The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, March 31, 1987 - Page 11 INFIELDERS: Youth fills infield Father figure S. Peter leads team, family By PETE STEINERT Michigan's infield will undergo a-facelift this season, taking on a new and youthful look. Three freshmen and three sophomores will see action with junior Steve Finken being the only upperclassman among the group. Sophomore Bill St. Peter returns at third base to anchor the infield. His strong bat and glove makes him an ideal third baseman. Through the Wolverines' first 11 games St. Peter has batted .406 and gone errorless in the field. HE CAN also play shortstop if needed."Right now I'd like to keep him at third because I think he'll hit a little bit better if I keep him over there," head coach Bud Middaugh said. Next to St. Peter, sophomore Doug Kaiser appears to have the inside track on the shortstop job. Kaiser saw limited action last season, but his playing time should increase as soon as he returns from his hamstring injury that he suffered midway through the spring trip. "I felt that Kaiser deserved an opportunity to play," Middaugh said, "and he did nothing down south that would not allow him that opportunity." WHILE KAISER has been out, freshman Chris Gagin has filled in admirably for him. Despite his size (5-6, 145 pounds), the Southfield native has shown good range, and Middaugh has been hitting him in the leadoff spot in the batting order. The eighth-year coach would 'ventually like to move Gagin to second base when Kaiser gets back. "Gagin's been bumped around," Middaugh said. "That's tough when you're a young guy, and you play second one game and short the next." Price ... new position Another freshman, first baseman Phil Price, rounds out the infield. Price faces the task of replacing All-Big Ten performer Hal Morris. So far he has responded well at the plate, batting .429 and driving in 11 runs in Michigan's first 11 games. DEFENSIVELY, however, he needs time before he can match Morris' glove. Price, a shortstop in high school, never played first base before this year. "It's different," he said. "I like it because you get more time. If you boot the ball, you can still get (the baserunner) out at first, where at short if you boot it, you're done." Finken, as well as sophomore Jim Durham, and freshman Rich Samplinski provide depth and versatility. Middaugh would prefer to place Finken, his top returning hitter, in the outfield despite using him at second base last year. When Middaugh plays Finken in the outfield, he fields an entire freshman-sophomore infield. "Our biggest problem right now is we're so young, Gagin said, "and it's just going to take a little while until everybody kind of gets used to playing with each other." By ADAM SCHEFTER Being a student at the University of Michigan carries along with it a lot of responsibility. Being a varsity athlete as well entails even more. Now imagine all this in addition to being married and having a child. IF YOU'RE Michigan's third baseman Billy St. Peter, you don't have to imagine. You live with this triad of responsibility each and every day of your life. "It's hard to do all three," the sophomore said. "When you should be studying, there are other things that have to be taken care of in the family. There's certain limitations to what you can do. "When you're by yourself, you have only one person to please- yourself. When you have a family, you have other people to please and then yourself. I'm third in line." THE PLIGHT of St. Peter and his family has caused him to make many adjustments. For instance, when he goes to play baseball in Cape Cod this upcoming summer, specific arrangements will be made so that his family can be by his side. A job will be lined up for him so that he has the opportunity to earn some additional money to help feed the extra two mouths. Special provisions for special circumstances. From a personal standpoint, head coach Bud Middaugh also realizes the nature of the situation, and he attempts to lend a helping hand whenever it is possible. "There are some things that I have to understand as a coach. Say Billy's kid has to go to the doctor during practice and Billy needs to be there. It's things like that that you've got to be understanding about." THE SITUATION has also been a trying one for and his wife. For it has been Billy's one wish to play baseball ever since he was a little boy. In fact, in 1985 when he "When we played Grand Valley, he was sicker than a devil," Middaugh said. "I don't even know how he played. And wouldn't you know he was always on the bases, running out whatever he was hitting. When we ran in practice drills after the game, I had to kick him off the field, he was so sick." With the departure of Hal Morris and Casey Close from last year's squad, Middaugh looks for players like St. Peter to step in and be a guiding force on his team. Leadership is a must, and in St. Peter he trusts. "Billy can step into the leadership role," the eighth-year coach said. "I think the younger guys look to him as someone they respect on the baseball field." THE 6-0, 195 pound St. Peter would gladly welcome this newfound role, but to be the leader that coach Middaugh wants, his actions will have to speak louder than his words. And already they have. "Billy's been great," said freshman Rich Samplinski. "I came in here as a third baseman out of high school. He's been nothing but supportive as far as telling me what I've been doing right and wrong. People at the same position often don't want you to do that well. Not Billy. I really admire him a lot." Some may claim that St. Peter has too many obligations already. The thought of one more responsibility, the leadership duties , may just be too much for a 20 year old to handle. This assumption, however, is quickly refuted by the only other married member of the team, Greg Everson. "When you get on the field, you block everything out of your mind and its all baseball. That's the way you have to do it if you want to go anywhere." Student, athlete, father- and leader. Now that's carrying more than your fair share of the load. Daily Photo by SCOTT IJTUCHY Bill St. Peter has many responsibilities off the field. Now head coach Bud Milddaugh is looking for more on baseman. was a fifth round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds, he almost chose the minor league circuit over the University of Michigan. "She knows how important baseball is to me," the soft-spoken Linwood native said. "It's my ticket. A lot of people want to get jobs and work in a business. 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