The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 26, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 August 1987 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., August 12, 1987

Sports

Will major league baseball strike out?

What is going on in major league baseball? You can’t even pick up a newspaper — weekly or daily — without reading that some player has doctored a baseball, or bat Has the moral decay of life finally entered professional baseball? I think so. Baseball, once the grandest game around, has turned into a high-stakes game. Values are be ing compromised, all at the expense of winning a silly nineinning game. Can you imagine what would happen if a pennant or world championship were at stake? Utter chaos! This year’s baseball doctoring episode started earlier this month. The initial culprit — Minnesota’s Joe Niekro. Niekro was pitching against California when he was apprehended by umpire Alan Clark The hurler was ejected for defacing the ball with an emery board, found in his hip pocket. Niekro was suspended for 10 days. Since then, two others have been accused of tampering — one with baseball’s, the other with bats. Howard Johnson, New York Mets’ third baseman — not New York’s famous hotel — had his bat taken away for inspection

Optimism overflows at Indiana's practice field

By JOHN HAGAN WID.E RECEIVERS Here IU excells Ernie Jones is the equal of the best not only at catching the ball but at running it after the catch. He has been sensational in spring practice and promises to be an early round draft choice at the end of his collegiate career. Jones gets balls that look uncatchable, has outstanding speed On the other side is Tony Bufford He is not very big but does the job. He took two of the hardest hits imaginable in the

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after hitting a gigantic home run against St. Louis Baseball experts say Johnson has illegally tampered with his bats. Managers around the league suggest Johnson has inserted cork or rubber balls inside the bat for better hand speed. Johnson denies the allegations. The National League agreed with Johnson, but only after Xrays proved negative of illegal tampering. ? On The Mark ’mark WEINSTEIN 7- R V -7 A few days after the St. Louis incident, Johnson’s bat was seized by National League umpires when Chicago manager Gene Michaels requested the bat be examined. Once again, no evidence of wrong doing by "HoJo”. But Philadelphia’s Kevin Gross wasn’t as fortunate as the Met’s third baseman. In Monday’s game against Chicago, Gross was caught with a sandpaper-type substance glued to his glove. There’s little doubt that Gross doctored the baseball against the

Bowl game and held the football. He is a good one to have on the field. He is there ahead of Kenny Allen who was No. 4 receiver in the nation two years ago. He makes the other half of the tandem such that they are as good a tandem as the Big Ten has. Kenny Allen had nagging injuries last year but is a fine receiver and might move to a starter if the least bit of tapering off comes from Buford or Jones. He will probably alternate a lot and it is hard to see him on the bench. Allen has the qualities of a good one and I look for a lot of

Cubs. What else would make the ball move — like it was on drugs — the way it did? Not even a Roger Craig-type split-finger fastball would dance like Gross’ sandpapered fastball. The ball certainly did some crazy things en route to home plate Perhaps some of the defacing problems stem from the large amount of home runs hit during the first half of the season. Pitchers are trying anything to keep the ball within the ball park. Perhaps a 10-day, slap-on-the-wrist suspension isn’t satisfactory punishment. Major League baseball needs to take a harder look into this ever-growing problem. In Niekro’s case, maybe the league should have suspended him for the remainder of the season, including post-season play. Os course, the suspension should be without pay. Johnson, meanwhile, should be given a bonus for putting up with others confiscating his bats. Johnson’s honesty should be commended. As for Gross, the Phillies southpaw should be banned from professional baseball for one year, perhaps forever. Breaking rules is direct rebellion towards a particular individual or organization. Both Gross and Niekro violated the standards of the game.

alternating of receivers to take advantage of their abilities and keep them rested. Spud Washington is moving from tailback to wide receiver He too is very good in the broken field after a catch if given an opening. He is short but as a senior he has played the game and will make some key plays for us this year. These four will be joined by Gary Gooden from the track team who is one of the fastest, if not the fastest, players in the conference. He is the super speedster that is hard to cover and rounds out quite a group of receivers, not

Although rule infractions have become more apparent in recent weeks, they are nothing new to professional baseball. In 1974, New York Yankees’ Graig Nettles was called out and ejected after his bat broke and rubber balls — which had been inside the bat — fell out around home plate. Others violators include Thurman Munson, and George Brett — both having too much pine tar on their bats. Former Seattle pitcher Rick Honeycut, now with Los Angeles, was ejected when umpires discovered he had a thumb tack taped to his finger. Gaylord Perry was ejected, and suspended 10 days, for throwing balls with foreign substances on them. Rules are made to be kept, regardless what others say. By cleaning house — removing rule violators from the game — baseball would be enhanced. The grand old game of baseball would become the grandest game in short time. □ Wawasee High School’s junior varsity football team will compete in the inaugural JV football Jamboree at Concord High School Monday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 pm Teams from Concord, Goshen and Jimtown will join Wawasee in the event. Admission is $1 per

to mention the three top notch incoming freshmen who could play but will probably redshirt unless we have injury problems. TIGHT ENDS The depth here is one of the better positions. We lost Dave Lilja, a good one but kept Tim Jorden and Carlos Marte. Jorden was No. 2 last year and overshadowed by Lilja but was a good solid performer. He figures to be the same this year and has definitely shown improvement however this is a three man position as we play so many two tight end formations that at least three is the

person. Concord and Jimtown will open the Jamboree in first quarter action. Goshen will open the second quarter on offense against the Warriors. The third period features Wawasee against Jimtown, with Concord and Goshen concluding the event. Teams will play 10 minute quarters. A 10-minute halftime will allow teams to regroup, while five minutes will separate each quarter. □ Boston Red Sox’s pitching ace Roger Clemens appears to be returning to his 1986 Cy Young Award-winning form. Clemens mowed down the Toronto Blue Jays Monday evening for his 13th complete game. Clemens is 12-7 on the season. □ In Minor League baseball, Indianapolis leads the Louisville Cardinals by one game in the American Association. Indianapolis, 63-51, is the AAA affiliate of the Montreal Expos. In the International League, the Columbus Clippers, 68-48, lead Tidewater by one game and Pawtucket Red Sox by nine. Columbus is the triple A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Tidewater belongs to the Mets, and Pawtucket to Boston.

“book ” on tight end. Alongside of Jorden is Carlos Marte, the big one whose blocking was his mainstay last year but who has improved his catching of the football to where he might be No. 1. One thing is sure we have good size among the three. Terrence Sanders has been shifted from outside linebacker to tight end. He is 239 and has to work to keep from getting too big. This is his position naturally and he can be counted upon to play both of the tight end slots when needed. He is out of Michigan and was highly recruited out of high school. As an All-Around athlete he helps make this a well fortified position. John Koenig from Illinois needs to get more "heft”' but does some things well but I look at two incoming freshmen from Indiana to move up if injuries affect us here. Dan Spencer from Valparaiso is already 6 ft. 5 and 225 and Tom Hanson from Hammond is another 6 ft. 5 and 220. Both will probably redshirt and beef up looking to next year. FULLBACKS IU has three lettermen returning who combine to make this a very good position in 1987 Three year starter Tom Polce had mono at the time of the spring game but should return full bore in the fall. He has been an outstanding blocker and hard runner straight ahead! He has caught passes in key positions and a good Big Ten fullback but is being threatened for his job by Andre Powell. PoweH was a junior college running back and a little lacking as a blocker early last year but came along by Bowl Time to be a good blocker and very tough runner. His running ability may give him the edge over Polce but both do a good job and figure to alternate most of the time. Both come in at about 230 which is good size for blocking fullbacks. Gene Boyd is listed at number three and is a fullback for No. 3 spot better than any No. 3 we have had in a long time. If Polce and Powell are injured Boyd figures to do a more than passable job. Boyd is a walkon who come out of Cathedral and his home town is Zionsville. He impressed the coaches from the first day he arrived at LU. The No. 4 fullback is 1986 redshirt Bill Wanke from Kettering, Ohio. Also listed as a running back and smaller than the others as he weighs in at 210 or so. He could be used and the incoming freshman is Jamie Pilson who is 6 ft. 1 and 220. Pilson and Wanke both figure to get to the 230 that makes good size for fullbacks. OFFENSIVE TACKLES Eric Moore is a probably pro draft choice for early rounds. He is 6-7 and 285. He came out of Junior College and has improved every game. This could be one of our premier positions. On the other side Jeff Fryar, former high school quarterback, weighs in at 275 plus the 6-7 frame. He was 220 coming to I.U. and has put it on in the strength room. He has good feet and merely lacks some experience. He has big shoes to fill coming in for graduated Bob Riley and also has strong competition to be No. 1.

leesmiraxi? u n BHnHBBHfIHHfIHHHHB i wJßry pa BuTlr jB bJE itl -w LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPS — Shown are the 1987 Leesburg Little League Champs. In the back row left to right, are Earl Barger, coach, Brian Barger, Ryan Sherman, Chad Eryman, Max Minze, Brad Tenette, and Bill Sherman, assistant coach. In the front are Mike Bishop, Andy Lawrence, Chad Sherman, Mike Alspaugh, Danny Miller Brian Tenette. (Photo by Steve Eryman)

Warriors open with Goshen Jamboree

GOSHEN — Wawasee will kick-off the 1987 high school football campaign with the annual Goshen Jamboree Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:3oat Foreman Field. Participating will be Concord, Jimtown, Wawasee, and the host Redskins. All four schools will share gate receipts from the event.

Backing Eric Moore may be Barry Handley who has a nerve problem in the neck and figures to be a question mark although he says he will be ready. He is 6-6 and 265. i ~Tf it is not Handley it will be Joe 'Simmons an ”86 redshirt whose weight shows only 250. He is considered a good player but is short on experience. Backing Jeff Fryar is Chris Simons who has looked good but plagued by injuries and tough luck. He is 6-5 and 273. Waiting in the wings is Steve Heavyside from Indianapolis (Greenfield) and another big tackle, but in Big Ten football He is 265 In-the event of a problem we have a JC 290 pound offensive tackle who desires to redshirt but could be used. He being Todd Oberdorf from Ohio. The two incoming freshmen are Randy Schneider from Mishawaka and Chris Hoffmeier from Cincinnati. Both need time and should redshirt if possible. QUARTERBACKS Here is the beginning of a very good offense. In 1986 IU went through three at the position and none seemed sure even though that David Schnell is the man. Schnell is a true all Big Ten candidate and maybe by senior time better. He has recovered from the shoulder injury, throws the ball well, runs well, shows good • poise, is tough on the option and is just a very good quarterback right now. He has the size at 6 ft . 2 and will benefit from a summer of looking at films of himself and others at quarterback. Dave Kramme emerged ahead of Brian DeWitz enough to send DeWitz to safety and has improv-

f* wRFwSk •"■■■Bi OMF “iWi «MM» 11 J.. . "ifc. t d 4 mA v? mkmf «.'•<)'4 1 -'Uh. * ” W*! J | pßfcs 111 ■ SO MJ <*Tb 'f MBRBBBR dußl SOL TBALL AWARD WINNERS — Pictured above are the award winners from Milford's minor league. d Kneeling in the front are Heather Van Laningham, rookie; Melodie Harter, sportsmanship. Standing in the second row are Denise Replogle, fielding; Brandy Levenier. batting; Crista Dippon, director’s; and Lisa Charlton, pitching.

Each team will play two 12-minute quarters. There will be no kickoffs as each team will start from its 30-yard line. Goshen and Jimtown will open the festivities with action in the first quarter. Wawasee will battle Concord in the second period, and conclude play in the third against Jimtown.

ed over last year. He has always thrown well but has improved on footwork and picking up secondary receivers. He is definitely a better quarterback now than he was in 1986 and is giving his all to staying No. 1. He might do it but if he does we are in one of the best quarterback positions in the conference. He scrambles better than before although he does not have quite the speed of Schnell. His arm is strong and he has considerable experience. Tom Padgett is only a freshman but has shown he can throw He is the tallest and pro. bably the strongest of this trio. Not likely to play except for injuries but a handy backup men to have around Rich Shepler is a fifth year senior who was injured for spring football. He is definitely No. 4 and may move to No. 5 when Tom Bolyard gets to school. Tom Bolyard, son of former I.U basketball star comes from Junior College this fall. Tommy was an All-Ohio recruit at Ohio State, transferred to JC, will be in with three years’of eligibility and a chance to surprise. He was the signal caller for the national champion JC team and a definite asset at Quarterback as well as a possible punter of the future. RUNNING BACKS Indiana has the potential of being better here since 1967. IU has the depth. We have the big strong get better as the game goes along players. We have backups of great quality for backups. We have Tony Thompson, Dan Boggan, Barry Way, Don Matejko, Bill Wanke and Markell Granderson. Granderson was out of the Cream & Crimson. Tony Thompson had knee pro-

Concord concludes the competition with fourth quarter action against the Redskins. Admission prices are $2.50 for adults — beginning from grade seven — and $1.75 for elementary students. There will be no advance ticket sales for the Jamboree.

blems but is running on it already and there seems to be little doubt as to his fall availability. He is big, strong and fast with the instincts and the moves. He was clocking the very fast 4.3 forty when injured. Tony started 7 games as a freshman and had over 100 yards in all of them. He gets stronger as he goes more carries. He came as a high school All-American candidate and lived up to every bit of ink he received in high school. Backing Tony is Dan Boggan who would be a credit to any running attack. The biggest of the running backs he has speed and power with good moves and catches the football op the pass out of the backfield. He is the best backup runner I have seen at I.U. since Pernell backed John Isenbarger in the Rose Bowl year. Barry Way came as a walkon and has shown he should have been recruited by many He has the bread and butter attitude and work ethic plus his share of ability. He will not hurt any offense. Barry will have three 1986 redshirts to fight to keep the No. 3 position and 1 feel he will but AllIllinois runner Don Matejko is set to challenge as is Markell Granderson. Granderson came as a defensive prospect but showed so well running has been placed there. Wanke is probably a fullback but has been at running back all spring with our three good fullbacks available. Clark sets mark Jack Clark, of St. Louis, set a National League record Monday when he walked for the 16th consecutive game. Clark breaks the mark formerly set by “Darrell Evans, then with Atlanta.