News Record from North Hills, Pennsylvania • Page 16

B4 Friday, June 25, 1993 News Record SPORTS Ingomar champions ready to defend title By Bob Scott Conn pondent The Ingomar-Franklin Park Athletic Association picked 28 boys for its two Little League Williamsport tournament teams The Ingomar-Franklin Park Little League has more than 200 kids According to Williamsport tournament rules, teams that participate can't draw from more than 120 play- -ers So Ingomar-Franklin Park split their Little League in two Both teams compete in the tournament, which starts the first week of July Last year, the American League and advanced to the Eastern Regional Final in Bristol, Conn The 11- and 12 year-old team was two victories away from a trip to the Little League World Series Williamsport. Brian Frey. Jake Koodnch and Chad Williams return from last year's American League team. In 1990 and 1991, an Ingomar team reached the state finals but lost Claude Brockschmidt, the league's assistant commissioner, thinks last year will be hard to duplicate Ingomar's best National League Jtrred Corts (12, AAroo), Drew Hengwi (11, Astrm), John Hootahan Astros), Jnon Curry (12, Bnvw), JttTM Noble (12, McMlton (12, Cute). Dan Nnwd (12, Dodgm).

Mix Mow (12, Expos), Mark Jurara (12, Expos), John Mot- (12. PtttNss). Mitt Bridge (12, American League Btiy Bosh (12, hxiiira), Dams Boyle (1 1 Twins), Josh Breeht (12, Whits Sox), Mke OCieco (12, On- oles), 'Bran Frey (12, A's), Jonathan (12, Red Sox), Make Kooonch (12, Luke Lambo (12, Brewers), Jason Laws (12, Indians), Adam MiHer (12, Royals), Mha Raped! (12, Red Sox), Derek Rosso (11, Rangers), Wftams (12, Rangers). championship tscm "What they did last year was pretty incredible," he said. "We can only hope that they have that kind of success this year." The teams are chosen by a vote of players and managers.

ERIC A. FELACK, ttiff Breeder Robert Key estimates his stables produce four to eight successful stakes horses each year. Leechburg stable seeks out winners By Frank Pastor SUf! writer Owner and breeder Robert Key of Leechburg estimates his stable produces four to eight successful stakes horses each year, Occasionally, something extraordinary comes along. Horses such as Super Pleasure, with career earnings of $827,000, and Amneris, which won $970,000 and set 18 world records, are in a class by themselves. Key's newest colt, American Win- Jier is malting a Strong rasp tn HP How much? Before an owner can begin collecting prize money, he or she must invest nearly $450 a month to raise the horse, $1,000 to $1,800 a month to train it and another $6,000 to $12,000 to cover the stakes payments to keep it eligible for the top races.

"That pretty well sets you up rf you have a good horse," owner and breeder Robert Key nf Loarhhiirn saift Padres shed Sheffield, tall salary By Mark Woods Qanntn Newt MIAMI The Florida Marlins became the latest team to take advantage of the San Diego Padres' bargain basement sale Thursday. They acquired third baseman Gary Sheffield, who last season became the youngest National League batting champion in 30 years, and left-handed reliever Rich Rodriguez. They gave up right-handed reliever Trevor Hoffman and two minor- league pitching prospects, tinez and Andres Berumea The Padres looked atSheffleld, a Florida native, and saw one set of numbers: a $3.11 million salary and a Sheffield contract that expires in 1994. Florida, and at least three other teams in the bidding, saw some different numbers. They saw his age, only 24, and the statistics he put up last season while making a run at the triple crown.

He was first in batting third in home runs (33) and fifth in ruittbattedin ttOOh "One thing you have to remember," Marlins manager Rene Lache- mann said Thursday, "One guy is not going to turn everything around" But when Sheffield slips on a Marlins' uniform for the first time today it will have an immediate impact. For starters, Dave Magadan, the Marlins' third baseman until Thursday, loses his starting job. Magadan, who is hitting .288, could be involved in a trade before the All-Star break. Junior Felix, the erratic right-fielder, also lost his job. The Marlins will give prospect Darrell Wbitmore a shot now that Sheffield is attracting most of the attention.

Playing at triple-A Edmonton, he is hitting .355 and leading the Pacific Coast-League with-62 RBL The trade solidifies Bryan Harvey's job. Hoffman was considered an heir to Harvey, who has an expansion-team record 21 saves. Fans blast trade Two Padres season ticket- holders filed a class-action lawsuit against the team Thursday, alleging it had reneged on a promise to keep Gary Sheffield in a letter to ticket-holders. Sheffield leaves behind Fred McGnff and Derek Bell. McGnff, the highest-paid Padres players at $4 million, has been the subject of trade rumors.

where we are a contending club and an exciting said Padres GM Randy Smith. accepts his 'role' By Ralph Bernstein Tht Prui PHILADELPHIA Outfielder Jim Eisenreicn has made a career of being a stand-in. He doesn't think about what he could have been. He dismisses the thought that a nervous disorder might have cheated him from becoming a star. "I'm good enough in my own mind," he said.

"I don't really care. It doesn't bother what you Eisenreich do in your career really doesn't excite me too much. "It might when you're a grandfather and you got your little'grand- children around you. You could say I hit 30 home runs every year for five years or whatever. Big deal "If I want to say anything to my grandchildren, it's that we won the 1993 World Series.

This is the ring that we got." Eisenreich is a lifetime 211 hitter in the major leagues. "I'm not the kind of guy to talk about stats. I don't care how good I could have been or how good I am now. As long as I'm helping a team and making a good living, that's all that's important" That's what he's doing nowfor the Philadelphia Phillies. Eisenreich is second on the club in games with 67.

As a pinch-hitter and spot starter he's hitting .349 with'25 runs batted in. He carries a career-high 13-game hitting streak into Pittsburgh for the opening of a three-game series today with the Pirates. Eisenreich's battle with a neurological movement disorder has been well-documented He lost five years before medication and perseverance allowed him to return to major league baseball. The past six years Eisenreich played for Kansas City, with two brief trips to the minors. This winter he becamea-free agenLwhen Royals indicated they would keep him only as a pinch hitter and at a drastically reduced salary.

"I chose Philadelphia because it was the best job opportunity," he said earlier this week. Eisenreich, who still has facial ticks despite the medicine he takes daily, said he ag no illusions at this stage of his career. "I'm 34 years old and never have played regular except that first year Minnesota)," he said. "That lasted 30 games. I've accepted my role.

I've had my share of playing time." Phillies manager Jim Fregosi says Eisenreich brings a mental discipline to the clubhouse. "The best way to describe Jim Eisenreich," Fregosi said, "is that he is a professional." Pirates: Phillies to test mettle of young players From B1 After sweeping a four-game series from the New York Mets, the Pirates took two of three from the Chicago Cubs in Three Rivers Stadium. In their past seven games, the team corned- ran- overage te wants to beet the "It's a big weekend." Jim Leyland Tracking the Pirates Oil llBCk JUNE-JULY Home Away FBI. SAT. SUN.

MON. TUB. WED. THU. as PHIL 726., 2 CIN 7:35 26 PHH.

iJc. 3 CIN 7:05 27 PHIL 4 1 ON 2.15 28 MON 7:35 5 CIN 2:05 29 MON 7:35 6 HOU 8.05 30 MON 7:35 7 HOU 805 1 MON 1:35 a HOU 8,05 On deck: The Phillies Pitching Denny Neagle earned run average) vs. Tommy Greene ERA), 7:35 p.m. today; Steve Cooke ERA) vs. Curt Schilling 7:05 p.m.

Saturday; Zane Smith vs. Terry Mulholland 1:35 p.m. Sunday. On the alirAII-games-wiH-b broadcast on KDKA radio, 1020- AM. KOKA-TV will televise Saturday's game.

About the Phillies: The big story out of Philadelphia this season has been the offbeat clubhouse atmosphere, but the Phillies have played super baseball. They pitch (3.35 team ERA). They hit (.266 and lead the league in homers with 74 and runs with 379). They win (their 50-21 record is the best in baseball and the Phillies are on pace to win 114 games.) The offense was expected to be strong. It has a lot of talent in Lenny Dykitra, John Kruk, Darren Daulton and Dave Hollins.

But the pitching has been a surprise. Tommy Greene came back from injuries in 1992 to have a sensational start 9-1 with a 2.56 ERA. Terry MulhoHand and Curt Schilling are having solid years. The relief corps has been solid. Righty Larry Anderson ERA) and lefty David Weet (1-2, 2,31 ERA) have been effective setting the table for closer Mitch Williams.

Williams has 22 saves, 25 strikeouts and nine walks in innings. Williams has had a lot of leads to power manager Jim Fregosi has at his disposal, Dykstra has begun to hit again after a slow start-and now has his average up to .282. He leads the league in runs scored with 62. Kruk is hitting .358 and Daulton has 15 homers and 57 runs batted in to solidify his place among the -National League's best catchers. The biggest surprise has been Pete Incaviglla.

Picked up for bench strength, he has provided some heavy hitting .292, with 12 homers and 47 RBI. Leechburg's Mickey Morandlni has struggled with a .230 batting average but he is still a fixture at second base. Everywhere they look, good omens pop up for this team. When Hollins, a major offensive force, went on the disabled list with a wrist injury, Fregosi moved Kim Batiste to third base and Batiste has hit over .300 there. For the season, he is batting .315 with 17 RBI in 27 games.

The last time: The Phillies took two of three from the Pirates, as Daulton proved to be a difficult out for the Pirates' pitchers. Daulton hit a grand slam to beat Bob Walk, 5-1, the first game, and his homer beat Randy Tom- lln, 4-1, in the third game of the senes. The Pirates took the middle game, 8-4, as Dave Otto got two included in that group. "American Winner is the first horse we've had that surpasses (Amneris) in ability," Key said. Sired by Super Bowl from the mare BJ's Pleasure, American Winner is the top-rated trotter in the country and considered an overwhelming favorite to win the Ham- bletonian Aug.

7 at the Meadowlands, in New Jersey. The 3-year-old colt was sixth overall in the June 14 Standardbred compiled by Harness Racing Communications. All five horses ranked ahead of him are pacers. After a modest rookie year, American Winner burst onto the harness racing scene with a surprise victory in the $163,399 Dexter Cup Trot Final May 15 at Freehold Raceway. Driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Steve Bush, American Winner overcame 51-1 odds to win in two minutes edging Armbro Lexicon by a neck The victory paid $81,699 for owners Key and John Glesmann of New Jersey.

American Winner's Dexter Cup victory was more surprising considering that he was coming off a minor stress fracture in his right hoof "BJ's Pleasure overcame a similar injury as a 2-year-old The horse fractured its leg and had stainless steel screws inserted into its knees at the University of Pennsylvania. BJ's Pleasure went on to race 36 times and win $244,000. "That's why our horses are so good," Key said. "They have her heart." American Winner showeda lot of heart in its next race, from the eight hole to win Currier Ives Open Trot May 29 at Ladbroke at The Meadows. Doug Snyder drove American Winner to victory in 1:56.2, a national season's mark.

The victory was the first Currier Ives for Snyder, Key and Glessman. Under, the training of Milton Smith, American Winner added to its earnings with victories in the $125,000 Mcfarlane Memorial June 4 at Detroit's Hazel Park and the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes June 11 at Ladbroke at The Meadows. American Winner has won six of eight starts this season and compiled earnings of $245,000. Besides the $1.3 million Hamble- tonian, American Winner will be racing seven other major races, including today at Scioto Racetrack in Columbus, Ohio. starting pitchers are 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA and the bullpen has three saves and a 1.65 ERA.

"We're getting contributions from everybody," Leyland said. "Good things are starting to happen. I see guys that were lacking confidence early and you can read in their faces that they're gaining confidence." The injury to veteran ce'nter fielder Andy Van Slyke might have been what woke up the Pirates. Van Slyke broke his collarbone two weeks ago when he ran into the wall chasing a fly ball in center field at Busch Stadium, "Andy getting hurt was really an eye-opener," said Al Martin, who has taken over in center field. "It was like getting thrown right into the fire.

I'm not a just a rookie anymore, where if I do OK, that's great, and if I don't, well, I'm still learning, so that's OK too. I've got to produce. We all have to." Especially against the Phillies. "They're in first place," said Stan Belinda, who has a 3-1 record with five saves and a 1.44 ERA in his career against Philadelphia. "Everybody in the league wants to get them.

I hope we play good. I want to beat them. Everybody else Philadelphia's 50-21 record is the best in baseball. Starting pitchers Greene, Curt Schilling and Terry Mulholland have a combined 26-8 record and a 2.91 ERA. "It's a big weekend," said Leyland.

"They're playing better than anybody in baseball. Sure, we'd like to get two of three and I think we're capable of that "It'U be a good test for our young players, because they're bringing in three pretty good pitchers. It's going to be an interesting weekend for our bailclub." protect Because onneonensive ABOVE GROUND SWIMMING POOLS WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE! BABCOCK BLVD 821-5393 WEXFORD 934-3253 ROUN OVAL STEEL ALUMINUM DISCOUNT DALE'S POOL AND SPA WAREHOUSE Mount Alvernla star on junior list Mount Alvernia High School's Nicole Kinsel will play for the Pittsburgh Junior National girls basketball team, to be coached by -Olympian The team will be one of 32 competing July 24-28 at American University Washington Also on the team are Upper St Clair's Jamie and Kerry Brown, Oakland Caiholk 1 Keisha Cculliifln 4nd Kellv Mathews. Carlynton's Melissa Charles. Hempfield's Jill Cupples Kelly.

Jo Doerzbacher. Connellsville's Wluer Specialized skills across the full spectrum of orthopaedic care Now that warmer weather is here, many of us will head outdoors to jog. Jogging is a great way to get and stay in shape. If you plan to run the road to better health, be careful. During the first few weeks, probably feel areas of your body that you haven't felt all winter.

"Done properly, jogging can provide a vigorous aerobic workout with minimal stress on your body," according to Nick DiGiovine, D. who specializes in sports medicine and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, elbow and knee. "In sports medicine, we analyze how injuries occur in effective prevention For more information on running without injury, call our Cranberry office at (412) 772-5250. Oakland Hssociates Nick DiGiovine MD lop i jeol I EVERY SUNDAY It's the season ton baseball, and the North Hills News Record catches every pitch each Sunday In Diamond Fever, a special weekly report that features-stories, tips and profiles on North Hills area youth CATCH Every Sunday in the News Record, FOP convenient home delivery, Pill 7JT9.7B9P 9QQ.QKnE Gina Nerone. Manon Center's Alison Seanor and OLSH's Aimee Young.

lecnniques Tor active peupie, wneineT Tney re weekend athletes or marathon runners," DiGiovine says From staff reports Pittsburgh (412)661-5500 Call any office toll free (800)-544-9340 KMMoruiauiB News Record.