The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page 54

THE DESERT SUN C6 SATURDAY, JANUARY IS, 2005 BASEBALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL BASEBALL ROUNDUP The Golf Center at Palm Desert great place for the entire family to gather and play one of America's most popular games. This affordable public facility can accommodate people of all ages, children through older adults, and the well-manicured course offers a challenge to all skill levels. The facility hosts a nine hole, par 3 golf course, driving range, snack bar and pro-shop. Private and group lessons and golf clinics are available. The facility is also available for tournament rentals.

Gagne, Berkman Sheets file for salary arbitration pre n.w jt. r-- mi lanyhMsitiBinM. Will UiiHilt? FAMILY FUN Take advantage of our "Sunday Family Special" special rate for family members to spend quality time together. Adults $10 for 9 $15 for 18 Senior $9 for 9 $13 for 18 Junior $8 for 9 $10 for 18 GROUP LESSONS Saturdays, starting January 22, 4 -1 hour lessons $100 Taught by Class LPGA Professional "Junior Golf Learning: Development Program" starts January 22, fiTTmim. every Saturday through March 1 2, Gagne, the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner, was awarded $5 million by an arbitrator last year rather than his $8 million request from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Owners won four of seven cases that went to hearings and lead players 263-197 since arbitration began in 1974. Berkman, who is eligible for free agency after next season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in November while playing flag football and is expected to miss the start of the season. Sheets, eligible for free agency after the 2006 season, was 12-14 with a 2.70 ERA and 264 strikeouts for Milwaukee last year. Among free agents, outfielder Raul Mondesi agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. He played for Pittsburgh and Anaheim last year, but his season was cut short by a lawsuit that occupied his time and a leg injury.

Right-hander Chad Fox agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs and would get a $575,000, one-year deal if he is added to the major league roster. hander Ron Villone also became free agents and accepted arbitration. The other players in arbitration all have less than six years of major league service. Many baseball owners dislike arbitration because it forces them to pay their players as much as comparable players on other teams. Eighty-nine players are in arbitration, but many are expected to agree to contracts before the scheduled swap of proposed salaries.

Three players settled before the union submitted the filings Friday, with Chicago White Sox center fielder Aaron Rowand agreeing to a deal that guarantees him $8.5 million over the next three seasons. Oakland designated hitter Eru-biel Durazo accepted a $4.7 million, one-year contract, and Washington first baseman Nick Johnson agreed to a $1.45 million, one-year deal. After filing, San Diego righthander Scott Linebrink agreed to a two-year contract that guarantees him $2,275,000. By Ronald Blum THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Eric Gagne, Lance Berkman and Ben Sheets were among the players who filed for salary arbitration Friday, joining Roger Clemens in the process baseball management hates most. Clemens, who became a free agent after the season, accepted Houston's offer of arbitration last month and will be among those who exchange proposed salaries with their teams on Tuesday.

Clemens, who still has not decided whether to retire, is coming off his record seventh Cy Young Award and could propose a record amount in arbitration, topping the $18.5 million filed by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter before the 2001 season. Following the departures of Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent, Houston might feel pressure to retain Clemens, who became a drawing card last year, his first season with his hometown Astros. Philadelphia second baseman Placido Polanco and Seattle left The Golf Center at Palm Desert 74-945 Sheryl Avenue, Palm Desert (corner of Cook and Sheryl) (760) 779-1877 Open seven days per week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. COACHELLA VALLEY HFCREATION AND PARK DISTRICT COLLEGE FOOTBALL v.

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