WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2004
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 17
BASEBALL
First baseman skips draft signs major league contract
Ryan Baty decided the Major League Baseball draft was not for him but a future in the sport was. The University of Kansas first baseman signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last week. He reported to the Devil Rays' spring training site in St. Petersburg, Fla., later that same week.
The fifth-year senior was considered a free agent at the end of the season because he had exhausted all of his college eligibility. Any player who has used all of his eligibility is able to sign rather than waiting for the draft.
"After the (final) game in Manhattan, my family and I sat down to weigh all of the options and we felt the Devil Rays were the best fit," Baty said. "They showed the most interest and I feel I have a good chance of moving up in their organization."
The Wichita native concluded his five-year career by breaking the school's hit-streak record of 20 games. Baty ended the season with a 21-game streak. The Jayhawks' all-time leader in doubles was an honorable mention selection on the Big 12 Coaches All-Big 12 team.
— Joe Burke
MEN'S GOLI
Golfers late to title tee time, birdies make up for penalty
University of Kansas golfers Kevin Ward, Leawood senior, and Gary Woodland, Topeka sophomore, continued a successful spring by winning the Kansas Golf Association Fourball Championship title last weekend at Alvamar Golf Country Club, 1809 Crossgate Drive.
The two defeated former Jayhawks Jay Hepler and Tyler Shelton by six holes in the 31-hole match play contest.
"If we bring our 'A' game nobody's going to beat us," Ward said. They birdied every other hole. "If you can do that, that's putting somebody else in a tough place to try to match."
The duo was three up after 18 holes and continued to knock in birdies as the afternoon continued. Ward birdied four of the first five holes to pad the lead. Woodland put the match out of reach with birdie puts of 50 and 20 feet on holes eight and nine.
Ward and Woodland began the match by forfeiting the first hole because they arrived late to the tee. The deficit was quickly erased when Woodland birdied the second hole and evened the match.
They will play in the Southwestern in Albuquerque, N.M., later this month.
— Joe Burke
New men's basketball coach has top program experience
MEN'S BASKETBALL
University of Kansas basketball coach Bill Self announced earlier this week the hiring of new assistant coach Kurtis Townsend. He comes to Lawrence after assisting Perry Clark for one year at the
Townsend
University of Miami.
Self regarded Townsend as one of the top recruiters in the nation and said he would fit in well with his staff.
"I've known Kurtis since he was an assistant at Michigan and have always had a great deal of respect for his work ethic and how he conducts his business," Self said.
Townsend has been an assistant at some of the top programs in the country including Southern California, Michigan California and Eastern Michigan.
Joe Burke
WORLD CUP SOCCER
Talent abundant at soccer championship in Portugal
LISBON, Portugal — The display of talent is daunting.
There's David Beckham of England, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry of defending champion France and Luis Figo of Portugal.
There's even a good chance threetime winner Germany won't survive the first round.
The three-week showcase may well be the toughest soccer competition anywhere, including the World Cup.
The 16-team European championship begins Saturday, with all the continent's main rivals in contention.
The World Cup qualification system allows weaker teams to join a 32-team field, and the seeding system means powerhouse nations can avoid each other until the late stages. In the Euros they meet right from outset.
France, favored to become the first to win back-to-back titles, faces England on the second day. Spain and Portugal are in the same group, creating matchups of Real Madrid teammates Beckham and Zidane, and Figo and Raul Gonzalez.
"I think we have the team to go very far at the European championships," Zidane said. "Now we just have to be ready on time."
—The Associated Press
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