Dave Norwood . . . drafted by Indians John Deutsch . . . selected by Dodgers Two local players get their chance at 'The Show' By TED MEIXELL Of The Morning Call All John Deutsch and Dave Norwood ever really wanted, frankly, was a chance to demonstrate that they have what it takes to become major league baseball players or to find out for themselves that they don't Both Lehigh Valley youngsters, who were rivals in high school, will now get that chance. Deutsch, a strapping, 6-5 Phillips-burg grad who went on to become the most prolific power hitter ever at Montclair State College, was selected (Monday) in the fifth round of the major league's June amateur draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. One day later, he agreed upon "a five-digit bonus," and signed on the dotted line. He'll depart tomorrow and report to "Dodgertown" in Vero Beach, Fla., for a 10-day training camp. After that he'll be off to Great Falls, Mont. There, he'll begin his professional baseball career with the Dodgers' Gass A rookie league team. Norwood, who starred for four years at Freedom, went on to become the ace of Lehigh University's staff and the Engineers' most valuable player two straight years. He was the top pitcher for the Quaker-town Blazers of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League last year and, until yesterday, figured to be the Blazers' top dog again. Yesterday, though, that probably changed Norwood was taken in the 40th round by the Cleveland Indians, who made Jeff Mutis of Central Catholic and Lafayette the 27th player drafted overall in the 1987 draft Some time either today or tomorrow, an Indians official will visit Norwood's Bethlehem Township home for contract talks. If he signs, . he'll fly to "The Boardwalk and Baseball" in Orlando, Fla., Saturday yf morning to launch his pro career. I' The 21-year old righthander estimated the likelihood of that is, "Probably about 80-20 in favor." Deutsch's collegiate stats were nothing less than awesome. As a senior, he batted .429 with 16 home runs and 70 RBI. His four-year career marks included a .394 average, 58 home runs and 236 RBI. His season and career home run and RBI totals are Montclair records. He was a three-time American Baseball Coaches Association Division 3 Ail-American and he was the most valuable player in the 1987 Division 3 College World Series, when Montclair State won the national championship. Deutsch, who admits he was very disappointed when he was not drafted after his junior year, was re lieved the Dodgers selected him Monday. "I didn't want the same thing to happen as last year. I finally got a chance. Thats all I wanted, a chance. Now it s up to me. He was pleasantly surprised by his fifth-round selection and that the Dodgers had chosen him. "Fifth is really good because I'm a senior," he said. "Seniors usually don't go that high. And, believe it or not, I didn't expect the Dodgers at all. I thought it might be the Pirates, the White Sox or the urioles; tney had all shown some interest. "But I'm very happy it was L.A. It's one of the best organizations around. "I think it may take me a little while to adjust but, if I can improve quicker than my age, I believe 1 may some day play in the majors. "It's rare that they draft a 22-year old as high as No. 5 so, if I want to advance, I'll have to show some progress right away." Deutsch is a first baseman, but the Dodgers told him he might see some action as an outfielder. "They told me," Deutsch said, Please See DRAFT Page C9 1
