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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 14, 1987)
Tuesday, July 14, 1987/The Battalion/Page 5 Sports mationj [ Center Rudder ed to jot mt-bu Acade Baseballs to be tested for liveliness r ISaberhagea Scott to start as pitchers in All-Star contest I OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — While starters Bret Saberhagen and Mike Rudder S(°tt prepared Monday to test AU- Battalin S tar P ower > baseball prepared new r daysk tCSlS ^ or w ^ at * s b e * n g called a livelier * t Saberhagen,the htcher in the n WOi ■r broa;; ? only atl ssed anti all bills, ion, he sy “e distinc; )d ofbuif. •f bills, at. ; the agtsj "ated det| g penodr. ys of thej this peri s on bis f ucker It. dlls were:. 'Ut only as had finii I occurs or killed | attee enda-dea: lay of tht y. da at a fat ig dayofx i than 25:1 sed. M ri commal ys. ited age* two weebi learedail gen, the top pile ■tmerican League at 15-3, and Scott were named starting pitchers for this evening’s 58th All-Star Game at the Riakland Coliseum. 1 And while the pitchers debated why home runs have increased by 22 ercent this year, American League resident Dr. Bobby Brown an nounced both leagues would begin laboratory testing to determine whether trie ball is more lively. I “We’re going to repeat tests we conducted in 1984 when we awarded the ball contract to Rawl ings,” Brown said. “We don’t expect any difference.” Brown said results would be back within 14 days “and possibly a lot sooner.” The lively ball debate dominated discussion at Monday’s pre-workout news conference. “Is the ball juiced?” repeated Na tional League President A. Bartlett Giamatti, the former president of Yale University. “No more than I am, sir.” Scott and Saberhagen each have allowed 12 home runs this season but are split on the reasons. , “Is it juiced? I think it is,” Scott said. “I can’t prove anything. But when a guy hits a fly ball, it seems like I have to hold my breath.” Saberhagen attributed the in creased homers to three factors. “Players are stronger, the ball is a little juiced-up and the wood for bats is a little better,” he said. Rick Sutcliffe, who is likely to pitch for the NL, scoffed at sugges tions the ball is livelier. “I think pitchers needed an ex cuse. Every now and then, you have to give the hitters credit,” Sutcliffe said. “I pitch in Wrigley Field. You could hit a tomato out of there.” Either way, Saberhagen, Scott and the rest of the pitchers must cope with power-packed lineups. Eric Davis, who leads the NL with 27 homers, will bat leadoff and be followed by Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, Mike Schmidt, Jack Clark, Darryl Strawberry, Gary Garter, Oz- zie Smith and Scott. Rickey Henderson will lead off for the AL and be followed by Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, George Bell, Dave Winfield, Gal Ripken^ Terry Kennedy, Willie Randolph and Saberhagen. Oakland rookie Mark McGwire, leading the majors with 33 homers, is an AL reserve. The Coliseum is not regarded as a hitter’s ballpark and the game will begin at 5:30 p.m. local time to ac commodate NBC-TV. The network has its own troubles, however, as strikes by cameramen, technicians and directors have wiped out two- thirds of the production crew. A sellout crowd of 50,000 and clear skies are predicted for the game. McGwire can’t explain talent for hitting long ball OAKLAND (AP) — Rookie Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics, baseball’s hottest long ball hitter with 33 home runs at the All-Star break, is enjoying his Ruthian run but is at a loss to ex plain it. “I don’t try to hit home runs,” he said. “They just come. It’s rare that you try for a home run. It’s the time that you don’t try that you hit them.” Ozzie Virgil of the Atlanta Braves, who reached the All-Star break with 20 homers, agreed with McGw'ire. “I can’t swing for homers,” he said. “That won’t work. When you hit them, guys say, ‘You swung so easy.’ When you swing hard, it takes you out of your groove and throws your timing off.” Virgil thinks it’s a matter of mistakes. “Look,” he said, gesturing around the NL dressing room, “if you took a bunch of these guys and threw the ball down the mid dle to them, you’d get a good number of them to hit it out. I just think pitchers have made more mistakes.” Are hitters swinging for the seats? “Home runs put money in your pocket,” Virgil said with a smile. “That’s what people want to see.” Trying for homers Monday at the All-Star workout’s home run hitting contest, McGwire hit one and Virgil two. Andre Dawson had four as the NL outhomered the AL 6-2. McGwire, the guy with 33, is as puzzled as anybody about the in creased number of home runs. “It’s unexplainable,” he said. “I’ve hit home runs throughout my career but it’s a surprise that I’ve hit so many up here in so short a period. I’m doing nothing different. I’m the same hitter I was in college, just a little older.” Jackson to announce today decision on football career AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson, who once bypassed professional football for a major league baseball career with the Kansas City Royals, is ex pected to announce today that he will carry the ball for the Los An geles Raiders of the NFL. Jackson and his agent, Richard Wdods of Mobile, scheduled a news conference for 11:30 p.m. GDT to day at Auburn to announce his deci sion on signing a contract to play for the Raiders after the baseball season ends. The rookie outfielder for the Kansas Gity Royals turned down a $5 million contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 1985 season, when he won the Heisman at Auburn and set the school’s all-time rushing record. At the time, he said he would never play football again. Woods, who met over the week end with Raiders owner A1 Davis, was not immediately available for comment Monday on any terms of a contract with the Raiders, but he said Sunday night in a telephone in terview that such an agreement is “very likely.” “The prospects of him playing baseball for the Royals and football for the Raiders are excellent,” Woods said. In Toronto Saturday, Jackson an nounced he wanted to play for the Raiders, which made him their sev enth-round draft pick this year. But he said his decision to return to foot ball for at least part of one season does not mean his baseball career is over. “Once I said I’ll play baseball, I meant it,” Jackson said. “I’m a base ball player now, and I’ll always be a baseball player. I’ll be a baseball player until they tear the jersey off my hack.” At the All-Star break, Jackson was hitting .254 with 18 home runs and 45 runs batted in. He also had 112 strikeouts in 277 at-bats, which is on a pace to break the all-time single season record of 189 strikeouts. As a football player at Auburn, Jackson gained 4,303 yards on 650 carries, good for a per-carry average of 6.6 yards and a per-game average of 1 13.2 yards. Knicks hire Pitino as head coach NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks’ 84-day search for a new coach ended where it started Monday: with Rick Pitino, who turned Providence from a college doormat to a Final Four team in two years. Pitino, a Knicks’ assistant un der Hubie Brown from 1983 to 1985, was named the team’s coach at a news conference at Madison Square Garden. The 34-year-old New York na tive was the first candidate inter viewed by the team after it fired Coach Bob Hill and General Manager Scotty Stirling on April 20. He withdrew his name from consideration May 1 after the Knicks failed to meet his hiring deadline, but changed his mind when the team offered him the job last week. Pitino, who recently signed a five-year contract extension at Providence, said leaving the school was the “most difficult de cision of my life.” “I was 100 percent happy there,” he said. “But I couldn’t turn down the challenge of coaching the Knicks. If I didn’t take the job, I would have always wondered about it.” Pitino and the president of Providence, the Rev. John Cun ningham, said his contract at the school did not contain a buyout clause. “I had a long talk with him Sat urday morning and told him Providence College would not stand in the way of his profes sional advancement,” Cunning ham said. “He did not ask me to get out of the contract. I ex tended it to him.” Pitino said he didn’t accept the Knicks offer until Monday morn ing, after meeting with his Provi dence players. He said he would not have taken the job if any of his players objected, but none of them did. “We love each other at Provi dence, and it’s difficult to leave the ones you love,” Pitino said. “But they are still a part of my life, and always will be.” In his first year at Providence, Pitino took over a team that was 11-20 the year before and led them to a 17-14 record and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament. Last season, he guided the Friars to a 25-9 record “I was 100 percent happy there. But I couldn’t turn down the challenge of coaching the Knicks. If I didn’t take the job, I would have always wondered about it. ” — Rick Pitino and a trip to the Final Four, where they lost to Big East rival Syracuse in the semifinals. In New York, Pitino will be fac ing a similar rebuilding job. The Knicks finished the regular sea son with a 24-58 record and missed the playoffs for the third year in a row. “I’m not naive,” he said. “If I didn’t think we could win right away, I would not have taken the job.” Pitino said he would use the same fast-paced, team-oriented style that he featured at Provi dence. “We were one of the highest scoring teams in the country, so it’s obvious I like an exciting of fense,” he said. “But I also know' that it takes solid team defense to win in the NBA.” Pitino, who played at the Uni versity of Massachusetts with Ju lius Erving, compiled a 91-51 re cord as coach of Boston University from 1978 to 1983. In his final season there, he led the Terriers to the NCAA tourna ment for the first time in 24 years. ie says,*i in the nmittees art AA f McDonalds DRIVE-THRU WINDOW MCDONALD’S INTRAMURAL HIGHLIGHTS :ducaw nopals |* on exp igned t.-- weakne^' ile” is(S that law! ndationsl rtivities uj concept 1 the aesi is. listrictsil iis prof* the adn»'- to mee! pardci| :ipals tim ss thestnf mistra® the , end of ! enced pi At University Drive Hwy 21 Texas and S.W. Parkway At Manor East Mall AA ■McDonald's ■ I® BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING ALL-UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONS TAMU OUTDOORS Congratulations to the All-University Champions in the sports for the first summer sesstion. The TAMU 0utdoors program is offering these two trips during the second summer session. SOFTBALL Class A: CoRec - C.C. Creations Men - C.C. Creations Class B: CoRec - The Ultimates Men - Malpractice Class C: CoRec - Big Bucks BASKETBALL TRIPLES Class A: CoRec - No L Play Men - Old Timers Women - Spuds Club Class B: Men - Untouchables HORSESHOE DOUBLES Men - Gary Buck, Kevin Lowry GOLF SINGLES Class A: Men - George Naifen Women - Cori Hembree Class B: Men - David Brown VOLLEYBALL TRIPLES Class A: CoRec - Comeh-Coolah Men - Nice Try Class B: CoRec - Nets Men - Pony Pac RACQUETBALL DOUBLES Class A: CoRec - Kathy Craig, Stan Butler Women - Mary Bean, Renee Thiebaud Class B: Men - Thuan Nguyen, Mohd Warrad Class C: CoRec - Julie Patrick, Tuan Tran Men - Eric Flynn, Bob Cahill TENNIS SINGLES Class A: Men - Jay Bigam Women - Jeannine Zaeske Class B: Men - Bill Beggs Women - Kathy Craig Class C: Men - Luis Rodriquez To sign up for trips or for more information on specifics of the outdoor recreation program, please stop by the TAMU Intramural-Recreational Sports Office in 159 Read or call Patsy at 845-7826. All trips have a pre-trip meeting which is mandatory for participation. Adventure trips are open to all Texas A&M University and Bryan/College Station community members, 18 years and older. ROCK CLIMBING/RAPPELLING ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA -- Experienced instructors will introduce you to safe, proven skills of moving on rock. This trip is offered to beginning and intermediate climbers and will explore different areas of Enchanted Rock than the first summer trip. Rental of camping equipment, climbing equipment, camping permits, and instruction is in cluded. Limited to 10 people. Dates: July 24-26 Cost: $25 ($30 non A&M) Registration: July 6 - July 20 CANOEING THE GUADALUPE RIVER - Spend the weekend testing your Whitewater skills and camping on the bank of the scenic Guadalupe River. The trip is geared for beginning and interme diate canoeists. Kayakers with their own gear are welcome, but must have experience. Rental of canoes and camping equipment, campground fees, shuttle costs, instruction both before the trip nd while on the river, and experienced guides ' re included. Limited to 14 pee"' Dates: July 31 -August 2 Cost: $25 ($30 non A&M) Registration: July 13-July27 EXERCISE CLASSES There are still openings available in the Exercise Program offered by the In tramural-Recreational Sports Office. There is an intermediate class from 12- 1 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The cost for this class is $30.00. The second intermediate class is offered from 5:30-6:30 on Tuesday and Thursday; the cost is $25.00. The beginners class is of fered on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-6:30. The cost for this class is $25.00. An unlimited number of classes may be attended for $40.00. These classes are taught by Waist Basket in structors and are held on campus. For more information or to sign up, come by 159 Read Building or call 845-7826. TEAM SPORTS SUMMER SESSION II ENTRIES OPEN: JULY 14 ENTRIES CLOSE: JULY 17 ALL ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN IN THE INTRAMURAL OFFICE, ROOM 159 READ BUILDING. LEAGUES: Men's, Women's and CoRec ELIGIBILITY CLASSES: Class A - Highly skilled Class B - Moderately skilled Class C - Novice y faculty/staff and spouses with a recreational ID and Intramural vali dation are eligible to participate. RULES: Rules for all sports are available In the Intramural Office, Room 159 Read Building. SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL ENTRY FEE: $30.00 SCHEDULES AVAILABLE: Mon., July 20 at 10 AM PLAY BEGINS: Mon., July 20 PLAYOFFS POSTED: Wed., July 29 at 2 PM PLAYOFFS BEGIN: Thu., July 30 RAIN0UT AND INFORMATION NUfBER - 845-2625 BASKETBALL TRIPLES ENTRY FEE: $20.00 SCHEDULES AVAILABLE: Mon., July 20 at 10 AM PLAY BEGINS: Mon., July 20 PLAYOFFS POSTED: Tue., July 28 at 2 PM PLAYOFFS BEGIM: Wed., July 29 VOLLEYBALL TRIPLES ENTRY FEE: $20.00 SCHEDULES AVAILABLE: Mon., July 20 I at 10 AM PLAY BEGINS: Tue., July 21 PLAYOFFS POSTED: Wed., July 29 at 2 PM PLAYOFFS BEGIN: Thu., July 30 INDIVIDUAL & DUAL SPORTS SUMMER SESSION II ENTRIES OPEN: JULY 14 ENTRIES CLOSE: JULY 17 SCHEDULES: LEAGUES: CLASSES: ALL ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN IN THE INTRAMURAL OFFICE, ROOM 159 READ BUILDING. Available Monday, July 20 after 2 PM PLAY BEGINS: Tuesday, July 21 Men'5, Women's and CoRec Class A - Highly skilled Class B - Moderately skilled Class C - Novice ELIGIBILITY: All currently enrolled students and faculty/staff and spouses with a recreational ID and. Intramural valida tion are eligible to participate. TENNIS DOUBLES Matches consist of two out of three sets. Games are played to 4 points (no deuce). Each team must bring an unopened can of balls to each match. HORSESHOE SINGLES Matches consist of two out of three games to 15 points. Horseshoes will be provided but are available for checkout In 157 Read for practice. RACQUETBALL SINGLES IRA rules will apply. Matches are two games to 15 points with an 11 point tie breaker. If necessary. Each participant muSt bring an unopened can of balls to each match GOLF DOUBLES Participants will be assigned to opponents based on skill level and must play within an assigned period of time. Classes A,B and C will play an 18 hole qualifying round with the top 8 teams In each class advancing to the divi sional. Based on these scores, the top 4 teams In each class will advance to the All-University round. The All- University Champion will be determined by the total score from dlvlslonals and A11-University rounds (36 hole total). Class A plays from the maroon tees and Class B and Class C play from the white tees.