University Daily Kansan
Page 12
Baseball Hopes Look Dim For Kansas Team
Although baseball season is four months off, an appraisal of the 1956 Jayhawkers might prove interesting, not only to alumni trying to catch up on things, but also to those interested in the game.
Any illusions of winning the Big Seven title are just that for the time being. A team that rises from last place to first is a rarity, and that's just what the Jayhawkers would have to do.
Friday, Nov. 18, 1955.
Out For Better Mark
Last spring they had an over-all record of six wins and 16 losses, which leaves room for much improvement. In attempting to better this mark, Coach Floyd Temple will have to build around 10 lettermen. Most of these showed a willingness last season but not too much else.
Supplementing these veterans will be seven sophomores, many of whom have good chances of being starters.
The pitching, which was shaky at times last spring, should be strengthened considerably with the addition of sophomore Ron Wylie to the staff.
Wylie pitched his Wyndotte team to the 1954 state high school title, and posted a 10-3 mark while playing in Minnesota this summer. He's a right-hander, who doubles as an outfielder.
Another soph, lefty Van Cooper, also may be of some value, but is short on experience.
Shirley To Return
Bob Shirley, 1954 ace, is another who could bolster the hurling corps. Sidelined last season with an ailing arm, the right-hander says his arm feels fine after a summer's rest.
Lefty Gary Fenity is the only holdover from last spring, although Loren "Fuzzy" Martin, first-string catcher, may return to the mound, where he began in 1854.
If Fenity gains stamina, and Shirley and Martin show their old forms, these three and Wylie could form the nucleus of a good staff.
Probable replacement for Martin behind the plate is Barry Donaldson, another sophomore. Donaldson is a good bitter and fine catcher, with a knack for handling pitchers. Letterman John Walz probably will back up Donaldson.
The hole at first base, left by the departure of Bill Heitholt, may be filled by Jim Trombold, brother of former KU star John Trombold. Coach Temple is also contemplating moving outfielder Bob Conn to the position.
Don Steinmeyer returns at second base, but will have to work to stay ahead of sophs Dale Gulledge and Barry Robertson. Robertson will transfer to KU from Coffeyville Junior College in January. This summer he was the leading hitter on the Coffeyville Ban Johnson League team which won the state title.
Sophomore Phil Stonestreet, whose brother Jack was a fine KU pitcher, will try to fill the gap at shortstop, one of the Jay-hawkers' 1955 weak spots. Stonestreet, however, is short on experience.
In the outfield, the starting three-some of Conn, Dick Blowey, and Don Dixon returns. All are good outfields, but for the most part, have been weak hitters. Behind them are veterans La Verne Fiss and Dudley Budrich, who will have to show improvement to gain starting positions. Wylie is the only newcomer who may help out here.
Forrest "Punky" Hoglund, 1955 captain and leading hitter, will return at third base. Pushing him will be sophomores John Newlin and Ray Stockwell.
Tennis Coach Likes Outlook
"Kansas University will have one of its strongest tennis teams in recent years," said Dick Mechem, KU's young and highly successful tennis coach.
With four starting lettermen returning and a good nucleus of incoming sophomores, KU will be a good choice to displace the Oklahoma Sooners, who have dominated the Big Seven tennis scene for many years and who are defending champions.
Leading the Jayhawk attack this year will be Bob Riley, Kansas City junior, who last year won the Big Seven singles title and turned in an undefeated season. Riley will again be expected to carry the load for the Jayhawkers.
Also returning on the tennis team are Dave Kane, Kansas City senior, Bruce Wenger, Salina junior, and Del Hadley, Topeka junior, who played No. 2, 4, and 5 respectively.
Other netsters who will be seeking a berth on the team are Roger Alberty, Olathe junior, Phil Rein, Kansas City junior, Dave Leslie Wichita junior, Gene Kane, Kansas City sophomore, and Jack Runnels, Lyons junior.
KU, which finished third in the Big Seven last year and had five victories out of ten matches, will be strong both in singles and in doubles this year.
Organized practice for the tennis team will begin in March with scheduled matches beginning the latter part of April.
KU Football Is Expensive Sport
Most KU students attend at least some of the football games, and probably all are aware that the University has a football team, but few realize how much it actually costs to operate a football team.
Last year the University spent over $43,000 on football. A C. "Dutch" Lonborg, director of athletics, has made the following estimate of equipment costs: football. $18.45; helmet. $22.50; shoulder pads, $22.95; hip pads. $18.50; football pants, $22.95; jersey, $14.75; knee and thigh pads, $7.50; shoes, $22.50; warmups, $17.50; bench coats, $13.50.
Without considering the smaller miscellaneous items, these figures make the cost approximately $162.65 for each plaver.
Last year the football equipment cost totaled $16,000, hospitalization and medical supplies were $10,000, and travel expenses amounted to $9,000. Guards and gatemen were paid $5,000, and officials received $3,600.
Another expensive item is scholarship aid for the football players. Most athletes are here on scholarships which alumni have designated to the Endowment Association for this specific purpose.
"I never expected to practice when I took up osteopathy but planned to use it along with my coaching," Dr. Allen explained." Since I began coaching I have had many opportunities to use it and have worked on some outstanding athletes, including Johnny Mize of the New York Yankees in 1950, Eddie Shore, a famous ice hockey player, and many of the Kansas City Blues pitchers."
(Continued from Page 3B) In addition he engaged in his osteopathic practice.
Phog Begins 39th Season At KU
Dr. Allen served at one time as athletic director of the University and also as football coach.
Dr. Allen has had several opportunities to leave KU since his arrival here but says that he likes the Midwest. In addition to coaching offers he has also had chances to act as trainer for nearly every big league club in professional baseball.
Missouri began the 1955 football season with 16 lettermen on hand, but only four regulars from last year.
Allen Field House is the second largest on-campus basketball arena in the country. This will be the first full season that Coach Forrest C. "Phog" Allen and his Jayhawkers are able to use the giant, 17,000 seat-capacity structure as their home basketball court.
Allen Field House Seats 17,000
The basketball season will get its tip-off tonight as the varsity plays the highly-touted freshman quintet, featuring 7-foot Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain.
Following the game tonight will be a brief pep rally while the workmen cover the basketball court for the presentation of the Jayhawk Follies, traditional Home-coming show.
Track In Field House Also making extensive use of Allen field house will be Coach Bill Easton's track team. There are facilities for a six lane, 220-vard track. The track surrounds the basketball court. For a track meet, the east and west bleachers are folded mechanically and raised under the balcony. The south bleachers are moved completely out to make room for the pole vault and broad jump pits. The track is watered every other day by the Building and Grounds Department.
Track In Field House
It took the Building and Grounds Department almost a week to put the basketball court down for the first time this fall. However, according to C. G. Bayles, head of the department, the time will be shortened with each laying of the floor as the kinks are ironed out. Normally, it should take three days. Only two days are required to pull the floor up. The boards must be covered when stored to protect them from moisture.
The scoreboard, unique in its class, was a gift of the Class of '49. A Jayhawk is fixed in the middle of the scoreboard and each time KU scores, a red light flashes in his eye. The clock is adaptable for both basketball and track. There is a name plate for each team in the conference that is placed above the opponent's score.
Allen Field House is the largest sports edifice in Kansas, outranking K-State's Ahearn Field House by 4,500 seats. There are no other playing arenas in the Big Seven which can accommodate five-figure crowds.
Other large-capacity basketball arenas in the nation are:
Minnesota —18,250, the largest on-
campus, Iowa —16,200, Butler —15,
-1032, Wisconsin —13,000, Michigan
State —12,500, North Carolina State
—12,000, Northwestern —12,000, and
Wichita —11,500.
Welcome Grads!
Looking For Good Food Walk Into-
Before and After KU's Big "Homecoming" Game
Game
Duck's Sea Food Tavern 824 VERMONT
Phone 3200