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After the Royals won the World Series, students and other youth gathered together in celebration on 7th and Mass.
Kelcie Matousek/KANSAN
Baseball plays and practices in front of Royals in Surprise, Ariz.
▶ MATT HOFFMANN
@MattHoffmannUDK
SURPRISE, Ariz. During Kansas Baseball Media Day earlier this month, Kansas coach Ritch Price drew a comparison between the bullpen of the Kansas City Royals and the bullpen of his team. He talked about the Jayhawks trying to emulate the success of the Royals, adding that he had already seen other Major League teams copying them.
However, that relationship between Kansas and Kansas City baseball doesn't end with pitching. This season, the Jayhawks will play at not one, but two of the Rovals' stadiums.
In addition to playing in Kauffman Stadium, the Jayhawks have played one game and will play their next three at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., the same venue the Royals will use during Spring Training.
These games come as part of the Big 12/Pac 12
Challenge. This year for the challenge the Jayhawks are out on the West Coast. They've already faced Utah and Oregon State and will play four games before the conclusion of the tournament.
However, the Big 12/Pac 12 Challenge isn't just like any other series or tournament to the team. The venue is something that's on the mind of the players and the coach, and it likely will stay that way all through the weekend.
"Our guys love our association with the Royals," Kansas coach Ritch Price said. "Now we have to go out and play well in front of those guys."
While the Jayhawks will play four games in Surprise, it's a bit more demanding for their MLB-counterpart, who will play 15 Spring Training Games in Cactus League play. The Texas Rangers are also at the site and will play in 16 games before heading back to the Midwest.
Really, all three teams get something similar out
of the venue. It's not only a refreshing change of scenery in a metaphorical sense, but also in a literal sense, especially when it comes to the weather.
"Every time we come here, we get better," Price said. "It was 16 degrees in Lawrence today, and to get outside to get those reps, we have to do that to keep up with those West Coast teams and the Texas teams in our conference."
And Kansas has certainly used the extra reps.
When the team arrived on Thursday, the Royals kept the facility open late so the team could take batting practice. And there was even a special guest in attendance for the late-night session: Royals General Manager Dayton Moore.
"All the Royals, [the way] they treated us [was] off the charts," Price said. "Dayton Moore came out to watch us take BP, and they gave us full access to one of their practice fields."
the West Coast, Kansas is treating this as a business trip, especially after a disappointing first game. Asked if he had anything planned for the trip other than baseball, Price gave a simple answer.
Regardless, as much fun as it may seem to be on
"After what happened tonight, I'm all baseball." The Jayhawks will get their chance to rebound tomorrow. They'll also get their chance to show out for the Royals once again later this year.
On April 27, Kansas will again head to a Royals stadium, this time in Kansas City, Mo., for the Hall of Fame Classic. Kansas will renew a rivalry with former Big 12 member Nebraska.
It will be Kansas' first appearance at Kauffman Stadium since 2011, when they played another former rival, Missouri, who now plays in the SEC.
First pitch for the second Kansas-Kansas City collaboration is scheduled for 6 p.m.
KU looks forward to game vs. TCU
SKYLAR ROLSTAD
@SkyRolSports
It can be hard to find turning points in a season without a conference win, but for Kansas coach Brandon Schneider, one was plain to see.
As the Jayhawks recorded their 19th- straight loss, 69-58 to Texas Tech, Schneider and his players said they look forward to getting back at it on Monday against TCU. For a team still searching for a conference win, the return game to TCU carries a lot of meaning.
First of all, it's Kansas' last chance at a conference win. Second, it's a chance to make amends to a lackluster performance against TCU last time around.
"We're going to be on a plane tomorrow headed to TCU," Schneider said. "I know our players and our staff were really disappointed in how we competed against TCU [when TCU defeated Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse]. So hopefully we'll go there and give them a little bit better version of ourselves."
After Schneider's team lost 70-44 to TCU on Feb. 17, Schneider said he was upset about a lack of effort from his team as the Jayhawks allowed a close game to get away from them in the second half.
"Tonight has been the first time I have been really disappointed in how we represented ourselves." Schneider said Feb. 17 after the home loss to TCU. "We have been a team that, regardless of the score, has continued to play extremely hard and continued to fight, and I don't know that we did that to the extent that we have all year long."
The loss inspired Kansas' best effort this year in Big 12 play, a 72-66 home loss to No. 20 Oklahoma.
"We didn't represent ourselves [against TCU] the way that we are going to," Schneider said after the Feb. 20 loss to Oklahoma. "We talked about that as a team, and I really like how we responded today."
Kansas found another favorable matchup with Texas Tech, the ninthranked team in the Big 12. Instead, Tech recorded its first road win of the season. Schneider said Saturday the loss came as a result of Kansas still-poor shooting and inability to make the most of possessions.
"You've always got to be dialed in mentally."
Lauren Aldridge Sophomore guard
Now, Kansas can use its last conference game to respond even more emphatically. Since the win at Allen Fieldhouse, TCU has recorded a win over Oklahoma State, a team that defeated Kansas 71-49 last Wednesday, and losses to West Virginia and Texas.
However, Kansas only has one day of rest between the loss Saturday night to Texas Tech and the matchup Monday at 6 p.m. with TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.
"You've always got to be dialed in mentally," sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge, who scored 16 points against Texas Tech, said. "Because usually we have a two-day prep so now were looking at a one day prep. Everybody just needs to be taking care of their body."
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