Wednesday, February 3, 1993
SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
1.3
Jayhawk of all trades fields hits, may play pitching role
Shortstop-at-heart closes in on at-bats record as utility man
By Brady Prauser
Kansan sports writer
David Soult plays as many positions as actor Dana Carvey plays characters.
But unlike Carvey, Soult's versatility is for real.
Soul, a senior on the Kansas baseball team, is a Jayhawk of all trades. Excluding outfielder and catcher, he plays each position on the team — and plays each well.
Last season, Soult was the team's designated hitter 12 times, third baseman seven times, and pitcher six times. Perbaps even more importantly, Soult replaced second baseman Jeff Berlinger, an anchor in the Kansas lineup, when Berlinger was sidelined with an injury. Of the 41 games Soult started, 20 were at second base.
Kansas coach Barding Bingham said that when Berdlinger was injured the
Jayhawks started to unravel, but Soul helped put a stop to it.
"He held us together," Bing-ham said. "We were able to stay in the Big Eight race because of him."
And this season, Bingham will be asking even more of him. Bingham and pitching coach Wilson Kilner are looking for a fourth starting pitcher to complete the rotation, and they said Soult was one of the candidates.
"When we recruited him, we didn't realize he would be able to come in and pitch, but he does that well," Bingham said.
Last summer, Soult was 2-1 with two saves as a relief pitcher for the Mat-Su Miners in the Alaska Central Baseball League.
Although Soult is listed as a pitcher on this season's roster, he will still have many chances to swing the bat, just as he has in the past. Soult hit well enough during the last three seasons to become the leader among active
Kansas players in career at-bats. He is sixth on the all-time Kansas at-bats list, and needs 171 to set the school record in that category.
"I couldn't just pitch and not hit," Soult said. "And that is one of the things I told Coach."
Last season, Soult's .297 batting average was fourth highest on the team
Ironically, Soult and the Jawhayes did not learn of his versatility until he got to Kansas. He played mostly shortstop at his high school in Cincinnati and said that was still his favorite position. He is expected to see action at shortstop and third base this season when not pitching or filling the designated hitter position.
Soult said he was comfortable with his role as a utility man and took pride in his versatility. But he said his ability to play many positions came naturally.
"I like that role because it keeps me in the lineup," he said. "If you're an infielder, you should be able to play all of the infield positions."
Kansas' season begins next weekend with a three-day series at Grand Canyon.
BRIEF
Macfarlane agrees to one-year contract
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Catcher Mike Macturlane has agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, the team announced yesterday.
Macfarlane and the Royals avoided salary arbitration.
Macfarlane, 28, signed for a reported $1.175 million, he had asked for $1.4 million, and the Royals had offered $950,000. He was naid $740,000 last year.
Macfarlane led the Royals with a career-high 17 home runs and a.445 slugging average in 1992. He also was hit by pitches 15 times, which tied the league record and set a club record.
Mactarland had the fifth-best fielding percentage among American League catchers with a .993 percentage, and he threw out 22 of 87 runners attempting to steal.
He is a lifetime.251 hitter with 42 home runs.
S six players still are eligible for salary arbitration. They are: Kevin Appier, Chris Gwynn, Gregg Jefferies, Jose Lind, Jeff Montgomery and Bill Sampen.
Are you searching for helpful legal advice?
Get a membership for your Valentine!
Buy a membership for your sweatheart for just $80 or join as a couple for only $150.
HARD WEAR
GYM AND FITNESS CENTER
2329 IOWA SUITE#H (in the Dickinson Theatre shopping center)
832-1442
FREE WEIGHTS, SELECTORIZED MACHINES, ALPINE STAIRMASTERS, LIFE CYCLES, STATIONARY BIKES, NAUTILUS/TITAN EQUIPMENT, PERSONAL TRAINING, PERSONALIZED SERVICE, AND FREE DIET CONSULTATION.
A special Valentine idea from... Kruger Photography
Intimate portraiture of a woman,
by a woman, for the man in her life.
Call Maggie Kruger, photographer at
Kruger Photography, 842-7078, for
special Valentine prices.
Make your appointment soon.
OFFERING:
Make your appointment soon.
have you dined at
The Castle Tea Room
lately?
Reservations only:
843-1151
Cancun
*Round trip air from Kansas City *Round trip
transfers *A&S resort rentals *Free parties
*Free "call home"*
HS. Prom
- 5 nights resort lodging (7 nights after available)
- Houndstooth motorcross availability
- free windsurfing - free sailing - All resort
Bahamas
Ships $289
* 5 nights resort lodging
* Round trip 2 day cruise from FL. Lauderdale
Deluxe Great Location
Free meets on ship - All resort taxes
Joan or Mark 865-5611
Say it with heart.
Hearts and flowers. The perfect combination, orchestrated beautifully in a romantic vase. We can send one anywhere.
The Heart To Heart Bouquet
Teleflora
Owens FLOWER SHOP 9th & Indiana • 843-6111