The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 17

DEEPSOI RSHING jumumri DtXMOUMN OalvMton Party Boats, Inc. P1ER1S Section daliiesttm Jatlg Page I At BEACH NMNNrmM MONDAY THMJ HHDAT Local, State, World Sports Friday Morning, August 25,1978 Sports Phone 744-3611 HIGH ISLANDS varsity football coaching staff is pictured above. The staff, from left, is DennTs Hill, head coach Lucky Gamble and assistant Scott Phillips. High Island is a member of District 12-B and is considered a top contender. The team finished last season with a 6-4 record.

(News photo bv VinceStiglichJr.) Astros 9 Characteristic Is They Win At Home HOUSTON (UPI) The 1978 Houston Astros have one outstanding characteristic they win at home. With a 40-24 record at home which includes 15 wins in the past 17 Houston has displayed consistent superiority when playing in the Astrodome with its unusually fast artificial surface, reverberating accoustics and distracting Scoreboard displays. Only once before in the Astros' 17-year history have they played better at home. The 1969 team had a .642 winning percentage in the Astrodome, compared to this team's .625. Greg Gross, whose Chicago Cubs teammates were the latest to suffer against Houston's home field advantage, speculated why the Astros are winners at home.

change of coming indoors with artificial surface and everything else bothers a lot of players," said Gross, an Astros regular for three seasons. "A lot of batters say they can't see the ball in here, but mostly its psychologicial." The Cubs' problem Wednesday night was in the field, where four Chicago players committed errors and allowed Houston to score three unearned runs in a 3-0 Astros win. The victory gave Houston a three-game series sweep and caused the Cubs second in the National League East to shift their attention to streaking Pittsburgh, which is a half- game behind them. The Pirates come to the Astrodome for three games this weekend, but they face a rough time if Astros outfielder Terry Puhl is right about his reason for Houston's excellent play at home. "The big thing is look how many long fly balls hit here would be out or up against the wall in all other parks," he said.

"Our pitchers know they have more room to work with here. They relax and throw better." Astros right-handed reliever Ken Forsch made an emergency start Wednesday night and after he pitched seven scoreless innings he agreed with Puhl. "I was nervous before the game but when I went to the mound I was relaxed and threw easy," Forsch said. "I had all my pitches, including my slider, which has not been effective most this season." All, Spinks Said In Top Shape DEER LAKE, Pa. (UPI) Three weeks before the "Battle of New Orleans," Muhammad Ali is in excellent physical condition, looking slimmer and stronger than he has since the "Thrilla in Manila" against Joe Frazier three years ago.

Leon Spinks, however, looks even better. Ali, 36, has been in and out of his training camp for nearly four months, mixing public appearances and round-the-world trips with running and chopping trees. Now is the time for Ali to get serious and it appears he's doing exactly that. He has shed the roll of fat around his middle and trimmed down from the 233 he weighed in April to a solid 226, just pounds more than he weighed when he lost the heavyweight championship to Spinks in Las Vegas last Feb. 15.

Ali is also sparring hard with young, active fighters for the first time in years and when the bell rings Sept. 15, he expects to be close to 220. Sometimes when he feels especially good, Ali talks about getting down to 216 but says that might be "too light" for him. "This is the hardest I've trained for any fight in my career," said Ali, hoping to become the first man to win the heavyweight title three times. "I've never suffered in my life like I have for this fight.

"I'm sacrificing all the things I love, the pie, ice cream, everything. My wife and family stay in a separate cabin. I'm sacrificing everything now because I can't afford to lose this time. This is my last chance. If I lose now, it will plague me all my life." All's words don't mean nearly as much as his actual physical condition and at this point he looks better than he did when he entered the ring against Earnie Shavers last year and Ken Norton in 1976.

Ali's muscle tone is good and his legs are hard from running 3-4 miles a day on the picturesque hills near his camp. There is still a little fat above his hips but not the thick band he carried against Spinks six months ago. Forsch, 7-4, lowered his ERA to 2.90. He expected to be sent back to the bullpen when Verne Ruhle recooperates from a back strain. The Cubs collected four hits off Forsch, who took himself out of the game after seveninnings.

"I told'(pitching coach) Mel Wright my slider was out of gas," Forsch said. "He asked me about the rest of my pitches and I told him they were gone too." Committing the Chicago errors were catcher Tim Blackwell, shortstop Ivan DeJesus, first baseman Bill Buckner and second baseman Manny Trillo. Dallas Cuts 10 Players DALLAS (UPlF A former No. 1 draft choice for the world champion Dallas Cowboys, Charles Young, was among 10 players cut from the team Wednesday to reduce the roster to 50 players. The Cowboys announced rookie Kenny Randle, a cornerback from USC, had been placed on the injured reserve list because of a hurt shoulder.

Among the nine players waived was place kicker Skip Butler, who had been asked by Dallas to try out for the team. Butler, who was officially listed as retired and in business in Arlington, was picked up a week and a half ago from Detroit. Before being traded to Detroit, Butler played with the Houston Oilers six seasons in the NFL after finishing his college career at the University of Texas at Arlington. Young, a fourth year fullback from North Carolina State was the Cowboys No. 1 in 1974.

He had missed all of last year's play because of a knee injury. The other eight players waived were: Brian Billick, a tight end from Brigham Young. Darrel Davis, a safety from Northwest Missouri State. Devon Ford, a cor- nerback from Appalachian State (N.C.) Greg Peters, No. 12 draft choice, guard from California at Berkley.

Harold Randolph, No. 6 draft choice, linebacker from East Carolina. Kimmie Weaver, free agent linebacker from Vanderbilt. Tom Randall, No. 7 draft choice, guard from Iowa State.

The Cowboys now have one week to get down to the final 45 member roster allowed by the NFL. Tech Football Outlook Is Bleak (This is the fourth in a series of reports from Southwest Conference training camps). LUBBOCK, Texas (UPI) Two years ago Texas Tech put together a 10-1 season, won a share of the Southwest Conference championship and seemed set for a long ride at or near the top. Now, with the 1978 season only days away, the Red Raiders are being picked as low as seventh and eighth in the SWC race. It has been a fairly tumultuous year at Texas Tech.

Steve Sloan, the youthful coach with the winning smile, relaxed manner and first-rate golf game, packed up and went to the University of Mississippi. He left behind a long-time associate, Rex Dockery, to deal with the situation. Unfortunately for Dockery, Sloan did not leave behind a lot of talent. Only eight of the 22 starters from 1977 return and although Sloan was widely applauded for his coaching expertise he did not recruit well while in West Texas. So where does that leave Texas Tech this seaaon? "As far as the low preseason pick, 1 think our players have had their pride hurt more than anything else," said Dockery, who served as an assistant coach with Sloan for six 'Sure, we lost a lot of seniors last year, but we have some players back who have played with us for four years.

We are not going to look at any one game and say that game makes our season or doesn't. We are going to look at the whole year. I think we will surprise some people." Dockery, feeling his squad needs extra work this year if it is to overcome its inexperience, designed a special test for his squad when it returned this year. Every player had to run two miles. "I think one thing about the preseason forecast is it made some of our players work a little harder this summer," he said.

"They came back in better shape in last at any time during the last three years. We tested them over a two-mile run when they came back. And we were very encouraged with the results. "For instance the lineman had to run a mile in 6:45 and then after a rest they had to run another mile in 7:15. The skilled people had to run a mile in 6:15 and after a rest do another in 6:30.

Only 11 players on the team failed to make the times we set for them." Dockery was Sloan's personal choice to succeed him at Tech, but his hiring came as at least a mild surprise since Texas assistant and former Texas Tech quarterback Tom Wilson was considered the front runner for the job. "I don't know if there is ever an exact right time to take over a head coaching job," said Dockery. "There are not that many major college jobs. When your time comes to go to bat you got to sep up there and swing. I'm excited about this job." There was some discussion that Dockery's was not a popular choice among alumni of the school, but Dockery says he has not seen any resistence.

"Our alumni, as far as I'm concerned, have been very receptive," he said. "I feel like we had a very, very good year in recruiting. And in recruiting we had great support from the players and alumni both. I don't feel we got very far behind as a result of the coaching changeover." Tech will send Tres Adami out as starting quarterback this year; Adami took over when Rodney Allison was hurt last year and had an excellent spring. But every running back with meaningful experience has graduated and so has the bulk of the offensive line.

The only returners from the offensive unit are flanker Brian Nelson and linemen Ken Walter and Larry Martin. Five starters are back on defense, but depth again will be a large problem. And adding to Tech's woes is the fact that three of its first four games are against USC, Texas arid Texas It would appear that Dockery is going to have to work some magic in his first year as head coach, but in that regard he seems to possess many of the same traits of his predecessor. And Sloan was certainly a good motivator. "I've known Steve a long time," said Dockery.

"I believe in the way he did things and I believed in his philosophy. "We basically handle the players the same way. We try to be fair and honest and always have an open door policy with them." So the Tech players should be a happy bunch this year. Now the only problem is that they must become a winning bunch. TausTKhUclyentty Coach: Rex Dockery (Firsl Returning Letleraren; 33.

Reluming Starters: 8. Key Players: Curtis Reed, DT; Brian Nelson, Key Newcomers: Rlct Kcmpf, LB; Tim Orr, RB. 197B Schedule: SepU 9-at USC; Sept. 23- Artzona; Sept. 30-Texas; OcL 7-at Texas AiM; OcL 14-al New Mexico; OcL 21-at Rice; Nov.

4-BayIor; Nov. 11-atTCU; Nov. 18-SMU; Nov. 2S-Houstnn; Dec. 2-al Arkansas.

Borg Faces Tough U.S. Open Test NEW YORK (UPI) When Bjorn Borg first decided to rule the world, no one ever told him it would be easy. Nevertheless, he worked hard and paid the price to achieve the No. 1 ranking in tennis, a peak he has maintained this year by BJORN BORG, the world's top tennis player, is the No.l seed in the upcoming U.S. Open.

Borg, who has already captured two of the grand slam events, would like nothing more than win the event he has never won. The Open begins this winning the French ana Italian Opens and then a third consecutive Wimbledon championship. Next on his agenda is the U.S. Open; beginning Tuesday night, and once more Borg will have to do it the hard way. This became evident Thursday when the championship draw was held, and the first name drawn in the men's bracket was Bob Hewitt of South Africa.

Hewitt, a transplanted Australian, is primarily a doubles player, and he shared the Wimbledon doubles title this year with Frew McMillan. But he is a crafty, well-conditioned veteran capable of' giving Borg a tougher test than he would like in the opening round. The same poor luck bedeviled Borg at Wimbledon, where he was within a couple of games of becoming a first round casualty. Victor Amaya led in the fifth set before Borg persevered to win. It was Borg's toughest match of the two-week tournament.

Asked at the time if a tough first round match wasn't beneficial to prepare him for the long grind ahead, Borg grinned and said, "You always expect to get through the first couple of rounds without much trouble. I'll take them easy anytime." A further difficulty for Borg is that'the Open is SWC Football Briefs FORT WORTH, Texas (UPI) Two 60-yard field goals by kickers Chris Leiss and Greg Porter highlighted Texas Christian University's scrimmage Wednesday, but that was about the only part of practice that Coach F.A. Dry enjoyed. "I'd have to he more pleased with the kickers than anything else," Dry said. "Practice is different from a game, but at least Aldape, Moreno Take Net Title TEXAS CITY-Unseeded Joe David Aldape and Manuel Moreno Jr.

of Galveston captured the men's open doubles crown of the annual Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce Tennis Tournament Thursday by upsetting Houston's Mickey Branisa and Don Tomasco 3-6, 7-6 (5-3), 6-2. The island duo reached the championship finale with two victories and a pair of default wins, including a 6-3, 6-4 decision over eventual singles finalists Gabriel Odudu and Glenn Osho of Nigeria in the roundoil6. Aldape and Moreno then tarnished off Texas Ctiy's Tom Brosig and James Grover of Abilene in the quarterfinals Texas City's Randy Zeller and Ronnie Zeller were to play Aldape and Moreno in the semifinals but were forced to default due to inclement weather. In the men's singles action, Aldape reached the quarters with two triumphs before bowing to Tomasco 6-3, 6-0. He earlier ousted Houston's Greg Wilson 1-6, 7-6 (5-3), 6-4 and Richard Ham of Houston Moreno garnered three wins enroute to the quarterfinals before dropping a close 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 count to Galveston's Chris Abell.

Sixth-seeded Moreno upended Jerry Anthony of Houston and later set back David Scheindam, also of Houston, 5-0 (retired). He knocked off Houston's Jeff Swartz in the round of 16 with ease 6-4, 62. The annual Texas City-La Marque meet is sponsored annually by the Chamber of Commerce under the direction of Jim Lytle. both youngsters demonstrated they have the ability to kick the ball 60 yards. "I was pleased with the contact, but we made too many mistakes due to nervousness, slipping etc.

We've got a lot of hard work to do in the next couple of weeks." WACO, Texas (UPI) Baylor Coach Grant Teaff said Wednesday his team had performed well during non-contact drills and was ready to put on pads. "We've had a good three days of learning and conditioning but the staff and players are ready to put on the pads and start our contact work, "he said. Teaff said the competition for starting quarterback was between veterans Steve Smith, Scott Smith and Greg Wood. Teaff also said he was impressed with the workouts of his freshmen, saying Calvert first-year man Tommy Tabor and Houston's Al Lipkins were working well at defensive line and split receiver respectively. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.

(UPI) Arkansas Coach Lou Holtz was concerned about his squad's inconsistency in the passing game at Wednesday's practice. "The most difficult thing to bring together is our passing offense and defending the pass in the secondary," he said. "We throw the ball well when we have time, but the line rush makes a difference. We aren't throwing the ball any better than we were last year. "We're still confused on offense," he said.

"The ball was on the ground too much. We fumbled three of six snaps." LUBBOCK, Texas (UPI) The Texas Tech Red Raiders finished workouts without pads Wednesday and will go into two-a-day drills Thursday. "I feel like it's been a good three days," said first- year coach Rex Dockery. "Our objectives were to get our offense and defense in and we have done that. It's just hard to evaluate personnel until we get pads on." Dockery said the first Red Raider scrimmage would be Saturday.

Tech opens the season against Southern Cal Sept. 9. COLLEGE STATION, Texas (UPI) The defensive line coach of the Texas Aggies said Wednesday two of the defensive line positions were set, leaving, two more open to competition. Assistant coach Paul Register said Eugene Sanders would play left tackle and Jacob Green would be at left end. "Right tackle is not set yet with Johnnie Donahue and Gary Milligan battling," Register said.

"Eddie Heath and James Zachery are contending at right end." being played for the first time at Flushing Meadow, which has a concrete surface. Borg rarely plays on concrete, and he would have preferred an easier start to accustom himself to the surface. The 22-year-old blond Swede never has won the U.S. Open, and last year had to default his quarterfinal match with Dick Stockton because of a shoulder injury. Several of the other men seeds also may find rough passage to the second round.

No. 2 Jimmy Connors will go against promising young American Tom Gullikson and third seed Guillermo Vilas, the defending champion, has to start against another tough South African, Drysdale. Other seeds who will have to be sharp to survive the. opening round include No. 6 Brian Gottfried, who plays Australian Phil Dent, No.

8 Raul Ramirez of Mexico, paired against Australian John Alexander, No. 9 Manuel Orantes of Spain, playing Italian Adriano Panatta, and No. 16 Arthur Ashe, who plays Ross Case of Australia. By contrast, the top three women seeds all drew byes into the second Martina Navratilova, on the strength of her Wimbledon championship, is the top seed, defending champion Chris Evert is No. 2 and Britain's Virginia Wade is No.

3. However, little Tracy Austin, the 15-year-old fifth seed, will have to be at her best to conquer her first opponent, French veteran Francoise Durr. The other seeded 15-year-old girl, No. 16 Pam Shriver, opens against Candy Reynolds. Texas Raps Minnesota BLOOMINGTON, Minn.

(UPI) Jim Sundberg hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and Ferguson Jenkins allowed only four hits to give the Texas Rangers a 4-1 victory Thursday over the Minnesota Twins. Jenkins, 12-8, struck out seven and didn't walk a batter in going the distance. Al Oliver opened the 10th with a single off loser Dave Goltz, 10-8, who had allowed only two hits to that point. Bobby Bonds beat out a bunt and Richie Zisk sacrificed to set the stage for Sundberg's drive into the bullpen in right center field. Leadoff hitter Hosken Powell hit his third home run to put the Twins ahead 1-0 in the first inning.

Four Tie In Fern Golf Meet Four players tied in the Galveston Municipal Women's Golf Association game day play at the Pirates Golf Course Thursday. Play was for and holes. The four who tied for first were Mrs. Paul Nash, Mrs. L.

0. Zapp, Mrs. Thomas Leatherberry and Mrs. Charles Edwards..