THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2007
SPORTS
3B
BASEBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
hand, didn't care much for Price's interest.
"I wouldn't say he got bent out of shape," Afenir said. "But at first when I first started talking to coach Price, he was like 'No. I'm not sending my son 1,600 miles away.'"
Admittedly a mama's boy, Atenr said his mom, Beth, wasn't wild about her son moving to the Midwest either. But when the family met Price and took a campus visit, the decision for Afenir to become a Jayhawk was much easier.
Adjusting to life half the country away from home wasn't quite as easy. Afenir confessed to dealing with bouts of homesickness.
"It was just weird. I had so many different things I was always worrying about — like I had a girlfriend back home," Afenir said. "That was just so tough with the long distance, and I was trying to keep in touch with everybody back home. It's weird, but you've kind of just got to let it go."
The difficulty of balancing that and preparing to be a starting catcher in the Big 12 Conference caught up to the freshman. After being able to rely on raw talent in high school, as
he put it. Afenir's level of play and the offensive power that Price recruited him for became inconsistent.
Price said that a lot of the time the players with the most intelligence are the ones who beat themselves up the most. The happy-go-lucky attitude that Frady uses to describe Afenir's attitude in 2007 was much different in 2006.
"Last year, I'd have some little streak and then suck, then have another little streak," Afenir said. "I think this year consistency is the main thing. It's just fun. Knowing that I'm out there with my best friends is
really helpful."
Now, the guy who likes to take naps before games and thinks of his mom watching during televised games, is hitting his stride. He no longer feels threatened by the thought of being replaced by another of the Jayhawks' four catchers. Although Frady and Price have never completely ruled that out and even discuss the need for improvement in his throwing. However, besides to break Afenir of calling him "dude" and "bro", Frady is happy with the sophomore and his showing of the confidence he believes his catchers should have.
Times changed
"You see him in the locker room, he's always got a smile, always got that devilish grin on his face and you wonder what the heck is going on upstairs," Frady said. "But I think that's what makes him successful."
The starting times of two Kansas baseball games this weekend have been changed in anticipation of more cold weather. Today's game will begin at 4 p.m. and Saturday's game will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday's game will still be at 1 p.m.
Kansan sportswriter Alissa Bauer can be contacted at abauer@kansan.com.
Edited by Kelly Lanigan
SOFTBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Kansas is led offensively by sophomore shortstop Stevie Crisosto, who is leads the team in batting average (.346), runs (29) and hits (44).
Sophomore catcher Elle Pottorf is leading the team in home runs (8) and runs batted in (33).
Defensively the Jayhawks have 46 errors this season. They committed 60 total errors last year and hope to stay under that number with 15 regular season games left.
Senior pitcher Kassie Humphreys has been a machine for the pitching staff. She has thrown for 130 total innings, struck out 153 batters and held a 2.10 ERA.
The Jayhawks are 0-3 at home this season against Big 12 teams and 3-1 on the road.
Kansan sportswriter Evan Kafarakis can be contacted at ekafarakis@ekansan.com.
Dog day afternoon
At Airocha Ballpark, humans won't be the only voices cheering for the Jayhawks in this weekend's softball series against Texas A&M.
On Sunday, fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to participate in Bark in the Park.
Dogs will be admitted with a donation to the Lawrence Humane Society.
A few items acceptable for instance are rabbit/ferret food, blankets/towels, laundry detergent, dish soap, can openers and cash.
Fans looking to adopt a pet should stop by the ballpark because the Lawrence Humane Society will also have dogs on-hand looking for a new home.
Fans will be given a Bark in the Park frisbee following the game. All dog handlers must follow Bark in the Park rules and sign a release form.
To view all the rules and regulations, visit www.kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/w-softb1/specrel/040307aab.html.
Evan Kafarakis
Edited by Trevan McGee
BIG 12 BASEBALL
Baylor built on underclassmen Freshman MLB-drafted outfielder leads youthful team
BY SHAWN SHROYER
The layhawks know a thing or two about playing in the Big 12 Conference with a young team.
Every weekend Kansas has no more than two seniors in its starting lineup, compared to as many as four underclassmen. Its weekly rotation consists of two sophomores and a junior, not mentioning that a sophomore serves as the team's closer.
However, Kansas won't receive any sympathy.
any sympathy this weekend from Baylor
When healthy, the Bears feature three freshmen and three sophomores in their starting lineup, dwarfing the three seniors who round out the lineup. As a result, the Bears
men like Miller, things are improving in Waco.
"Our guys are playing hard and learning with each time out. Injuries are our latest hurdle to climb."
As one of only two players who have started every game for the Bears, Miller is first or second on the team in almost every major offensive category. He leads Baylor with 32 RBI, a .428 on-base percentage and 20 walks. He is second in batting average, hits, triples, total bases and slugging percentage.
"Most schools don't get to go through something like this with so many freshmen starting," Miller said. "It's gelled really well. The seniors, the upperclassman, have accepted us really well. We're all pulling toward that common goal of coming out and winning some games."
Given their youth, winning hasn't come easy for the Bears this season. Halfway through the conference schedule, Baylor (19-16, 4-8) is tied with Kansas (18-20, 4-8) for last place in the Big 12. But with fresh-
have depended on their freshmen,
including outfielder Aaron Miller,
who has emerged as a team leader.
"Aaron continues to get better at the plate and in the field," Baylor coach Steve Smith said. "He has
STEVE SMITH
Baylor Coach
done a remarkable job hitting in the middle of the order, especially for a freshman."
Coming from a player who was drafted in the 11th round of the 2006 MLB Draft and ranked the No. 3 freshman in the
“There’s always pressure,” Miller said. “But growing up, I've always been one of those players who've been looked at, not to carry a team, but to be a proven provider for a team. I don't know what it feels like not to have that pressure.”
nation by Baseball America, though, these numbers aren't surprising. In fact, the greater the pressure, the more Miller expects from himself.
Secondbaseman RaynorCampbell has become a regular starter for the Bears and is tied with Miller for the second best average on the team.
Following Miller's lead, other freshmen are stepping up.
In Baylor's weekend rotation, right-hander Kendal Volz (4-1) has assumed the Sunday starter role and is the only weekend starter for the Bears with a winning record. He clinched the Oklahoma series last weekend, allowing an unearned run in seven innings while striking out seven.
Dustin Dickerson has played first base and designated hitter for Baylor and, despite a 250 average, has scored 17 runs this season.
The Bears' best hitter, sophomore shortstop Beamer Weems has missed the teams' last four games because of a hamstring injury and Campbell has been in and out of the lineup with a similar injury. Miller has played through a groin injury all season.
"Our guys are playing hard and learning with each time out," Smith said. "Injuries are our latest hurdle to climb."
Still, the Bears aren't feeling sorry for themselves. With No. 6 Texas, No. 15 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Oklahoma out of the way. Baylor is primed to climb the Big 12 standings.
"That's baseball. You're always going to have little nagging injuries," Miller said. "It's frustrating for everybody, but I think we're over the hump now."
And just as he's become a team leader at the plate, Miller is leading by example in the clubhouse.
Kansen senior sportswriter Shawn Shroyer can be contacted at sshroyer@kansan.com.
Ensuring player eligibility
Edited by Will McCullough
As athletes consider draft, organization monitors activity
BY KYLE CARTER
》 COMPLIANCE
Iulian Wright declared himself eligible for the NBA draft earlier this week and other Kansas players, namely Brandon Rush, continue to weigh their options. But almost as important as determining their draft potential is maintaining their eligibility should they decide to return.
Theresa Becker, associate athletics director for compliance, said her staff worked actively with student athletes to ensure that they under-
of these individuals, unfortunately,
they push the envelope," Becker
said, referring to sports agents.
stood what could negate their eligibility. While it is legal to have an adviser during the process, that adviser could be considered an agent if they market the player to a professional team. Any written or verbal agreements made regarding representation or any type of benefit received by the player could also cause a loss of eligibility.
Becker said that one problem was athletes that received gifts from agents.
"I also tell them whatever you do, do not accept benefits, I don't care if it's a can of soda. I don't care if it's a slice of pizza. I don't care if it's a ride from the gym to your dorm. Do not accept anything from an agent. Period. Just do not do it," she said.
For Compliance, ensuring the
"I also tell them whatever you do, do not accept benefits. I don't care if it's a can of soda. I don't care if it's a slice of pizza."
Becker said it seemed very simple, athletes shouldn't agree to hire anyone or sign anything in order to avoid forfeiting their elegibility.
THERESA BECKER Associate Athletics Director, Compliance
"But you'd be surprised at how twisted some things can get. Some
er ensuring the eligibility of University athletes is a full-timejob.Kansas Athletics employs five full-time compliance employees, as well as a law intern and a graduate assistant. Becker said they planned to hire another graduate assistant soon. When she arrived in November 2005, there were only two compliance employees. A larger staff allows more careful analysis of potential issues on a case by case basis, as well as constant education for players, coaches and administrators.
With a 450-page rule book that is amended annually, questions
about interactions between agents and college athletes are only a small portion of what the compliance staff deals with.
Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said doing research in advance helped avoid problems later.
"A line-by-line knowledge of the NCAA rule book is not critical, but you have to know enough to say, 'Hey, wait a minute, that might not be permissible by NCAA rules so let me check with compliance', " he said. "Our motto is 'Ask before you act.'"
When it comes to basketball players trying to determine their draft prospects, the consequences can be harsh if they make an agreement with an agent or accept any type of compensation.
"Professional sports organizations, they know the rules, professional sports agents, they know the rules," Becker said. "Unfortunately, once they get a student athlete to cross the line, technically, there's no going back.
"At an institution like the University of Kansas, we're fortunate enough to deal with this on a yearly basis," she said.
Kansan staff writer Kyle Carter can be contacted at kcarter@ kansan.com.
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