Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page 1D

mm if ff0ifMmnftffff T1. A 4lt -D SECTION mnn iifn 4 iim "''I'M1 S.W tv, a 1 jf INSIDE Thursday Aprils flBfE TA. Bell goes; 5 f6r 3tD top 4D pIckfRenyon I 7P Paul Hurley! JH HiMHBMBHHBMiHHHHMIHMta Lve or tape Journal sports writer ive or O'Neihtoygh ie to Scott O'Neil is' one tough person to catch; at least live. As it turned out, catching him on tape was no stroll in the clover, either. OTJeil was supposed to be featured op Schblastic America! ESPN's high school sports showlast night.

Today there are a few local VCR owners who are, wondering what to do with their New York Islanders New Jersey Devils highlight film," and one local reporter' who is still wondering what O'Neil looks like. Stalking the elusive Scott O'Neil began at Our Lady of Lourdes High School, where O'Neil is a senior. His varsity basketball coach, Tom O'Neill (no relation), said, "Scott? Unbelievable. He's the best Three sport athlete. Student body president.

Very good student, 95 average. For a smart kid, he's so intense. He's like a second coach." And when could one talk to this wunderkind? "I think he tennis practice," O'Neil said. "Dutchess Racquet Club." At Dutchess Racquet Club, someonesomeone said, "Scott? Just missed him. Great kid.

Nice player. Maybe you can catch him back at school." At Lourdes again; anybody you talked to knew Scott Star athletesstudent body presidents are like that. "Scott?" someone said. "Haven't seen him. But I'll UjllJiim you're looking for him." Not at baseball game Sure enough a message filtered through.

Scott O'Neil could be found at Lourdes' baseball game at Stitzel Field. At Stitzel Field a crowd of students answered so quickly you figured they'd JeenreheawmgtlftUfie';" 'ttT Just left This second: Maybe'citch him in the parking lot Wrong; But could catch Paul Fariuele in the lot a friend and tearnmateof P'Neli. the "Fm on the show got tbfsay a lot of nice thing about birnX'1 You had all kinds of information about Oelir He takes three college courses at Marist as well as his high school load. He plays soccer in fall tennis in spring, basketball in winter. But it was.

beginning to look like the only 'way to: catch Scott O'Neil was on last night. ESPNlIjunu One more call, was made to O'NeU's houM in Newburgh. "Scott? He went) to get Ithejizza," said his brother Mike. "Be back in 20 minutes We can't wait for the show tonight We're all psyched." It would be a late evening in the O'Neil house. The VCR would get a workout: Eventually contact would be established with one Scott O'Neil.

If he was difficult to catch, it wasn't because of his TV star status. The word had spread at Lourdes yesterday about O'Neil 's appearance on Scholastic America, and the star was squirming. star wasn't shy "It's a little embarrassing, believe it or not," O'Neil said. "Big TV star, sure. I get a minute and a half.

Some staC A television crew filmed O'Neil during Lourdes' sectional game' with Ossinirig. several ago. He was not camera shy. He scored 23 points that night, six more than his season average. During the taped interview, O'Neil tried a little humor.

The interviewer asked him how he finds time to study. Deadpan O'Neil replied, "My rrioro makes me "And nobody laughed," he said. The tape was running.last night as the O'Neil family awaited Scott's big video moment. Then the New Jersey Devils lied the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup playoff game, 3 3, sending the game into overtime and pre empting Scholastic America. Goodbye Scott O'Neil.

Hello Bryan 'TrotUery The star turned into the Invisible Man, "I was yelling for the Devils not to score, and I hate the Islanders," O'Neil said. "Now we've got the 'whole game on pnejconsolatloh for the elusive Scott O'Neil. Scholastic America is scheduled again for Saturday morning, ll; a.m. The VCR will be rolling'again in the O'Neil house, just' Yonkl dump Twins Tb AocIatd rrM Yankee second baseman Willie Randolph (30) tags out Minnesota Twins' Tom Brunansky. who got caught between first and second base on a steal attempt in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game.

9 ster bat smokes in ul 9 Journal wire services MONTREAL Mitch Webster's source, of lnspiratipRmay.not bearound.all season. So in the he's taking advantage. "Every time I look up at the scoreboard and see my spring batting average, I get motivated," said Webster, who went 4 fdr 4 and scored three runs as the Montreal Expos beat the New York Mets, 5 1, Wednesday night Webster is off to a fast start, going 7 for 8 in the first two games. That comes after he was just ll for 76 (.145) in exhibition play. "I know they'll stop showing it pretty soon, but as long as it's there, it does some good." Webster.

tripled, doubled and scored two runs. NCAA will crack down on fighting By Dong Tucker The AuocUteil Ptcm KANSAS CITY, Mo. College players who get involved in fights during games next season willjrisk losing their eligibility for the rest of the season under get tough measures announced Wednesday. "We're interested in minimizing the ugly scenes. One ugly scene is too many as far as I'm concerned," Ed Steitz, secretary editor of the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee at a news confer enceT" We cannot afford to let anything mar this great game of college basketball." Steitz said following the committee two day meeting that players suspended for "being involved in fighting" would have no way to appeal.

Fights made headlines throughout the past season, there were none during the NCAA Tournarnent after NCAA Executive Director Dick Schultz warned that any player fighting would be suspended for the rest of the tournament. The policy announced Wednesday specifies that a player involved in a fight will be ejected from the game and placed on probation. "The second time that individual is Involved in a fight during the season, he wijl be from the game and suspended from participation In his team's next game," Steitz said, "If that player Js involved; in a third fight during the season, he will be suspended for the remainder of the seasdhMf available, and; deemed necessary, tele yision monitors may be used to determine those individuals inyplved waflghfr' Steitzalso said any bench personnel other than the head coach who enters the court during a fight is subject to disqualification for the remainder of a game. got to knock this IghUng See FIGHTING, page "I started swinging better the last week of the spring, but I've also been lucky so far," Webster said. "I haven't hit that many hard, but I've hit them in the right While Webster continued to hit Pascual Perez continued to win.

He tied a team record with his. eighth straight victory. trying for his first shutout since 1984, took a five hitter and 5 0 lead into the ninth inning. With two outs, Darryl Strawberry singled and scored on Kevin McReyolds' double, and reliever Tim Burke got the final out. Perez walked none and struck out nine.

He is undefeated since joining the Expos last Aug. 19 and his eighth consecutive triumph matched the club mark last accomplished by Burke. "I wanted to finish but Buck (Expos manager Rodgers) said no, so I left, "Perez said. "He had agreat "slider tonight," Rodgers said. "He got all his big outs with it." Webster singled in the first inning against Ron Darling (0 1) and scored on a double by Hubie Brooks.

Andres Galarraga followed with an RBI In the third, Webster grounded a ball past first base for a triple and scored on the play when Strawberry misplayed the carom in right field for an error. Tim Raines singled in the eighth against Terry Leach, stole second and scored on Webster's dou See MONTREAL, page 2D Candelariar Rags team up for 5 3 win By Ernie Palladino Guuett Newt Service NEW YORK It's just the first two games so let's not get too crazy, but the New York Yankees' pitching staff has looked awfully good so far. Rick Rhoden provided a completecomplete game shutout for opening day. Wednesday afternoon, an effective triumvirate of left handed starter John Candelaria, righty reliever Cecilio Guante, and' lefty stopper Dave Righetti shut down the predominantly right handed lineup of the Minnesota Twins 5 3 at Yankee Stadium for the Yanks' second consecutive victory. Candelaria struck out seven in six innings of eight hit two run ball.

He might have left holding a lead and possible decision instead of a 2 2 tie had it not been for a balk, his second of the game, that allowed Dan Gladden to, score a third inning run. The second run scored in the sixth on Gary Gaetti's single and a double by Tom Brunansky. Candelaria said he could have gone past the sixth, anyway, but wasn't about to argue with manager Billy Martin's ready to go more than six," he said. "I thought I was throwing well. No pitcher wants to come out of a game, but Cecilio's throwing well and we're trying to win." Guante, making his first regular season appearance since July 5, eventually got the win after Rickey Henderson nailed 'Juan Berenguer, the loser in relief of righty Les Straker, for a two run double in the seventh.

Guante also won his first game since May 12. Brunansky homered off Guante in the eighth, but Righetti took over the next inning and shut down' the defending World Series champs. Gladden (4 for 5, two doubles) grounded into a game ending double play after Righetti allowed a one out single to Al Newman Martin had Candelaria for 86 pitches, and that was enough. See YANKEES, page 2D Masters demands ByBiilVilona Gannett Newi Service UGUSTA.Ga. Passing years haven't, changed one aspect about The Masters Tournament, which begins its 52nd renewal Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club.

With all the continual refining to the rea I estate that Bobby Jones hewed into a masterpiece, the core of contention remains on the putter blade. Who can win the Masters? Check out who can tame the greens. always a putting contest here at two time champion Tom Watson said. "It takes strong nerves to putt these greens," Seven years ago officials made it a tougher nerve test. They ripped up the slower Bermuda grass and resurfaced the greens with slick bent grass.

Npt only are they super quick, they also have ridges, valleys and mounds a combination of speed and deception. "You've got to remember Bob Jones built this course so it would be enjoyable for members; the only way it can be a reasonable test for today's greatest players is to have longer tees and fast, firm greens with flagsticks in tough positions," Tournament chairman Hord Hardin said. "That's what we strive for. We never have tried, to make fools out of players, but we are trying to have a contest of real golf skills." Included among the 90 entries is an internatipnaljield considered by be the strongest in tournament history. The two marquee names are Greg Norman and Seve Ballesterps.

"TbeJwojgreatest players in the game six time Masters champ Jack Nicklaus "said. "When you think about pickingfavorites, you have to start with them." Some might question that assertion, withjiorrnan. coming off a bad 1987t But there are plenty more stars. Great Britain's Sandy Lyle is the leading money winner on the PC AToiir, Masters rookie Ian Woosnamof Wales won more money (.7 last year than any other golfer in the GannefNews Service AUGCJSTA, Ga. Handicapping the 52nd Masters Tournament: 71 Sevo Ballesteros: world's most skilled player is fiercely determined.

8 1 Greg'Norman: times ripe for shark to strike. 151 Ben Crenshaw: putting stroke made in heaven conquers devilish greens. 16 1 Curtis Strange: making up for '85 submarine shots. 16 1 SandLylfc: big game but may be drained. 18.

1 Larry Nelsons: Man could make It two Georgians in a row. 191 Craig StadlerK. it once and hajs the game to do it again. 20 1 Paul Azingen shown guts and that's a major plus. 22 1 Tom Kite: best non winning record in the field by far.

Stays that way. 251 Tom Watson: rV hasn't been able to recapture fire. 30 1 Jack Nicklaus: Aself proclaimed "ceremonial golfer" has won six times. 25 1 Ian Woosnam: he'll drive it but who will he get to putt it? 321 Bernhard Langer: A not been a factor lately but loves Augusta. 33 1 Gil Morgan: incredible '88 record but never won a major.

35 1 Jay Haas: fine Augusta record but starts too slow. 40 1 Mark McCumber: hits big ball but still riding Players Championship high. 50 1 Davis Love III: last Masters rookie to win was a slugger, too. 501 Chip Beck: the chip was last year and it was By Mize. 100 1 Dan Pohl: too laid back to win in school of barracuda? 1,000 1 Larry Mjxe: No hometown miracles.

world. West Germany's Bernhard Langer won this tournament," he said. "It's still something the Masters in 1985. South Africa's Nick Price about knowing the course, but the percentage of established a course record 63 duringihe third players who can win it is a lot greater." round in 1986. That was expemplified last year when "We're doing well beca use we're getting more Augusta native Larry Mize, who had finished chances to compete in the U.S., but we still don't outside the top 10 in three prior have enough European players here," said defeated Ballesteros and Norman in a sudden Ballesteros, a two time winner who spent six deatn playoff.

hours of an eight hour practice round at The American contingent of Masters hopefuls Augusta last week honing his putting and ais rconglomeratioh of past dominant players; chipping skiljs. like Nicklaus and Watson and the new wave "They take the top 30 on the PGA money list andjust one fromthe European list We've year sTCA Tour, Chip Beck. Joey Sindelar, proven we can compete with American players. But then again, I'm not making the i think or. ani i.a Tne controversial topic at this year event I think tie odds are pretty good for the has concerned, a Senior Masters, a concept PGA overseas said Norman who hasfinished TourcpmmSionerDeanenW a frustrating second the past two years, suggested.

But Tournament chairman I feel very confident about my jjg aainst the wa; The iel, tf JJ gamej Ipyelhis place so much, it just makes enough," hesaid. "I don't know how you'd pair youplayalltha much better." thejn or now they all could walk a loni hilly, Watson, who is playing his 18th Masters, course, like this; We certainly couldn't let thent figures the race is more wide open than ever. use carts. There would be confusion over who "There's a lot more people qualified to win was The Masters champion. JOBS essrssro 4t.