The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 19

lrie ItHNtsScrtN, Tuasdoy, Morch 27, 1984 Rule Under Fire 'Vague7 Sky Boxes Going Up At Greer New Recruiting Policy Opens Up Questions fiHl Preps -fcJl LARRY TAFT The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association may soon learn that an unenforceable rule is worse than no rule at all. The group's Legislative Council, despite its best efforts, may have come up with a dud when it passed a more stringent rule to govern recruiting last week. THERE SEEMS little question that the need for better enforcement andor upgraded recruiting rules has existed for years. After getting advice from TSSAA attorney Charles H. White, the Council realized it would have trouble defending its stand against no tuition reductions for needy students at private schools.

At the same time, it felt it could not justify allowing new scholarships without coming up with stiffer recruiting regulations. That was the intent. The result may be different. Shortly after Friday's Council meeting, two high school principals one on the Legislative Council which passed the new rule and one on the Board of Control which must enforce it began discussing what the new regulations allow. They could not agree because of the vagueness of the new standard.

If those who administer rules are unsure of them, what about the poor coaches and athletes who are goverened by them? The rule, along with its interpretation, is: The use nf undue influence on a student (with nr without an athletic record), his parents or guardians by any jierson connected, or not connected, with the school to secure or to retain a student for athletic purposes shall be a violation of the recruiting rule. What is the penalty for violation of the recruiting rule? A. Violation of the recruiting rule shall cause the student to be ineligible at the school in violation, and a penalty shall be placed against the school. (J. Is it permissible for a coach or teacher to transport an athlete to or from school? A.

No, a coach or teacher who transports an athlete to or from school will cause the athlete to become ineligible and the school will be subject to penalty. J. Is it permissible for a coach locontact a student or hisparents prior to his enrollment in the school? A. No, a coach may not contact a student or his parents prior to his enrollment in the school. This shall apply to all students whether or not they have an athletic record.

(J. How is undue influence interpreted in the recruiting rule? A. A person or persons excelling what is appropriate or normal and offering an incentive or inducement to a student with or without an athletic record. TSSAA Executive Director Gill Gideon says the next five months before the rules go into effect will be used to iron out the intent of the rule, to answer questions about what is legal and what isn't." Gideon added: "IF SOMEONE is in doubt, they should call our office. The Board of Control will have its June meeting to work on guidelines about what is proper.

I'm sure we By TOM SQUIRES Construction of 22 luxury sky boxes is currently under construction at Herschel Greer Stadium and, according to Nashville Sounds' general manager George Dyce, should be completed by the end of May. The boxes are part of a $1 million stadium improvement package put together by Sounds president Larry Schmittou during the. offseason. The project also includes an ultra-modern press box, a stadium club restaurant, and a roof covering the concourse and the last five rows of the reserved seat section. "WE GOT a later start on construction than we had hoped, but everything should be out of the way by opening day and the boxes completed by midseason," said Dyce.

"We will wait on finishing the rest of the project until the season has ended." There are also plans to add concession stands, restrooms, and a better scoreboard by the 1985 season, according to Dyce. Dyce said that five of the luxury boxes have been sold at $50,000 each with six more to be sold. The 1 1 remaining boxes will be rented on a five-year lease at $7,500 per year. TILE STADIUM club will serve in access of 100 people and will be available to season ticket holders as well as suite owners. Schmittou em- phasized that this section of the park will serve as a loge area when Greer, Stadium reaches major league proportions.

Dyce also released a full schedule of Sounds' promotions as well as Sounds' season ticket figures which show the club near the 2,000 mark in sales. Highlighting the promotions are three appearances by the popular San Diego Chicken. Dyce said he was looking for a big season on the field and at the gate. Stoffphoto by Billy Easley Wometco Coca-Cola executive H. E.

Dean, left, Nashville Sounds' general manager George Dyce and Regen Construction Co. vice-president J.B. Regen III, right, go over plans for the 20 luxury sky boxes being erected at Greer Stadium. Wometco purchased the first stadium box, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. will send schools a list of what is permissible and What isn't after the rules are set." Along with the new rules, the Council recommended a harder stand against violators.

Board member Jim Poteete of Humboldt agrees. "The important thing is the Board make penalties so strong they will be a deterrent. A slap on the wrist like we've had lately doesn't even slow some people down. Paying a 1 00 fine is nothing. Missing the playoffs and or tournaments for two years, plus a fine would make people think twice," Poteete said.

"And the interpretation must be uniform. These public schools who recruit are going to be subject to the same rules and penalties as the private schools." So far, so good. But as one principal pointed outlast week, "You can write regulations until they stand ps thick as the U.S. Constitution. And by the time next year gets here, I'll find a way around them if I want to bad enough.

Ethics and honor have to be the standard at some point." TIiaSE TWO QUALITIES appear to' be missing among some, just as hard and fast rules are missing from the new regulations. The TSSAA Board and Council members did nothing to enhance their image by having unannounced meetings when they were trying to work out a comprise on the tuition reduction question. It's reminiscent of the infamous "secret ballot" which the Board took when it change from six-player to five-player basketball. There are wrong ways to do the right thing. It will be interesting to watch the TSSAA in the next few months to see if it is able to come up with fair and impartial guidelines on recruiting and come up with them in the right manner.

"WE'LL IIAVEa good team and I think we'll have the fans to support them," he said. "With no exhibition games this year, we'll be behind our normal pace early in the year, but I think we'll blow the fences off this place in the summer months." With the addition of a new amusement tax, ticket prices have increased to $4.25 for a box seat, $3.50 or reserve, $3.25 for reserve grandstand, and $2.50 for general admission. The Sounds open the season April 9 at Orlando, and also play a series at Jacksonville, before coming to Nashville for the home opener April 17 against the O-Twins. ALL SOUNDS games will be broadcast over WSIX radio (980-AM) with Bob Jamison handling the play-by-play. At least 10 Sounds' games will be televised live by WZTV (Channel 17).

The Sounds are currently at spring training in Hollywood, and upped their exhibition record to 2-1 yesterday with a 12-5 victory at West Palm Beach, over the Greenville, S.C., Braves, formerly the Savannah Braves. While Orestes Destrade and Tom Barrett collected two hits apiece, it was a three-run homer by shortstop Dickie Scott that broke the game open for Nashville. Jim Dcshaies was the winning pitcher for manager Jim Marshall's crew. Home Run in 7th Lifts Beech UU VjL- VC UL U3 L3L-3 o) rs a 0 a tt Is Metro Preps Service Specials n. i ti l.

For Complete Car Care! Saturday, Mar. 31. I win. Deanna Will smacked a homer for the losers. The Richard F'ulton Invitational High School Softball Tournament will be held starting tomorrow at 3 p.m.

at Cedar Hill Park. The double elimination tourney will crown a champion on Saturday. The teams participating in the event will be Overton, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Glencliff, Antioch, Whites Creek, McGavock, Madison, Goodlettsville, Goodpasture, Brentwood Academy, Stratford, Maple-wood, Dupont, Beech and Ezell-1 larding. Nancy Hobbs of Whites Creek High is sponsoring the tournament again this year, and the coach said that she is working on a alternative plan in case of rain. Each year, the tournament hasbeen postponed or cancelled because of rain, and Hobbs is hoping that the weather will cooperate.

By CINDY SMITH A Billy Paul Carver two-run homer in the seventh inning lifted Beech High past Mount Juliet 5-3 in Metro Area prep baseball action yesterday. The Mount Juliet Golden Bears, the 1983 Class AAA state runners-up, were paced by Joey Boswell with a three-run homer in the third. The winning Beech High pitcher in the 9-AAA contest was Randy Knight, who struck out four batters. Tri District 11-AAA action, Hill-wood stopped Hillsboro 5-2 as Hill-topper pitcher Jeff Calvert struck out 12 batters. "MONTGOMERY Bell Academy blanked Glencliff 9-0 as Big Red pitcher Robbie McNair hurled a four-hitter.

Overton tripped up Pearl-Cohn 7-3. Antioch slipped by Father Ryan 6-5. Tommy Wims went 3-for-3 for the Antioch Bears. Two first-year players, Tommy Baker and Jeff Poteete, scored to lift the Bears. Steve Fox was the winning pitcher.

Franklin's Scott Duff threw a one-hitter to guide the Rebels over Hendersonville 3-0. Duff struck out 10 and the only hit he allowed came in the third inning. Kent Hall had a double and a homer with two RBI for the game. Franklin has a 1-2 record overall, 1-0 in 9-AAA. BATTLE GROUND Academy tripped FRA 13-6 as Jay Fancy chalked up the win for the Wildcats and went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Nashville Christian and David Lipscomb played to a 4-4 tie before the game was called because of darkness. Neal Benson homered for the Mustangs. IN SOFTBALL action yesterday, Goodlettsville ripped Goodpasture 14-4. Stratford fell to Cheatham County 16-8 as Stacy Bowman picked up the win. Mount Juliet whipped Beech 1 1-1 in 9-AM softball action.

Kim Eakes was the winning pitcher for the Golden Bearettes. Glencliff's girls won a double-header, beating Whites Creek 9-8 and toppling McGavock 7-4. Lisa Thurman won both games for the Iady Colts, and teammate Dawn Henson hit a home run for the winners. Antioch stopped Whites Creek 12-3 as Michelle Parker picked up a BUY NOW AND SAVE THE LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR! COMPARE GENERAL'S QUALITY WITH ADVERTISED SALE PRICES! OFFERS GOOD THROUGH MARCH 31ST General's Finest Steel Belted Radial General Dual Steel lll Radial Several Metro area baseball and softball teams will be in action today. In baseball, Madison High is on the road at Gallatin, Brentwood Academy hosts Glencliff, and Dupont welcomes Mount Juliet.

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