman Kevin Hooper said his decision had been between Wichita State and Kansas.
"Look at this stadium," Hooper said after Wednesday's game. "When I saw the stadium and thought about the tradition, I just couldn't pass it up. I think it's the best college baseball program in the nation."
Fans observe the 1996 Midwest Baseball Regional at Wichita State's Eck Stadium-Tyler Field. The stadium, which holds about 6,000 people, is one of several advantages the Wichita State program holds vs. Kansas. Contributed photo
Hoglund-Maupin Stadium seats about 1,300 people on a set of aluminum bleachers. The scoreboard is ancient. The press box is a single room.
Kansas blues
'Contributions by Kansas baseball alumnus Bill Hogland will finance a renovation effort this summer that should improve conditions. Help is on the way, but college baseball at Kansas is in a different league
at Kansas, but he has failed to turn the team's fortunes around. The program has been in the dolrums since a pair of 40-win seasons in 1993 and 1994, and it has compiled a 17-20 record this season.
Bobby Randall is in his third year
Former head coach Dave Bingham led the Jayhawks to the College World Series in 1993, but he couldn't keep talent levels up year after year.
"Bingham had one group of good players who had two great seasons, but they were under .500 before and after that," Randall said. "It's hard to build a program and it's also hard to keep it going."
Randall has guided the Jayhawks to mediocrity thus far in three seasons, with a 74-75 overall record. He said the players hold the key to building a Kansas tradition similar to that of Wichita State.
"I'm not trying to recreate their program, but I do respect what they've done," Randall said. "To become that kind of a program, we need to find good players, sign good players and develop their talents."
Building for the future
Randall said developing players also would develop tradition and a winning atmosphere at Kansas.
"When we win, people will come," Randall said. "We'll never be 29-3
because we play in a tougher conference than Wichita State, but once we start winning games we won't have enough seats."
Stephenson cited poor weather as a hindrance in building baseball programs in northern states. Rain and cold temperatures kill much of the early season, which also makes it hard to attract a fan base. While teams such as Louisiana State and Texas have dominated college baseball, Wichita State is the only northern team that has remained in the high ranks of the sport during the past 20 years.
"There are no other great programs, year after year, in cold weather climates," Stephenson said. "We compete on an uneven
playing field with southern teams that can play outside all winter long. Bobby does a great job, but the cards are stacked against us."
Randall said renovations to Hoglund-Maupin Stadium would improve recruiting. This, coupled with winning games, will entice players like Hooper to stay in Lawrence.
"I can't fault Hooper for having fun winning. They are 29-3. You think he wants to be here?" Randall said. "We will to work hard to build that kind of winning tradition at Kansas on our own terms."
Softball to battle ISU, NU
The Kansas softball team takes on two conference opponents this weekend in doubleheaders against Iowa State and Nebraska.
The Jayhawks play the Iowa State Cyclones tomorrow in Ames at noon and 2 p.m. The Cyclones are ninth in the Big 12 Conference, posting a 2-7 record against league opponents.
Iowa State has only played 30 games this season. 21 less than the Jayhawks, and a 11-19 record overall.
Last year, the Jayhawks swept the Cyclones 11-0 and 4-0 at home.
The Jayhawks battle the seventhranked Nebraska Cornhuskers Sunday. The Cornhuskers, who are first in the Big 12, have yet to lose in 10 games against conference teams this season.
The Jayhawks are coming off a sweep against the Wichita State on Tuesday, after the second scheduled meeting against Creighton was rained out Wednesday.
Shortstop Michelle Hubler regained the hitting lead last weekend, increasing her batting average to .320. Over the last six games, Hubler hit .389 with three doubles, three RBIs and a .556 slugging percentage.
Pitcher Christy McPhail posted a .088 ERA over the last six games, giving up only two earned runs in three appearances. McPhail is hitting .364 with two doubles, a run and an RBI.
Nebraska, 32-8 overall, enters this weekend on a 10-game winning streak.
Laura Bokenkroger
Kansas softball pitcher Jessica Kowal pitches the ball during a game against Oklahoma. Photo by Steve Puppe/KANSAN
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