Wednesday, August 26, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 3
KU softball begins tryouts to choose new walk-ons
Ashley Balderester, sophomore, prepares to bat as assistant softball coach Marla Cooper watches. Softball tryouts began Monday afternoon at Jayhawk Field. Photo by Jeff Sewerin/KANSAN
By Chris Hopkins
Kansan sportswriter
In a room that seemed more fit for a meeting of Fortune 500 CEOs, 14 women sat around a long table Thursday night.
They had traveled from several states to attend the University and were in the media room of the Wagnon Student Athlete Center, thinking about joining the Kansas softball team as walk-ons.
The women joked about their first few days of college as they waited for coach Tracy Bunge. Two women reminisced about high school seasons in Chicago.
Finally, Bunge entered the room with her assistant coaches, Marla Looper and Carla Marchetti, and the chatter died down.
And that is no understatement. Seven teams from the Big 12 finished last season ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation.
"This is a huge transition year for us." Bunge said.
For any of the 14 women in the room who made the team, school and softball would become their life during the academic year.
Six starters, a pitcher and a walkon are gone from last season's team. Bunge lost Michelle Hubler and Kristina Johnson, who had started at their respective positions for four years.
Bunge said she expected all of her players to set classes, softball, family and friends — in that order — as their priorities.
Three to five of the women might earn a spot on the team. While she has never kept more than 18, the maximum on the traveling squad, she said she might take more than the three players needed.
"The Big 12 Conference is the toughest softball conference in the nation." Bunge said.
Two years ago, the Jayhawks were selected for the NCAA regional tournament. Last year, they struggled to make the Big 12 tournament.
"Hopefully by the end of the week we'll have a better idea of whether or not you can help the team," she said.
On Monday, Burge led the walkons onto Jayhawk Field.
Three women already were gone
Two of the potential walk-ons left
Kim Glacobee, Amhearst, Mass., freshman, is effectively removed from the action by delayed paperwork but sat in the dugout and cheered for the competitors anyway.
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"I came to KU because I loved the campus," Giacobbe said. "I wasn't planning on trying out, but I saw a sign and figured why not."
She'll try out again next year.
The tryouts began with sprints. The coaches timed the women as they ran from home to first, home to second and home to home plate.
"We've had more speed that has
The next test was hitting. Players batted offtees and swung at pitches from machines and some light, underhand tosses.
shown up here than I'm used to." Bunge said. "There's not a single slow kid here, which is nice to see."
After fielding drills and practice for the catchers, the afternoon turned to evening and the players went home.
After a quick deliberation, Bunge selected seven — half the original group — to return.
After cuts yesterday, four players remain. They will have to play with the rest of the team this week, and Bunge will make a final decision Friday.
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