Sullivan makes most of move to S.B. Sox By CURT RALLO Tribune Sports Writer SOUTH BEND - Carl Sullivan took a step backwards in the Chicago White Sox organization in hopes of taking a giant step forward. Sullivan, an outfielder with the South Bend White Sox, is in his fifth season in the Sox organization. He's also with his fifth Class A team in the Sox organization. Sullivan has played for Appleton, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Sarasota and South Bend. He started the season in Sarasota, but an injury and a batting slump helped send Sullivan from Sarasota, the Sox high Class A team, to South Bend, the low Class A team. "In Sarasota this year, I started off well," said Sullivan, who turned 23 years old on July 4. "I was hitting .320, but then I tore a hamstring, and I tried to come back too soon. "Then, I had an 0-for-45 slump," Sullivan said. "I hit the ball hard but at people. I went from .320 to .220 and then they just didn't play me." Sullivan has made the most of his change of scenery. He has hits in nine of his first 12 games, including four doubles, a triple and two homers for eight runs batted in. Sullivan's homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday helped the Sox to a 5-4 triumph in 11 innings against Kenosha. Sullivan is excited about his experience 1 in South Bend. "I like South Bend better than Sarasota because of the fans," said Sullivan. "In Sarasota, they average about 200 or 300 fans a game. Here they average about 3,500 fans a game. Those big crowds make you want to try harder. Plus, Sarasota was struggling. They had lost 12 of 15. It's nice to be here to try and help a contender." Sullivan doesn't think the difference between the Midwest League and the Florida State League is that great. "I don't see much difference in the leagues," said Sullivan. "The FSL has better fields, and the distance to the walls is greater. That may be the biggest difference. The power alleys are 390 (feet) in the FSL and 360 here. "I think you get more fastballs here, too,' Sullivan continued. "There are more breaking balls in the FSL and the pitchers have better control. "But really, A ball is A ball," said Sullivan. "Look at Scott Radinsky, he went from here to the major leagues, and there were seven guys from here last year made it to Double A." Sullivan is hopeful that the apparent stability in the Sox organizawill help his move up the ladder." "When I first started, my first three years I had three different hitting coaches," Sullivan said. "I would learn one way, then go home during the offseason and work on it, and they. would change it the next season. That was kind of tough. "Now, the last two years they've had the same technique, head down and high finish," Sullivan said. "I think that's been a big help." South Bend manager Rick Patterson feels that Sullivan's transfer to South Bend will help him and the club. "I think Carl is starting to get his confidence back," said Patterson. *After being in the FSL for three years, he probably thought he had to hit .340 to get out of there and put a lot of pressure on himself. See SULLIVAN/Page D3
