8B. the university daily kansan
sports
wednesday, april 7, 2004
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DESTINY: Fans and team add to player's experience
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Sophmore Destiny Frankenstein turned a double play as senior Dani May sid
into second base yesterday afternoon at practice. The KU softball team takes on
Missouri in Columbia today at 6 p.m.
In high school, Frankenstein played all four years at varsity. No small feat when her graduating class consisted of 1400 kids.
Frankenstein's high school team won two state championships, including one in her senior year, and claimed second twice. With a resume like that, it was no surprise that Frankenstein was honored her senior as a Gatorade Player of the Year.
"Getting Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma was a really big accomplishment for me," Frankenstein said, "because that was one of my main goals since my sophomore year in high school."
When Frankenstein came to visit Kansas, she immediately noticed one detail about the team, and loved it.
"One of the reasons why I came here is because the team chemistry was so great," she said.
Their elaborate pre-game rituals also illustrate the family bond the girls share. Before every game starts the team does a dance choreographed by sophomore Jessica Moppin. The outfielders dive onto the foul line to the cheers of their teammates, and then they circle up for something even more meaningful
"It's letting the pitcher know I'm there, I've got your back. When I go up there I say, let her hit it to me, and I'll get the out," Frankenstein said.
The girls often hang out together and the closeness translates into some of the talk that goes on at a softball game. Frankenstein said that it was a common for a player will go up to her pitcher and let her know the whole team is behind her.
Since coming to Kansas, Franklinstein has amassed another impressive list of accomplishments. As a freshman, she started all 48 games and led the team with 28 RBI. This season, she's already hit four homeruns and contributed in the hit category as well.
"We like to spend time together; it's really like a sisterhood," she said.
On and off the field though,
Frankenstein is a team player.
The girls on the team are more
than just teammates, though.
"We sing the alma mater, we just started doing that this year. It was just something we could do together," Frankenstein said. "We like the whole unity factor, and just representing our school."
While Frankenstein loves the game of softball, it also provides her with a relief for a feeling that burns inside of her. It's a drive that athletes feel, as well as many who strive to be the best at what they do.
"I love competition. It's a really great outlet for me," Frankenstein said.
Partially because of that passion, and partially because of her love of the game, Frankenstein gets excited about fans in the stands.
"Hit and Run were a surprise," Frankenstein said. "They came to our first game, and it was'oh, ok,' but when they started doing the Rock Chalk Chant it really hit home that we were here for us."
Hit and Run are the nicknames of two KU students who come to each home game. They have their "names" emblazoned across their T-shirts and always come prepared to heckle.
Anyone who has been to a softball game will recall the same two fans that are the first fans that Frankenstein thinks of.
Like any Kansas student,
Frankenstein has her list of "favorites." The team enjoys getting together for a night at El Mezcal, where they know all of the staff. She also enjoys grabbing a sandwich at Yello Sub.
As far as her post-player future, Frankenstein's first thoughts are still to softball, but as a coach. The psychology major already has had a taste of what it's like to be able to influence young softball players.
Unlike other students, Frankenstein has a special place she can go when she wants to be alone, just to think.
"I'd like to become a coach someday. I don't know at what level. I coached my old summer team last summer and that was great," Frankenstein said.
"Now that we have the new ball park, I can just come to the dugout and sit and take it all in," she said.
While thinking about how much she would enjoy coaching her own kids some day, or perhaps even returning to the University as an assistant, Frankenstein pointed out one benefit of never completely letting the game go.
"Every time you step on the field, you're learning something new about yourself and the game," she said.
— Edited by Meghan Brune