Quad-City Times from Davenport, Iowa • 26

QUAD-CITY TIMES Saturday, June 22, 1991 MIDWEST LEAGUE BASEBALL RIEF Clinton looks for leadership By Steve Batterson QUAD-CITY TIMES Heat gives Seikaly new multiyear contract THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Miami Heat center Rony Seikaly has signed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract extension that would rank him a salary notch below the NBA's top three centers, his agent said Friday. The long-term contract would place the fourth-year player right below New York's Patrick Ewing, Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon and San Antonio's David Robinson, said agent Steve Kauffman. Terms were not disclosed. "The Heat, people around the league and I agree that there are only three centers better than Rony," Kauffman said at a team news conference announcing the agreement. "We placed him in the next echelon of centers." Seikaly, 25, had two years remaining on his contract before Heat management approached Llim ronanntiiin Ua time kn nA C73 CCl Jaff CookQUAO-CITY TIMES demaiy this year and 1 miUion in the 992.93 season under the old contract.

Seikaly played only 64 games last season because of a knee injury. His point production dipped to 16.4 points, but his rebounding improved to 1 1.1 a game. He had six games with more than 20 rebounds. NBA CLIPPERS WAIVE BANNISTER: The Los Angeles Clippers have requested waivers on 6-foot-9 forward-center Ken Bannister. Bannister, 31, averaged 2.4 points in 47 games with the Clippers during the 1990-91 NBA season.

Bannister was signed by the Clippers as a free agent on April 5, 1 989. He began his career with the New York Knicks as a seventh-round draft choice in 1 984. Auto racing MICHAEL WALTRIP CAPTURES POLE: Michael Waltrip earned his second career pole, taking the top qualifying spot for Sunday's Miller Genuine Draft 400 NASCAR stock car race at Michigan International Speedway. Waltrip, the younger brother of Darrell Waltrip, who won last Sunday at Long Pond, turned a lap of 1 74.35 1 mph in a Pon-tiac Grand Prix to beat runner-up Geoff Bodine's 173.636 in a Ford Thunderbird. Bodine nearly gave car owner Junior Johnson a pole on his return to the racetrack after a four-week suspension by NASCAR for Quad-City Angels Manager Mitch Continued from Page ID me.

This team has bounced back strong after we've lost this year, and they'll be back again. I expect good things in the second half." Seoane said the pennant race probably helped his players develop more than many realize. "It created a good atmosphere, and when guys want to come to the park and when something is at stake, they push themselves a little more," he said. "We've had some guys who did well this half that I thought might struggle, and I hope to see the same type of effort this half." Now at 0-0 again, the Angels will have a slightly different look when they open their second half schedule at home tonight against Cedar Rapids. First baseman Don Barbara, the Midwest League's leader in runs batted in, has been promoted to Class AA Midland, and pitcher Dave Neal will rejoin the starting rotation.

CLINTON, Iowa As they open the second half of the Midwest League season, the Clinton Giants are looking for some leadership at the plate. "More than anything else, that's what we need," Manager Jack Mull said. "Our offense has been inconsistent throughout the first half. It seems that nobody wants to step forward and be a leader. Everybody is waiting for somebody else to do it." Mull stopped Clinton, That hasn't who was rained Friday night, from having success.

Thanks to a strong half from the Giants' pitching staff, Clinton finished in third place in the Southern Division. Led by Salomon Torres' 7-2 record and 0.70 earned run average in 103 innings, pitching coach Steve Cline's staff led the league with a team ERA of 2.68. "They've done an unbelievable job so far and our inability to put a lot of runs on the board has put a lot of pressure on them," Mull said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to put some more runs on the board and help them out a bit more this half." Although improving by nearly 30 points in the last month, Clinton's team batting average of .228 still is at the bottom of the league. There are bright spots.

Catcher Eric Christopherson and first baseman Barry Miller are batting at a .257 pace and outfielder Rik-kert Faneyette is hitting .253 to lead the Giants. "We're starting to see some of the other guys come around," Mull said. "I hope we can keep that going. We certainly don't have anything to hang our heads about this half it's been a good half. Clinton will start the second half without second baseman Kevin Kasper, who has been promoted to AA Shreveport, and Mull said other players may be in line for promotions as well.

Star game "The only time I don't want to be on the field is if I'm hurting the team," Barbara said. "I'm not the type of person who wants to take a day off." Kipila joins all-stars Jeff Kipila of the Quad-City Angels will replace teammate Don Barbara at Monday's Midwest League All-Star Game. Midwest League President George Spelius announced Friday that Kipila would fill in for Barbara, who has been promoted to AA Midland in the Texas League. Kipila is second among Quad-Cities players with six home runs and his 32 runs batted in this season rates third among Angels players although he has missed over 20 games because of ankle and finger injuries. Kipila joins Quad-Cities' teammates Mark Dalesandro, Clifton Garrett, Phil Leftwich and Billy Minnis on the Southern Division roster.

Cards toppled Springfield settled into the Southern Division cellar on Friday, giving the Cardinals organization a less than flashy honor. Each of the Cardinals minor league affiliates from the AAA level to Class A finished the first half of its schedule in last place in its respective division. using an illegal engine during last month's The Winston all-star event in Charlotte, N.C. Signings BEES ADD 3 FOR FOOTBALL: St. Ambrose University football coach Mike Woodley has signed three more football players for this fall's team.

The trio includes one player from Iowa, Illinois and Indiana who helped their high school teams to state playoff berths. From Iowa, it's 6-foot, 260-pound lineman Tim Ridder of Davenport Assumption. From Illinois, it's 6-2, 200-pound tight end Jimmy Meiers of Mendota. From Indiana, it's 6-1, 170-pound quarterback Scott Motz of Crawfordsville. Motz, an all-stater, passed for 4,450 yards in his three years as a prep while Meiers was a two-year starter helping his team to a 9-2 record before losing to Rock Island Alleman in the playoffs.

Ridder was a two-year, two-way starter for Assumption, helping the Knights win the MAC title and reach the playoffs. ST. AMBROSE SIGNS 3: St. Ambrose University basketball coach Ray Shovlain has signed three more basketball players for next year's squad. The trio are all from the Quad-Cities.

The three include 6-foot-6 Mark Leverenz of Davenport West, 6-1 Dave Shovlain of Davenport Assumption and 6-1 Todd Cedar Rapids GM prepares for All Division second-place Anderson and Mark Dalesandro may also see action at first, while Taylor will help give Billy Minnis, Brian Grebeck and Jeff Oberdank an occasional breather. Outfielder Garret Anderson will come off the disabled list today, taking a little of the load off Clifton Garrett, Rafael Muratti, Edgal Rodriguez and Cohick. Anderson and Fausto Tejero will work behind the plate and Seaone still has one open roster spot. "I think they'll probably wait and see if anyone gets off to a strong start down below (at Boise in the Northwest League or Mesa in the Rookie League) before they make any decisions," Seoane said. "We'll just continue to work, and hey, we were in the race until (Thursday).

That's where we want to be. I think we can be there again in August and September. That's our goal this half." "He's deservine of that." Clinton Manager Jack Mull said. "With the type of numbers he has had, I'm glad he's getting the start." All Torres has accomplished this season for the Giants is to build a 7-2 record. In 103 innings of work, he has an earned run average of 0.70.

He struck out 109 batters and walked just 23. Mull honored Clinton Manager Jack Mull was honored prior to a Giants game earlier this week for recording his 900th managerial victory. Mull reached the milestone on June 4 with a 3-0 win over Cedar Rapids. A day off Quad-City Angels first baseman Don Barbara finally gets a day off today. After playing in 66 of the Angels' 68 games during the first half of the Midwest League season, Barbara will be on a plane for El Paso, Texas, today where he will join Midland, California's AA team.

"I just never wanted to sit," said Barbara, who led the Midwest League with 48 runs batted in during the first half. "I don't know what a day off is. I don't like to sit out, I never have, and when Mitch (Seoane, the Quad-Cities manager) suggested it a couple of times, I argued with him. Seoane led his team to a Southern There, Neal joins Dave Adams, Hilly Hathaway, Phil Leftwich and Justin Martin. "We have four solid starters now and hopefully, we'll get Neal back on track," Seoane said.

"We have some good arms in the rotation and in the pen, and I'm confident they'll continue to produce." Infielder Terry Taylor is scheduled to arrive in the Quad-Cities today to replace Barbara. Although he was hitting .188 at Midland, Taylor hit .293 at Palm Springs a year ago. "Babs (Barbara) might have been able to drive in more runs, but Taylor will give us more depth in the infield," Seoane said. "He can play several positions and that will help out." The chances are good Taylor will see action at several spots. Seoane used 64 different lineup combinations in the Angels' 67 first-half games.

With Barbara gone, Jeff Ki-pila will see more action at first base. Emmitt Cohick, Jon Steve Batterson MIDWEST LEAGUE was won by the Southern Division, 10-5. Many of the features that were successful here a year ago have been incorporated into Cedar Rapids' plans, including a 6 p.m. home run contest and a post-game fireworks display. Former Cy Young winner Jim Perry will be the featured guest.

"We want to put on a good show," Roeder said. "We're celebrating the 100th year of professional baseball in Cedar Rapids and we want this to be a memorable event." Planners did discover a minor glitch while digging through historical records though this is actually the 101st year of professional baseball in Cedar Rapids. Torres starting Salomon Torres, the ace of the Clinton pitching staff, will start on the mound for the Southern Division in Monday's Midwest League All-Star Game. WEEK Game at Cedar Rapids, 7 p.m. Four Angels will participate in the league's annual all-star game in Cedar Rapids.

Cy Young Award winner Jim Perry will be a guest at the game, which will be preceded by a home run hitting contest. Wednesday; Burlington at Quad-Cities, 7 p.m. The Quad-Cities gets a quick chance to get back at the Astros, who edged the Angels for the first half championship in the Southern Division. Small soda pops and 12-ounce beers will be sold tor 60 cents after the first pitch as a part of the 97X 60-cent beverage night every Wednesday home game. Thursday: Quad-Cities at Burlington, 7 p.m.

Infielder Billy Minnis has been the hottest hitting Quad-Cities player against the Astros, sporting a .417 average. Minnis continues to lead the Angels with seven home runs. Friday: Quad-Cities at Burlington, 7 p.m. Pitching was the Astros' forte in the first half of the season with Donnie Wall and Ken Wheeler loading the way with a combined record of 13-4. start ian in urn iiu IP i Woods of Rock Island Alleman.

Woods is actually a transfer from Graceland College where he has played the past two seasons. Leverenz, the MAC's leading rebounder, averaged 17.5 points and nine rebounds while Shovlain averaged 1 3. 1 points, four rebounds and five assists per game in helping the Knights reach the state tourney. Woods helped Alleman reach the 1989 state meet, averaging 13 points and six assists. College football FLORIDA STATE IS NO.

1: The Sporting News has picked Florida State as its preseason No. 1 team in college football, while Iowa is No. 16 and Illinois is tabbed as No. 23. Other Big Ten teams in the poll include Michigan at No.

3, Michigan State at No. 21 and Ohio State at No. 24. Tennis TOP 2 SEEDS ADVANCE: Martina Navratilova and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, the top two seeds, won straight set semifinal victories in the Pilkington grass-court tournament. The top-seeded Navratilova eliminated third seed Mary Joe Fernandez 6-3, 6-0 and Sanchez Vicario took only 44 minutes to defeated Gigi Fernandez 6-1, 6-1.

SAMPRAS REACHES FINALS: Defending champion and top seed Pete Sampras beat Veli Paloheimo of Finland 6-4, 7-5 Friday and advanced with Goran Ivanisevic to the final of the Manchester Open grass court tournament. Ivanisevic, the No. 2 seed, fired 16 aces and beat South African Garry Muller 7-6 (1 1-9), 7-6 (7-4). A double fault in the ninth game by Paloheimo gave Sampras the one break of serve the U.S. Open champion needed to win the first set.

NHL POTVIN, BOSSY ELECTED TO HALL: Denis Potvin and Mike Bossy, key performers for the New York Islanders teams that won four consecutive NHL titles, and Chicago Blackhawks vice president Bob Pulford were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The three were voted into the hall during the NHL Congress, and were joined by the veterans' committee selection of Clint Smith, who played with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. Bossy, a high-scoring winger, and Potvin, a dominant defenseman, were the cornerstones of an Islanders dynasty that won Stanley Cup titles from 1980 through 1983 and reached the finals in 1984. Bowling When the Midwest League All-Star Game visits Cedar Rapids on Monday, Jack Roeder hopes to be ready. Roeder, the general manager of the Cedar Rapids Reds, has been putting the finishing touches on plans for the annual all-star game in addition to getting to know Cedar Rapids.

Roeder was named as the Reds' general manager just one day prior to the start of the 1991 season after Howard James resigned his position a week earlier. "It's been harried," Roeder said. "There is a period where you have to become acclimated to the new surroundings and when that period begins one day before the season starts, that makes it tough." A native of Goose Lake, Iowa, and a graduate of Northeast High School and Clinton Community College, Roeder spent nine years as the general manager of the Wausau Timbers after spending 1981 as an assistant general manager with the Clinton Giants. But the 1987 Midwest League Executive of the Year was left without a team when Wausau moved to Kane 111., this year and owners decided to build a new staff. Roeder said Cedar Rapids' all-star plans have a tough act to follow after the success of the 1990 all-star game at John O'Donnell Stadium in Davenport.

The host Quad-City Angels drew 6,873 fans to the game that 0-C ANGELS THIS Today: Cedar Rapids at Quad-Cities, 7:30 p.m. Cedar Rapids' was the Angels' nemisis in the firet half, defeating the Quad-Cities in seven of eight games. Tonight's game opens the second half of the Midwest League season and both teams will enter with 0-0 records. Tonight is Eagle Foods Night at John O'Donnell Stadium. Free tickets are available at all Eagle Food Centers and the first 1,000 kids through the gate will receive free Angels helmets.

Sunday; Cedar Rapids at Quad-Cities, 2 p.m. Jason Satre, who is 4-5 on the year but is 2-0 against the Angels, is scheduled to start for the Reds on Sunday. Pitching has dominated the series between the two teams this season with neither team managing to hit bettor than .220 against the other club. Davenport Little League City Tournament champion Mr. Homegrown of the Emeig Little League will play the Quad-City Angels in a 1:10 p.m.

preliminary game to the regularly scheduled game. Monday: Midwest Leagu All-Star FERRARO MAINTAINS LEAD: Despite winning just four of eight matches, Dave Ferraro maintained his lead through the fifth round of the Professional Bowlers Association Seattle Open. Ferraro, who's finished in the top five in three of his last four tournaments, had a pinfall of 7,974. He's seeking his sixth PBA title and first of the year. Swimming SPITZ FAILS TO QUALIFY: Mark Spitz's comeback suffered another setback Friday as he failed to qualify for the finals of the 1 00-meter butterfly event at the Swim Meet of Champions.

The 4 1 -year-old Spitz clocked 58.93 seconds, finishing second in his heat. However, 26 swimmers in the 1 1 heats had faster times. The top eight qualified for Friday night's finals and the next eight qualified for the consolation finals. Qualifying was based striptly on time, so placing with a heat did not matter. Now Also LriraWsrr 0)CI1 SlIIl.

I I HlnilUHI I L3 pm MidnightJ Tfi nfirlln 2061 W. River Dr. UU.j MvUlVU Davenport, la 1 322-9108.