LAWRENCE HIGH SENIOR JOHN NOVOTNY has made a smooth transition this season while moving from first base to third base, allowing the Lions to put a stronger lineup on the field this spring.

It’s 2:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, a full 45 minutes before baseball practice starts. Lawrence High senior John Novotny, who does not have a sixth-hour class, already has lifted weights for an hour and begins taking batting practice at Ice Field.

Such dedication to sport should not come as a surprise from a player whose grandfather played football at Kansas University, who associates with John Hadl and who watches Super Bowl Sunday with Gale Sayers.

Novotny, though, has a new challenge this season as he moves from first base to third base to accommodate power-hitting first baseman Nick DeBiasse, who missed last season due to a back injury.

You played third base during your sophomore year, but first base last year. How willingly did you accept this year’s move back to third?

When (DeBiasse’s) healthy, he’s as good as it gets in the state of Kansas. We need him on the field and we need him in the lineup. : It’s what’s best for the team, and the only thing care I about is winning. It’s something that the coaches needed to be done to make our team better, and that’s not an issue at all.

What is the difference between playing first base and third base?

Third base is a hot corner. You’ve definitely got to be on your toes, knock the ball down and make the average play.

Are you a leader on the LHS baseball team?

You could definitely say that. We’ve got three or four guys that you could say are leaders on this team. We’ve got a lot of people who have been around a long time. I love helping the young guys because the sophomores that travel and play with the varsity team – I understand when they struggle what they’re going through. I know what they’re thinking. I knew what I did to be able to adjust and be successful. So I definitely try and talk to them if they mess up or have a tough day at the plate.

During basketball season you were the team’s bruiser, someone who set picks and did the dirty work. Do you bring that same kind of toughness to baseball?

(In) baseball you’ve got to be a little more relaxed. You’ve got to be able to control your emotions a lot more. 0-for-4, 4-for-4 is something coach (Brad) Stoll talks about a lot. No matter what happens, you never know if you go 0-for-4 or 4-for-4. (In) baseball you’ve really got to learn to calm yourself and play the game at the same intensity level all the time.

Do you prefer basketball or baseball?

When I was born, my dad put a bat in my hand and started rolling ground balls : Baseball’s my first sport, and I love it, and I’m going to play it as long as I can.

You are 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. How much has hard work in the weight room enabled your success?

I definitely hit the weights every day. : It’s to the extreme every single day. It’s as hard as you can go as heavy as you can go. It’s an awesome weight program, and if you stick to it, you get bigger.

Your grandfather, John Novtony, played running back at Kansas University. Describe your relationship?

The first thing he always talks to me about is my grades. So that’s definitely something he understood, being a student-athlete. : He’s always working and he gets to as much stuff as he can. People know him through the athletic department at KU, and he’s always been around.

What’s it like to hang out with legendary football player Gale Sayers?

Gale Sayers is a really good friend of (my grandfather). We always watch the Super Bowl, and Gale’s always down. He’s awesome, an unbelievable individual. (Sayers and my grandfather) met when Gale was here at KU, and they’ve always remained friends. How many kids get to do that? I definitely appreciate it.

Are you going to follow your grandfather’s footsteps and enroll at KU?

No, I’ve signed to play baseball at Coffeyville Community College next year. I’m going to play as long as I can and then hopefully get into sports management or start coaching somewhere and try and get an administrative assistant job.