Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 45

I sunaay, juiy iu, iaa4 press Sun-tiuiiciin. 9J DinsKira fikcspm warn TELEVISION Field Facts Visitors' bullpen Pltetiars mound: Constructed of beam clay, which is also used for dirt Infield, basepaths, and bullpen and batting-tunnel mounds. The field: Roughly four acres of Adelphi blend sod. Light to wore: Total of The four In foul territory are 1 1 0 feet and supply 135 feet candle powerluminescence. The two In the outfield are 90 feet, supplying 83 feet candle powerlumlnescencs.

Outfield Wall: Constructed of three-quarters-inch plywood backing supported by a steel frame. Fences: 330 feet down the lines, 370 to the gaps in Batter's eye left-center and right-center, 400 feet to center field. For the sake of comparison, Shea in Flushing measures 338 down the lines; 378 to the power alleys; 410 to center. Mets' bullpen I (j001012fel4); stadium parking Monday: It's AA or nothing By PAUL STUART Staff Writer The fourth-annual Double-A All-Star game is guaranteed to be the most exciting professional baseball game on television Monday. That's because it's the only professional baseball game televised live on Monday, the beginning of the Major League Baseball's All- Star break.

Obsessive baseball channel surfers will have but one-option on their cable remote for live action. That's exactly what makes the game special to Empire Sports Network officials. Although Michael. Jordan's presence would have cer- tainly drawn a bigger national inter-est, ESG public relations Joe DelBalso said it would only on the cake. i.

"When we were about the opportunity to do this, the focus was 'Let's do the Dou-ble-A All-Star game and bring it to a national via Prime (Network)," DelBalso said. "Whether Mr. Jordan would be there or not didn't make a difference. "Obviously, it would be nice because of the national scope. But it is the only game that day.

On that Monday, there is no other baseball. With Prime, it can be seen in 40 million homes and we have a chance to bring all that into those homes." DelBalso figures that among the viewing audience, the game will be of particular interest to Rotisserie and fantasy baseball participants, who will be looking to get that extra tip on that prospect who may soon be in the majors. Three announcers will be involved in the broadcast. Pete Weber, the voice of the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the International League, will handle the play-by-play duties; former major league catcher Rick Cerone is scheduled to be the analyst and ESN program director Bob Koshinski will serve as the host. Cerone, who played 16 years in the major leagues after making his debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1985.

does Trenton Thunder, games of the Double-A Eastern," League for the New Jersey Net- work and has done Arizona FalH League games for Prime Network. He'll work on The Baseball Net-', work this summer. Cerone is also a major league scout for the Yankees and owner of the Single-A Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Carolina League. Koshinski hosts RoundballRap and the Thurman Thomas Show on ESN. and does radio for the 5 Niagara Falls Pirates' and Niagara Falls Rapids' New York-Penn League games.

Empire Sports Network is avail-. able to more than 450,000 cable subscribers in Western and Central New York. The telecast will be available on Prime Network, which can reach 40 million homes through 22 affiliated regional sports networks. Light tower Sky boxes I Pressbox FF SITES niH HN-SULIEIIN Henry Street MINOR LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Ex-Mets infielder tries to regroup with Indians Binghamton U.zto Qzmo liinorontcv Fri. Sat.

July Cheryl ROSENBERG Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs.

iol ill i2 i iSl ill iil Aa-STAN DmH Gam at Off Bowii Bowii Harrisb'ro Harrisb'ro Koniano Blnghamton rra 7M 7 pm 7 pm 4 Pm- 7:30 pm iff 19 20 22 "23 at at at at at at Harrisb'ro Reading Reading Reading Reading Albany Albany 1:30 pm 7:05 pm 7:05 pm 7:05 pm 7:05 pm 7 pm 7 pm 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 N.Havin N.Haven N.Haveh Albany lluln. Canton Canton Canton 2 pm 1nt PM 7:15 pm 7:15 pm On TV on pace to set a whole bunch of records but they're the kind their players would rather not have. Six of seven position players could set franchise records for errors. Two already have. First baseman Tony Mitchell set the record with nine errors, and all-star pitcher Carlos Crawford's six is also a record.

The Indians have 122 miscues at the half-way point, 21 fewer than they had all of last season. The franchise record is 178. Reading turns tide The Reading Phillies are on a roll. They were 18-42 (.300) after June 14, on a pace to lose nearly 100 games this season. They put together a seven-game win streak, and are now 33-51 (15-9, .625) through Friday's game.

Part of the switch has to do with the Phillies ability to win the close games. They were 1-1 1 in their first 12 one-run games, and 11-2 since then. Helping the team are two players sent down from Scranton on June 2. Rick Bottalico, named the organization's best pitcher last season, has 11 saves and a win in his last 14 appearances. In 17 innings, runs, and has struck out 18.

Phil Geisler, the organization's top hitter last season, missed nine games with a strained neck after returning to Reading from Scranton. He then had a 13-game hitting streak which was broken on July 5. During that span, he had nine extra-base hits, including four home runs Chris Butterfield is going through a period of adjustment. Butterfield, who played for the Binghamton Mets in 1992 and '93, started this season at Triple-A Norfolk. He was released May 14, and was signed by Cleveland as a free agent May 3l.

He was assigned to Triple-A Charlotte, where he has played in 21 games. From June 23 to July 6, Butterfield sat on the bench. "I handle it better some days than others," Butterfield said. "Some-days I catch myself being a little down, thinking, 'This is really Other days, I pick myself up. I realize that I know I still love the game, and still want to get to the big leagues.

If I didn't, why would I want to spend time away from my family, being miserable. Shoulder surgery during the offseason slowed him, and Butterfield said he entered spring training this season out of shape. He was assigned to Norfolk, where he batted .182 with two home runs and nine RBI in 24 games. He also spent a lot of time getting into shape, and said he was usually the first player off the bench to pinch-hit. Then Jeromy Burnitz was sc at down from New York, giving Norfolk six outfielders.

"I had the feeling I would be the odd man out," said Butterfield, who batted .211 in 77 games for the Mets last season. "The initial let-down of being released for first time, thinking this team doesn't want me anymore, it hurt a little bit. Then I started immediately thinking that a change of scenery was the best Time: 7:35 p.m., first pitch scheduled for 7:37 p.m. Network: MSG (New-Channels cable channel 32). Empire Sports Network will broadcast game, which will be shown on MSG via the Prime Network.

Announcers: Pete Weber, play-by-play; Rick Cerone, analyst; Bob Koshinski, host. Pre-game: WBNG will air a half-hour special before the game starting at 7 p.m. thing for me." Butterfield went home to Modesto, and called every baseball organization to tell them of his situation. Cleveland showed interest, and signed him June 1. He began platooning in right field, but through player movements and trades, Butterfield again found himself left off the lineup sheet.

He has started catching in the bullpen. So far, Charlotte manager Brian Graham hasn't gone along with Butterfield's desire to be put in behind the plate in a game. In his first at-bat in two weeks, Butterfield hit a two-run homer in the Knights' 3-1 victory over Scran-ton-Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. Then in the second game of the double-header, he pinch-hit and had a three-run homer. They were his first home runs and RBI of the season.

He is batting .194 through Thursday. "I don't like not playing," Butterfield said. "But I trying to be patient. Guys are shuffling in and out of here all the time. I'm just basically trying to be patient and wait my turn." Mistakes abound The Canton-Akron Indians are in recent memory.

He hit the ball to center against the Harrisburg Senators on July 3, and the ball kicked off the wall. The left fielder had trouble picking it up, and Brito scored easily. Reading went on to lose the game, 7-4. The last Phillies player to hit one was Bob Dernier in 1980 on the road. Rosenberg Is a sports writer for the Press Sun-Bulletin.

in a week, and had 13 RBI and scored 12 runs. Reading signed four free agent pitchers who have also contributed. And Jason Moller, who was the best man at Binghamton Mets Doug Saunders' wedding, returned from Scranton on July 1 and is the everyday third baseman. Shortstop Luis Brito hit the first inside-the-park home run at Municipal Memorial Stadium in Reading finunsa msmmti mmemmm rest sponsored by Open Co-ed Classic Saturday, Aug. 6 Sunday Aug.

7, 1994 "'Bfisch (lis Illllll Garden Each team will receive an entry packet which Includes a team pass for admittance to Otsiningo Park, t-shirts for all players other gifts. Trophies awarded for first second place. Individual player awards from sponsors. USVBA Co-ed rules. 8 players per team, 3 male 3 female players on court during game.

Unlimited substitutions. No uniform rule. Volunteer Referees Needed. Call Jack Chanecka 798-1722 TOURNAMENT Past winners Double All-Star Game results. American League and National League teams determined by affiliation.

Attendance and sites also listed: 1891 American League 8, National League 2, 4,022, Huntsville, Ala. 1882 American League 4, National League 3, 4,009, Fort Mill, S.C. 1883 National League 12, American League 7, 6,335, Memphis, Tenn. Huebner's has T0R0-WHEELH0RSE Equlpmant Sales Service 3450 Hance Binghamton 16071669-4510 Pizza Hizt Esach VGlSsyfesIl Classic Recreational: Saturday Sunday traEcnoN $000 11 Mo. 7 wdnnoul Captain Slate- 2.p- Team Name Address City Entry tes: $100 pep team limit: lit 40 tenrrii to register 8 player maximum per team Attach team roster wltfe.

antry and lei Players must sign a waiver of liability release of all claims before beginning play the day of the tournament. Additional Entry Forms Available at all Broome County Pizza Hut Locations. Phone Evening Signature- Classified 708-1141 Wall etitiy form, tea Make chackt pa6 to "Thre Chtrltht" American Cntf Boclsty lend-A-Harnl Spledle FestBalloon RallyVolleyball co Jack Chanecka So. TierR.E.C. 435 Glenwood Blnghamton, NY 13905 tustucto: THE BEEPER STORE Campus Plaza Vestal 770-PAGE Broome county Catholic Charities.