News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 11

"NEWS-PRESS, SUNDAY, JULY 24, 1988 33 WHERE ARE THEY COW? LAST YEAR'S GULF COAST RANGERS IIYAKKA Charlotte IPEACE GLADES At Chalons A) At Gastonia (A) 17 "88 '87 '88 iakvvtr! RIVER CM lAtt OKEECffibEE TEIJoboan Gordo 3rV3" I A CHARLOTTE No longer with Rzrrzrs 87 1B Angel Caceras .190 OF Julio DeLeon .245 2B Richard Isaac .286 1B Mike Rogers .214 '87 1B Darren Niethammer OF Tony Scruggs 3B Pat Garman .247 .345 .000 .295 .281 .232 OF Kevin Belcher IF Luke Sable Saul Barretto OF Omar Brewer CBillLosa .209 .303 .255 .278 .162 .254 .251 .218 .214 .138 ClewMon I 87 88 La Ball HENDRY ffM toantf '88 87 Jon Hurst 4-3, 1.88 1 0-0, 1.59 PAdamLamle Dave Lynch Barry Manuel Mark Petkovsek Brian Bohanon 3-3, 5.14 0-2, 5.96 0- 1,9.00 1- 1, 9.67 3-3, 3.21 2- 2, 9.00 0-1, 10.8 Marv Rockman 0-1, 1.93 2-5, 2.81 Wilson Alvarez Brian Steiner Spencer Wilkinson Todd Kopczynskl NA iy6CMlr-rr' Sanibol FortS) I Myers Boiitajprlng Jose Jaime Carlos Javier Jose Lopez Kevin Mmahat Jan Moss Amado Rosario At Gulf Coast (Rl NEWS-PRESS FISHING GUIDE At Butts Rl '87 '88 SSCris Colon Mike Hamilton .130 1 NA '87 '88 Robb Nen 0-0, 7.71 NA Francisco Saavedra 1-2, 2.75 NA np'sR 1 COLLIER Tf NPorl o( Iho Islands '87 '88 SS Jose Hernandez .173 .234 2B Glen Bruckner .251 NA OF Jorge Rodriguez .284 NA '87 '88 Wayne Ebarb 0-1, 14.4 1 0-0, 2.81 GULF OF" A MEXICO SOURCE 1988 Texas Rangers media guide, current minor league statistics. Marco) Island Everglades City ChoKoloskee TEW THOUSAND ISLANDS GCL Rangers: Their goals are one BEST BETS T.C. PORTER he Skipper difficult as it might be for a playCr just out of high school. "I've been away from home for three years," he said. "So it's not much of an adjustment." 1 Officially, Chlno Cadahia is the he Traveler manager of the Gulf Coast Rangers.

Unofficially, he's a whole lot more everything from father confessor to babysitter, back patter to rear end kicker. No.1 Naples offshore: Len Wassmer of the party boat Dalis, which sails out of Naples' Tin City, has been getting good results from trips about 13 miles off shore. Using cut Spanish sardines, the Dalis reports good catches of red grouper and gag grouper. The fish range from 4-6 pounds. No.

2 Caloosahatchee River: Walt Harbecke of Tackle Haven in Cape Coral reports that shark have been caught near the mouth of the River and near the Cape Coral Bridge. The shark have ranged from two to four feet in length, and have been caught with cut mullet. Tarpon have also been caught FORECASTER in good numbers of late, using cut mullet as well. No. 3 Cape Coral waters Bass have been biting in Lake Kennedy and behind the power plant, reports Harbecke.

In addition, a few small snapper have been reported. Good-sized drum have been found in the canals close to the River and in the Yacht Club area between the Cape Coral Bridge and the mouth of the River. News-Press Outdoors Writer Byron Stout is on assignment. T.C. Porter is a News-Press staff writer.

He's in his third year with the Rangers his first in Port Charlotte, after managerial stints at Class A Daytona Beach and Gastonia, N.C. and knows what to expect. Cadahia, 30, was born in Havana, Cuba and came to Miami at age 9. He has been In baseball since 1977, when he signed as a catcher in the Minnesota organization. "You have to make sure that ev It's tough enough to be 18 and away from home for the first time.

It's even worse to be in a foreign country. That's the situation for shortstop Luis Benitez, who has come to the Rangers from Caguas, Puerto Rico. But it's not the nightmare it could be. Benitez has spent many of his teen-age summers playing baseball in the United States in amateur tournaments. Overall, he's played in seven amateur baseball World Series in this country, and was the MVP in the Colt World Series.

He speaks English fluently, learning it at school in Puerto Rico. And, according to Cadahia one of seven Latin managers in the league that makes all the difference in the world for an Hispanic player. "The biggest problem would be language," the manager explained. "But he doesn't have that. And after that, the biggest adjustment is leaving home and playing every day." The Datasport Fish Game Forecaster Is a computerized tabulation of long range predictable influences which trigger fish and game activity Including tide force factors, moonsun dynamics, statistical analyses and light availability.

Times are for this area. Excellent rating Indicates peak activity, but additional good activity Is usually found for an hour on either side. The upper number scale is daylight saving time and the lower scale Is standard time. eryone gets playing time. And you have to have patience and expect mistakes, because they (the players) will make them," Cadahia said.

"You have to make sure that all of the pitchers pitch. It's a little bit less sophisticated than managing on a higher level." Cadahia's team: 34 men between DEDE SMITHNews-Press "I think he's (Cadahia, right) a great guy to start your first year as a pro under. He works well with us every day." Doug Cronk (left) GCL Rangers first baseman the ages of 17 and 22, many of whom are away from home for the first time. i AM 9 3 PM 6 9 12 SUNDAY C1987D.l.Sport.lnc. JULY 24 SUNDAY CALENDAR Las Vegas that was worth $32,000, but wouldn't disclose ho much of a signing bonus he received.

Two months ago, he was at Rio Linda High School, splitting time between the mound, the outfield and first base. He batted .475, and had a 5-3 pitching record with an ERA of 0.76. He has made the adjustment to pro ball well. In 1 6 innings, he has a 1 .1 3 ERA, 1 7 strikeouts and has won two of his three decisions. The training methods of the Rangers, though, are considerably different than he was accustomed to back home.

"We didn't run in high school," he said. "I've never run like this before." Oliver's day, like the rest of the Gulf Coast Rangers, begins at about 8 a.m. when he reports to the baseball complex at Charlotte County Stadium. First order of business is the 20 minutes of light weight training. Then it's time to run.

The pitchers will run anywhere from one to two miles, running back and forth from foul pole to foul pole. Benitez agrees he might have some problems if he couldn't speak English. "It would be more difficult. But I could still deal with it," he said. Cadahia said that, because English is taught in the Puerto Rican schools, it's much easier for players from that country to get along in the first few years as a professional player than it is for players from the Dominican Republic.

There, little English is taught or spoken. He was signed as a free agent in December after hitting .510 in his last year of competition in Puerto Rico. "He's a steady ballplayer," Johnson said. "He can play second base and shortstop. He knows how to play, the game.

He knows how to do the job, and he's always in the middle of things. Suddenly you look up and he's hitting .300 (.31 1, to be exact)." The Rangers like Benitez, and Scott said if the infielder continues improving, he's a definite candidate for this fall's Florida Instructional League. "He's progressed a lot," Cadahia said. "He's a much better player than when we got him in March. That's what you look for in a ballplayer improvement.

He's much more selective at the plate and he hits less fly balls. He's also improved on defense. At first, he was careless. Now he's one of the best shortstops in the league." "There's an awful lot of babysitting in this league," Cadahia said. "That goes with the territory.

We can only do so much of it, though. Back when I played, it was my first time away from home, too, and nobody babysat me." He said the biggest thing is making sure the players learn to take care of themselves. Their eating habits are a particular concern. "It's easy for them to go to McDonald's," said Cadahia. "We try to push them to buy groceries.

But you can only go so far." His normal game day begins at about 7:30 in the morning when he arrives at the Rangers' clubhouse. Before home games, he works with his players on fundamentals. When the team is on the road, about all he has time for is to supervise batting practice. By about 4 p.m., the first half of his day is finished. When the Class A Charlotte Rangers are home, Cadahia returns for that game.

Cadahia said he enjoys what he's doing now because he gets to work closely with young players and watch them develop. But, like his players, his goal is the major leagues. "That's why you get into this game," he said. "I would like get to the big leagues and coach. And if something happens, I'd like to manage.

Maybe by the year 2048." Cadahia's wry sense of humor is a trademark. He said one rival Rookie League manager told him, "I can't look at you during the game because you're always doing something crazy. And I start laughing and can't concentrate on the game." The players appreciate his light-handed approach, too. "Before I signed, people said they didn't treat you well in the low minors," Cronk said. "But just because you're in rookie ball, it doesn't mean you have to be treated badly.

I think he's (Cadahia) a great guy to start your first year as a pro under. He works well with us every day." he Long Shot 1 he Oldest Rookie 1 he Natural 1 Information, call 52-5616, 772-0583 or 772-8009. Aug. 1-5 Optimist Club of Naples Soccer Day Camp at Pine Ridge Middle School in Naples. For information, call Charles Dailey at (919) 294-8223 after 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday or at (919) 378-9686 Monday through Friday. Aug. 6 The Inaugural Cystic Fibrosis Executive Golf Tour will kick off with a best ball foursome competition at Doral Country Club in Miami. Other tourneys on the circuit will be held Sept. 10 at Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, Oct.

1 at Bear Lakes Country Club in North Palm Beach, and Nov. 5 at Broken Sound In Boca Raton. The tax deductible entry fee Is $500 for the tour. For further information, call 1-800-444-0621. Aug.

15-19 A Soccer Camp, hosted by the North Fort Myers Soccer Club, will be held for boys and girls ages 5 and up. Conducted by the North American Soccer Camps, a professional coaching organization, the camp cost is $69 per player. The camp will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Bayshore Elementary School. For information or to register, call 656-1038 or 772-2311.

Aug. 15-19 Soccer registration for the North Fort Myers Soccer Club will be held at Bay-shore Elementary from p.m. and on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aug. 20 A coaches clinic, for soccer coaches will be held at Bayshore Elementary for new and experienced coaches. Six hours of instruction costs $10. Sept. 3 The Second Annual "Florida Loves You" Triathlon will be held at the De-Soto National Monument in Bra-denton.

The race will consist of a quarter-mile swim, a 10-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. Entry fee is $20 for pre-registered racers and $25 on race day. For information, call race director Neil McCurry at 792-1445. Send us your announcements We'd like to add your event to our outdoors calendar. Either print or type your notices and mail them to Outdoors Calendar, News-Press Sports Department, 2442 Anderson Fort Myers, FL 33901-3987.

Through Friday Applications accepted for hunts on the Camp Blanding and Andrews wildlife management area for hunters 8-15 years of age. Permits will be issued by random selection from applications received during this time period. Applications are available from all five regional offices of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. For information, call (904) 488-4676. Today The Second Annual Aquatic Festival, sponsored by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department, will be held at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Pool from 1-4 p.m.

There will be games, contests, prizes, and more. Daily fees apply. For information, call 542-2185. Monday-Thursday The Second Annual Sundial Junior Tennis Championships will be held at the Sundial Beach and Tennis Resort. A field of 150 juniors, ages 12-18, are expected to compete.

There will be boys and girls singles and doubles divisions. Registration deadline is Friday, July 22 at 5 p.m. Singles entry fee is $18 and doubles registration fee is $9. For information, call 472-4151, ext. 3812.

Wednesday A Summer Series Fun Run, sponsored by the Fort Myers Track Club and On The Run will be held at Lakes Park at 7 p.m. Entry fee is $1 for members and $2 for non-members. Participation in three runs during the series earns a T-shirt. For information, call 275-4786. Friday through July 31 The First "Summer Sizzler" Tennis Classic, sponsored by the Fort Myers Recreation Center, will be held.

There will be men's and women's Open, and 50-plus divisions. There will be $20 fee for the Open class. T-shirts will be given to all participants and trophies will be awarded to the top two spots in each division. Deadline for registration is July 27 at 6 p.m. For information, call 939-2200.

Saturday The Cape Coral Bass Club's monthly tournament will be held at night at Lake Kennedy. The club will also hold a tourney Aug. 7 at Lake June and an opennight tourney Aug. 27 of Old Bur-ntstore Road. For more Although Bob Oliver may claim he saw professional potential in his son when Darren was only 1 2 or 13, the same can't be said for first baseman Doug Cronk.

Cronk, one of the oldest players on the team at age 21, turned few heads this spring even when he batted .338 with 18 homers and 61 RBIs at the University of Southern Mississippi. Before he was selected by the Rangers in the 21st round, more than 500 other free agents had been picked. But then again, it was just nine years ago when the New York Yankees waited until the 1 9th round topickDonMattingly. "The scout who signed him (Rudy Terrasas, of Pasadena, Texas) said he had pop in his bat and handled himself well around first base," said Texas' Director of Player Development, Marty Scott. According to Cronk, the Rangers had watched him for some time.

"He (Terrasas) told me Texas had been following me since high school," said Cronk, who played high school ball in Louisville. "And he told me that I had gotten better each year and he wanted to give me a chance." So far, the Rangers' decision has been a wise one. Cronk, though currently hitting .255, was at .281 just a week ago and leads the team in RBIs with 20. He's hit two home runs. "He has been a real pleasant surprise," assistant GM Johnson said.

"He's got a chance to hit with some power. Not bad for a 21st round pick. And he should get bigger and stronger." That's scary. Cronk, 21, already is 6-foot-4 and weighs about 21 5 pounds. Cronk's not surprised it took 21 rounds for a team to pick him, "Not until the second half of my senior season did I start to be a dominating hitter." he said.

So far, he said he hasn't been overwhelmed by the rookie league. "There's not much difference in rookie ball," the left-handed hitter said. "In college, I saw about the same pitching." He loves the move from college to the pros. "It's a lot of fun. Especially playing everyday," he said.

"You're playing so much you don't worry about having a bad game. If you go 0-for-4, you don't have time to worry about it because you have to play the next day." Since he's been away from home attending college, the change of lifestyles hasn't been as At age 36, pitching coach Dave Freisleben has something in common with most of his players. He, too, is a rookie. Freisleben pitched in the majors from 1974-1979 with the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. After that, he was a policeman in his hometown of Pasadena, Texas.

But after six years of making sure people toed the line, he had to get back between the lines. "One day my wife, Melinda, just said, 'Why don't you get back into coaching? It's what you like to said Freisleben, who had quit pitching because of a sore arm. "And I knew that's what I needed to do. So I quit my job and the first team I talked to was Texas." His mission is crystal clear. "I'm just trying to pass on down the things I've learned in professional baseball.

"First of all throw strikes," he said. "Second; get ahead of the hitter. And the third thing is to change speeds." Those are, in a nutshell, what he extracted from the pitching coaches he played for know-ledgable baseball veterans such as Bill Posedel, Tom Morgan, Roger Craig, Chuck Estrada, Dave Duncan and Bob Miller. "They were all about the same. They just tried to build confidence," he said.

"Once you have confidence, it builds it in your teammates." He stresses the importance of building confidence and trying to stay positive. "I won't say which pitching coach it was, but I would be pitching and the coach would come out and say, 'You can't walk this and I'd walk him on four straight pitches," he said. "I try to dwell on positives. You have to deal with the negatives when they come up, but it's just important to reinforce the positive things." One of Freisleben's biggest challenges is to harness those powerful young arms that have a tendency to get out of control. Apparently, he's getting the point across.

The Rangers' staff has the league's best control. Freisleben said he is comfortable with House's program of having pitchers throw footballs. "I think that some guys it helps, and others I don't know, because I'm not a doctor," he said. "But throwing a football is good. It builds your arm and you can't throw a baseball wrong if you're throwing a football right." Darren Oliver was the third-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers in June behind only Monty Farris and Tim Morrow, making him the highest drafted But he had one advantage growing up that neither Farris nor Morrow nor any of his current teammates enjoyed.

His father was a big leaguer and he learned baseball first-hand from major leaguers. His father is Bob Oliver, who from 1965-1975 played 847 major league games with Pittsburgh, Kansas City, California, Baltimore and the New York Yankees. "It was fun playing around with the guys and stuff," he said. "What I remember most is being on the field and shagging fly balls. I remember Leroy Stanton (an Angel outfielder).

He and my father were good friends and he had kids the same age as me." Darren is only 17 but seems quite mature. "He grew up in baseball," his father said from the family's home in Rio Linda, Cal. "He's been around a lot of baseball players and he knows what to do. A lot of things don't excite him." Bob Oliver was a right-handed hitting and throwing first baseman and his son had aspirations of following in his footsteps. But because he is a left-hander, things changed.

"I wanted to be a hitter," Darren said. "But I just made the decision to pitch this last year because, being left-handed, I would get to the majors faster." With a fastball that tops out at 90 mph, he was offered a scholarship by the University of Nevada- 7 i.