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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 1994)
Wednesday • June 8, 1994 Brawling, trash- talking is ‘Little League’ problem BRIAN COATS Sports Writer B oys will be boys. Or in the case of Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Asso ciation, boys will be no-brained, mil- lion-dollar goons. In the last six weeks or so, bas ketball and baseball have come to resemble boxing than any other sport. Brawls by the Bulls and Knicks, Hawks and Heat and about every other inside pitch in baseball have focused the sport’s spotlight on fighting, and more specifically, why there are so many fights. Players and coaches say they have to play aggressively to be com petitive. Derrick Harper, the ex- Dallas Maverick guard (now playing for the New York Knicks), was re cently suspended for two games fighting in the Chicago series. He recently told Randy Galloway of the Dallas Morning News in a ra dio interview that he was sorry if he hurt his team, but that he “has to be tough” and that he “would never back down.” Many fans and media-types argue that penalties are not strict enough, and thus encourage bench-clearing brawls. Sports Illustrated said bas ketball and baseball should follow hockey’s example. In the National Hockey League, if a player leaves the bench to partici pate in a brawl, he is automatically suspended. If players were penal ized for leaving the bench, Sports Il lustrated argues, there would be less fights. However, there is another expla nation as to why players want to throw down so often, and it is proba bly the one closest to the real reason there are so many fights: trash-talk ing. The art of trash-talking is as old as sports, itself. It ranges from 8-year-olds telling each other that, “My daddy can beat up your daddy,” Please see Coats/Page 4 Page 3 Kelly Wunsch made baseball history by striking out five batters in an inning for the Beloit Brewers. Aggie pitchers make major mark Former A&M hurlers Wunsch bound for Hall of Fame, Granger making Royal entrance By Joshua G. Arterbury The Battalion Some might think it is a long way from Olsen Field to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, but for one for mer Texas A&M pitcher it’s just a throw away. Well, maybe a few curveballs away. Kelly Wunsch is now an honorary member of the Hall of Fame, receiving the honor after he struck out five Springfield Sultan’s in one inning during a Beloit Brewers baseball game on April 15. He is the first starter and the third pitcher in recorded history to strike out five batters with only three possi ble outs. Two of the strikeout victims reached first base on wild pitches. Wunsch seemed confident in his pitching, but hesitant about the hon or. “I had my good stuff that day, and I was on a roll,” Wunsch said. “But The Hall of Fame? I said. You have got to be kidding me.’ The first thing I did was call home to tell my parents.” Beloit Brewers broadcaster Brett Dolan notified the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York of Wunsch’s accomplishment. The officials in Cooperstown imme diately requisitioned Wunsch’s cap, an 8x10 photograph and an auto graphed ball to be put on display in the Hall of Fame for the next three years. Brian Parker, a pitcher for Texas A&M who played with Wunsch dur ing his stint as an Aggie pitcher, said he wasn’t surprised by the remark able feat. “I’m not shocked at all,” Parker said. “I’m sure it was pretty tough to do, but Kelly’s got a nasty curve ball that’s almost unhittable. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he threw three in the dirt that fooled every hitter, he’s got that kind of stuff.” The Milwaukee Brewers, im pressed by his career at Texas A&M, chose Wunsch in the first round of the 1993 draft. Wunsch went 7-2 with a 4.45 ERA for the Aggies in 1993. He also recorded 110 strikeouts in 87 innings, second only to Jeff Granger. The former A&M standout is cur rently pitching for the Brewers’ Class A affiliate of the Midwest League. Wunsch is 2-2 with a 5.04 ERA in five appearances with the Brewers, and leads the team with 31 strikeouts File photo/THE Battalion Jeff Granger has played on Kansas City’s minor and major league teams. in 25 innings. A&M head baseball coach Mark Johnson was pleased to hear about Kelly’s honor. “I think it’s wonderful that Kelly Please see Pitchers/Page 4 Clubs build winning traditions with ‘non-traditional’ sports Non-scholarship A&M teams notch national achievements By Brian Coats The Battalion Although they do not receive as much publicity as football or basketball, several Texas A&M sport club teams consistently have done well at national competitions. Underfunded and virtually unpubli cized, club team athletes strive to be the best in their chosen sport. Consider some recent achievements: •The women’s handball team and women’s polo team are national champi ons. •The men’s lacrosse team has lost only three games in five years. They were undefeated this year. •The men’s soccer team finished third at nationals, losing to Brigham Young University 3-1 in the semifinals. •The women’s gymnastics team fin ished fourth at nationals, the cycling team 17th and the weightlifting team fifth. •The trap and skeet team team lost the national championship by one con tested pigeon at nationals. Sean Gilligan, the treasurer and a “middie” on the lacrosse team, said the team is successful because the players truly love the sport. “We had a bunch of players come in about four years ago who made an im pact because they work hard,” he said. “It is all based on desire.” Kyle Greenwood, a polo team athlete, echoed Gilligan’s belief that many club sports at A&M are successful because all the players love to play. “Everyone wants to win,” he said. “We spend a lot of time practicing.” Club sports are unique in that sup porters can become participants. All the clubs encourage participation, from the beginner, just wanting to leam more, to those with more advanced abilities. Gilligan said the lacrosse team encour ages everyone to come out. “We practice Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” he said. “If some one wants to come watch or play, we would love to have them.” Besides desire and love of the game, another common theme running through many of the clubs is funding, or more specifically the lack of it. “More money would help,” Gilligan said. Most clubs charge dues to help sup port expenses incurred from travel and competition. These range from $5 for badminton to $250 for polo. The average is about $30, according to the Depart ment of Recreational Sports. Paula Opal, an assistant director for recreational sports, said although most of the clubs complain about lack of funding, they do receive support from student ser vices fees. She said this help is generally enough to get a team to and from compe tition, as well as a place to stay. “The University chips in for normal competition...a team has to fund-raise if they want to travel to nationals,” she said. Opal said the major fund-raising teams are soccer, lacrosse and rugby. With so much success, can A&M stu dents and fans expect any of the club sports to become NCAA-supported schol arship sports? Probably not, Opal said. “I don’t see any sports being picked up,” she said. “Most of the club sports are non-traditional to Texas. If we were in the Midwest or Northeast, it might be different. The fact is football, basketball and baseball pay the bills.” Opal said if anyone is interested in playing, supporting or watching club sport teams, they should come by or call the Department of Recreational Sports. “I know the clubs would love the sup port,” she said. io« avRP DANCE Beginning Country & Western Dance Mon. June 6. 13. 20, 27 6-7:15pm Mon. July 11. 18, 25, Aug 1 6-7:15pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Ballroom Dance Tues. July 5. 12. 19, 26 6-7:30pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Jitterbug Wed. June 8. 15. 22. 29 6-7:15pm Wed. July 6. 11(7:30), 27. Aug 3 6- 7:15pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Bellydance Mon. June 6, 13. 20. 27. July 11.18 7- 9pm $3 5/student $40/nonstudent MUSIC Beginning Guitar Mon. June 6 - Aug 1 7-8:30pm Tues. June 14 - Aug 2 7-8:30pm Wed. June 8 - July 27 7-8:30pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Drum Training Wed. June 8. 15, 22. 29, July 6. 13 7-8:30pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Intermediate Guitar Tues. June 14 - Aug 2 8:30- lOpm $40/student $45/nonstudent Voice Training Mon. July 18. 25. Aug 1 6-8:30pm $30/student $35/nonstudent POTTERY Beginning Pottery Wheel Throwing M/W, June 6. 8. 13. 15, 20. 22 5:30-7:30pm M/W. June 6. 8. 13. 15. 20. 22 7:45-9:45pm T/Th. June 7. 9, 14. 16, 21. 23 5:30-7:30pm T/Th. June 7. 9. 14. 16. 21. 23 7:45-9:45pm Sat. June 18. 25. July 9. 16 9- 12noon M/W. July 11, 13. 18. 20. 25. 27 5:30-7:30pm M/W. July 11. 13, 18, 20. 25. 27 7:45-9:45pm T/Th. July 5. 7. 12. 14. 19. 21 5:30-7:30pm $3 5/student $40/nonstudent VARIETY International Wines Tues. June 7. 14, 21, 28 7-8:30pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Wines of America Tues. July 5. 12. 19. 26 7-8:30pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Bike Maintenance Tues. June 7, 14. 21, 28 7:30-9:30pm Tues. July 12. 19, 26, Aug 2 7:30-9:30pm $20/student $2 5/nonstudent Diamond Buying Wed. June 15. 22. 29 7:45-8:45pm $ 15/student $20/nonstudent Billiards Sat. July 9. 16. 23. 30 2-4pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Spiritualism Thurs. June 30 - Aug 4 7:30-9:30pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Basics of Investing Tues. July 5. 12, 19, 26, Aug 2 7:30-9pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Beginning Sewing Mon. June 13 - July 25 6-9pm $40/student $4 5/nonstudent Pablo Picasso Style Print Making Tues. July 5, 12, 19 6-8pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Cake Decorating Mon. June 6. 13. 20. 27 6-9pm Mon. July 11. 18, 25. Aug 2 6-9pm $20/student $25/nonstudent Photography Thurs. June 9, 16, 23, 30 6-9pm Mon. July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1 6-9pm $30/student $35/nonstudent B&W Darkroom Tues. June 14, 21, 28 6- 9pm $2 5/student $30/nonstudent Video Camera Meth ods and Techniques Thurs. July 7. 14. 21. 28 7- 9pm $20/student $25/nonstudent REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER CLASSES MSC BASEMENT 845-1631 COMPUTERS SELF HELP Personal, Family & Home Protection Thurs. June 16. 23 6-8pm Thurs. July 14, 21 6-8pm $ 10/ student $ 15 /nonstudent Self Defense Tues. June 7, 14, 21, 28 6:45- 8:45pm Tues. July 5, 12. 19. 26 6:45- 8:45pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Public Speaking Mon. July 11, 18. 25 6-8pm $15/student $20/nonstudent Intro to LAW Thurs. June 23 - July 28 6-8pm $25/student $30/nonstudent CPR M/W, June 6, 8 6-10pm M/W, June 27. 29 6-10pm M/W. July 25. 27 6- 10pm $ 18/student $23/nonstudent Stress Management T/Th, June 14. 16. 21, 23, 28. 30 6:30-8pm $20/student $25/nonstudent First Aid M/W. June 13. 15. 20. 22 7- 9pm M/W. July 11.13. 18. 20 7-9pm $18/student $23/nonstudent Intro to Macintosh Mon. June 13 7-9pm $15/student $20/nonstudent Mon. July 11 7-9pm $15/student $20/nonstudent Pagemaker 5.0 T/Th, July 12,14.19.21,26.28 7-9pm $3 5/student $40/nonstudent Microsoft WORD T/Th, June 14. 16, 21. 23 7- 9pm $25/student $30/nonstudent OUTDOORS Landscaping Wed. June 8, 15, 22, 29. July 6 6:30-8:30pm $25/student $30/nonstudent Backyard Wildlife Tues. June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26 6:30-7:30pm $15/student $20/nonstudent Intro To Falconry Thurs. July 7. 14, 21. 28, Aug 4 6-7pm $20/student $2 5/nonstudent Flyfishing Tues. June 7, 14. 21. 28. July 5 6:30-9pm $35/student $40/nonstudent Fly Tying Tues. July 12, 19, 26. Aug 2 6:30-9pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Astronomy Thurs. June 9, 16, 23, 30 8- lOpm $20/student $25/nonstudent LANGUAGES Chinese T/Th, June 14 - July 21 6:30-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent English as a 2nd Language (ESL) M/W. June 13 - Aug 3 6:30-8pm $50/student $55/nonstudent French T/Th. June 14 - July 21 6:30-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent German M/W, June 13 - July 25 6:30-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Italian M/W, June 13 - July 25 6:30-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Japanese M/W, June 13 - July 25 6:30-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Russian T/Th, June 14 - July 21 6:30-8pm $40/student $45 /nonstudent Spanish I M/W, June 6 - July 18 6:30-8pm T/Th, June 14 - July 21 6:30-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Spanish II T/Th, June 14 - July 21 8-9:30pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Sign Language T/Th, June 7 - July 7 6-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Sign Language for Children Wed. June 8 - July 27 5:30-6:30pm $35 class fee Aug 4 ARTS/CRAFTS Painting I Thurs. June“9, 16, 23, 30 6-9pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Painting II Thurs. July 7. 14. 21, 28. 6-9pm $35/student $40/nonstudent Special Topics for Drawing & Painting Mon. June ST 13, 20. 27 6-9pm $30/student $3 5/nonstudent Drawing I Tues. June 7. 14. 21, 28 6-8pm $30/ student $35/nonstudent Drawing II Tues. July 5. 12. 19, 26. Aug 2 6-8pm $35/ student $40/nonstudent Drawing for Kids Wed. June 8. 15. 22. 29 6-8pm $35 Class fee Watercolor Wed. July 6. 13. 20. 27. Aug 3 6- 9pm $35/student $40 / nonstudent Calligraphy Thurs. June 9 - July 21 7- 9pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Matting & Framing Wed. June 15. 22. 29 6:30-8:30pm Thurs. July 14, 21, 28 6:30-8:30pm $30/student $35/nonstudent Etched Glass Tues. June 21 6-9pm $12/student $ 17/nonstudent Stained Glass Thurs. June 9. 16. 23. 30. July 7 6-9pm Wed. July 6. 13. 20. 27. Aug 3 6-9pm $3 5/student $40/nonstudent Leaded Glass Tues. July 5, 12. 19. 26. Aug 2 6-9pm $30/student $35/nonstudent WOODWORKS Woodworking I Mon. June 6. 13, 20, 27 6-8pm Tues. July 12, 19. 26. Aug 2 6-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Woodworking II Wed. July 13. 20. 27. Aug 3 6-8pm $40/student $45/nonstudent Indian Bow Making Tues. June 7, 14. 21. 28 July 5 6-9pm $40/student $4 5 /nonstud ent