Inside Sports
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Sports
Three diminutive running backs will carry the ball for the Jayhawks this season. Read about the prospective backfield. See Page 4B
Pro Baseball
Tuesday
August 25,1998
Section:
B
Page 1
Mark McGwire rests for a day after a big weekend, but he's close to Roger Maris' record.
SEE PAGE 6B
Pro Football
NFL training camps bring exposure and dollars to the communities where the teams practice.
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
SEE PAGE 6B
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Commentary
Leagues battle about tradition
Of all the hackneyed sports opinions that trouble me, none troubles me more than the concept that the National League is a purer form of baseball than that of the American League.
Actually, upon examination, it seems a rather hollow claim. Is the National League really the league of tradition?
The American League is the home of three of the major's holiest of baseball cathedrals
Chip Dewell
Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Tiger Stadium. The National League, by contrast, has one in Wrigley Field. Likewise, during the 1960's and early 1970's, cities that played host to NL franchisees started building hideous monstrosities under the guise of multi-purpose sports centers.
I don't know how any
loyal NL fan can defend Riverfront, Veterans, Three Rivers, Candlestick or Olympic stadiums. When it comes to stadiums, whether new or old, the AL clearly has better areas to experience a baseball game.
Aw, but you say, it's a purer game when the pitcher makes a sacrifice bunt, strategically placing the ball on well-manicured grass.
Did you say grass? The National League is the sanctuary of AstroTruo. And I don't mean merely because of its namesake — Monsanto Corporation created the product exclusively for the Houston Astrodome.
today, nearly twice as many NL ballparks feature artificial turf as their AL counterparts. If you exclude all dome stadiums, then the NL has five times as many sites.
what's even more ironic is that none of the stadiums with artificial turf are in places where it is needed.
Seven of the 10 most populous cities in the United States have NL franchises. Larger market teams tend to draw more fans; it's as simple as that.
The designated hitter rule — the bête noire of any NL fan — is another topic in its own right but look at the advantages many NL franchises have in terms of the local fan base.
No wonder the major television networks love to broadcast a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets game. The American League has far more small-market teams.
I am pro-choice: If you don't like the DH rule that's fine but don't impose your will on the AL. Admit that having teams alternate between having the pitcher hit in NL parks and DH hit in AL parks during the World Series is a good compromise.
If having an aging working-class hero like Gorman Thomas, Dave Kingman or Dave Parker as designated hitter brings more fans to small-market cities such as Oakland or Seattle, then I am all for it.
The ERAs of pitchers are so bloated in both leagues that I doubt NL curmudgeons can hide behind the argument that the DH destroys pitching.
Most fans, whether you like to admit it or not, prefer to pay money to see a slugfest, not a pitchers' duel.
If that troubles you, then sit at home on your recliner and watch the Cubs on WGN.
Another contentious point is the designation of the NL as the "senior circuit." If people could only say that without such a smug look on their face.
Erin Hn, Servera Park, MD., senior, works on her technique at a recent practice. Hon is looking to start at central midfield for the Jayhawks this year. Photo by Dan Elvansky/KANSAN
The notion that The Reds was the first major league team doesn't mean it is a defender of tradition.
Do you mean that big yellow line they put up on the outfield wall to determine if a hit is home run at Riverfront? Or maybe you mean those noticeable dark puddles underneath the turf after a heavy rain? And Marge Schott.
Another dividing line between the two leagues might be good ballpark humor.
Having Billy Bilber drop down a slide into a giant vat of beer was great for baseball in Milwaukee. These are antics worthy of Bill Veeck or Charlie Finley.
By contrast, having a swimming pool just behind the fence in right field for fans in Phoenix doesn't do a single thing to enhance the game.
Don't get me wrong, there are National League ballparks and teams that are worth experiencing. It's just that die-hard supporters of the NL who overlook the idiocy of their own league make me laugh.
Dewell is a Tulsa, OKla., graduate student in East Asian Languages and Cultures
Women's soccer takes new formation
Coach places scoring power up front to override team's shaky goal record
By Brad Hallier
Kansan sportswriter
One of the most glorious moments in sports is watching a goal in a soccer game and the subsequent celebration.
Anyone who witnessed Holland's Dennis Bergkamp score the goal against Argentina in this summer's World Cup knows about the beauty of goal scoring.
For American fans, Eric Wynalda's free kick over a wall of Swiss players into the upper corner of the goal in the 1994 World Cup is a memorable U.S. goal.
Nobody who saw Argentina's superstar Diego Maradona dribble the ball 70 yards around a stunned English defense and score arguably the best goal in history at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico will forget it.
Johanna Larsson, Lulea, Sweden, junior, and Kansas women's soccer forward, certainly will not forget that one.
"Diego could do anything on the ball," she said. "He had all the technical skills to be a great goal scorer."
Goals are essential in soccer, and Kansas Jayhawk women's coach Dan Magner is hoping for plenty of goals this year. The '97 season was disappointing for the Jayhawks offense. The team scored only 31 goals - 1.63 per game.
"Last year, we created a lot of opportu
This season, 97 percent of the scoring returns from last year's 7-12-1 squad.
nutties to score, but we didn't finish them," Magner said.
Two forwards and a central midfielder will be the primary offensive threats from a 5-2-4 formation. Magner is relying on these three to score goals.
"I'll look for these three to create the chances and put the finishing touches for us," he said. "The bulk of the scoring will come from these three, but in soccer, anyone can score."
The feeling of scoring a goal is something many cannot describe.
"I guess it's a sense of accomplishment." Horner said. "It's a thrill to score."
But anyone who has played a sport knows the feeling of the slump that seems endless.
"You have to take it easy, calm down and control the ball close to the goal," Larsson said.
Natalie Hoogveld, Calgary, Alberta, freshman, has one word to describe how slumps end.
"Composuret" she exclaimed, quoting a former coach.
Meghann Haven, Englewood, Colo. junior, relies on teammates when she is in a slump.
"Teammates talking to you can help you through a slump," Haven said. "They cannot give up on you."
They don't damage the starters at the forward and attacking central midfield positions are not set. There are several candidates for the jobs, such as Erin Hon, Serverna Park, Md., senior; Horner; Hoogveld; Larsson; and Haven.
and haven.
"We need to find the right combination of forwards," Haven said. "I feel I definitely can step in and score."
Magner said the forwards would have many responsibilities.
"They will need to take the ball, hold it and allow their teammates to join the attack," he said. "Of course, we will rely on them to score goals. Everyone needs to share the responsibility of scoring, but we do need the forwards to come through in key situations."
Horner said she thought that she could contribute what Magner wants.
"I can possess the ball well and bring
others into the attack and create opportunities," she said.
The connection between the forwards and the entire midfield is important. Hon is a possible candidate for the attacking central midfielder, and she wants to set up the scoring in addition to trying to score herself.
"When I get the ball, I look to be a playmaker and get assists," she said.
Magner is looking for the attacking
central midfielder to work well with the forwards.
"An attacking central midfielder's role is to interact with the forwards, give them the ball and get it back from them," he said.
Although someone on the team may not score a goal of Maradona's caliber, an increase in goal production would be a rewarding achievement for the soccer team this year.
Volleyball players set to learn
By Laura Bokenkroger
It is like a whole new world.
It is like a whole new worker. At least, that is how Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard describes the leap from being a high school athlete to a Division I competitor. The transition can be frustrating, he said.
the pace of the game is faster, the players are stronger and the competition is more intense. For most college freshmen, the intensity is unparalleled.
The intensity is upward.
They undergo a transformation from being the stand-out on their high school team to being considered a novice at a sport they have played for years. Bechard said that his three freshmen, although lacking experience, were adjusting.
that he's open, and they are working hard to adapt," Bechard said. "As quickly as the game goes at this level, it's a big adjustment, but they're doing well."
VOLLEYBALL FRESHMAN
Molly LaMere, setter, 5-7 freshman from Papillion, Neb.
Inducted to the Papillion-LaVista High School Hall of Fame
Elizabeth Herbek, middle blocker, 6-2 freshman from Fai field, Neh
*Named Needaska slop sem 1997*
*First team Nebraska. 1996,1997*
Two Time Super State Selection by Lincoln Journal
head, yes.
Huskerland Prep Player of the Year
Huskissan Prep Hockey All-State
Captain of Nebraska All-State team 1997
Crystal Walker, outside hitter, 6-0 freshman from Owatotomi.
Three-time All-League selection in Frontier League in volleyball and basketball
Two-time Kansas All-State selection in volleyball
All three freshmen were highly recognized in high school. Elizabeth Herbek, a middle blocker from Fairfield, Neb., was the captain of the Nebraska high school all-state team, and Molly LaMere, a setter from Papillion, Neb., was named Nebraska's top settler last fall.
Freshman, Crystal Walker, an outside hitter from Osawatomie, was a two-time Kansas all-state selection and three-time all-league selection in high school.
Bechard said LaMere had an advantage compared to many freshmen because she played for a Junior Olympic volleyball team. Junior Olympic volleyball is an off-season, national league for high school athletes.
LaMere's team, the Nebraska Juniors, played in competitive tournaments throughout the United States. She led the Nebraska Juniors to a fifth-place finish at nationals.
Despite the experience of competing nationally, she said she still felt a little overwhelmed by the athleticism of her Kansas teammates.
"I have to be patient with myself," LaMere said. "In high school, you know what you're doing. But here, it's like you're starting all over again. The plays are different, and we call them by different numbers than we did in high school."
LaMere and the other two freshmen said the upperclassman and coaches had eased the adjustment by offering advice and pushing them in practice.
pushing them in practice.
"The upperclassmen have been good about giving us feedback," LaMere said. "They tell us what we're doing wrong and what works."
Bechard said he would focus on basic drills with the freshmen and move them along as they mastered the fundamentals, which is the same strategy he is using with experienced players.
players.
"As quickly as this game moves, it is difficult to fix things in the middle of the play," Bechard said. "We're working on little things and slowly raising the bar. We're keeping the goals of our drills at a height where it will take our best effort to be successful because that will be how most of our games will be."
Freshman setter Molly Lamere, from Papillion, Neb., prepares to set a ball. Lamere is one of three freshman who, along with coach Ray Bechard, hopes to improve on last years 9-24 record. Photo by Dan Elavsky/KANSAN