8B the university daily kansan
sports
wednesday, march 10, 2004
TRIBBLE: Turned down majors to play at Kansas
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His talent caught the attention of major league scouts and after his senior season the Chicago Cubs selected Tribble in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball draft.
Tribble passed on the draft offer for the opportunity to play Division I baseball at Kansas and to earn a degree.
After his first season at Kansas, Tribble was named the Bob Allison Rookie of the Year
As a freshman utility player, Tribble started 54 of 66 games at first base, center field or left field. He hit 11 triples that season, setting the record for most triples ever by a freshman. It was his first of multiple lavahawk records.
The next record that Tribble would break would be the longest hit streak at Kansas. As a junior, Tribble hit safely in 20 consecutive games.
That hit streak is currently in jeopardy, but the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Tribble is the one threatening it. Tribble is working on a 14-game hit streak that started on Feb. 6.
— Kansas' award for an outstanding first-year player.
Tribble said he didn't think much about his hit streak at the
"Matt Tribble is an absolute pleasure to coach and he always plays the game in a first-class manor." Price said.
Tribble said that he became more consistent at the plate because he learned to hit the ball to all parts of the field. When he was a freshman, he focused on hitting the ball over the fence. As an experienced senior, he uses his hands more and worries less about the long ball, he said.
Kansas coach Ritch Price attributes Tribble's success at the plate to his tremendous hands and use of the whole field. Price said Tribble was consistent because he was never too up or down and always had control of his emotions.
Since coming to Kansas, Trible has played in more than 160 games and works hard in the offseason to develop physically.
"He's a prime example of what hard work will do for a guy," said teammate Ryan Baty. "He's one of the best outfielders I've ever seen and played with."
plate, he just took it one at-bat at a time.
Baty said the team was seeing the fruits of Trible's labor now after the hard work that he put in during the off-season.
"A streak is just something that kind of happens," he said. "If it ended tomorrow I wouldn't be disappointed, I just want to help the team."
Tribble went through knee surgery following the 2003 season. He said that he saw his time away from baseball as an opportunity to work on his swing and get into the weight room. As his 2004 numbers indicate, the hard work has paid off.
Tribble is among the top three on the team in five different offensive categories. Tribble has the team's third highest batting average (.368), along with 32 hits, 22 RBI, 3 home runs and 11 walks.
The impressive numbers at the plate make it easy to overlook Tribble's defensive skills. Through 23 games this season, Tribble has not committed a single error. In all four seasons at Kansas, Tribble has committed nine total errors. It's his quickness and speed in the field that make him excellent defensively, Price said.
Out of high school, Tribble lacked experience and was not sure if he was physically ready for the major leagues. But growing up on the south side of Chicago, Tribble had been a long time fan of the major leagues, especially the White Sox and Bo Jackson.
Kansan File Phot
Senior outfielder Matt Tribble recorded hits in 20 consecutive games last year and is working on a 14-game hitting streak that began Feb. 6.
he wanted to wear Bo Jackson's No. 16. Since 16 was already taken, Tribble wears No. 8—Jackson's number for the White Sox after he returned from hip surgery.
After recovering from surgery of his own, Tribble seems to be back on track.
When Tribble came to Kansas,
— Edited by Danielle Hillix
DELTA CHI: Fraternity wins intramural game of the week
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minating in the 41-point victory.
Trying to slow the game down was really the only strategy outmanned Beta could use, but Delta Chi's athleticism on defense and its quickness down the court were too much for Beta's players, who were visibly tired after only a few minutes of play.
The second half brought more of the same for both teams. Beta opened up the scoring, knocking down a quick three-point shot, but Delta Chi quickly turned out a 8-0 run. It was the first of many runs in the half, eventually cul-
Delta Chi'i Stephen Mayer,
Wichita junior, led all scorers
with 15 points and had a double
double with 10 rebounds.
Neither team was surprised at the game's outcome.
"Duke always beats Oak View Elementary." Beta member Will McCollum, Leavenworth junior, said.
Delta Chi will advance on to the next round of the intramural tournament. Beta's third team will go home, eliminated but heartened by a successful season.
- Edited by Kevin Flaherty
LOSS: No more women's games after tough season
The sophomore had only six points in the first 20 minutes. Before the game, Woodard indicated that she expected Kemp to step up for this match.
The score was 66-59, but another Baylor run proved too much for Kansas. Unlike previous games, the Jayhawks did not collapse in the final minutes.
"I was proud of the way they played," Woodard said. "Iasked them to play 40 minutes, and they did."
"Crystal has both an inside and outside game," Woodard said. "I've challenged her to push both those games."
The Jayhawks were led by sophomore forward Tamara Ransburg, with 15 points and seven rebounds. Kemp led the team with 10 rebounds and added 14 points. Junior guard Aquanita Burras also chipped in 14 points and pulled down eight boards.
Hallman had in 11 points. Freshman guard Sharita Smith also contributed nine points.
The second half started about the same way the first half ended.
Powered by an 11-1 run, the Bears took a commanding 15 point lead. The Jayhawks battled back and a two-pointer by junior guard Larisha Graves brought the team within seven with
about 10 minutes remaining.
Kansas was without freshman Lauren Irvin, who did not make the trip to Dallas because of a violation of an unspecified team policy.
Sophomore forward Erica
With the conclusion of the season, Woodard said she would be giving the team a few weeks off. But she said the team would waste no time before looking to next year.
"They have to keep fighting, because that's what Jayhawk basketball is about," Woodard said.
Edited by Danielle Hillix
DIX: Cameron not as excellent as fans believe
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When looking at the banners hanging in the arena, it appears that Duke history began some time in the early 1980s with the arrival of Mike Krzyzewski. That's certainly a testament to the greatness of Coach K, but it should also remind the Dukies that they've got a few more years of winning to go before they reach the level of a Kentucky or a UCLA. Duke fans think they have the greatest program of all time.
I think that's because they're not real basketball fans. To them, basketball is just another part of their academic culture they absorb when they get to college. Cameron Crazes are essentially a bunch of dorks in stupid costumes and body paint who know what team they're cheering for but not why they're cheering for them.
The Crazyz set only one goal: to be obnoxious. They achieve this goal night after night but lack the basketball intelligence of Allen Fieldhouse fans. Duke fans scream mindlessly while Kansas fans cheer louder to support their team when it is struggling. And believe it or not, Duke's alumni are actually quieter than Kansas'.
After the game, the Cameron faithful, adorned in "Go to Hell, Carolina" T-shirts, cooperatively heckled Roy and the UNC players as they walked to the locker room. I consider it a classless move and I've never seen it happen at Allen Fieldhouse. After games, Kansas fans cheer for the Jayhawks, they don't kick teams while they're down.
The Duke/UNC game at Cameron may be the biggest and most-hyped college basketball game of the year, but that doesn't make it the best. I'm glad I got to see the spectacle, but I'll take a game at Allen Fieldhouse any day.
Dix is a Prairie Village senior in journalism and film.