The Post-Standard from Syracuse, New York • Page 13

April 17, 1975 NEW YORK (AP) Pledging honesty and credibility, a new World Football League emerged Wednesday to announce it would field at least 10 teams in 1975 and to promise that its past problems would be rectified and never repeated. League president Chris Hem meter, admitting the WFL has been the "biggest sports disaster in history," said a new corporation by the same name as last year's collection of broken promises had been formed to play a 20 game schedule this summer and fall. Hemmeter, who drew up the complicated financing formula under which league teams must place in escrowed bank accounts all anticipated operating expenses, pledged that past and future debts would be paid. And he said franchises in Honolulu, Anaheim, Shreveport, Charlotte, N.C.. San Antonio, Memphis, Chicago.

Philadelphia, Birmingham, and Jacksonville, had met all his requirements and would held teams this year. That gives the league 10 teams, and Hemmeter has given potential franchise holders in Portland, two weeks to produce enough money to make theirs the 11th WFL team. When that issue is the league will announce a 22 game of which will be exhibitions. Games will be played on weekends beginning in late July, with the possibility of some television games being played in the middle of the week. To be sure, this league faces major problems and a number of unknowns in its quest for survival.

Additionally, there is the strong possibility that even SU Announces Pratt Award By BUD POLIQUIN A Pennsylvania man, who never wanted to leave Syracuse University once he arrived from Erie as a student in 1M7, will be forever remembered on the Hill. The Neil Pratt Memorial Award will see to that. Established after Marly a month ptanlag, and annotated at Mauley Field Haaae last night by SU track coach Alan Bon aey, the imm) award was conceived to toaor the late SU crass cenntry and track performer aid the athletic trailer far years, wmdiedtf leakemia days ago. The award, which takes the form of a pottery urn mounted on a wooden base, will be given annually to the distance runner in Onondaga County who best exemplifies "the excellence of performance, steadfastness of character, sensitivity to others and devotion to the sport of track and field which Neil embodied." It will be open for men and women of any age who meet the criteria set down by the selection committee headed by Bonney. "Neil feted Syracuse University st mnet," flay mmmm recalled, "that gradaetfen day he eWt watt It leave tie Art he dNto't.

He feved Ml atMettes, Jnt tract Mi field, be tang amtnd the fetter twm and tort fee phere that went with it. nut's when he became fetemted It Simmons, who coached Orange football, lacrosse and boning teams for IS years before retiring, later comfnented, "When Jiefl died, they fte nwW Ttefll be a oV cent and toya! Syraman as Neil Pratt" And new ttiete an award that will offer testimony to that stated will. 13 His Daddy Is Big Helper Bobby Cox, Syracuse Chiefs' manager, Knights of Columbus, at War Memorial holds Jason Martinez while theyoungster Auditorium. Sawyer will be starting pitch gets an autograph from Rick Sawyer last er for the Chiefs today. Tippy Martinez, night at the Welcome Home Chiefs recep Jason's father, starred as a relief pitcher tion given by Syracuse Council 191, last year.

WFL Pledges 10, More in Credibility if it survives, it will lose money. One problem is the $7.5 million that is still owed to players and other creditors from 1974. Hemmeter said the new which legally is different that last year's had purchased its name from the old league in return for a pledge to pay off its debts. A major unknown is Joe Willie Namath, who a decade ago salvaged one league and who, the WFL hopes, still has another miracle left in his right arm, battered knees and huge public appeal. In that belief, the league is offering Namath $4 million to play for three years in Chicago, and is willing to give for half of a future New York franchise.

Namath, reached by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, declined to discuss whether he would sign with the WFL but said it would be discussed. "I am under contract to the Jets until May 1, and this is the only way to handle it, by not talking about the contract or what I may or may not do." Namath said his attorney, Jim Walsh, now "can discuss any deal and try to make arrangements. Then, around May 1 we ll sit down and figure out what's best "I need an incentive to play and it's got to be that way for me now in my career. The only way I can maintain incentive is to be compCTfSrJtfrf for it. The league's situation in Chicago is both unstable and important.

Current owner Eugene Pollano has toM the league he will pull out if he does not get Namath, or some group of superstars. for the Chicago franchise to purchase the contracts of Larry Csonka and Paul Warfield from the Memphis team broke down day morning, league sovrces said, leaving Ptflano's participation in the WFL contingent upon JVaftwrfh's signing. Hemmeter satd Csonta, War fieW and feflow Miami Jim Kirch wonM def Htflefy ptay Hi MewfrfHfs. Sawyer in Second Opener Rv JOE RORRTNS Chiefs righthander Rick Sawyer already has one opening day victory under his belt and he'd like to make it two today when the Syracuse Chiefs host the Richmond Braves in the home International League opener at 2 p.m. at Mac Arthur Stadium.

Sawyer was a spoiler for the Tribe, last Friday night in Richmond, when he beat Clint "Scraps" Courtney's Braves, 13 2, in their season opener at Parker Field. Courtney will go with rookie righthander Frank LaCorte, a six foot one inch, 180 pounder from San Jose, Calif. LaCorte was 7 8 at Savannah, last season with a 4.73 earned run LaCorte, 23, is one of five young starting pitchers that Courtney is using to begin the IL campaign. He's using the more experienced hurlers in the bullpen thus far. Richmond will play here at 6:30 p.m.

tomorrow with Tidewater and Memphis coming in for three single games each to complete the eight game home stand. The Chiefs' 3 1 record has them in second place, a half game behind Charleston in the eight team IL. In Richmond the Chiefs pounded out 13 2 and 12 3 victories. They split two games in Tidewater with the final game rained out. Manager Bobby Cox has a veteran club with By RICK WHEELER GENEVA There's an old baseball adage that says, "You win with what you've got up the middle." Take note, lacrosse coaches.

Hobart' Jerry Schmidt has. Wednesday afternoon he used superior midfield play and some energetic goaltending as the impetus as his strong Ho bart College Statesmen thumped Cortland State, 18 11, before 3,000 at Boswell Field. Hobart has always been known as a powerful offensive team, and it's "Elder Statesman," Rick Gilbert, who graduated with 444 career points, was the sparkplug. He was an attackman. This year's leading scorer, B.J.

O'Hara from West Genesee, is an attackman. But yesterday it was the firepower of one middle line, the defense of another, and the sheer speed of a third that enabled Schmidt's club to stop Chuck Winter's team. Hobart raised its record to 4 1, and Cortland, a tough luck loser, is now 0 3. When Cortland broke down the field on one of its infrequent well executed clears, there was big No. 12, defense man Tom Korn, right in the middle of the defensive triangle.

And when the Red Dragons did penetrate, mostly with their attackmen, Hobart goalie Leo McCabe was just that much sharper than his counterparts in the Dragons den. Korn didn't get any goals or assists, but he did hand out his share of lumps, and for someone who never took up the game until college, he displayed an uncanny knack for anticipation in breaking up plays and then clearing the ball with his long stick. McCabe, however, did score, and it just about put out the Dragons' fire. With Hobart on top, 12 8 after three quarters, McCabe stuffed a shot, came up with the ball cleanly and took off on his own clear. It ended after a long rint and two dodges when 1 rifled a 20 foot shot high in.o the upper corner past a startled Cortland goalie, MikeFifield.

The three midfield lines did their thing, and then some. The combination of "Beaver" Draffen, Dave McNaney and Steve Przybylski combined for nine goals and four assists. That scoring was literally the difference in the game. A second middie combination, Tom Schardt, Tom Marino and Mac Nelson, stifled the Dragons when on the field as Schmidt calls them his "defensive midfield." A third trio, Steve Kaminsky, Greg Precopio and Jeff used sheer speed of foot to reorganize the Statesmen in the third period, the only time Cortland made a real run at it. As Schmidt said, "When you go at our pace, it's hard not to let down every so often, but that one line just wouldn't stop running and they kept us going." The Hobart attack position, led by O'Hara's twt gmh and fovr.Mstvts, ftocvntctf Iff six goals.

The Cartlatd nick; fati Ity Jvtf Smith (14), Scan NtMe (M) and Erafe Ohm (14) acevwt ed far the same hall dntei So it came down to the play of the midfield, and the depth and versatility Schmidt has at that position got him four goals from Priiybylshi, font from McNaney, one from Draffen and a pair from Kaminsky. fire and outscored Hobart, 5 3, during the third 15 minute session. But a 6 3 Hobart spurt in the final quarter ended it decisively. Hobart got the game's first goal, wasting little time as O'Hara cutely snuck in a close one past starting goalie Wayne Werner just 47 seconds into the game. McNaney rifled in two before the period ended.

Smith got Cortland's only first session goal as the Dragons hurried their offense in a man up situation and it paid off as Smith found himself in front of McCabe with five seconds to tick. Cortland closed the gap to 4 2 and 5 3, but then four unanswered Hobart by Przybylski, John Bishop, Draffen and O'Hara, the last with 11 seconds left in the half, sent the Statesmen off the field sky high. But Cortland started its only consistent period of play with Olson's goal in just 29 seconds, and after Noble, Smith and Kevin Broderick had found the mark, Schmidt called time to stabilize his squad. McNaney and Kaminsky quickly responded with scores to run the margin from 9 7 to 11 7, and the team's traded goals before the period ended. Then came McCabe's killer at the start of the third period.

The lead at one time grew to 17 10, then the final 18 11. Hobart outshot Cortland for the game 51 34, won the ground ball battle, 71 59, but lost the faceoff struggles, 18 15. During the Dragons' big third quarter, they had more shots (12 8), won six of nine faceoffs and came up with 20 of 34 ground balls. It was the only period that they really executed well. Neither team was crisp in its fast break attack, but Cortland continually was flustered in getting the ball past midfield.

Hobart just seemed to be more precise, and better conditioned. just six of the players completely new. Only first sacker Jack Shupe is without Triple A playing time. With top southpaws Scott McGregor and Tippy Martinez back along with Sawyer, the Chiefs have a strong pitching staff. Ed Ricks and Bob Kammeyer are the other starters with Gerry Pirtle the main man in the bullpen.

Along with so far brilliant outfield defense (Kerry Dineen, Rick Bladt, Terry Whitfield) the Chiefs have been getting heavy hitting in the first four games. Better run production seemed to be the only question mark in spring training and so far it looks like the Chiefs are going to have more men crossing the plate. The big man at bat so far has been cleanup man Billy Parker. And cleanup he has. Parker is batting a cool .500 with nine hits in 18 at bats.

He also has driven across 11 runs. Parker is coming off a broken leg which sidelined him after just '65 games last season. He's having a little trouble with the leg at second base, but it's not affecting his hitting. An opening day crowd of 6,000 is expected by Chiefs general manager Tex Simone. The new look stadium is only partially completed though with 3,800 new seats already installed.

But the big league lighting of 100 candle power is ready and all other including filling in the void behind home is expected to be com the Kings. nowsrt vnen tire statistics fort ttw Follow the Bouncing Bntl CHICAGO (AP) Bob Love, scoring for 31 points and holding high scoring Larry McNeil to just four points, led the Chicago Bulls to a 93 90 triumph over Kansas City Omaha Wednesday to grab a 2 1 lead over the Kings in their best of seven National Basketball Association Western Division semifinal series. Love was helped by Tom Boer winkle, who grabbed a career high 24 rebounds, and Jerry Sloan, who switched to forward and hit for 20 points. The tenacious Bulls defense put on its best showing in the first 4Va minutes of the final quarter, leading to a 13 2 Chicago scoring burst and forcing the Kings to miss nine shots from the floor. After grabbing a 54 49 half time lead, the Bulls scored eight straight points to open the third quarter before the Kings and OUie Johnson matched the Bulls' output.

Love's four baskets and three by Sloan pushed the Bulls to a 74 69 third quarter edge. Paced by Love and Boer winkle, the Bulls scored seven straight points at the beginning of the fourth quarter before Jimmy Walker could score for pleted within a month. Simone will have another 2,000 bleacher seats ready along the rightfield line and another 1,000 elsewhere, but they won't be sold until the 3,800 seats have been bought up today. Ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m. today with County Executive John H.

Mulroy throwing out the first ball. Mulroy's appearance is justified because the county has taken over administration of MacArthur Stadium and is footing, the bills for the various improvements under way. Other dignitaries on hand will include fL president George Sisler Yankee farm director Pat Gillick, County Commissioner of Parks and Recreation John Johst, Tribe Board chairman Royal O'Day and members of the City County Committee to rehabilitate the stadium. Frank Hudson will be the master of ceremonies. Cox is expected to pitch McGregor (0 1) in tomorrow's game or rookie Kammeyer.

Righthander Ed Ricks (1 0) will miss a turn because of blisters. He had some trouble with them in spring training also. Tickets are $3.25 for boxes, $2.75 for reserved ssats and $2.00 for general admission. Gates open at noon. Last night the Knights of Columbus welcomed the Chiefs home with a reception at the War Memorial.

Hobart Middle Rips Dragons Hobart had been ranked third in the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) poll, behind University of County and Towson State. But that was when the Statesmen were 1 1. Cortland at the time was No. 6, with a 0 0 mark. UMBC yesterday may have seen that top spot vanish, as Towson State, the team that nipped Hobart, 18 17 in last year's championship finals and the team that will invade Geneva for a regular season game May 3, stomped UMBC, 23 9.

RICKOCHETS Hobart hosts RPI Saturday at 2 p.m., while Cortland entertains always physical Penn Hobart's game with Ithaca College, postponed earlier in the season, now has been canceled completely. Time of possession belonged to Hobart with the figures 33:55 which will certainly turn things around soon because it has just too much talent, looked to miss graduated All America goalie Pete Graham. Heavyweights O.D. Kinsey and Greg Sorrentino will lead the way as the Central New York Amateur Boxing Club presents a 12 bout card at Grant Junior High School Saturday. Kinsey will take on Albany's Frank Lashway while Sorrentino, a of Carmen Basilio, will trade protege blows with Lee Anderson, also of Albany.

Other scheduled bouts include Jack "Dynamite" Scollo taking on Rochester's Greg Hobart had five man up goals, Cortland If the collective Cortland coaching staff had used half of the energy it spent hollering at referees Jake Curran and Walt Munze on constructive criticism to its players, the score could have been different. 2 0, Chuck Induddi 2 0, Tarnow 0 2. Saves: Wayne Love Stars for Bulls The Bulls then outscored KC Omaha 6 2 in the next four minutes before the Kings rallied with seven straight points to make it 87 78. Love continued his snapshooting and Chicago moved ahead 93 82 with two minutes remaining. Kansas City reeled off eight consecutive points, but the clock ran out on thhe Kings' come from behind attempt.

McNeil, who had averaged 25 points in the first two games of the series, was held to a single basket and sat out most of the second half. Nate Archibald, who was scoreless in the fourth quarter, led the Kings with 18 points, while Johnson, a reserve, collected 15 0 4. Totals 35 20 24. 13 5 8 31, C. Walker 3 3 3 9, Boer o' 0 Thyr sasBCity onmahaW21 al fouls: Lacey, Boxing Card At Grant DelRegno in a 120 pound class match and Tommy Gwynn battling Joe Hernandez of El mira in a 140 pound bout.

All four pugilists are high school seniors. Syracuse middleweight Bobby Harrison will also be in action. The matches begin at 8:15 p.m. with tickets priced at $3 for ringside, $2 for general admission and a dollar for children under 12 years of age. lerapertodandMatifwhaff.

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