Palladium-Item from Richmond, Indiana • Page 9

Reds watch Sunday: Cincinnati 11 Gant smacks two Houston 6 homers Standinas 29-14 (1st), still New AD Contract talks Sports chief hired at Eaton Biasucci considering move to High School Pittsburgh REDS Today: Cincinnati at Colorado lead Chicago Page B2 Page B2 Tuesday, June 13, 1995 Sports editor Jan Palladium-Item Sports "It's very hard on us and frustrating, because you know you're better than you've played so far. You want to go out and win a game and show that you deserve to be here." Anfernee Hardaway apt, at HATS Associated Press Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal, right and forward Anthony Avent sit in the hallway of Houston's Summit arena while waiting for the the Houston Rockets to finish their post-practice media availability Monday, Magic down but not out I Orlando can in Houston Wednesday HOUSTON (AP) The Orlando Magic have had their nose scrubbed in the dirt by the defending champion Houston Rockets for three games now, and each player feels the embarrassment. They're hearing whispers about a young, talented team that may not be ready for the bigtime. They know better, but they haven't been able to prove it. "It's very hard on us and frustrating, because you know you're better than you've played SO far," Anfernee Hardaway said Monday.

"You want to go out and win a game and show that you deserve to be here. "It's almost like all the games that we've won to get here are either win or walk Why not now?" But the Rockets have domievening tight nated the and series, one winning blowout. two games Game 1 was lost when the going down the drain if we don't Nick Anderson come back and usually steady missed four free throws in the The Magic were doing fine in final 10.5 seconds, and Game 2 playoffs they was a blowout in which the the until reached the finals and found a mature, Magic team-oriented defending chamshot poorly and fell behind early. pion ready to take advantage of In Sunday's Game 3, poor 3- Orlando's inexperience under point shooting and Houston's fast playoff pressure. breaks combined for a 106-103 The Magic are down to their loss.

final chance Wednesday in The "The shots I've been Summit, and the tone in Shamissing in the finals, I've been making all quille O'Neal's voice before Mon- season," Anderson said. "I have day's practice didn't carry much to ask myself, 'Why To think of all the work I did to get to confidence. Speaking almost in a whisper this level, I was doing so well. he said, "They've just been play- Now nothing is ing big and shooting the ball well. I think we'll come out fired up." The Magic haven't shown the The Magic had spectacular flash of earlier playoff series, in moments in the first two rounds.

which they dispatched Michael They swaggered into the finals Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, with their motto, "Why not us? and the Indiana Pacers. "The shots I've been missing in the finals, I've been making all season. I have to ask myself, 'Why To think of all the work I did to get to this level, I was doing so well. Now nothing is Nick Anderson STATE GOLF FINALS RHS would like repeat from 1993 Possibility of a lockout brought up Associated Press Just as one of the best NBA postseasons in years is reaching its climax, the league has raised the possibility of a lockout that could start as soon as this week. Television ratings are up, excitement is high and the Houston Rockets are one win away from sweeping the Orlando Magic for their second consecutive title.

Yet the NBA and its players association have gone almost a year without reaching agreement on a new labor deal, and the owners appear to be running out of patience. The two sides returned to the bargaining table Monday, the same day published reports said the league intended to lock out its players after the finals if a new collective bargaining agreement wasn't reached by then. Simon Gourdine, executive director of the players association, and union president Buck Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers met in New York for eight hours with NBA commissioner David Stern and his deputy, Russ Granik. "I can't get into the discussions," Gourdine said Monday night. "I think all I'm at liberty to say is we met for eight hours today and the negotiations will resume tomorrow." Monday's negotiations were scheduled before the union learned that the NBA notified teams of the possible lockout, Gourdine said.

This season the league has been operating under a no-strike, nolockout agreement with the union, but that pact expires at the end of the playoffs. The NBA and its players have been without a labor deal since the end of the 1994 playoffs. The players are seeking revenues from a greater number of sources, such as international licensing and arena revenue, and a larger share of total revenues. Under the current system, players get 53 percent, and owners say any increase would cut too deeply into their profits. The increase in revenue share the players are seeking would effectively raise the salary cap from the current $15.9 million to more than $20 million.

The owners want to close loopholes in the cap, including one that allows teams to re-sign their own free agents without cap limitations. Vince Welch to tackle new challenges as WNDY-TV sports Lincoln linkster also to strut stuff at state By JAN CLARK Sports editor Playing in the become a (four years in a High School. But not content to want a repeat of The drama the Club of anapolis at 8 a.m. The top field of 21 teams day's final round. Lincoln's Jason represented as trant.

No. 1 Maconaquah, (the defending No. 3 Richmond nual field. Fourth mond is coming tional and regional "The course and will play mond coach Joe Red Devils Monday. "All of our good round today.

it normally is lot of out of RICHMOND Austin as a I Former hurler mind his busy By JAN CLARK Sports editor What D. J. something to fill A typical day mond High only local player Roosters team: Out of bed Rooster practice a.m. Lunch with restaurant. Another time for three A quick trip School, where grade, and three ulum writing.

Back to Richmond High practice in the man coach for state golf finals has common occurrence row) for Richmond the Red Devils are just be there. They 1993 a state title. unfolds Wednesday at Prestwick (west of IndiPlainfield) beginning at nine and ties out of a advance to Thurs- Schultz will be an individual en- No. 2 Tipton state champion) and head the 59th anlast year, Richoff impressive secchampionships. is in excellent shape very long," said RichMoehring after the practiced at Prestwick players had a pretty It was windy but over there.

There's a bounds and water haz- ROOSTERS loving Rooster RHS doesn't schedule Austin really needs is his idle time. for this 1988 RichSchool graduate, the on the Richmond professional baseball for a two-hour beginning at 9 the team at a local Rooster workout, this hours. to Hibberd Middle he teaches sixth hours of curric- McBride Stadium for School baseball evening (he's freshthe Red Devils and for Welch after he assumes his new post July 20. Perhaps the main reason for Welch being interested in changing channels is the opportunity to return to play-by-play, particularly the boys basketball state finals. "I loved doing that," Welch said of his Richmond radio experience which lasted years (in the late 1980s).

"That's one of the greatest assignments a sportscaster can have in the state of Indiana." The new position will allow Welch to get behind the microphone again for numerous Indiana High School ards. I look for a fairly tight tournament. The team that wins will be the one that stays away from penalty shots. I'm looking forward to playing two days." Richmond's No. 1 player, junior Ryan Joe Moehring Joe Moehring Cate, had the highest score (77) for the Red Devils in the regional last Friday at Anderson and RHS still came out on top.

Sophomores David Moehring and Joey Wuertemberger turned in 74s while seniors Matt Herig and Chad Witherby came in at 75. Fourth trip: This will be the fourth consecutive year that Witherby has played in the state golf finals. David Moehring and Herig also played in last year's state meet. The Red Devils finished fifth in 1992, first in '93 and fourth last year. "Our experience should help us," coach Moehring said.

"The main thing is to keep the ball in play. Period. If we can do that, we have as Please see Golf, Page B2 a life pitcher assists John Cate with the varsity during tournament time). "In the evenings I crash," admitted the 24- year -old bachelor, a righthanded pitcher for the Roosters. "I'm usually in front of the TV when I fall asleep.

There's not much energy left." Even 0, Austin D.J. D.J. Austin Austin wouldn't change a thing. "I'm playing because I absolutely love the game," he said. Getting a chance to play professional baseball three years after his college pitching days were over is a pleasant surprise for this former Red Devil.

"I was excited at first," said Austin, referring to his signing in early February. "But this whole thing is now more exciting than I thought it would be. These guys are fun to be around. They work hard. They Please see Austin, Page B2 I Former local sportscaster excited about new position By DON TINCHER For the Palladium-Item Former WKBV sportscaster Vince Welch loves his job with WISH-TV Channel 8 in Indianapolis.

But not enough to stay in lieu of a more challenging position. Although Welch liked being part of the top newscast in the circle city, which he has been for close to five years, he now finds himself at the bottom, or the top, depending on the point of view. Welch recently was named the new sports director at WNDY-TV Channel 23, also in Indianapolis. "I have the opportunity to do it all," the Ball State University graduate said. "It's going to be a great challange." WNDY-TV is owned by the Hulman family the same family which owns the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Channel 23 program director Byron King is excited about Welch joining WNDY. "We are thrilled," King said. "With what we have planned, he is a perfect fit. He brings us a lot of As sports director, Welch, an Indianapolis native, will be responsible for management of the department and program development in addition to being on camera. "We want to be big-time sports," Welch said of the station's commitment.

"That's one thing that excited me when this opportunity pre- They came to me about seven or eight months ago and I really believe in two or three years, this will be the real deal." With the Hulman family in- volved, an area Welch will focus on is auto racing. In fact, August will be Athletic Association contests, including the state finals in boys and girls basketball, football and volleyball. The IHSAA has a 10-year agreement with the station, which will serve as the flagship for the IHSAA A network. Welch will host a monthly sports show featuring IHSAA events, scheduled to debut in August. He said the station will feature nonrevenue sports as well, stating that those athletes also deserve recognition.

Local Welch fans can continue to watch him on Channel 8 until he begins his new position. Vince Welch the Brickyard 400 in the first major event.