MONDAY, JULY 2, 2007 | SPORTS | WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN | 23
RECREATION
Adults, students pack softball fields Nearly 6,000 players participating in summer leagues
By Dylan Schoonover
dschoonover@kansan.com
Middle-aged adults trying not to let those last years of sporting activities slip away can be seen on the softball fields around Lawrence throughout the summer.
But these adults aren't the only ones gearing up for the
games every wee knight. Officials from LawrenceParks and Recreation said that on any given night, it's not uncommon to see entire softball teams full of college-aged players on the fields.
"Every person that's played baseball, I think ends up playing slow-pitch softball at some point."
players that are from KU but I know many college-aged people are involved."
The wide appeal is apparent when watching a co-ed game that sports a gray-haired, middle-aged man in the outfield and a high school girl standing on second base. The only requirement to participate in the league is that every individual must
Bob Stanclift, adult sports supervisor for Lawrence Parks and Recreation, said that between the spring and summer leagues, approximately 5,800 adults participate in softball alone. He said he's glad to see the involvement of college students participating in the activities offered.
JAMIE HOUSTON Lawrence senior
"We try to appeal to as wide of a base as possible," Stanclift said. "It's hard to keep a head count on the exact amount of
be 16 years of age. Lawrence Parks and Recreation even offers a feature on their Web site that allows people who might not have a team to play on to place a profile with information
about themselves and their softball background, much like a virtual free agency market. Stanclift said this feature gave those who may not be able to form an entire team a chance to play.
"Often times people who move into the Lawrence area would like to play but don't know anyone. This allows them that opportunity." Stanclift said. "If all else fails, I always tell people to just get out to the games and put their name out there to teams they like."
The Lawrence Parks and Recreation adult sports leagues will bring in an estimated $225,000 in revenue in 2007.
Jamie Houston, Lawrence senior said he enjoyed playing with friends while still being competitive.
"Every person that's played baseball, I think ends up playing slow-pitch softball at some point," Houston said. "Having fun and trying to make that spectacular play keeps me coming out."
Houston takes a lighthearted approach to the game. Those who do not fixate their anger with bad calls on people like Avery Brow. Brow is a sophomore who is umpiring his first year in the parks league. When players unleash their anger over calls they disagree with, Brow winds up on the receiving end of their rage. He said he didn't mind players' behavior too much because he enjoyed getting a piece of the revenue pie.
"I ump about 12 games a week. I enjoy the money, and other than that it's fun to call strikes," Brow said. "Every night there's that one player you get a lot of crap from. Really, you just have to ignore it."
—Edited by Joe Caponio
MLB
Hargrove resigns as Mariners manager
By Gregg Bell Associated Press
SEATTLE - Mike Hargrove resigned as manager of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, saying his "passion has begun to fade" for baseball even though his team is the hottest club in the majors.
Hargrove, who managed Sunday's game against Toronto, will be succeeded by John McLaren, his bench coach. McLaren's first game will be Monday against Kansas City.
"There are no dark, sinister reasons for this decision. This has been my decision," the 57-year-old Hargrove said about 90 minutes before his final game with Seattle.
"I've daily challenged my players to give me the best that they've got, 100 percent of what they've got that day — physically and mentally. And they've done that. Without fail, they've done that.
"I have never had to work at getting that level myself — ever — until recently. I've found that I've had to work harder in making that same commitment to my bosses, to my players and to my coaches. And that's not right," Hargrove said, turning away and choking back tears.
"They deserve better. They are good people. There is a good thing going on here. And it's time for me to leave."
Hargrove's voice often cracked. His eyes were moist and red, remnants of a meeting he called with stunned players moments earlier. He said he initially made his decision June 20, just after a six-game losing streak.
General manager Bill Bavasi said that on a scale of one to 10 on being caught off-guard, Hargrove's departure was "an 11." Hargrove agreed with Bavasi to delay leaving until the All-Star break, and Bavasi and McLaren tried to talk Hargrove into reversing his decision.
"We've won seven in a row and the feeling hasn't changed. I never thought it would end like this. And I am grateful that it has," he said, adding this is probably his last job.
His announcement came hours before the team tried to extend its longest winning streak in more than four years. And just before spring training, Hargrove said this was the most excited he was for any of his 16 seasons as a major league manager, which included five consecutive division titles and World Series appearances in Cleveland in 1995 and '97.
Mariners chief executive officer Howard Lincoln stated before the season that Hargrove and Bavasi were on his "hot seat" after three consecutive last-place finishes in the AL West.