The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 107

The Tampa Tribune, Saturday, June 9, 1990 9-Pasco ard fearless when it comes to pitching Blue Jays ace keeping his team boldly ahead of the competition -i Florida State League vQ1. I I By MIKE HENRY Tribune Sports Writer DUNEDIN Facing a home run hitter from 60 feet, 6 inches is one thing. Coming to terms with the fear involved is another. Dunedin Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Ward puts aside his worries about getting hit hard. He believes his stuff is good enough in a majority of situations.

"I use my own strengths to go after hitters," said Ward, a lefthander who relies on a sinking fastball, a curve, a change-up and a cut fastball that runs in on hitters. "If a young pitcher asked me for advice, I'd tell him to not be afraid of the hitters," Ward said in his rich Oklahoma accent. "It seems like a lot of younger guys are afraid to throw strikes because they're afraid to get hit hard." Ward, 22, seems to have eliminated fear from his vocabulary this season. Entering Wednesday's game against St. Petersburg, Ward had allowed 14 walks in 85 innings, or less than 1.5 a game.

The importance of good control for a pitcher cannot be overstated. Ward, who has struck out 66 batters, leads Florida State League Western Division-leading Dunedin with an 8-1 record and an ERA of 2.22. Most pitchers would be thrilled with a strikeouts to walks ratio of 3-1. Ward's is 4.4-1, and he sees no reason that should not remain the case as he progresses. "I don't see why I wouldn't keep that ratio," Ward said.

"I wouldn't change anything, unless the batters really start hitting something. "I have to throw strikes to be successful, because I'm basically a finesse pitcher," Ward said. "A walk upsets me more than it used to. Sometimes it makes me pretty mad." Interestingly, Ward was wild as a high school pitcher in LeFlore, Okla. "I didn't worry about placing the ball, because I threw hard enough in high school to blow the ball by hitters," Ward said.

"I struck out a lot and walked a lot. "I worked hard on my control when I got to Seminole (Okla.) Junior College," where he went 17-1. "Mostly, it was a matter of concentrating more." "When you start talking philosophy of pitching, you don't need to go any further than, 'Throw strikes and pitch in the count, Dun- Anthony Ward, one of the top pitchers 7 Tribune photograph by BRUCE HOSKING in the FSL, is known for his low walk average. Auburn's O'Neil returns home for NCAA tourney C03 Chick Cannon aims for Grand Prix success story ST. PETERSBURG John Cannon grabbed a cup of coffee, pulled out a chair in the conference room, sat down, and a few minutes later delivered an unexpected note of optimism.

"Our hard-nosed, down-to-earth figures," he said, "show us moving toward a better than break-even point this is the year to turn a profit. I don't care if it is $100." Cannon is president and chief executive officer of the GTE St. Petersburg Grand Prix. That means he is ultimately responsible for the balance sheet that has yet to produce an abundance of upbeat news. A year ago the race lost a reported $250,000, a year before that $400,000.

Anything close to a profit would be encouraging for the Nov. 3-4 dash through the streets of downtown Si. Petersburg. For so long the prevailing thinking among the legions is that this could be the last race. Cannon is emphatic with his denials.

"The last five months I have seen this race stabilize for the decade of the 1990s. I'm looking for another 10 years. Anything beyond that you can't predict. Ten years might be plenty." There seems to be a base for his optimism far beyond flowery words, or hope for ideal weather, or an influx of additional racing fans. The secret is rather simple.

Success is keyed closely with sponsorships and sponsorships represent 80 percent the total financial picture. Ticket sales control 10 to 12 percent of the budget and anywhere from 8 to 10 percent. I "We are further ahead ahead this year at any point," he said, an evaluation Icertainly welcomed by various St. Petersburg interests. Sales staff up I Cannon is working directly with the sales force, and the number of those pitching the to potential sponsors has increased from three to four.

A fifth salesman is being All of the previous 80 sponsors were con-; tacted in January. Ninety-five percent indicated they planned to return this year at package fees of Cannon would like to add another 20 sponsors, but would proba-- bly cut it off at a point close to that because of the problem of servicing such a number. The fifth salesman might go after ac- counts and businesses much smaller than the $4,500 commitment just so anyone who real-; ly wants to become involved with the race is given a chance. "People don't call you up in this business and say we'd like to get involved. This is a lot like selling life insurance.

"You have to go and see the people. That means you have to get into the headquarters, and it often means you have to go through four or five layers of an administration and presentations until you get to someone who makes a decision. If you allow someone else i to make the presentation for you, it is almost a certainty you'll lose it." Salesmen for the Grand Prix have trav-. eled to home offices in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit and Houston. All presentations are first run past Cannon.

If indeed the race does reach solid ground, many factors will have contributed toward it, not the least of which will be Can- non's involvement. "I am running this as a business, not as a promoter might handle it. For this race to succeed over many years, you have to have credibility. I have told my people and my salesmen to tell the truth. We don't tell lies and we don't tell them things we can't de-: liver." A fast move up For a man who had never been to a race before the Grand Prix, Cannon's climb to the front office has been quick.

Two years after he had been chairman of the volunteers, he took over as chairman of the race during the stormy, transitional period in 1987. The race needed a strong individual who knew the town and also knew business. Cannon fit that description. His back-' ground included 25 years of real estate de-; velopment in both Tampa and St. Petersburg and a reputation based on those dealings, "He (Cannon) is a man of integrity," said (Bill Starkey, who heads GTE's information service, and a man who has worked closely with Cannon on the last few races.

"He has changed this from a promotional event put on for St. Petersburg to a com- munity event the city puts on for everyone that is not a typical transition. He has pulled It off." Cannon put it another way. "This race is the most focused physical evidence of St. Pete of the 1990s." Not that long ago everything was out of focus.

Bob Chick is based In St. Petersburg. edin pitching coach Bill Monbou-quette said. "He (Ward) seems to understand that," Monbouquette said. "Most of his starts here have been quality outings.

The only thing lie has been careless about the last two or three times is getting ahead two strikes on a batter, then getting hurt with a pitch that's too good. That's just a lack of concentration." But Monbouquette says such lapses are increasingly rare for Ward, who he coached last summer at the Toronto Blue Jays' lower Class A post in Myrtle Beach, S.C. "His mechanics are better, and he's working harder, in my estimation," Monbouquette said. "I think he's really enjoying himself." In a sense, the 1989 season seems like ancient history to Ward. Ward was 2-1 last April, with a 0.63 ERA, when he suffered a medial collateral sprain of his left elbow.

The injury kept him out of action the entire month of May, and he did not return to 100 percent effectiveness last season. "I was invited to the Instructional League in September, and my 1-bow was feeling a lot better, but not 100 percent," Ward said. "Then, the Blue Jays decided to send me to Melbourne, Australia, to play, but I rested for three weeks first. "I think the rest really helped, because I didn't have any trouble Down Under, and my arm has felt great this year. "Dr.

James Andrews (Toronto's team physician) put me on a strength and exercise program last year, and I think that also has helped my recovery." Ward was 6-6 in the Australian League, with a 3.20 ERA. Ward, who has been married almost two years to Tammy, a dental hygienist, hopes his outstanding first half will cause Toronto to promote him sometime this season. Earlier this week, Dunedin lost left-hander Denis Boucher (7-0, 0.75 ERA) to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. "I'm not going to worry about it, because the way I've been pitching, something will happen sooner or later," he said. "They could come calling to him tomorrow," Monbouquette said.

"He just has to be ready." The tournament benefits the Florida Bay Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. The tournament offers local amateurs the opportunity to golf with professional athletes and media celebrities. Other celebrities planning to attend include former Harlem Globetrotter Curley Neal and former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Van-dermeer. For information, contact Linda Jacoby at (800) 333-3463. Cards available.

The 1990 Golf Privilege Card is available from the Gulf Coast Lung Association. The card offers free greens fees at over 260 courses throughout the state through October 31. Cost is $25 a card. Electric cart rental is required but not included. For information, call (813) 347-6133.

Area scores Spring HHI Women's Goll Association (Tuesday) A Flight low gross Z. Bowies. 87 low net G. Lizewski. 64; E.

Bernhardt. 74. Flight low gross P. Stark. 98 Low net Ftemele.

75: M. Brown. 75. Flight low gross Blair. 106.

Scott. 106 Low net D. Nornsh. 76. 0 Flight low gross Clark.

111. Low net M. Shaw. 72: J. Mix.

84. Hlgdos Hackers IMay 28 Group A Monk. '6: 1. Martel. C.

Meehan. -5 Group Fannin, -11: Tooker, 9: M. Anderson. r9. Group T.

Colosi. 6: Hilton. -3. Group J. Kowai.

H. Mm, 4 Motion's flickers (June 4) Group A Martel. '6: 0. FollensbM. 4 Kelly.

4 Group 0 Gauding. 4: RiHa. 2, Group L. Remele. -4: Hemberger.

1: J. Barnes. 1: Burress. 1: T. Novak, tl; Silver Group 0 J.

States. 3: Ray. 3: J. Matnias. 3.

Men's Association (June 61 Group A Kelly. 67: L. Martel. 68: Stocker. 68.

Fannin 69 Group V. Lalmia 64: Henderson. 69: R. Wackec. 70.

Murphy. 72 Group E. Rembresi. 67: Bendt. 67; C.

Fisher 67: McGram. 67. Group J. Proctor. 68: J.

Shies. 68; G. Calmuire 68. I Clark. 71.

Cvniess Run Mliea Team Stumble 40 handicap (May 28): F. Parker. A. Caldwell. Paugh 0 Robinson.

54 2: R. McMahon. J. Harrington. J.

Durdan. Murphy 54 6. 0 Robinson. Borne. S.

Denyes. Sadler. 55.2: B. Forde. Thompson Robinson.

A Delaquil. 55 Robinson. 0. Sadler. B.

Bleau. SchmiU. 568: 0 Murphy. Durdan. Robinson.

S. Earns. 56 8: B. Gtitlilli OeLaouil Forde. 0 Hulton.

56 8. Wednesday Mint lour-man siablelord (May 30) Fisher. 6. Harris. Libby.

Smart. 147: Baker. Buettner. C. Ratter.

R. Can 144. Santflay Man (June 2) best ball of pair. 90 handicap I. Gaines, Fames 61.

Fames. Borne. 62. DeLagul. Gedroc.

63: A Piano. Henderson. 63: Davis. Jetfns. 64.

D. Denyes. J. Donovan. 64: J.

Pawley. Rice 64 Sunday Couplet (June 3) Bill and Judy Durum, Bob and Jean Gnllilh. 123. Hal and Mane Fisner. Bob and Mabelte Smart.

125. Seven Hills MldtlaM Goll AssociatkM (May 31 Regular Oivis.on low gross Dave Ahem. 67 Low net Wayne Jordan. 72-1161: Julian Ingram. 79 1564 Senior Division low gross Frank Cmadmo.

74; John Hertong, 74: George Swearinoen. 76 Low net Lou Gokjnka. 86 23 63; Al Smth. 79 12-67 Harry Melia. 79 12-67: Bob Chapman.

77-9-68: Joe Monteau, 79 10-69. Ken Spaeth 90 21-69 Meet will be today at Lecanto High School. The meet is cosponsored by the Citrus County Parks and Recreation Division and the Florida Athletic Congress. The meet, which begins at 9 a.m., Is open to boys and girls between the ages of 6-18. Entry fee is $1.

Youngsters will compete against athletes of their own age. Entry forms for the meet are available at the Citrus County Parks and Recreation Division's recreation office located at the Lecanto Government Complex. Call 746-7740 for Information. Golf Resort in Crystal River. Juniors 8-18 who reside in Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Marion and surrounding counties are eligible to participate.

There is a $20 membership fee and a $5 charge for each of the 10 tournaments throughout the summer. For information, call Marion Walker at (904) 795-7211. Nite time play. Quail Ridge Golf and Country Club will host a Nite Lite Golf Tournament tonight to benefit the American Cancer Society. The tournament begins at 9:30 p.m.

with a shotgun start. Entry fee is $35. For information, call Quail Ridge golf professional Jan Johnson at (813) 856-6064. Junior Golf. Sundance Golf Course will play host to a sectional qualifying tournament for the Chipie Junior Golf Challenge which will be played in Toulouse France in November.

The qualifying tournament will be held August 21. There are three divisions for boys and two for girls. Boys born in 1977 or '78 will play in one division while those born in 1975 or '76 will play in another. The third division is for boys born in 1973 or '74. The girls divisions are for girls born in 1977 or '78 and those born in 1973-76.

The winners will advance to the national finals at Doral. The national champions will receive all-expense-paid trips to France to play in the three-day tournament which is open to players from the United States for the first time this year. Players from seven European countries will also play in the tournament. For information, call Bill Rinaldo at (904) 567-7600. Benefit golf.

Former NFL quarterback Otto Graham will officially chair the Dick Bryant Celebrity Golf Classic at Isla del Sol Golf Club in St. Petersburg Aug. 13. WESLEY CHAPEL Former Zephyr-hills High School golfer Steve O'Neil finally got a chance to get home Wednesday night, but he wasn't there to start his summer vacation. O'Neil, who recently finished his junior year at Auburn University, is playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's golf championships at Innisbrook Resort in Tarpon Springs.

He visited his parents briefly after finishing the first round Wednesday. The 72-hole tournament ends today. O'Neil shot an 8-over par 80 on Wednesday and a 79 Thursday, which placed him 20 strokes behind the leader Jeff Barlow of the University of Florida. However, O'Neil said this season has been his best ever no matter what happens in the NCAA tournament. Auburn lost three of its top five players from last year and struggled during the fall.

"We were real young and the freshmen were having a tough time at first," said O'Neil, who won the high school state championship in 1985 and finished second as a senior in 1987. "But when we came back after the Christmas break it seemed like everything started clicking for us. I guess we had been pretty close to being a good team but we needed to mature and the fall season helped us do that." O'Neil, who had a 74.1-stroke average during the regular season, said he realized in the fall that Auburn was without a leader and he tried to assume that role. O'Neil is the oldest player on the team and he said he tried to help the younger players as much as he could. "Early in the year I tried to give them a little advice on their game," O'Neil said.

"I also tried to help make them more comfortable because I know it's a big adjustment from high school to living on a college campus. But once they got used to the new environment I didn't have to help Golf Pat Yasinskas them too much. We've got some talented freshmen and it was just a matter of time until they got going." Auburn finished its season by placing in the top five in three of its last five matches. The Tigers finished second in the Eagle Invitational in Savannah, Georgia and fifth in the Southeastern Conference tournament. O'Neil finished fifth individually in the SEC tournament.

O'Neil said the highlight of the season came when Auburn won the NCAA East Regional tournament two weeks ago. The Tigers finished ahead of several of the Top 20 teams including the University of Florida and the University of Georgia. "It's been a great year for our team," said O'Neil. "We came a long way and I'm really excited about next year. We'll have everyone back and we can only get better." Shooting well.

Dave Ahem shot a 5-un-der-par 67 to win the Midstate Golf Association tournament at Seven Hills Golf Club May 31. Frank Cittadino shot a 74 to win the Senior division. Tournament scheduled. The New Port Lincoln Mercury Men's Amateur Invitational Golf Tournament will be held at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club in New Port Richey next Friday through Sunday. The field is limited to 180 players.

Entry forms are available at New Port Lincoln Mercury or at Seven Springs. For more information, call (813) 376-0035. New name, same game. The North Suncoast Junior Golf Association (formerly the Tri-County Junior Golf Association) will begin its summer schedule with an orientation seminar today at Plantation In The Area at 9 a.m. at Springstead High School.

The tryout Is open to players 15-19. Players must bring their own equipment. For information, call Chuck Moehle at (904) 683-2843. Permuy Camp looking for applicants LAND O' LAKES The Frank Per-muy Baseball Camp will be held June Hernando-Citrus Gator Clubs set annual meeting date 25-29 at the Land O' Lakes Little League complex. The camp will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

each day. Boys ages 6-16 are eligible to participate. The fee is $90, which Includes insurance. For information, call (813) 996-7027. Developmental track meeting slated LECANTO The third annual Junior Olympic Developmental Track and Field A Tribune Staff Report BROOKSVILLE The University of Florida Hernando and Citrus County Gator Clubs will hold the Annual Gator Gathering June 14 at McKethan Auditorium on the Brooksville Fairgrounds.

Tickets are $15 a person. For information, call Cliff Manuel at (904) 796-9423. Kansas City Royals hold open tryouts SPRING HILL An open tryout for the Kansas City Royals will be held July 8.