Big shot: Bill Self homers — yes, homers — in losing cause

KU basketball coach Bill Self is greeted by American League teammates after hitting a second-inning home run during the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game Sunday, July 8, 2012, at Kauffman Stadium. From left are Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, Self, Joe Carter, Rollie Fingers and George Brett.

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All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

Kansas City, Mo. — Bill Self, who was booed heavily by Missouri fans and cheered wildly by Kansas supporters, stepped into the batters box during the second inning of Sunday’s all-star celebrity softball game in Kauffman Stadium.

Wearing a powder-blue American League jersey, white pants and a K.C. Royals cap, Self, KU’s basketball coach, measured the first pitch from Olympic softball hurler Jennie Finch and blasted it over the left-center-field fence.

Yes, in storybook fashion, Self actually lined a home run in the AL’s 21-8 loss to the National League, before 40,095 fans.

Self, who hadn’t played softball in 20 years until last week when he visited the batting cages twice at Clinton Lake Softball Complex, was mobbed at home plate by his teammates. His homer was preceded by a Mike Sweeney dinger and was followed by a round-tripper from singer David Cook.

“I was surprised as anybody hitting a home run,” Self said. “I don’t know if anybody actually swung and missed the whole night. I was worried I’d do it three times. To actually put the bat on the ball was pretty cool.”

In the fourth inning, Self hit a screaming foul ball down the left-field line, then grounded out to third, holding his right hamstring — which he pulled Saturday in preparing for the game — as he jogged down the baseline.

In the sixth inning, Self made it a 2-for-3 night at the plate by stroking a hard single to left field. He was immediately replaced by a pinch runner.

“I was nervous because I couldn’t run to first,” Self said, explaining how he hurt his hammy.

“I thought I better do some running for this and I mistakenly put the treadmill on ‘four-minute mile,’” Self cracked.

At least Self did receive a hug from model Chrissy Teigen as he hobbled to the bench after the ground out.

“The hug from Chrissy was nice. Jennie gave me a hug after the game, too,” Self laughed of pitcher Finch.

Self, who played second base for the first two innings of the six-inning game, had one play in the field. He caught a pop-up off the bat of first-inning leadoff man Ozzie Smith to loud cheers. Once the Missouri fans figured out it was Self who clutched the pop up, however, boos cascaded through the stands.

Self also was booed during pregame introductions by MU fans. KU fans tried their best to drown out the nasty reception.

“I always kind of thought Mizzou people liked me for some reason. I guess I was off base on that a little bit,” said Self, who wasn’t the only local player booed. Fans booed K.C. Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel during introductions, but gave him polite applause during his at-bats.

“I didn’t think it (reception) would be great. When I left the bus to go to the batting cage (in Little K in left field before game), I didn’t feel a lot of love walking through the crowd. I thought it’d be pretty much like it was,” Self said.

He was asked if it felt good to “shut up” the MU faithful.

“I don’t know if it (home run) actually shut them up,” said Self, who was booed as he rounded the bases.

Self was amazed by the huge throng of fans, who also were treated to the Baseball Futures game, won by the U.S. over the World team, 17-5.

“I told (wife) Cindy before we came over here. She said, ‘What time do we need to leave?’ I said, ‘I can’t imagine there will be more than 5,000 or 10,000 people there to come watch softball.’ Little did I know. I was dead wrong,” Self said.

Self wore jersey number 8.

“It was supposed to be ’08,” he said, signifying the 2008 national champs. “I asked the manager what number should I wear? Right off the top of his head he said ’08. I requested ’08, and they gave me 8. I wish I could have wore ’12. That would have been good the way we played this year.”

Self said he’d tape tonight’s ESPN replay of the softball game (to be aired following the 7 p.m. Home Run Derby).

He’ll be back at Kauffman Stadium watching the Derby as a fan.

“This is pretty cool. There are some unbelievable athletes here, some big guys. I lockered next to Bo Jackson,” exclaimed Self, who before the game and during the game caught baseballs from fans, signed them and tossed ’em back into the crowd.

“Two of the greatest athletes combined lockering next to each other. That was pretty cool,” Self added with a smile.

Jackson, by the way, made a surprise appearance at the plate. Jackson, who has a bad hip, popped up to end the game after being convinced to pinch hit for Joe Carter by fans who chanted Jackson’s name.

Frankamp wins

Future KU guard Conner Frankamp scored 22 points Sunday in the United States’ 95-62 rout of Australia in the championship game of the FIBA Under 17 world championships in Lithuania.

Frankamp, a 6-foot-1 senior from Wichita North, hit seven of nine shots, including four of six threes for the U.S., which went 8-0 at the tourney. He started and played 22 minutes.

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BillSelf4Prez 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Haha Misery fans are pathetic. And why boo Cassel? At least he got us to the playoffs..

yates33333 11 months, 2 weeks ago

They are working on an expanded vocabulary. Duh! isn't enough now-a-days even for a Mizzzoo fan.

KUMatt2001 11 months, 2 weeks ago

The "boos" for Cassel were actually chants of CHIIIIIIEFS!

And yes, pathetic and classless to vehmently boo someone at a celebrity softball game that is all in fun, but what do we expect. Good riddance.

KU79 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Mizzou fans boo anything that is "good." It confuses them and they don't understand it. Much like the caveman and fire.

cklarock 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Caveman have a "fight or flight" response, whereas Mizzou fans have a "lose and boo" lifestyle.

jaymike2 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Missouri fans have the fight or flight response as well. They chose the flight option... to the SEC

KUsportsPA 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Were they booing or Mooing?

BayHawkaholic 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I agree that booing is classless. But can we honestly say that not a one of us would be at least slightly amused at a boo chorus aimed at certain conference coaches, national championship coaches, Raiders or Yankees personnel, or certain former basketball or football coaches?

Granted, it's not very creative, but I think a lot of it is pretty innocent - mostly fueled by envy, respect, and a weak attempt at humor. There's always a small element that is truly hateful or delusional, but we likely have a few of those on our side of the border as well.

Just cautioning against the pot calling the kettle black.

ahpersecoachingexperience 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Not mentioned:

Mizzou fans stayed until both games were complete and cheered wildly as Gary Pinkel cleaned the stadium to fulfill his community service hours.

RockChalkCaliHawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Some days you're funnier than my son, "tater tot." Others, you're as dumb as Can't-Get-Right.

MoonwalkMafia66 11 months, 2 weeks ago

That was stupid.

RockChalkCaliHawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I know, right?

FELONY 11 months, 2 weeks ago

You should have went to bed early instead of staying up to try and post first with that nonsense.

BayHawkaholic 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I usually agree, but this time Ahperse PHOF'd big time.

OakvilleJHawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

LJW..please delete this message so that it looks like I said something really mean and nasty even though I thought ahperse's post was kind of hilarious!! :) [PS LJW...just kidding]

1stnamemistermiddlenameperiod 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I don't care what they say. I thought that was funny as h311!

Strikewso 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Nice poke. Frankamp is for real.

jayhawkinATL 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Steadily climbing up the rankings. Should be a 5-star before all is said and done.

jhawk7782 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Conner is up to #28 and Greene is at #31

Strikewso 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Yes, not sure why Cassel would be booed. Probably not even worth trying to figure out people from Missouri.

Alohahawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Frankamp with 22 points on 7 of 9 shooting. Wow! That should make him leader in points scored for the USA in the tourney. There shouldn't be any "Doubting Thomas's" when it comes to his playing at KU. He obviously hit 4 freethrows. Curious as to what % he shoots from the line. Eight days until Conner's birthday, on the 16th. Question: Will he be selected for the USA U18 team next year? He should have an inside track to qualify.

As for Self's homer, after a break of 20 years? That sounds like the movie line from "The Natural". Way to go, Coach Self. And way to stick it to those miserable turncoats across the border.

REHawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Conner did not shoot many freethrows in the 8 games; but was 100% of those he did shoot. Was also 45+% from outside the arc, over 65% from two. Very good assist to turnover ratio, and five steals in one game. Our coach is bigger than life, hitting a softball over the fence, in spite of a pulled hamstring. The guy is an intense competitor.

kellerman411 11 months, 2 weeks ago

He was shooting over 90% from the line back in Wichita. Beastly

MoonwalkMafia66 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Oh Mizery. Does your classlessness have no bounds?

actorman 11 months, 2 weeks ago

That's a rhetorical question, right?

nuleafjhawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

moo fans really are something.

Something sub-human.

If the U.S. is ever destroyed by nuclear attack, the only thing that will be left is moo fans and cockroaches.

Same thing.

jhawk7782 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I like cockroaches more.

memhawk 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Was there one of those temporary outfield walls used in the game to shrink the field or did Bill really go yard? Knocking a softball over the left field center fence is pretty impressive, even if it was off of a girl pitcher! (Yeah, I know who she is!)