The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 31

The Beacon Journal C5 AMATEUR SPORTS REPORT Friday, June 23, 1989 Greater Akron AA's Peterson signs Pirate pact By Bob Nold batted in in his first five games. zsr ii University, and his coach there, Dan Hall, thinks he has a chance of rising to the top. "There are two things he's gotta do," Hall said. "He has to develop his olf-speed pitches, his curve and changeup, and he's got to become more confident in his ability. "I think sometimes he sells himself short on the ability he has.

II he gels out and challenges hitters and develops his confidence, I think he can pitch in the big leagues." Mike Trbovlch of Sandusky, the scout who signed Hoffman, has been one of the best in the game at projecting abilily and is confident that Hoffman will develop. "We look for velocity of at least 87-mph," Trbovich said. "He was throwing 85 consistently when I saw him and two or three pitches he was at 86. "I think when our organization coaches work with him on a daily basis and make some slight changes here and there In his mechanics, he'll pick up a mile or two. They'll improve the bite on his curve, too." THERE ARE comebacks and then there are reincarnations.

Don DILauro, who played with Bed Pepper Steak House and Weather Seal among others in years past, comes under the first heading. He has put the mask and mitt back on at age 44 and is catching tor the Akron Merchants. He already has hit a pair of homers, too. Omnicor manager Byron Sturm is something else. There's no report on whether he used some of that hot stuff that trainers used to apply to Gaylord Perry' arm, but, whatever, Sturm reactivated his arm anyway.

Omnicor was bemg wiped out by Mansfield 17-4 so Sturm, now 51, used himself on the mound. He doesn't play generally, but he does keep himselt on tiie active roster in case he runs into emergencies. This was more a disaster than an emergency, but what do you think? He retired six of the seven batters he faced and allowed no more runs. He did mess up a ground ball, though; that's how the one guy got on. But hey.

a 51-year-old guy shouldn't have to do it all. JOHN LUEBKE, the pitcher-manager of the Medina Players, isn't quite hall that age, but he is the oldest player on his team. Medina was in the Northeast Ohio AAA Hot Stove League last season when it won the state championship and finished with a 33-7 record. It has found the going a little tougher in the AA league thus far, getting off to a 2-6 start. "We lost quite a few players olt last year's team," Luebke said.

"We're rebuilding. The AA league is very competitive. It's well balanced throughout. There's no team you can go in and beat up on." Luebke is only 1-2 thus far but has a 1.72 ERA for 20'h innings. His leading hitters are center fielder Mark Hubbard at .536 (15-tor-28), left fielder Larry Krantr .462 (12-for-26) and third baseman Carey Vonderau .348 (8-for-23) Beacon Journal staff writer Pro baseball has reached into the Greater Akron AA Baseball League for the second time this summer, with the Pittsburgh Pirates signing catcher Rob Peterson of the Mansfield Expos.

He has been sent to their Class A rookie league team at Welland, Ontario. Peterson, a right-handed hitter, first played in the league after his senior year in high school, and in three years of AA ball was twice named to the All-Star team. He was off to an awesome start again this year, hitting at a .706 clip (12-for-17) with nine runs He is passing up his senior season at the College of Wooster after helping the team (35-9 this past season) reach the NCAA Division III College World Series for the first time. Peterson, 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, hit .357 as a junior with four home runs and 40 RBI. It brought his career totals to .313, eight and 75.

He is a graduate of Madison High School in Mansfield. THE FIRST league player to be signed this year was left-handed pitcher Kevin Hoffman trom Akron Omnicor, who is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers' rookie team at Kissimmee, Fla. Hoffman, a 6-2, 188-pound Cuyahoga Falls product, also pitched for Kent State Byron Sturm a reincarnation? 1 NOTEBOOK Bob Nold Weightlifting Vincent-St. Mary) scored 1 1 and Jenny Barnes (Doylestown) eight for Purple. Fetchu and Teresa Alford (Ravenna) 10 apiece for Gold.

Kerrle Reaves (Cuyahoga Falls) made 13 and Nlkkl Pappas (Wadsworth) 10 for Kelly, Stacle White (Ashland College) 12 tor Royal. Leggra McClendon (University of Toledo) tallied 15 and and Denlse Berg (Slow) 10 for Red, while Allen led Navy with 14. Samantha Pack (Hoban) was high for Teal against Orange with six. In Tuesday's other games, Royal whipped Navy 45-29. Red beat Kelly 33-20, and Gold edged Teal 35-33.

Simmons led Royal with 14 and Allen scored nine lor Navy. Denise Berg made 10 again and McClendon eight for Red, Krlsten Long (Baldwin-Wallace) seven for Kelly. Fetchu got 12 and Dlanna Proemm (Green) 10 for Gold, Pack eight tor Teal. Meredith Brown (Stow) led Purple with 10 in the 57-23 loss to Orange. Hinman world Champion Amy Hinrnan of Sharon Center, a Wadsworth High School product, won the women's world championship in the 122-pound division last weekend at the WDFPA (World Drug Free Powerlifting Association) Championships in Chicago and set a world record in the deadhft at 363.7 pounds.

Hinman, 19, won the title with a total lift ot 765.7 pounds, which included 281 pounds in the squat, 126.7 in the bench and 358 In the deadlift. Hinman broke the previous record of 330.5 pounds three times. She did 325 on her first lift, then 336 and finally the 358. Because she was successful on her third attempt, she was given another attempt (although it didn't count in her total) and went up to 363.7. Hinman also lifted 358 pounds in the nationals this year, but world records have to be set In world meets.

The previous record was held by Melanle Get of St. Louis, Mo. Youth baseball Soccer Rapid Response 4-0 Rapid Response, managed by Dr. Herb Hanlon, has won its first four games in the Greater Akron Baseball Federation's Class League (17-18-year-olds) this year. "This is the strongest team I've been associated with in recent years," Hanlon said.

"Most ot our players will be, or are, playing college ball. Our goal is to qualify for the nationals." He has players from eight high schools in the area and two players already in college, shortstop pitcher Jamie Van Dyke at the University of Akron and catchermfielder JeM Grove at Miami of Ohio. Van Dyke formerly was at St. Vincent-St. Mary and Grove at Fiiestone.

The other team members are shortstop Joe Davles, catcher Phil Klstler, pitcherright fielder Andy Knoll, utility man Paul Eck, and center fielder Danny Butcher, all from Firestone; pitcher Ken Black and pitcher second baseman Gene Dillard from East; pitcher Pete Cook and first baseman pitchnr Jack Weber from North; shortstop Chris Faikensteln and second basemanouttielder Dave Pluaquelllc from Hoban; first baseman outfielder Jason Conway from Walsh; third baseman John Hanlon from St. V-M; pitcher Glen Ryan from Ellet; and pitchercatcheroutfielder Chris McGurk from Stow. McGurk, Van Dyke, Dillard and Black have a victory apiece pitching and Black also has two saves. The team's leading hitters are Hanlon at .500, Knoll .471, Van Dyke .385. Weber .333, Dillard .333, Conway .318 and McGurk .300.

The other teams in the league are Wadsworth, managed by Akron athletic director Jim Dennlson; F.P. Sports, managed by Ed Calloway; and Massillon, managed by Frank Shertzer. Rapid Response also plays in the Continental State League which includes teams from Columbus, Snngfield and Bucyrus. Rnpid. 1-2 thus far in that league, plays at Columbus this weekend the only two Class A teams In the Akron area.

The winner in the playoffs will go to the State Class A tourney, the loser to the State Class tourney, also beginning July 28, at Hubbard. Shaver hurls Richards' win ciyde Shaver did some fine pitching Monday as M.A. Richards Plumbing and Heating beat Kaiser Permanente 6-3 in a Silver Slo Pitch League game at Cascade. Shaver got strong hitting support from Arch Brown and Dick Monroe, who had three hits and two RBI apiece. Eva's Cougars also won Monday as Lee Kallas and Tom Benford sparked a 23-10 walloping of Trl-County Plaza.

Kallas and Benford each had a pair of hits and four RBI. Last weekend, Kaiser thumped CYO 14-0 with Ed Fullerton lashing a triple and two singles and Lorln Wagner getting a double and two singles. Steele's keeps rolling Steele's Silver Bullets of Grafton won six consecutive games to capture the Major NIT World Series Qualifier in Parma last weekend. Steele's defeated Riches Salvage of North Carolina 45-39 in the championship game. During the weekend, Steele's players were presented with rings for winning the 1988 USSSA World Series.

NEO tourney this weekend The 52nd neo District sio-pitch Softball tournament will be this weekend at Firestone Stadium. Men's Class and and women's Class and will be entered. Play begins today at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday and Sunday, starting at about 11 a.m. each day.

The weekend of festivities concludes Sunday with a performance by the Akron Symphony at ttie stadium at about 8:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display. Tennis Mostardi, Zanville Win Rich Mostardl, who played No 1 for the University of Akron part of the time last season, and Dana Zanville, who played No. 1 for Ohio State, won the men's and women's LaTuchie Championships last weekend at Parkview Racquet Club. The tournament is sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association. Mostardi had to beat two Akron teammates to win, downing Bernle Frost 7-6, 6-0 in the semis and Greg Prevette 6-0, 6-1 in the final.

Prevette also played No. 1 part of the time, and Frost played from 2 to 5, winning 33 matches in a row and being named team MVP. Zanville, from Toledo, defeated Karen Needham of Stow 6-3, 6-0 in the semis and then whipped Shannon McPeak of Brunswick (and Ohio University) 6-0, 6-3. McPeak had advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Julie Brewer of Munroe Falls. Prevelte and Frost teamed to win the men's doubles, 7-5, 6-0, against Bruce Thomas of Twinsburg and John Hertzer of Moreland Hills.

Thomas and HertJer had ousted two former Akron players, Greg Aten (now the pro at Parkview) and San) Kalra 6-1, 6-4 to reach the final. The McPeaks. Shannon and her older sister Erin, won the women's doubles title 6-2, 6-1 against Jeanne Tuttle, several times the Akron District Tennis Association champion, and June Larson of Stow. Brad Minns ol Toledo and Zanville teamed to beat Thomas and former Akron player Celeste McConlhe 6-3, 6-4 in the mixed doubles final. Minns and Zanville defeated Aten and Brewer 6-4, 6-2, and Thomas and McConihe beat Mostardi and Mary Warner of Stow 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals.

Alex Fulekl of Youngstown defeated William Johnson of Akron 6-3, 6-4 to win the men's 40-and-over singles; and Rick Nagy of Brecksville and Greg Morton of Warrensville won the men's 40-and-over doubles with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Julius Nemes of North Olmsted and Moyses Flguerldo. Nagy and Morton, ranked No. 1 in Northeast Ohio, beat Tarnez Green and Emmett Saunders of Cleveland 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the semifinals. Senior track and field JackSOn piles Up firsts Dr. Allan Jackson of Akron dominated virtually everything last weekend in the 60-64-year-old division at the sixth annual Medina Track Meet.

He won nine events and was second in one. The 62-year-old Jackson ran the 60-meter dash in 9.32 seconds, the 100 in 15.0, the 200 in 33.0, the 400 in 73.9 and the 800 in 3:12 to win all those events. He also was first In the shot put at 33 feet, 64 inches, discus throw 93-3, high jump 3-10 and standing long jump His second came In the run with a clocking of 6:46. Jackson also had quite a day the previous weekend at the Indiana Senior Olympics at Indiana University-Indianapolis. It was reported that he took four firsts and two seconds, but it actually was six firsts, two seconds and a third, and one of the events should've been the race walk rather than run.

To set straight the accomplishments, Jackson's firsts were in the 50-meter dash (7.7), 100 (14.8). 200 (30.3) javelin throw (93 feet) high jump (3-10) and Softball throw (190). He was second in the 400-meter dash (71 seconds) and race walk (9:31) and third in the shot put (34 feet) Baseball GAASA Champs Crowned The North Canton Strikers battled through two overtime games last weekend to win the Boys Under-14 Premier championship in the Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association. The Strikers, coached by Tim Snyder, were one of five youth premier teams to win championships Sunday at several fields In Summit County. They fought off the Revere Rebels to win 1-0 and then beat the Wales Road Netbenders 3-2 lor the title at the Bath Community Center.

CUM Cox scored the goal against Revere and made two ol his team's goals against Wales Road. Andy Taylor scored the winning goal in the last game. Snyder said Steve Burrlck's goalkeeping also was a big factor in both victories. In the Boys Under-12 CC Premier playoffs, the Stow Rangers toppled the Hudson Headers 2-0 in the semifinals and then got their revenge on the North Canton Strikers with a 2-1 victory In the final at Wadsworth High School. The Strikers had been the only team to beat the Rangers in the regular season.

Tommy Lemmon came through with a late-game penalty kick to win the championship. Striker Phil Warlop put Stow ahead 1-0 in the first half, and North Canton tied the game In the second half to set the stage for Lemmon. Ranger coach Roger Noll also cited the midlield work of Dan Brand and the defensive prowess of Kevin Bllderback and Scott Feeney in the final game. David Hoffman and James Leature scored Stow's goals against Hudson. North Canton made It to the final with a 5-1 blasting of the regular-season champion Wadsworth Wolves.

The Rangers and Wolves never met in the regular season, which Noll found frustrating. The Stow Strikers got their revenge in the semifinals of the Girls Under-14 Premier playoffs with a 5-3 victory over the Revere Raiders, who handed them a regular-season loss, and then bested the Lake Angels 2-1 for the championship at Canal Fulton. Kara Blsh scored the winning goal for Stow with an assist from Susan Snyder. Maeva Elliott made the Strikers' first goal. Stow coach Jim Bjaloncik gave a big share of the credit for his team's success to an outstanding defense, which included fullbacks Teresa Darago, Mellnda Parrabonl and Karya Bjaloncik, and sweeper Meghan Gatfney.

He also said Denlse Drescher turned In her best game ever as goalkeeper In the championship game. Elliott scored two of the Strikers' goals in the semifinal game with Bish, Jessica Hayden and Cassle Oshaben making one apiece. Lake beat the Wadsworth girls 3-2 in the other semifinal match. The Copley Indians also gained revenge In winning the Girls Under-12 CCGA title at Bath. The Indians not only lost to the Hudson Strikers this spring but also last fall as well.

They beat the Cuyahoga Falls Tlgerettes 4-0 in the semifinals to earn another chance and this time won 1-0 on a goal by Missy Schott In the last two minutes. It took a lot to get to that point, though, with some outstanding defense from Krlsty Amer, Laurie Stroupe, Laura Walter, Jamie Musser and Missy Dobbins. Kathy Zulall led the Indians' scoring in the semis with two goals, and sisters Angle Dobbins and Missy Dobbins got one apiece as their mom and coach, Donna Dobbins alternated them at goalkeeper. Coach Dobbins also said right winger Vlckl Waldsmlth played a major role in setting up the goals in both games. Hudson beat the Revere Raiders 1-0 in the other semifinal.

The Revere Rockettes, coached by GAASA executive vice president Dan Slelskl, beat the Hudson Blue Streaks 5-1 for the Girls Under-12 CCGB Championship at Norton. Revere beat the Lake Marvels 1-0 and Hudson finally overcame the Stow Invaders 3-2 in two overtimes in the semifinals. The CCGB regular-season champion Northwest Akron Stars, coached by GAASA president Marvin Matyasl, passed on the league playoffs to join a number of other GAASA teams in the Father's Day Tournament in Avon Lake. Other teams which qualified for the GAASA playoffs but played Instead at Avon Lake Included the Under-14 BG Jackson Select Girls and the Under-12 CCGA Wadsworth Red Flames. Several boys teams trom Jackson Select and the Emerald Soccer Club, and the Under-10 Firestone Park Pythons also were invited to Avon Lake.

Still pitching, but Greater Akron AA Baseball League commissioner Rudy Plekarskl still is trying to help those interested in an over-35 league, but he indicated that time is running out. "This week we're gonna do it or that's it," he said. "We're gonna get four captains we'll see who volunteers. I'll be one and Carl Raklch (who already Is In the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame) will be one. We need two more.

We'll divide up the players who have been coming and each captain then will be responsible for filling in the rest of his team." Piekarski set a July 2 deadline for getting something worthwhile started, although it's obvious he really doesn't want to give up. "It's something to do," he said. "It breaks up the summer. We can play In July and August. More fields are available in August." He said spring-long rain has been the major culprit.

"Every time we scheduled a practice, it rained or looked like it was going to rain." he said. "Luckily, the Prentiss Park diamond drains fast." Practice is scheduled there again this weekend at 1 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday Kung Fu Three place in Police Olympics Three Akron policemen who train at the Don Nlam Kung Fu Academy on Fir Hill placed at the Ohio Police Olympics in Columbus, with Sgt. Tom Hooper winning a gold medal in kata (fighting) and a silver in kumite in the Intermediate division.

Patrolman Mary Myers won a silver in kata, behind Hooper, and another silver in kumite in the same division. Men and women competed together in kumite and separately in kata. Patrolman Terrl Hudnall won silvers in both kata and kumite in the beginner division. Darts Basketball Softball Lot Of lun for PatUC The Fun League held an extra end-of-the-season competition at the George and Dragon. In the final, Jim Patuc finished a game of 501 in 15 darts including a maximum 130.

John Dalton of Lakewood was second and Gall Dearlng took third. Jerry Orosz won the Wednesday night cricket tournament at George and Dragon, with Pat Dowllng finishing second; and at the first Friday night Pro singles tournament last weekend, Dave Merrlman of Orrville took first place, Dudley Estes of Akron second place and Mark Hoynes of Cleveland third place. Jason Beebe recorded the Akron Canton Dart Club's only ton eighty of the week in a Brass League game. Another Brass player, Tim Riley hit the high "out" of 130. Kevin Moncrlel was the top player in the Tungsten League with two 140s.

The Blind Squirrels from Canton (47-19) continue to dominate Tungsten play with Nuclear Wasted from Louisville second (37-29) and Four Aces of Akron third (36-30) Hi Pat 1 (now 31-14) beat Bit O'Blarney (29-16) 5-4 to move into first place in the A Division of the Shamrock League. Eastern (35-10) continues to lead the Division after beating Packman II 7-2. High darts in the A Division were thrown by Dave Sturm with a 140, and in the Division by Joe Polefrone and Lucl Dockus with 120 apiece. Polo Gold Wins close Ones Gold won two games by a total of only three points in the past week, but that was enough to put it into first place in the Balch Street Athletic Club Men's Varsity Basketball League. It beat Royal 54-53 June 14 and nudged Kelly 56-54 on Monday to stand alone at 3-0.

David Carglll (a 6-foot-6 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary, bound for Central Connecticut) and Ryan Neal (Wooster) scored 15 points apiece to pace the victory over Royal, with John Marhefka (Medina High School, bound for Hiram) adding 12; and Cargilli and Rick Brown (Mogadore) each tallied 14 with Randy Pierce (Mogadore) making 11 against Kelly. Danny Williams (6-5, from Garfield) and Doug Speelman (a 6-7 junior at Wooster High School) scored 14 and 13, respectively, for Royal; Chris Royer (Orrville) 24 and Todd Llndeman (Manchester) 1 1 for Kelly. Royal and Red are tied for second at 2-1, Kelly and Orange are both 1-2, and Purple is 0-3.

Purple has the leading scorer in the league, though, Danny Young (a sophomore at Hiram College) with 63 points, followed by Bryan Pethel of Red (a 6-2 junior at Central-Hower) with 55, Williams and Speelman with 45 and 44, respectively, and Cargill with 43. In the other June 14 games, Orange defeated Purple 58-51 and Red nipped Kelly 47-46. Malt Smith (Woodridge) scored 15 points and Jason Curtis (Revere) 14 for Orange, Derrick Owens (a Hoban graduate, bound for Allegheny College) 17 and Young 16 for Purple. Pethel tossed in 25 and Jeremy Roosa (Ravenna) 1 1 for Red; Mike Pasquerella (Buckeye) 16, Eric Wilson (Buchlel) 13 and Lindeman 1 1 for Kelly. In Monday's other games, Royal beat Purple 65-62 and Red defeated Orange 61-43.

Royal got a balanced effort, with Williams making 15 points, Eric Bryant (Garfield) 14, Jason Huxley (Wooster) 12 and Speelman 11, and Young was hitting 28, Mike Sommers (Central) 12 and Scott Gruber (Firestone) 1 1 for Purple. Dan Heldeman (a 6-8 Hoban graduate, bound for Ashland University) tallied 18 in his first appearance for Red. backed by Pethel with 15, Tom O'Leary (a Coventry graduate, bound for Walsh College) with 1 1 and Billy Carter (Central-Hower) with 10; and Smith topped Orange with 11. FeilitZ sparks Orange Kory Fellltz, a 5-foot-8 senior from Revere High, is off to a strong start In the Balch Street Women's Varsity League this summer with a league-high 46 points that have sparked Orange to a 3-0 record and sole possession of first place. In fact, Orange has outscored its opponents by a total of 95 points thus far, and Feilitz has three of the four highest-scoring games 15 points in the opening 43-23 victory over Gold, 15 In a 62-21 romp over Teal, and 16 in a 57-23 romp over Purple.

Rounding out the top five in scoring thus far are Shelly Allen of Navy (a 5-6 sophomore at Ohio U) with 37 points; Beth Fetchu of Gold (a 6-foot senior at Hoban) with 31; Feilitz's teammate, Theresa Berg (a 5-6 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls, bound for Grove City College) with 30; and Beth Simmons of Royal (a 6-1 sophomore at Ellet) with 29. Behind Orange in the standings come: Kelly, Royal, Red and Purple, all at 2-1; Gold at 1-2; and Navy and Teal, both 0-3. In June games, in addition to the Orange-Teal contest, Purple beat Gold 44-40, Kelly toppled Royal 36-23 and Red bested Navy 42-40. Kim Walter (St. Marty FOX On tear Graham's Innfield swept two Ohio Tradition Fastpitch League doubleheaders last weekend at the Cascade complex, and the last game just sort of summed up the way third baseman Marty Fox has been swinging the bat lately.

With two out and one on In the bottom of the seventh Sunday, and Graham's trailing Shreve 4-3, he hit a 2-run homer to win the game 5-4. He hit three in the four games, got seven hits and drove in eight runs. "He's absolutely on fire," Manager Pat Clccantelll said. Graham's also won the first game 3-2 in nine innings, and the night before beat Dalton 8-0 and 7-6 in a 5-inning game that was halted by a downpour. The team did, however, suffer a major setback off the field when Marty's brother, Craig Fox, suffered a broken bone in his right hand In an accident at home.

He likely will be lost for the rest of the year, Marty Fox hit a home run in each of the Dalton games, the second one tying the nightcap 6-6 in the fifth, and Joe LoCascIo then tripled and scored on Robert Cargnel's single with what proved to be the winning run as they barely beat the ram. Cargnel also had two hits the first game as did Luke Darrah, one of Darrah's being a home run. Bob Curtis pitched the first five innings and Pat Clccantelll Jr. the last two as they combined for a 1-hitter in the opener against Dalton. In the second game, Pat Jr.

worked the first two and Darrah the last three. Graham's won its last three games in Its last at bat Including both games with Shreve, of course. Graham's trailed Shreve 1-0 going to the sixth inning of the first game and then took the lead with two runs. Bob Shatfstall doubled, went to third on a single by Marty Fox and scored on Darrah's sacrifice fly to right field. Fox tagged on that play, went to second on the throw home and scored on Cargnel's single.

Shreve tied the game In the seventh, but In the ninth Graham's middle Infield came through second baseman Jerry Bulgrln rapping a double and shortstop Russ Jonas singling him home with the winning run. Pat Jr. pitched the first five innings of that game, Darrah the last four to pick up the victory, and Curtis pitched all of the nightcap. Graham's played a pair of non-league games Wednesday night at Spencer, winning the first one 2-1 on a 5-hitter by Curtis, and losing the second one 7-2. Graham's scored what proved to be the winning run in the opener on Jones' double and Shaffstall's single in the fifth.

The two runs In the nightcap came on a first Inning homer by Marty Fox. His binge this past week gave him the team lead in both homers (seven) and RBI (36) Curtis' record is now 9-3; Pat Clccantelll who lost In the nightcap, is 5-6; and Darrah is 11-6. The team is 25-15 overall and 12-4 In the Ohio Tradition league. Graham's and the Akron Merchants will meet tonight for the first time this year in a 7 p.m. doubleheader at Cascade.

The first game will be part of the Ohio Tradition tournament, with both teams then going on to Lorain Saturday for the rest of the Northern division competition. The southern portion of the tournament is at Red Haw, and the finals also will be at Red Haw Sunday with the winner automatically qualifying for the State Class A Tournament beginning July 28 at Kidron. The second game of tonight's Graham's-Merchants doubleheader will count as part of the best 2-of-3 district playoffs. Graham's and the Merchants are South Americans In Classic The fourth annual Cleveland Polo Classic Sunday at the Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills will feature the Cleveland club's players in a match with professional players from South America. It will begin at 1 p.m.

The visiting athletes then will stay to play with the Cleveland Polo Club this summer, treating area tans to a higher level ot play. The Classic will benefit the Northeast Ohio chapter ol MAKE-A-WISH, a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children 18-and-under who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Tickets cost $5 in advance for general admission or $6 the day of the event, and box seats cost $10. They can be purchased from MAKE-A-WISH at 464-7755 or Heritage Sports at 247-6500. Shuffleboard State meet In Akron The Akron Shuffleboard Club is hosting the Ohio State Men's and Women's Singles Tournament this week at Waters Park across from St.

Thomas Hospital. The competition is In both the amateur and expert classes. The tournament began Thursday and runs through Saturday. Competition begins daily at 9 a.m. Running Upcoming races The Summit Athletic Club will be holding the following upcoming races: The Kent-Fest 10-kilometer race on Saturday, July 1, starting at 9 a.m.

in downtown Kent. For details, call Ralph Lowery at 688-7380; and the Firecracker Run (2- and 5-mile races) on Tuesday, July 4, starting at 7'30 a.m. at Holy Family School. For details, call Ann Baranek at 688-8238. INFORMATION ACTIVITY CALENDAR I Bicycling Saturday The Akron Btcvcle Club will meet at i The Beacon Journal welcomes reports sent in for the amateur page, We request that the information be writ-' ten unless other arrangements can be made in advance and either mailed or hand-delivered.

We also request that the information be as current as possible. It's obvious that a lot of work goes into the reports, and we do not want to discard any ot them. However, material two and three weeks old cannot receive priority. Deadlines for material for Friday publication are Reports on weekend events should bo at the Beacon Journal by Tuesday. Reports on Monday or Tuesday events should be in hand by noon Wednesday.

We appreciate your help in making the Friday Amateur Page as complete as possible. Anyone with questions or comments can reach me at 996-3821. BOB NOLtf July 1-4 Girls Fasl Pilch National Championships. NSA National World Series al the St. Louis Sports Comotex.

Age divisions: 19-under, 16-under, H-under and 12-under. Each team will plav a minimum of three games in the double eliminationconsolation tournament. For more information, call Chuck Middleton, 314-621-0777. Triathlon Aug. 27 The National City Corporation Triathlon will be in Cleveland, beginning with a 1.5 kilometer swim in Cleveland's Inner Harbor, followed bv a 40-kilomeler cycling section through University Circle, Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights, and ending wilh a 10 kilometer run through downtown Cleveland and the Flats, with the finish line al North Coast Harbor.

There are lour categories in wnich to compete- Professional, Amateur (by age grouol, Relay, and Coroorate Relay. For more information, conlarl Dawn Stevans, 522-1200. About the calendar II you would like an event listed in the Beacon Journal's weekly activity calendar, send the information at least one week prior to the event to Akron Beacon Journal Sports Department, Attn. Activity Calendar, 44 E. Exchange Akron, Ohio 44328.

Irom 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the CYO offices, 773-0426. Supervised Playgrounds Can 375-2804 for the nearest location. Betty Jane School has a develop-mentally disabled persons oiavground.

Call CYO olfice lor more information, 773-0426. Swimming Tallmadge YWCA, 111 West Tuesday The lacilily is wheelchair accessible, and the pool has a wheelchair lift. For more inlormalion, conlact Claudia Meyers 678-0131; Monday evenings 7-8 p.m. Weaver School, 89 E. Howe Road.

Pool is open to people wilh disabilities. Running July 29 The Rock Springs 5k Road Run will be al the Chester Community Center in Chester, W. Va. Starling lime is 9 a m. Registration fee is $6 for pre-registered runners (before July 22) and $7 the dav ol the race.

For more information or registration forms, call Doug Arner, 304-387-3684. Softball July 1-2-3 A USSSA qualifier will he at Valley View Softball Complex in Buffalo, Ohio. The tournament is open to class and learns only. Deadline lor entry is June 29. Entry lee is $80.

plus Iwo sottballs. If interested, call Jerry Brown, 614-685-6353 or Roger Clark, 6)4-454-6072 Wooster, Ohio 44691. People with disabilities For information on sports lor the differently abied, call Evelyn McAbee at 375-6483. Akron Club for the Blind 1467 E. Market St.

provides sports activities such as soflbali and basketball as wen as social activities (784-0791). Akron Club for the Deaf Athletic events and social events. For more information, call Ed Abbott 724-1619 or 784-0781. Challenge GoH Instructional programs offered for physically disabled. For more information, call Edwin Shaw Hospital Ambassador of Goll Gym, 784-1271 ext.

206. Handicapped Action Club A social program open to all types of disabilities ages 16 and older. Will have a variety of trips and programs year round. For more information, contact Gloria Payne, 633-0591. Scuba Diving For information about classes, call Buckeye Diving School, 1-439-3677.

State Parks Call l-800-AT-A-PARK lor a listing of parks with wheelchair accessible drinking lountains and paved walkwavs. For a list of local parks, conlact the park office ol the Akron Metropolitan Park System, 975 Treaty Line Road, 867-5511. Summer Recreation The Catholic Youth Organi-lalion will hold Summer Fun. '8'. June 26-Aug 4, west side camp will be June 26-30 at Pleasant Valley Junior High School in Parma and the east side camp will be July 10-14 at Borromeo College in Wicklitte.

Daily sessions will run from 9 a.m.-) p.m. For more information and a brochure, call 241-1945. July 23-27 Case Western Reserve University is sponsoring two basketball camps lor bovs in the sixth through 12th grades. The first camp is June 11-15, the second July 23-27. Fees are $1B5 for overnight campers, 1125 lor day campers.

A $10 deposit is required wilh each application. For application forms, write to Bill Sudeck, Case Western Reserve Basketball Camp, Alhlelic Department, Emerson Gym, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, or call 368-2865 or 721-4769. July 28-29-30 The 1989 All-American Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will be at Trlwav High School. Deadline for entry is July 21. There are lour divisions: Men's Open A (Entry lee $75), Men's Open Women's Open ($50) and Boy's High School Teams may enter more than one division, if eligible.

Each learn must have a team name for scheduling. A learn must have four plavers on the rosier, although the fourth player does not have to play. No more than two plavers from the same high school can play on the same learn. The tournament is double elimination. For an entry lorm or more information, write to Dale Curran, 3685 Triwav Lane, a.m.

at the first parking lot In Sand Run Park oft. Portage Palh for a 100-mile Unsupported Century Ride to the shores of Lake Erie in Rockv River. This Is a sanctioned Quarter Century Ride. For more Information, call ride leaders Julie Frobie, 979-751? or Bill Brannon, (50-4017 or (56-1631. The Club will also meet Saturday at I a.m.

at Hampton Hills Park on Akron-Peninsula Rd rust north of Bath tor a 25-30 mile through the valley and into Hudson for breakfast at Yours Truly Restaurant. This is a Sanctioned Quarter Century Ride. For more information, call Pal Brannon, 650-4017 or 656-1631. Sunday The Akron Bicycle Club will meet at 9 a.m. at the first parking lot in Sand Run off Portage Path tor a 40-45 mile ride to Medina for breakfast at the Gazebo Reslaurant.

For more informalion, call ride leader Kevin Grimm, 633-4167. The Club will also meet Sunday at 6.30 p.m. at the Heritage House in Stow Silver Springs Park on Young Rd. tor a 15-mile ride to Bricker's Ice Cream Shop. For more informalion, call ride leader Jon Schneider, 650-6452 Basketball June 26-30, July 10-14 Ron Harper will conduct his third annual basketball camp Ihis summer.

The.