SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2005
4B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Rains
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
leagues and can't get past double-A, he might use steroids to give him that needed push toward the majors.
"I have not needed to take steroids, because I have had success at this level," the player said. "If I got to a point, where I was stuck at a certain level, and couldn't get any better, I would definitely consider taking them because they could help me get to the next level."
Steroid use is so prominent in college athletics that this player said he could obtain steroids with ease if he wanted to do so.
do so.
"If I wanted to take steroids,
I know who I could call to get
them," he said.
men, he said.
The NCAA currently tests players for steroids, but it is obviously not enough. The player said he was a member of a random NCAA steroids test, as well as a University-wide test. No Kansas players take steroids, he said. They are not tested in the offseason, however, which is when most of the players use steroids because they are able to get away with it.
they are able to get away Players take steroids to get bigger and stronger so they can make the Major Leagues. They want to make millions of dollars, and they weigh the risk of serious injury as less important that the risk of injury.
Steroid use has become more frequent among American youth as well. Players use steroids at younger ages as they
A study done by the National Youth Sports Research and Development Center in the fall of 2002 examined the use of steroids among American youth. Of the 1,553 youth athletes surveyed, approximately 1 percent of 10- to 14-year-old participants were using or had used anabolic steroids.
used anaerobic steroids testing. We need stricter steroids testing. The testing needs to be done in the offseason. Also, more tests need to be done throughout the year. The NCAA needs to scare these players from trying to sneak around the law and use these steroids. If we can eliminate steroid use in college, we can begin to eliminate steroid use in the professional ranks. Also, we need to inform our athletes about the dangers of steroids.
look for that extra edge.
The study done by the National Youth Sports Research and Development Center showed that young athletes were not properly educated on the dangers of steroids.
More than a quarter of youth sports participants have received their knowledge of anabolic steroids from magazines or books, the study said.
If we plan on decreasing steroid use in the professionals, it starts with American youth. Tighten the testing and educate the young people on the dangers on steroids. Not only will it repair the integrity of Americas sports, it will help decrease injuries and save peoples lives. It's a win-win situation.
Rains is a St. Louis freshman in pre-journalism.
Baseball
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
in a game where seven different Jayhawk pitchers saw action, including freshman left-hander Logan Murphy, who hadn't pitched in more than a month.
Dudley, who is sporting a mustache along with a few other Jayhawks these days, said playing a lesser opponent like St. Mary's would not affect the team in its upcoming match-up against Wichita State.
Having three straight seasons with 30 wins or more is something that had never been accomplished before the Ritch Price era at Kansas. Price was quick to credit everyone involved in the success.
"I think the progress we've made in the program is due to the commitment our school has made to baseball." Price said. "With our donors and our boosters, they're helping us improve our facilities, which helps with recruiting and helps you grow the program."
Twenty Kansas players saw the field last night. Many of them don't see much game action but put in hard work every day at practice.
practice.
"You could tell that I wanted to play as many freshmen as I could play." Price said. "It was a teammate game, kind of a developmental game for our freshmen."
"I think if we're not ready to play Wichita State tomorrow, then there's something wrong with all of us." Dudley said. "We should be ready to go."
Junior designated hitter Jared Schweitzer swings at a pitch during last night's game against St. Mary's. Schweitzer extended his career-long hitting streak to 19 games with a two-run homer in the first inning, helping the Jayhawks to an 8-3 victory at Hoglund Ballpark.
Price agreed.
"You saw a lot of guys didn't even play tonight," Price said. "I tried to purposely give those guys a night off. They'll be ready to go
tomorrow. Every time we go to Wichita, it's an outstanding ball game."
After tonight's game at Wichita State, Kansas will have tomorrow
off before starting a three-game home series with Texas Friday night.
Edited by Ross Fitch
Cardinals begin season making comeback history
BY JOE KAY
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CINCINNATI — Jason Marquis made sure the St. Louis Cardinals wouldn't need another historic comeback.
another history.
The right-hander gave up only three hits while taking a shutout into the ninth inning.
Reds.
A day after they pulled off the biggest ninth-inning comeback in their history — seven runs for a 10-9 victory — the Cardinals relied on a few well-
on Tuesday night, and the St. Louis Cardinals' depleted bullpen held on for a 4-2 victory against the Cincinnati Reds.
placed hits and impeccable pitching to win another.
going to win it. "We've got some superstars and some guys who know how to play the game the right way," said Marquis, who also had a couple of hits.
St. Louis has the NL's best record at 17-8, getting off to a fast start after getting swept by
Boston in the World Series last year. The Cardinals' lead in the NL Central is up to five games, the biggest so far.
"We've been in a lot of tough games that have come our way,"manager Tony La Russa said.
has been the roughest part of my career, and to go along with the roughest part of our season as a team."
have lost a season-high six straight, falling seven and a half games behind the Cardinals, the one team they can't seem to beat.
said.
Nothing is going
Cincinnati's way. The Reds
"It's all too familiar," said reliever Joe Valentine, who gave up a pair of runs in the eighth, his fourth straight subpar appearance. "The last week
Marquis (4-1) allowed three singles before turning it over to a bullpole trying to get by while closer Jason Isringhausen recovers from strained muscles in his side.