The Orlando Sentinel du lieu suivant : Orlando, Florida • Page 143

C-5 The Orlando Sentinel, Wednesday, August 19, 1987 7 -j A Tampa Bay advances in Senior Series, 9-8 O-Twins break .500, win 7th game in a row By Frank Carroll OF THE SENTINEL STAFF Repnnted from Tuesday's late editions. By Gary Silvers OF THE SENTINEL STAFF If Steve Lid-die eats, drinks and sleeps with his bat from now on, it would be understandable. Liddle, who MINORS Tampa Bay, after ripping Canada for 17 hits in a 15-4 romp Monday, quickly heated up against the Virgin Islands. A two-out walk, Mike Curry's single and an error gave Tampa a 1-0 first-inning lead. Tampa chased starter George Garcia in the second with a four-run outburst.

"I think we relaxed a little too soon," Tampa Bay Manager Rico Urso said. "We made some mistakes that gave St. Croix too many runs." Reliever Midre Cummings, who came on in the second, silenced Tampa Bay but helped run St. Croix out of a fifth-inning rally. After being hit by a pitch, Cummings scored on Edward Williams' second double.

But, on an appeal, third-base umpire Glen Fiebig ruled Cummings had missed third, nullifying the run. More bad running took St. Croix out of a four-run sixth-inning ral- Tampa Bay's seventh-inning insurance run, an RBI single by pinch hitter Ryan Weather that scored Kevin King, was the differ- a double and his ninth home run in his biggest night as an O-Twin. A .257 hitter, he gave all the credit to his bat. "I've been using other people's bats for the past month," Liddle said.

"You like to have something you feel comfortable with. Finally, I have mine back." Liddle's bat a 35-inch, 33-ounce model was in the O-Twins' locker room all along. But nobody could find it. It finally turned up in teammate Doug Palmer's equipment bag. "It was just sitting there," O-Twins Manager George Mitter-wald said.

"Apparently, somebody misplaced it." Liddle's leadoff double in the seventh inning opened the door for five unearned runs, helping the O-Twins turn a pitcher's duel into a rout. After Julius McDougal walked, Jeff Reboulet bunted down the third-base line. Astros ace Rob Mallicoat (10-7) tried to cut down Liddle at third base, but threw away the ball, allowing two runs to score. Brad Bierley hit a two-run homer his 19th later in the inning. O-Twins starter Jeff Perry (4-3) pitched eight strong innings, allowing three runs and six hits.

i KISSIMMEE Left-hander Salvy Urso, pitching with a sore shoulder, gritted his teeth to pitch Tampa Bay past St. Croix, Virgin Islands, 9-8, Tuesday before 1,500 fans at the Senior Little League World Series at Osceola County Stadium. After building a 6-2 lead, Tampa Bay had to hang on to hold off the Latin American champions, which scored six runs in the final two innings. "My shoulder started getting sore in the Southern Regionals but, at this level, I've got to be ready to pitch," Urso said. "If they need me, I'll be ready for the championship game." Tampa Bay's second consecutive victory puts the USA South entry against the winner of Hawaii-Ohio (which was played late Tuesday) tonight at 8 at Osceola County Stadium.

In the losers' bracket, Canada eliminated Rhode Island, 8-6, and Taiwan ousted Belgium, 6-2. In other games today, Canada plays the Hawaii-Ohio loser at 2:30 p.m., and Taiwan faces the Virgin Islands at 5 p.m. .1 found his bat Sunday after a one-month search, went 4-for-4 Monday night, lifting the Orlando Twins to a 7-3 victory over the Columbus Astros before 386 fans at Tinker Field. It was the seventh consecutive triumph for the O-Twins (29-28), who broke .500 for the first time since June 19. Five of those victories have come against the Astros, who will tried to avoid a four-game series sweep Tuesday night.

"We're trying to stay in a pennant race," said Liddle, who helped keep the O-Twins 4V4 games back in the Southern League's East Division. "Everybody has been chipping in. Tonight was my night." Liddle contributed two singles, 1. 11,1 "v- fA IS ence. KIHK McCGYSENTINEL Linescores page C-6 Tampa Bay's Mike Petti is safe as Kareen Dennis reaches for the ball.

Boz may be listed as back in order to retain No. 44 consecutive nights at Anaheim Stadium. When the Angels played Oakland last Friday night, the field, according to the baseball team, was nearly unplayable. Thus, the Angels may invoke a rarely used clause in their stadium lease that gives them exclusive rights to the facility 36 hours before the start of any home game, the Orange County Register reported in its Tuesday editions. Under terms of that lease, the Rams cannot play their game against the Minnesota Vikings as scheduled by the NFL for Sunday, Sept.

20, without the permission of the Angels, who open a homestand against the Chicago White Sox the following night. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS ON THE LAM. The team announced that It has waived veteran wide receiver Johnny "Lam" Jones, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets for an undisclosed draft choice. Compiled from wire reports million apart in contract negotiations with No. 1 draft choice Alonzo Highsmith, but Oilers General Manager Ladd Herzeg says he won't trade the Miami running back.

The Oilers have offered Highsmith a 4-year deal worth $2 million that includes an $800,000 signing bonus, Herzeg said. Although Herzeg said Highsmith is seeking a $3 million package, Robert Fraley, the athlete's agent, says their proposal now is at $2.8 million. The Oilers were unable to sign quarterback Jim Everett, their No. 1 draft pick last season and eventually traded him to Los Angeles in a deal that brought guard Kent Hill and two first-round draft picks to Houston. LOS ANGELES RAMS WE'RE NO ANGELS.

The team may be forced to move its NFL regular-season home opener up a day because of a dispute with the California Angels. Last week, the Rams and Angels played on back if it has to and then have him play linebacker. The Seahawks also announced that they cut rookie free agent Eric Hodges, a wide receiver from the University of Florida. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS I'M WALKING. Kicker Tony Franklin walked out of the team's training camp, just three days after agreeing to terms of a 4-year contract that would make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.

Franklin was asked and refused to sign a waiver which would absolve the Patriots of any financial responsibility should he sustain an injury to either of his legs before the start of the regular season, officials said. The Patriots said they were concerned about "deficiencies" in his off-season rehabilitation from surgery. HOUSTON OILERS NOT EVEN CLOSE. The Oilers are about $1 The Seattle Seahawks' newly signed Brian Bos-worth already is at odds with the NFL. The former All-America linebacker from the University of Oklahoma wants to wear his college number 44 as a member of the Seahawks.

The Seahawks say they'd like that, too. But the NFL says that's against its rules. NFL rules require linebackers to wear a number in the 50s or, if those are all taken, one in the 90s. The 40s are reserved for running backs and defensive backs. "It's very important to me," said Bosworth, who signed an $11 million, 10-year package with the Seahawks on Friday.

"It was the first thing I asked for, before we even talked money." Seahawks President Mike McCormack said the team will list Bosworth as a defensive '4 ceiver Bernard Ford, tailback Robert Ector and quarterback Darin Slack. BETHUNE-COOKMAN TOUGH ENOUGH. Coach Larry Little is exhibiting a tougher attitude this year. Running back Andre Harper and tight end Melvin Ford were at school Monday after being AWOL two days, but Little said he doesn't know if he will let them on the team. FLORIDA OUT INDEFINITELY.

Anthony Jamison, scheduled to start at center for the team this season, has been sidelined indefinitely because of high blood pressure. Jamison reported to practice last week in good shape but his physical revealed unusually high blood pressure. Compiled from staff and wire reports players after Monday's first round of practice. The players wore shorts and helmets Tuesday. The first full-contact drills are scheduled for Thursday, and the first scrimmage Saturday.

FLORIDA STATE INJURIES. Sophomore Marion Butts, a top challenger at the fullback spot, is expected to miss the remainder of two-a-day workouts because of strained knee ligaments. Keith Ross, one day after moving from fullback to tailback, injured his left knee. CENTRAL FLORIDA AYE, AYE. UCF elected six senior captains for the upcoming season.

Defensive captains are All-America linebacker Wyatt Bogan, linebacker Mike Coad and linebacker Brian Makar. Offensive captains are wide re Smith shows off speed in Florida scrimmage The rookie players held their first scrimmage Tuesday, showing both positive and negative to Coach Galen Hall. "We'll hold another scrimmage today and then by Saturday we'll see who we can count on," Hall said. All-America recruit Emmitt Smith was impressive, breaking a 50-yard run on the last play from scrimmage. Hall: "We're very pleased with Emmitt.

But he still has a long way to go." MIAMI MAKE MY DAY. Coach Jimmy Johnson was a little happier after the team's second day of full-squad workouts. Johnson had complained about the physical conditioning of many of the BUTKUS Butkus favorites From C-1 Florida Gators quarterback Ker-win Bell has been given the green light to do his thing at the line of scrimmage. The Gators' plays still will come from the sideline, sent down from the press box by quarterback coach Mike Heimer-dinger. However, Bell will be allowed to change plays virtually at will.The Gators say Bell is so adept at reading defenses that he can often come up with a better play at the last momentFlorida is backing Bell in another area, too.

The Gators will spend more than $5,000 promoting him for the Heisman Trophy. Bell would be only the second Heisman winner in Gators history, joining former quarterback Steve Spurrier. The Gators' campaign theme for Bell is, naturally, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Florida rebuilding efforts continue to be dealt setbacks by the academic guidelines of Proposition 48. Last year FAMU lost five football recruits to Proposition 48. This year the toll was higher.

Twelve of the 26 players FAMU signed won't be allowed to play. There is worse news. Of the 12 who failed to meet Proposition 48, only five chose to enroll at FAMU and begin improving their grades. The other seven apparently have severed their ties with the school. Former Jacksonville University basketball coach Bob Wenzel may have left JU to become an assistant in the NBA so that he could position himself for a shot at the Orlando Magic head-coaching job, friends of his are saying.

Wenzel is on the staff of the New Jersey Nets. Among the finalists for the JU job was former Florida State assistant Rex Morgan. The job went to Wenzel's assistant, Rich Haddad. When the Dolphins hired Haddad, it marked the second time that they had passed over Florida Southern Coach George Scholz. Scholz, considered one of the top Division II coaches in the country, has longed for a quality Division I program but hasn't been able to land a job.

The University of Maryland, which last year did not start basketball practice until Nov. 1 and didn't play its first game until Dec. 27, will begin earlier this season. The Terrapins will begin on the same day as all other schools, on Oct. 15.

Last year's delay came in the wake of the cocaine-induced death of star player Len Bias. This will be the second year for Terrapins Coach Bob Wade, who was 0-14 in Atlantic Coast Conference play last season. Player School John Brantley Georgia Aundray Bruce Auburn Clifford Charlton Florida Greg Clark Arizona State Marcus Cotton USC Jeff Herrod Mississippi Paul McGowan Florida State Ken Norton UCLA Chris Spielman Ohio State Van Waiters Indiana Barry Cooper COLLEGES Hayes and Harp hitting sour notes Eric Hayes still is on the' team, but Florida State nearly has given up him. Hayes, a talented defensive tack-. le, apparently won't achieve the stardom predicted for him.

The Seminoles' latest depth charts rank him as low as fourth team. That is devastating news for a former high school star who was projected to be an All-America candidate by now. Hayes, a red-shirt sophomore, was a Super 24 selection in high school and an honorable mention USA Today pick. Life has not been that rosy for Hayes at FSU. Last season he earned a starting job midway through the season, only to be busted from the lineup a week later for missing practice.

Things have continued to go downhill for Hayes. He missed spring practice after injuring his ankle and ballooned to more than 300 pounds. It was a crucial injury, for FSU had declared that last spring would be "fish or cut bait" time for Hayes. Now the Seminoles wonder if Hayes ever will develop the work ethic he needs to develop his potential. "We're waiting for Eric to show us something," Coach Bobby Bow-den said.

Hayes is not the only Seminole who is taxing Bowden's patience. Insiders say nose guard Thomas Harp may not be allowed to rejoin the team even if he overcomes academic problems. Bowden is said to be greatly upset over Harp's lack of conditioning. FSU's coaches say Harp is more than 20 pounds overweight and likely wouldn't round into shape until midseason. The Seminoles are close to taking the position that because Harp hasn't put forth much effort in the classroom or in the weight room he shouldn't be allowed to be on the team.

This would be Harp's pst season. SOURCE: Srttn fMMfCh taunted his fallen opponents and was penalized more than once for personal fouls, and Johnson, who was suspended once for off-the-field problems and followed into the NFL by drug-abuse rumors, Charlton has been lauded for his good-citizen example and non-football priorities. Last winter he worked with the state's Special Olympics, helping handicapped children learn the joys of athletics, competing, accepting challenges and rising up to meet them. His competitive nature rubbed off on many of them. As part of his undergraduate studies, he also worked last year tutoring kindergarten kids at a Gainesville elementary school.

He helped with their spelling, their reading, their drawing. He helped tie their shoes, cuff their pants. They provided him with a perfect release from the pressures of football. He provided them with a perfect role model. "I'm looking forward to school starting, just so I can work with the kids again," he said.

"It was great. I went down there every day. There's nothing I look forward to more than working with the kids. I'm their big buddy. Kids have no hangups, no pretenses.

There have been times when I've felt like giving up football. But I've never felt like that about the kids." Charlton, although he is quiet and enjoys his privacy, clearly is the leader of the Florida defense, both on and off the field. He quietly talked to some of his teammates last season about staying away from trouble. And when he talks, hey listen. "He's the most level-headed, most mature of the three," Smith said.

"More than the others, he has his feet on the ground, his priorities in order. One of his most important goals is to one day walk down the hall of his high school with his college diploma in his hand. And he'll achieve that." As an incoming freshman at Florida, Charlton excelled on special teams, prompting then-coach Charley Pell to call him "the best freshman linebacker we've ever had here." He was including both Marshall and Johnson. As a sophomore Charlton played behind and often studied Johnson. As a sub against LSU that year he had three sacks and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Early last season Charlton was being fooled by misdirection plays. By the end of last season no one was fooling him. They were trying to design plays to contain him. In the next-to-last game against Kentucky, he made 23 tackles, first realizing he could dominate a game. "All he ever needed to be a truly great player was experience," Smith said.

"And he got that last season. You could see him getting better each game. For us to be successful this year he has to dominate games. And I don't have any doubt that he can do that." For his efforts Charlton was first-team All-SEC, earning only honorable mention on All-America teams. Most people around the country will get their first chance to see him when Florida plays Miami Sept.

5. That game will be televised nationally by WTBS. Johnson's strength, giving him the potential to dominate a game, forcing opposing offenses to make adjustments merely by his presence. Marshall was best in the open field, away from the tight end, chasing the football. Johnson was best on the strong side, overpowering people in traffic.

Charlton excels in both situations, making him especially disruptive to an offense. "There are very few players who can make a team change its offense," Smith said. "Clifford is one of them. And that's the highest compliment an offense can give you. If they don't change for Clifford, he'll kill them.

I expect him to be the most dominant defensive player in the Southeastern Conference this season, maybe the most dominate defensive player in the country." Other serious Butkus Award candidates include Paul McGowan of Florida State, Marcus Cotton of Southern Cal, Chris Spielman of Ohio State, John Brantley of Georgia, Van Waiters of Indiana, Aun-dray Bruce of Auburn, Ken Norton of UCLA, Greg Clark of Arizona State and Jeff Herrod of Mississippi. What Charlton lacks, that the others already have is national exposure. Because of Florida's recent NCAA probation, which was lifted after last season, Charlton has not been on live television. Most of the country never has seen him. As a junior last season he made 121 tackles, 23 for losses, including 11 sacks.

A similar senior season and he will break most of the career records that either Marshall or Johnson set in many more games. Smith expects him to break all the single-game and single-season defensive records this year. "When I first got here, I didn't think I could handle this position, that maybe it was too big for me. I saw Wilber and Alonzo make plays that I didn't think were possible," Charlton said. "The comparison with those guys scared me.

But by the end of last season, I realized, 'Hey, I can play with The comparison doesn't scare me now. It excites me." Unlike Marshall, who often is.