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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2004
BASEBALL
Former University player hit with ball, released for play
Ryan Baty, playing in his first exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' extended spring training team in St. Petersburg, Fla., learned the dangers of his new job right away.
After doubling in his first plate appearance, Baty was hit by a pitch his next time at bat. Down in the count two strikes and no balls, a 94-mile-per-hour fastball clipped his batting helmet near the left earflap. The pitch knocked him out for 30 seconds.
Baty was taken to a nearby hospital for observation, but has been cleared to take infield practice with the team this week.
The former University of Kansas first baseman signed a free agent contract with the Devil Rays two weeks ago and hopes the injury won't keep him sidelined too long. He is expected to be assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades, the short season Class A affiliate of Tampa Bay. They begin play tomorrow.
— Joe Burke
BASKETBALL
Former Kansas player makes decision; leaves for Kentucky
The David Padgett saga is finally over. Padgett's mother, Debbie, told the Durham Sun last weekend that her son had decided to transfer to the University of Louisville.
"It was a tough decision, but in the end he felt really comfortable with Louisville and the coaching staff," Debbie Padgett told www.rivals.com. "Rick Pitino has been wonderful and he can't wait to come to Louisville."
Padgett chose Louisville over runner-up UCLA. North Carolina received permission to talk to Padgett late last week, but the Tar Heels never became a serious option.
The Reno, Nev, native will have three years of eligibility with Louisville, starting with the 2005-06 season.
University's recruiting efforts might payoff in weeks to come
Terrence Williams, a 6-foot-7, 205 pound senior-to-be from Seattle's Rainier Beach High, will be in Lawrence this week to make an official visit. The visit overlaps with the first session of coach Bill Self's summer camp.
Williams, a teammate of Jayhawk signee C.J. Giles, has also visited the
University of Indiana. He should decide between Kansas, Indiana or Louisville in the coming weeks.
The national letter of intent steering committee cleared Giles this week to play this season. The incoming freshman received a release from the University of Miami, but had to go through the formal appeal process to avoid a one-year penalty for breaking the letter of intent.
Alex Galindo, who originally signed with the University of Texas El Paso, was released from his letter of intent after coach Billy Gillispie left for Texas A&M. Galindo, who sent in his request after Giles, is expected to be cleared within the coming days or weeks.
— Joe Burke
TRACK
Track and field loses assistant coach after a four-year stay
University of Kansas assistant track and field coach Brian Ferry left the team last week to pursue other opportunities outside of coaching. Ferry had coached at the University for four years.
During his time in Lawrence, Ferry coached many high jumpers and pole vaulters to titles including Sondra Rauterkus and T.J. Hackler at the Emporia State Relays and Kansas Relays in 2003.
Ferry graduated from Coe College, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he competed in track and field as a high jumper and pole vaulter. Ferry was a two-time conference champion in the high jump and a five-time conference champion, as well as a four-time national qualifier, in the pole vault.
Joe Burke
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
University eliminates position; long-time employee loses job
The ever-changing face of the University of Kansas Athletic Department lost another long time employee last week. Lynn Bott's position in the trainers' department at the University has been eliminated and his last day will be June 30.
Bott, the director of athletic training services since 2002, began working for the University in 1976 as an assistant trainer.
He was named head athletic trainer in 1984 and held that position until 2002 when the department was restructured.
His primary duties since the change were to work with the baseball team and to teach in the School of Education's athletic-training program.
Bott said he hoped to stay in Lawrence and continue in athletic training in some capacity.
Joe Burke