The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 23

Jtn HWUKM Apt 4 IW ffy -J 1, MS i V7 i i UOiyil ISM CUiNU 1 A "-v. The Nashville Sounds should have a lot more pop in their bats than last season. The Sounds, who last year bunted, stole bases and did a lot of other "little things" to help manufacture runs, will have some players on the team this season who can flat go deep. "This is my third year here in Nashville and this is the best team I have been "I think Magglio Ordonez rightfielder who hit 263 with 18 homers and 67 RBI last year in Birmingham is a very good one, too," Sounds Manager Tom Spencer said. "I think all three guys are going to be very good major league players this season." Mario Valdez is expected to be another hitting star.

The big first base AH on here," said Sounds second baseman Doug Brady. "WeVe got some players who can take the ball out of the yard in a hurry." Two of those players are in the outfield. Mike Cameron and Jeff Abbott are considered two of the best prospects in baseball, not just the White man hit 13 homers in two different minor league stops last year. The Sounds pitching staff might be the best they have had in almost 10 years. "We're loaded in the pitching department," Abbott said.

"That might be the big difference between this year and last year. We've got so many guys who can pitch and have major league experience." Indeed. Tom Fordham, First baseman Mario Valdez Is expected to provide dout Sox organization. Opening day lineup CF LF 3B RF DH Machado 2B SS Fordham JL Last season Cameron hit .300 with 28 homers and 78 RBI in 123 games for Class AA 7 so stole 39 bases. Brian Keyser, Mike Sirotka and Larry Thomas all have big league experience.

"I cant wait for this season to start," said Fordham, who will ADDorx, wno nas batted over .320 in each of his five minor Sounds was the trade of first baseman Mike Robertson and pitcher Scott Ruflcorn to Philadelphia for three minor leaguers, none of whom wound up with the Sounds or the White Sox. ANTHONY COLEMAN Tom Fordham starts for the Sounds tonight start for the Sounds today when they open the season at Buffalo. "We've got a good club and I think everyone is ready for the year to start" The only major move of the offseason for the league stops, hit .325 last year with 14 homers and 60 RBL In fact, The Sounds may have one of the best young outfields in all of minor league baseball. SOUNDS 1997 ROSTER Spencer Manager Tom Coaches Tom Spencer Manager In his first season as the helm of a Class AAA team. Spencer, 46, played 11 years In fie minors and made his major league debut in 1978 with the White Sox The Tucson, native has managed in the minors for four seasons.

coach), Kirk Champion (pitching coach). Li A Von Joshua (hitting Trainer Greg Latta hx. Yr' Pitchers Chris demons Tom Fordham Pitcher Barry Johnson Pitcher Stacy Jones Pitcher Nelson Cruz Pitcher Pfteher -4; Larry Thomas Pitcher Mike Sirotka Pitcher ToddRlzzo Pitcher Rich Pratt Pilcher Brian Keyser Pitcher MattKarchner Pilcher f' O' ,1 1 Player Throws Hgt Wgt Birthdate Hometown Chris Clemons RHP 6-4 225 10-31-72 McGregor, Texas Nelson Cruz RHP 6-1 185 9-13-72 Washington, D.C. Tom Fordham LHP 6-2 210 2-20-74 El Cajon. Calif.

Barry Johnson RHP 6-4 200 8-21-69 Tuscon.Ariz. Stacy Jones RHP 6-6 230 5-26-67 Atlanta, Va. MattKarchner RHP 6-4 210 6-28-67 Woodbridge, Va. Brian Keyser RHP 6-1 185 10-31-66 El Dorado Hills, Calif. Rich Pratt LHP 6-3 201 5-07-71 East Hartford.

Conn. ToddRizzo LHP 6-2 220 5-24-71 Conshocken, Pa. Mike Sirotka LHP 6-1 200 5-13-71 Houston. Larry Thomas LHP 6-1 195 10-25-69 Mobile, Ala. Catchers Player Bats Hgt Wgt Birthdate Hometown Robert Macnado RH 6-1 205 6-3-73 Caracas.

Venezuela. Julio Vinas RH 6-1 205 2-14-73 Hialeah, Fla. Infielders Player Bats Hgt Wgt Birthdate Hometown Doug Brady SH 5-11 165 11-23-69 Jacksonville, Fla. Frank Menechino 5-9 175 1-7-71 New York. Greg Norton SH 6-1 190 7-6-72 Norman, Okla.

Gene Schall 6-3 206 6-5-70 Willow Grove, Pa. Mario Valdez 6-2 190 10-19-74 Hialeah, Fla. Craig Wilson 6-0 185 9-3-70 Phoenix Outfielders Player Bats Hgt Wgt Birthdate Hometown Jeff Abbott 6-2 190 8-17-72 Dunwoody, Ga. Mike Cameron 6-2 190 1-8-73 LaGrange.Pa. Carmine Cappuccio 6-3 200 2-1-70 Maiden, Mass.

Magglio Ordonez 5-11 170 1-20-74 Coro Falcon, Venezuela. -4 rS Gene Schall Infielder Greg Norton Infielder Frank Menechino Infielder Doug Brady Infielder Robert Machado JulloVlnas Catcher Catcher 1 1 rw- 1 i Magglio Ordonez Outfielder Carmine Cappudo Outfielder MIks Cameron Outfielder Jeff Abbott Outfielder Craig Wilson Infielder Mario Vakfez Infielder ST SUN MON TUM WFO TMUB Ft SUN MON TIIF9 WfD TWUm FBI BAT Greer Stadium AdnUMion 13 00 SOUNDS 1997 SCHEDULE For ticket Information call 615-242-4371 Horns Away 9tN MON WPO TMIiR FW A A. A. v. SUN MON TIIFS WFO THIIH FRI SAT 8UN MON TVJF8 WFO THUS FRI 8AT M2shve foes: (hitSock for rcricai Association IndianapoSs is the favorite this season, with Buffalo being a close second.

Indy has one of the better starting rotattorB in the league and Buffalo ike Its parent dub, Cleveland is loaded with Niters. Omaha is considered the top team in the West, but took for either hxJy a Buffalo to wtn the AA title. Last season's American Association final records: East Buffalo 84-60 Inctenapols Nashvile 77-67 Louisville 601 West Omaha Oklahoma City 74-70 Iowa 64-78 New (Orleans 584 i ifiiqri3y? la 7 -J DIRECTIONS: Greer StarJum Is located south of downtown, off 15 exit 61 (Wedgewood). Take Wedgewood to 6th Ave. and go right Go on 6th to Chesnut, and go right The ballpark Is straight ahead on the left.

3l Sounds on radio: 1160 AM, 1067 FM.