Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 12

B2 SPORTS Decatur. Illinois Friday, March 27, 1998 Ml essowe as morals DMir Stottlemyre blanks Expos over seven 'S- -Ti wmmmmm 'I; I a I I I 1 4 i 1 Kxtmmm ii tv- i I Associated Press SILENCES LAWMAKERS: Reggie White, in this image taken from TV Wednesday, spoke to Wisconsin lawmakers who sat in stunned silence as White declared homosexuality a sin, among other statements. Associated Press ROCK 'N FIRE: St. Louis' Todd Stottlemyre delivers a pitch against Montreal during a spring exhibition game Thursday in Jupiter, Fla. Stottlemyre, who will pitch in the Cardinals' season-opener March 31, tossed seven shutout innings, but the Expos won 1-0.

Oootojs tell OjfEcsfra re-foot home in the affluent Dallas suburb of Piano. Aikman had lived there for only three weeks. Damage was limited to the attic and garage. Aikman was away at the time and no one was hurt. 49ERS Eddie DeBartolo is close to regaining control of the San Francisco 49ers from his sister, who took over after he was named in a federal gambling probe in Louisiana, the San Jose Mercury news is reporting.

DeBartolo is expected to swap his holdings in the family business for his sister's share of the team, the newspaper said Thursday. If successful, DeBartolo would drop plans for a $525 million stadium and shopping mall complex, with the belief that the team is more valuable without it, sources told the newspaper. The report came a day after DeBartolo resigned from the board of Simon DeBartolo Group, a real estate investment trust based in Indianapolis. LIONS The Detroit Lions resigned linebacker Ben Hanks and safety Ryan Stewart and signed free-agent linebacker Phillip Ward on Thursday. Hanks had two stints with the Lions last season, playing only on special teams.

He also played on special teams for Minnesota in 1996. Stewart played in eight games on special teams for the Lions last season and in three games for Detroit in 1996. Jeff Blake, filled that need Thurs day by acquiring Paul Justin from Indianapolis for a fifth-round pick in next the April draft. Justin, entering his fourth NFL season, was a restricted free agent after last season. The 29-year-old Justin Backup QB quarterback arrives with a three-year contract already in place.

Blake became the clear starter once Boomer Esiason retired after the season to work for ABC's "Monday Night Football." Justin gives the Bengals an experienced alternative if Blake falters in his seventh NFL season. The only other quarterback on the Cincinnati roster is Eric Kresser, a rookie free agent last year. COWBOYS Investigators say that faulty electrical wiring caused this week's fire at the Piano, Texas, home of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aik-man. The Piano Fire Department confirmed Thursday that the wiring sparked a three-alarm blaze a day earlier that caused about $200,000 in damage. It took more than two years to build the $3.2 million, 12,000 squa hitters will Or The Associated Press Former Washington State terback Ryan Leaf flouted his considerable passing skills before a score of NFL coaches and scouts Thursday in Pullman, Wash.

"I was very impressed with the workout," Kansas City coach Marty Schottenheimer said, after Leaf threw scripted passes to a half-dozen Cougars receivers in Martin Stadium. "He threw the ball accurately. He has great size." Several NFL coaches and scouts watched from the stands as the Cougars' 1998 Rose Bowl quarterback threw about 60 passes during the 40-minute workout in gusty winds. "I thought he had an excellent session," Washington State coach Mike Price said. "He only threw one bad ball." Leaf, who is expected to be the No.

1 or No. 2 selection in next month's NFL draft, did not participate at last month's NFL scouting combine at Indianapolis. The Colts have the first draft pick, with San Diego choosing second. Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, who is competing with Leaf as the first draft pick, already has held a similar workout for the NFL at his school. STINGING SERMON Reggie White, who usually preaches harmony, accomplished the opposite with a sermon to Wisconsin lawmakers that civil rights groups Thursday said amounted to gay-and race-bashing.

White, an ordained minister, called homosexuality a sin and spoke in racial stereotypes, claiming blacks were gifted worshippers, whites were good at tapping into money and American Indians weren't enslaved because they knew the territory and "how to sneak up on people." David Smith, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a gay and lesbian political group, said White showed "complete disrespect" for gay Americans in his remarks Wednesday. "I think he has seriously jeopardized any future role as a sports pundit or analyzer." CBS Sports spokeswoman Leslie Ann Wade would not say whether White's speech would affect his chances for a studio analyst's job he is seeking. BENGALS The Cincinnati Bengals, looking for a backup for I New Continued from B1 the best team he's ever been on," Bruckert said. "Scott got married in November and his attitude is great." Scheller returns after having pitched in Decatur in 1992 and 1993. And Bruckert says all three will be "legal" in terms of pitching style after last year's pitchers, Steve Price and Shane Doherty, were among many called for illegal pitches for failing to keep proper contact with the pitching rubber.

"These guys are as legal as they can be," Bruckert said. The Pride should receive a major hitting boost with the additions of first baseman Rick Elias, one of the top hitters in Canada, along with second baseman Smith, third baseman Matt Kohnle and designated hitter Chris Kohnle, three players who are relocating after DECATUR Here are profiles of the seven new players that will play with the Decatur Pride men's fastpitch softball team this season: MIKE WHITE, pitcher. Over the past 15 years, one of the most decorated players in fastpitch. Righthander with superb control has been named ISC all-world seven times and ASA all-American five times. Pitched for the great Sioux City (Iowa) and Green Bay (Wis.) teams among others.

Helped win ASA National Tournament in 1992, 1993 and 1996 and was named ASA most valuable pitcher in 1992. Helped win ISC World Tournament three times. Native of New Zealand is now eligible to pitch for USA national team and will be eligible for this season's ASA Nationals (with the new "no-foreigner" rule.) The 36-year-old operates Play It Again Sports franchise in Sioux City. SCOTT PLANGGER, pitcher. For many years the pitching mainstay of the Bloomington Hearts and comes to Decatur after pitching for the Peoria River City Rage.

Hard-throwing native of Michigan, 32-year-old has been a nember of numerous U.S. na Pride will fe The Associated Press Chris Widger hit a double off the left-field wall that drove in Ryan McGuire in the 10th inning Thursday, giving the Montreal Expos a 1-0 win over the St Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. McGuire had walked and was sacrificed to second base by Orlando Cabrera. It was the Expos' first win in five meetings this spring between the co-tenants at the new Roger Dean Stadium. Todd Stottlemyre pitched seven shutout innings for the Cardinals, stopping Montreal on four hits and striking out four.

He did not walk anyone. "I've felt good all spring," Stottlemyre said. "Today, I was able to stretch out my innings and get my pitch count up. I feel ready both mentally and physically." Left-hander Trey Moore, penciled in as the Expos' fifth starter, struck out Royce Clayton, Gary Gaetti and Mark McGwire in the first inning. He pitched five shutout innings, giving up four hits with no walks and striking out five.

CUBS 5, ROCKIES 5, 10 If 2 innings Henry Rodriguez drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh and the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies tied 5-5 in a game stopped by rain in the 11th inning. The game was called when it began raining after Colorado batted in the top of the 11th. Sammy Sosa and Henry Rodriguez hit two-run homers in the first inning against Colorado starter Darryl Kile. The Chicago White Sox were rained out Thursday. Sox shortstop Caruso makes big-time jump TUCSON, Ariz.

(AP) He's a kid, a 20-year-old with unwavering confidence, unflagging optimism and unmistakable talent. Mike Caruso's game is also unpredictable he can suddenly drag a bunt and start a rally or pick up a grounder and throw it 20 yards into the seats. Now he's going to make one of baseball's biggest leaps, going from Class A to the major leagues as the starting shortstop for the Chicago White Sox. "I kind of anticipated it, that's the way you got to look at it. This is what I've been working for and practicing for," Caruso said Thursday after he was told by manager Jerry Manuel he had beaten Benji Gil out for the job.

Caruso came to the White Sox in a trade with the Giants last summer, a deal criticized because Chicago sent three of its top pitchers to San Francisco for six prospects. fl WHITE SOX MOVES With No. 2 starter Jeff Fassero on the 15-day disabled list, the Seattle Mariners acquired pitcher Jim Bullinger from the Chicago White Sox in a trade Thursday for minor-league pitcher Marty Weymouth. The Mariners also announced they have claimed right-hander Jose Paniagua on waivers from expansion Tampa Bay. Seattle said that infielder Aaron Holbert has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.

staff reports All-Star prep hoop game tonight TOLEDO The fifth annual Central Illinois All-Star Boys Basketball Game will be held tonight featuring players from the Little Illini Conference and National Trail Conference. The game, will begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for students. The Little Illini Conference will be coached by Tim Pearison of Martinsville and Darren Barndt of Kansas. The roster includes Ben Huffing-ton and Clint Forsythe of Marshall; Josh Clark of Casey-Westfield; Travis Titsworth of Hutsonville; Nathan Stevenson, Clint Wheatley and Josh Walker of Edwards County; Nick Stewart and Jason McGinnis of Cumberland; Rob Walker of Palestine; Mark Tingley of Hutsonville; and Jason Butler of Martinsville.

The National Trail squad will be coached by Rich McMahan of Brownstown and Rick Cook of Cowden-Herrick. Membership meeting on Saturday V. he might not arrive until later in the week, perhaps Saturday at the earliest. RED SOX Mark Lemke, out of work since being let go by the Atlanta Braves after last season, agreed to a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Although he is a career .248 hitter with little power or speed, Lemke became known for his clutch hitting during five NL playoffs and four World Series with the Braves.

ATHLETICS The Oakland Athletics had the worst pitching staff in the majors last season, and an ERA of 6.10 this spring. Pitching coach Bob Cluck has paid the price for that futility. Less than a week before opening day, the A's announced Thursday they had fired Cluck and replaced him with Rick Peterson, a roving minor league pitching instructor. "At some point, results become the end-all in this business. We had to address the fact that we weren't getting results," general manager Billy Beane said.

INDIANS After inspiring Cleveland's high-socks superstition last year, first baseman Jim Thome has rallied the team again this spring with T-shirts that read, "It don't mean a thing 'till we get the ring." Cleveland has lost two of the last three World Series, including last year to Florida. There is no doubting the message, although Omar Vizquel enjoys kidding Thome about a possible double meaning. "The shirts were Thome's girlfriend's idea," Vizquel said. "That's what she said to him. You know, it doesn't mean anything if you don't give me the ring to get married." REDS The Cincinnati Reds got minor league pitcher Jesus Martinez from the Florida Marlins on Thursday, completing the March 21 trade for Eric Owens.

Martinez, 24, is the brother of Pedro and Ramon Martinez. The left-hander has never appeared in a major league game and had no record and a 5.40 ERA in five innings this spring. He was 7-1 with a 6.21 ERA in 12 starts and 14 relief appearances for Triple-A Albuquerque last season. black belt, took second place in the forms competition. Taylorville's Jennifer Kindrek took a silver in the women's form competition.

All medalists are coached by Master Thomas Perry of Perry's School of Tae Kwon Do and Self Defense. They have also qualified for the national competition to be held in Ames, Iowa, on May 14-16. Free tennis lessons being offered CHAMPAIGN Champaign and Urbana will be the site of USA Tennis Free For All events throughout the month of May as part o' the first-even nationwide USA Tennis Month. Festivities begin on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

at Lindsay Tennis Courts. The activities will include free tennis lessons for kids and adults and fun tennis-releated activities for everyone. The public can receive more information after April 10 by calling 352-6044 or (800) 884-USTA. DECATUR The entire Decatur Pride softball roster will be on hand Saturday for the team's kickoff membership meeting. The public is invited to the 7 p.m.

gathering at the Best Western-Shelton Inn. Lori Kerans, Millikin University women's basketball coach the Green Bay squad's breakup. Holdover players from last season include Vic Johns IV, Tim Wargo, J.D. Robertson, Ehren Earleywine, Robbie Tirpak, Todd Twachtmann, Terry Wallin, Chris Jones, John Bargfeldt and Tony Stolfa. Gone from last season's roster are pitchers Steve Price, Shane The Associated Press Lenny Dykstra must stop playing baseball or he will risk serious future injury, the Philadelphia Phillies center fielder has been told by one of the country's leading back specialists.

Dr. Robert Watkins examined the former All-Star on Tuesday in Los Angeles and "felt that Dykstra stood a chance of increased future disability if he were to continue to play," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said. Reached by telephone at his home in suburban Philadelphia, Dykstra refused to say he was retiring. To do so would void the $5.5 million contract he has this year but sounded like he wasn't planning to play again. "I knew my back was in bad shape, but I didn't know it was in that bad shape," he said.

Dykstra, 35, missed the last IV2 seasons after he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. ROCKIES The Arizona Diamondbacks call it an honest mistake by an overzealous employee, but Colorado Rockies manager Don Baylor calls it spying. Glenn Goldman, the Diamondbacks' video coordinator, was ejected from a pair of exhibition games last week for taping the Rockies without permission. Baylor isn't buying the Diamondbacks' apologies, however profuse. The teams play on opening day in Phoenix.

"I wouldn't have thought of stooping to that level," he said. "I wonder what they'll have at Bank One Ballpark. They might have the clubhouse bugged. I can't put that past them considering the (stuff) they've tried this spring." Both teams' training camps are in Tucson, though at different t)clllp)cLrl(S WHITE SOX Wil Cordero, who agreed to a contract with the Chicago White Sox three days ago, had still not arrived Thursday as the team broke spring training camp. Cordero did not make a Thursday flight from San Juan, Puerto, Rico because his estranged wife was about to deliver their child, White Sox general manager Ron Schueler said.

Cordero phoned and said he would leave after the child was delivered, Schueler said, meaning 1 VjjTpg The roster includes John Nie-brugge and Jos Esker of Teutopo-lios; Matthew Powell, Andrew Snyder and Kurt Friese of Stew-Stras; Tom Young of Neoga; Erik Sefton of Brownstown; Ben Koes-ter and Nick Roedl of St. Anthony; Jason Robertson of Cowden-Herrick; Joe Laatsch of Altamont; and Sam Irving of Windsor. Four from Decatur medal in tournament ANTIOCH Three Decatur residents took gold medals and one earned a silver at the Illinois State Tae Kwon Do Association's State Championships on Monday. Todd Baum took a gold medal in free fighting in the black belt middleweight division. Baum is a third degree black belt.

Robyn Ploessl won a pair of gold medals. She was first in both the forms compeition and free fighting in women's black belt lightweight division. Shari Cain earned a gold medal in forms competition in the women's black belt division. Joshua Sharp, a third degree awe seven new provide pop and athletic director, will be the guest speaker. The evening will include drawings, door prizes, a preview of 1998 souvenirs, refreshments, soft drinks, finger foods and a cash bar.

Pride Booster Club memberships will be available. Doherty, Doug Gillis and David Scott and position players Ross Dey, Dave Hoffman, Pat Pownall and Ron Jones. The season opens on Friday, May 1 against Springfield at Borg-Warner Field. The official home opener will be held on Saturday, May 2 against Dubuque, Iowa at Borg-Warner. hitting in 1994 and was a first-team All-American.

Also named first-team ISC all-world in 1996 and will tryout for the U.S. Pan American Games team this summer. CHRIS KOHNLE, designated hitter. Brother of Matt Kohnle, also played last season for Green Bay All Car. Chris, 31, was a first-team ISC all-world performer in 1996 while leading Green Bay to the ASA national championship.

He was also helped Green Bay win the ISC crown in 1994. Power hitter could also be used at first base. RICK ELIAS, first base. One of the top hitters in softball, the 1997 MVP at the Canadian National Tournament. Elias, 27, was the top hitter and top catcher at the Canadian Nationals in 1994.

Knee injury limits his catching nowadays. Left-handed hitter has a rocket arm if ever used in the outfield. Hits for power and for average and does it against the better pitching in the game. The season opens on Friday, May 1 against Springfield at Borg-Warner Field. The official home opener will be held on Saturday, May 2 against Dubuque, Iowa, at Borg-Warnei players tional teams in both the International Softball Federation world championships and in the Pan American Games.

He and White have both been invited to the Pan Am tryouts this summer. ROB SCHELLER, pitcher. Returns to Decatur after pitching here in 1992 and 1993. Canadian right-hander won the 1997 ASA Major Modified National Tournament and was named MVP in the process. Age 34, Scheller helped pitched team to Canadian National Championship in 1994.

ADAM SMITH, second base. Current member of Canadian national team won the RBI title at the ISC World Tournament in 1995. Also named ISC all-world in 1994 and helped Canada win the Pan American Games gold medal in 1995. Smith, 33, has experience working with Pride shortstop Chris Jones, which should strengthen infield defense through the middle. MATT KOHNLE, third base.

A rising American star. The 29-year-old from Tisch Mills (Wis.) is a big, strapping hitter with surprising quickness. Arrives following breakup of Green Bay, (Vtfis.) All Car Roadrunners team. led the ASA National Tournament in.