The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 136

Sports 1 6 The Orlando Sentinel, Sunday, January 20, 1 985 Christmas still has hopes for a major-league career By Paula J. Finocchio OF THE SENTINEL STAFF I flf tfX 1 felt pretty good. It seemed like at that one moment, all the hard work was worth it, all the time in the minor leagues. Steve Christmas f'ff if, A e4r i Steve Christmas is a minor-league baseball player with major-league aspirations. His (logged determination to make it to the big time has endured years of ifs, buts and maybes.

A 1975 graduate of Orlando Colonial High School, Christmas, 28, or better known to his friends simply as spent seven years in the Cincinnati Reds' farm system as a catcher before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1983. "I kind of wanted to get out of the whole Reds organization," Christmas said. 'Tear after year, no matter what I did they just kept sending me back to the minors." "I thought it was going to be a good change for me going to the White Sox. It seemed like I would have a good opportunity with them." On Sept. 19 of last year, the perfect opportunity presented itself for Christmas.

Called up from Chicago's Triple AAA club earlier that summer, he collected his first major-league home run, a three-run shot, to power the Sox to a 7-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins. It was a Christmas present to himself. "I felt pretty good. It seemed like at that one moment, all the hard work was worth it all the time in the minor leagues." Christmas, 6-0, 195, began his professional career in 1977, signing with Cincinnati as a free agent. But a starting role with the Reds seemed a remote possibility.

The road to the big time was blocked by an even bigger obstacle seasoned veteran catcher Johnny Bench. "I had alot of good years," he said. "I must have been doing something right. But when I was with the Reds, Bench was playing and I had to play behind Dave Van Gorder. Something like that will hold you back." Van Gorder was a second-round pick by the Reds in the 1978 free agent draft.

Christmas made his major-league debut on Sept. 1, 1983 against the Chicago Cubs. He was traded to the White Sox for infielder Fran Mullins two months later. Being shuffled from one city to another has been tough on Christmas and his family, but he says his wife is behind him all the way. "She doesn't have any doubts that I can play in the big leagues," he said.

"You see, a lot of guys who play for eight or nine years in the minor leagues just hang it up. I look at it this way. I am lucky just to get the opportunity to Play. "You never know when your shot is going to come. You have just got to keep playing.

"I have been in this game for so long, they are going to have to tell me to quit." Christmas will report to the White Sox spring training site at Sarasota in hopes of finding a spot on the roster. VICTOR JUNCOSENTINEL Christmas gives some tips to Ryan Perkins, 8. Scholarship drive planned for juniors By Don Lightner OF THE SENTINEL STAFF The Orlando Junior Bowling Association will stage a fund-raiser Jan. 27-Feb. 2 to finance a scholarship fund.

Betty Natale, who heads the local junior program, said that the goal is to help "at least two or three bowlers" with their college educations. BOWLING hewaaasBssaaaBassaaaeWassa Winter Park Lanes played host to 124 Miller Doubles teams in regional competition. Twelve teams qualified for the state trials in Piper Bowl in Miami. The state winner will represent Florida in the national trials in Reno, Nev. and shoot for a top prize of $50,000.

Bob Marino, president of the proprietors' group, said 740 teams played in the qualifier. "It was a good turnout," Marino said. "This is the biggest tournament of the year for us. There is no other tournament that we sponsor that pays $50,000." Evelyn Shimek and Barry Johnson (Indian Hills) won the Winter Park shootout with 1,471. Dianne and John Anderson (Melody) were second with 1,385, and Faye and Jack Ogburn (Winter Park) were third at 1,362.

The Sunshine Bowlers Tour will return to Central Florida for a four-month summer stay. There have been some changes from last year. Entry fee has been cut from $500 to $350, and the 16-event schedule will be rotated among Indian Hills, Orlando Sky Bowl, Longwood and Orlando Semoran. The 16-tournament schedule begins May 11-12 at Indian Hills and concludes at Semoran Lanes Aug. 31-Sept.

1. Lee Snow of Farmington Hills, was the money leader last season with $31,600. The top five is rounded out by Roger Tramp, South Jordan, Utah, DJ. Hochstein, Farmington Hills, Dave Hamilton, Farmington and Bill Lane, Stoneybrook, N.Y., $7,600. Dot Smith and Anita Jones captured scratch bowler of the week honors.

Smith strung 193, 210 and 193 for 596 in the Wally's Follies League, and Jones fired 629 on 185, 202, 242 in the Bowler's Pro Shop. In handicap, Marilyn Shideler and Mary Elliott prevailed. Shideler had 190-203-168-111-672, and Elliott logged 156-216-181-171-724. Both came in the Early Birds. Bowling beat notes: There's no time to waste in entering the 37th annual Florida Women's Bowling Tournament scheduled at Orlando Colonial (doubles and singles) and Orlando Aloma Lanes (team).

The entry deadline is Feb. 1. Women should remember that there will be no Orlando tournament this season because of the state tournament. Entry fee is $8 per event and entry forms are at all local centers. Play begins May 4..

Carole Lee rolled her first 600 game (610) in the Ladies Sky Larks. Carole strung 207, 221 and 182 Layne Blasters won the Wally's Follies first-half championship. Bruce Bagdigian, fresh from a 300 game in the league, got the second-half off to a torrid pace with 725, anchored by a 277 finale. The honor roll: MEN Oulfatream Homes: Frenchy Provost 680. Roger Graham 640.

John Muzike 640, Mike Aigotti 639, Jim Clark 638, Scott Yeaglay 638, Tim Walker 663. Al Mertz 649, Eddie Grant 642, Jim Clark 629, Jim Miller 626; Hammock Brothers: Jeff Rayborn 735, Brian Comarti 700, Emory Nagy 647, Rick Mercer 632, Ron Hare 611; 925 Scratch: Art Riney 713, Charlie McDowell 659, Jim Murray 648, Frenchie Prevost 635, Bob Larsen 617 92S Scratch: Joe Behnke 649, Bob Laraan 620, Gene Franka 612, Dick Walker 60S, Ken Lee 604; Gold Duelers: Kevin Pteitter 487, Rick Cardenas 549, Todd Stulta 573, Troy La-whom 580, Matt Davis 482, Mike Davis 497. WOMEN Sky Larks: Jan Roberts 586, Joyce Knox 575, Jackie Conner) 560. Kay Steed 559, Mary Andrews 533, Carole Lee 610, Jackie Connett 526, Mary Andrews 515. Chns Kelly 514, Louise OeCarlo 514, Gene Meek 503; Rocket Donna Trent 547, Sue Lome 508, Carol Hansel 506, Louise Fahlbusch 502, Dede Neusaenger 501; Early Birds: Denis Collier 607, Olli Buchanan 534, Sylvia Swietek 530, Mary Loper 553, Jo Bradford 530, Pat Wood 531, Denies Collier 575, Jackie Rozek 515, Sylvia Ballard 504, Naomi Lipton 504, Hella Gratto 504; Rocket Susan Jalley 549, Maggie McNatt 545.

Shirley Meola 544, Marie Devlin 554, Diane Devlin 541. MIXED Wlmta: Lillle RiccHelli 563, Darlene Hailey 538. Becky Trautman 517, O. Tranbarger 621, Larry Conner 557, Larry Deibel 547, Cynthia Pechin 586, Jan Crump 543, Claire Simpson 530, J.D. Tranbarger 625, Jerry Lemcke 552, Mike Finnegan 550; ORMC: Ben Wilson 602, John Barnard 586, Lee Barton 574, Julie Richards 511, Betty Cobia 492 Mary Richardson 481; Bowler's Pro Shop: Jerry McDonald 756, Tom Saile 701, Gary Slonaker 700, Joey Smith 692, Andy Herbert 690; South Orlando: Brands Richards 535 Nancy Schemmel 508.

Callie New 539, Jack Kerahner 603. Keith Keiater 575 Ben Algee 573, George Perkins 566, Smiley Waslon 551; HaM and Halt Ed Johnson 624, Brad Sill 620, Shirley Daigle 518; Ma end Pa: Scott CHsen 588, Joe Reslnski 588, John Steed 582, Glenn Snyder 569, Wanda PHI 592, Linda Alsup 519, Klko Stewart 515; ORMC: Ed Moore 596, Elliott Mausner 594, Chria Lavigne 571, Joanie Pace 539, Cheri Barton 536, Cathy Mianl 518; Wally's Follies: Wayne Kester 694, Elmer Way 635, Herb Brooks 634 Shirley Meola 589, Rose Stem 539, Vicki Dice 523, Bruce Bagdigian 725, Bobby Bakewell 657, Herb Brooks 645. Barbara Laws 619, Nancy Hemken 569, Wllma Fortier 551; Bowktr-e Pro Shop: Don Langanke 717, Jerry McDonald 693, Andy Herbert 687, Mike Miller 684, Bob Bredlord 681; South Orlando: Oonnie Parker 551, Jim Miglioreto 548, Dave Griffin 530, Barbara Myers 555. Lota Sink 553, Laurie Prioa 501; Ptn Buaktre: Patricia Albrecht 515, Steve Deyer 438, Nancy High 466; Hartford msurance: Chartyne Riea 508, Walter Vetro 51 3, Theresa DiPalo 484, Mike Gates 620. JUNIORS Pin Buster Scott Neel 443, Joey Cable 467, Patrick Brown 459; Colonial Stars: Hot-lie Cochran 373, Kevin Bryan 330, Eddie Shrum 405.

Jenny Hopfauf 315. David Van Buren 311, David Robertson 320. Future Pros: Fonda Freitag 418, Jetl Ballard 477. Troy Clerenger 405, Justine McCormick 443, Billy Guthrie 500, Lance Dearborn 506 Rascals: John Thunberg 371, Gary Sorrell 318, Larry Sorrell 350, Heather Oenneen 340, Mike DeMola 404; Rascals: Camilla Takacs 318, Shawn Schwingler 353, Matt Capatraw 328; Mighty Mltea: Jackie Sattsrfield 224, Kami Barton 137, Kriatina Thomeen 180; Maters: Noetla Phillips 406. Jay Scott 416.

Matt Woodworth 414, Jesse Hostler 439, Mike Take 451; Stars: David Robertson 336, David Taylor 308, Aaron Schmidt 301, Hollie Cochran 325. Eddie Shrum 344; Future Pros: Jon Ballard 524, Justine McCormick 464. Jeff Ballard 444, Lance Dearborn 437, Billy Guthrie 424, Troy Clerenger 420, Kim Stewart 408; Pro Eric Dearborn 528. Only high school seniors are eligible, and coaches are asked to send in their nominees. Their school, age and addresses should be included.

A committee will then screen the applicants. Representatives will be at local establishments for bowlers to make their donations. Natale also will accept donations through the mail. The address is P.O. Box 7565, Orlando, 32854.

The Edgewood Ranch doubles tournament put on by junior bowlers earned the facility $198.40. Jay Scott and Matt Woodworth (Aloma) teamed for a 1,519 to easily defeat second-place finishers Steve Dillinger and Jeff Ballard (Colonial) 1,425. Following were Craig Lennox-Matt Sillette (Sky Bowl) Tony Burnham-Greg Register (Melody) Steven Moser-Michael Wright (Kissimmee) Leland Funk-Jennifer Hoevenaar (Melody) 1,373, and Billy Dunn-Judith Chezum (Parkwood) 1,370. The Central Florida Bowling Proprietors Association handicap singles tournament qualifier ends today. It's a unique tournament where you have the opportunity to toss out the worst of your four games.

The finals are scheduled at Orlando Sky Bowl the last weekend of January. Bowlers should call their favorite center for shift times..