Richmond Times-Dispatch from Richmond, Virginia • 65

Richmond Times-Drspateti Wednesday July 31 1996 N5 Tilmon wants to toss more fastballs not the towel BY VIC FlILP Times-Dispatch Staff Writer At the double-A level a pitcher with a 5-3 record and a 305 earned run average would almost certainly carry the tag of Pat Tilmon however is an exception to the rule Tilmon is carrying those statistics with the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks of the independent Northern League Moreover he has 51 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 62 innings of work He has allowed 67 hits But Tilmon is no longer a prospect He can no longer encourage himself with the reminder that promotion to the big show the major leagues is only a matter of time The problem is that on May 4 Tilmon crashed the thirtysomething age category not exactly ready for senior-citizen discounts but he is at an age that doesn't easily catch the eye of folks looking for major-league talent However Tilmon who originally signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1987 still has a passion for the game and carries a dream that he might get that big break mainly still playing because I still love the game and I'm still having Tilmon said never know what's going to happen in this game Dale Polly and Billy Taylor make it to the big leagues until they were 30 A pitcher seems to have a couple of more years to make it than an everyday player" Two of 36 strikeouts came against Darryl Strawberry during his rehabilitation period but they came after Strawberry ripped a homer off Tilmon in his first at-bat Tilmon chase foul balls on nights he isn't pitching but his duties with the Whiskey Jacks go for beyond launching fast-balls and curves During the season he doubles as the pitching coach and in the off-season he works in the front office As director of baseball operations for the Whiskey Jacks Tilmon said have to help find players find them housing order equip ment and do some promotional work But during the season I have to give up the front office A former standout at Prince George High Tilmon a right-hander went to Manatee Junior College in Florida to play ball in 1984 After two seasons at Manatee he transferred to the University of South Carolina at Aiken He signed with the Braves in and remained with them until 1992 playing at Pulaski Burlington (NC) and Durham (NC) tore a ligament in my elbow in spring training in said Tilmon was only a week left before the start of the season and I threw the first batter a curve ball I went and had surgery in Atlanta and spent the whole 91 season doing rehab Richmond went well but took longer than I thought I think I was 100 percent in spring training of '92 1 got released by Atlanta in 92 and was ready to hang it Tilmon talked to former Richmond Braves front office worker and owner cf the Durham Bulls Miles Wolfe who put him in touch with the Northern League for the '93 season did go to spring training with the Xoron-to Blue Jays from '93 to Tilmon said want to stay in the game as long as I can As to which direction I'm not sure Coaching or something but now I'm leaning more toward the front But with more expansion on the horizon who kmjws what the future may hold? SPORTS CALENDAR Wesleys strength not in numbers PLUS TiLOHm PLUS 6 Lh 232(1 arias to country church9 doing just fine AEROBICS IKE PETERSBURG RECREATION DEPARTMENT wtt hoM aerobic dam on Mondays Wadnssdsys and Fridays from pmri the Hardini Street Community Center Coat ia $1 each day Information: 733-2394 El BASEBALL RICHMOND BASEGML ACADEMY holding aummer baaebril campa throufi AugrA Information: Tommy Nuctati or Bab Smith (264-3648) COLONIAL HEIGHTS RECREATION DEPARTMENT ia tponaohnt Britimor Ortoia but trip to tea tha Balbmota OrWet the Saatde Manne on Aug 22 Com: $34 Information: 520-9390 coaches and Little League cranes before Nuguent said have several others who are officials with the chruch and church meet-ings come before softball almost all of them have families and the family definitely conies before This is the third year Wesley has fielded a team after a long absence from the diamonds had a bunch of young boys in the church who wanted to play so we decided to start the team up again and give them a chance" Nuguent said also meant a few of us had to come out of retirement to All the players live in southern Chesterfield except for Bubba Shep-person who resides in Petersburg CHURCH FROM PAGE N4 third baseman Mike Price The outfielders include Andy Price Eddie Wyatt Bubba Shepper-son and Jason Reeves Others who fill in at a variety of positions are Jeff Foster Kevin Kidd Bobby Tipton Justin Reeves and Jimmy Reeves Another standout is Steve Fleming neighbor and a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates "Steve can hit a ball about as for as any man ever Nugent said Wesley entered two leagues this year to make sure everyone got ample playing time The lineup varies according to the nlavers' obligations have four Little League FOOTBALL CHESTER FOOTBALL registration for age 6-13 mil be held Saturday from 9 ajn to 1 pm at Cheatar Middle Information: Faye Kennedy LEADING THE CONGREGATION Witley ChapeT church softal team has ban a Mt yndar tha dhwcMon of Len-nla Nugent Tha team la In socond place In two Colonial iMgina COLONIAL HENHTS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION ANO PARKS ia aporaodni a but tnp to the Redshns-Philadelphia Eages Same on SepL 1 at RFK Stadium Coat: $100 include ticket and tranaportation Inton nation: 520939a I FUB FOOTBALL OFFICIALS it aeatang member for Ml season Bob Jacob (795-1984) Wave grad Ovens cooking at softball top level IB GOLF FOURTH ANNUAL RICHARD SAUARD JR MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT mil bo Md on Saturday at 7 ajn at Tha Higilanda Gar Course Optain'a cboica 2-bal acrambla Coal: $100 Information: Robbia Thompaon (530-1699) RUNNING the heavy barbells He ranks with the strongest men in the game with a 475-pound bench press "I leave work each day go the weight room and then go and take an hour to an hour-and-a-half of batting Ovens said "Softball is like a job on top of a job I have a very understanding Ovens is well compensated fro1 his softball chores He has personal service contracts with Sunbelt and Easton All expenses are paid for his weekend tournament flights Also Ovens has had his name on a Louisville Slugger glove He eventually hopes to have his name as a signature model fra Eastern bats Defensively Ovens does everything he can to try and throw off the timing of the other sluggers Sometimes that includes charging the batter after making a delivery wife tells me going to get he said just trying to get into the minds Some people say trying td show them up just trying to get them the USSSA World Series in Frederick Md say this is the best team been on because been lucky enough to be on some real good ones" said Ovens "But hitting it about as well as you can hit Sunbelt has taken first in 8 of 11 tournaments and is hitting 704 with 988 homers in the 58 games a for cry from the kind of competition Ovens was involved with at Lee Park when he was just getting his feet wet in the slow-pitch game played with a bunch of guys from Petersburg High and we did very well" Ovens said won the state one year and went to a couple of nationals We were just a bunch of young guys who ran the other team to Ovens has lived in Florida since 1981 where he works forVisitec a medical supplies cranpa- ny His parents Robert Jr and Millie Maddrey still reside in the Tri-Cities area A dedicated weight lifter Ovens traces his increased body weight to his long hours under game and he is also the best offensive pitcher in the said Wayne Williamson the sponsor Sunbelt featuring players from nine states also includes second baseman Greg Harding from Clover Hill High and the University of Richmond Harding who completed his undergraduate degree at Virginia State University and was a Trojans baseball coach is hitting 748 with a 31 homer frequency Ovens has played fra: five USSSA World Series champions: Catering (Fla) Shen Valley (Va) (Conn) and The Smythe Sox (Ga) twice In 1991 he played for a squad that won the grand slam of softball (all four national championships) The current Sunbelt team is another threat to win the grand slam which this year includes the ISA Nationals in Portland Ore the ASA Super Nationals in Johnson City Term the NSA World Series in East Chicago Ind and BY FRED JETER Times-Dispatch staff writer i One ofthe elite Blow-pitch softball players traces his humble roots in the sprat to Lee Park in Petersburg Robert Ovens weighed about 180 pounds and was primarily a punch hitter when he broke into softball with a class team (Cavalier Trane) soon after graduation from Petersburg High in 1975 Now Ovens carries 250 pounds on a solid 6-0 frame hits the ball about as for as any man alive and is the pitcher for the No 1-ranked team in the nation SunbeltEaston based in Centerville Ga Ovens who resides in Bradenton Fla with wife Julie and two sons Matt and Hunter is hitting 717 with 84 home runs (a homer every 303 at-bats) for a Sunbelt squad that is 50-8 and top-ranked in all four umbrella organizations (USSA ASA NSA and ISA) me Butch is the best pitcher in the SECOND ANNUAL PONT LEE MILE CHALLENGE will be Dak) on Aug 17 RegarriJon at 6:45 ajn race begn at 8 am Coat: $10 (include T-shirt) baton Aug 13 $6 on raca day (no T-Mft) Intoimatton: Larry Tolar (246-8210) or Nad Wilton (526-3932) PECAN GROVE DUATHLON wiM be held at Rtchard Bland CoNasa on Saturday at 7:30 am Race indudea 5K tun 32K btka nda and 5K run Race-day mgMration from am Information: Judi Robertion (520-7485) or Donna Copley (748-6509) SOCCER 50 Bade Cody Deckert PS0N 4722 9-10 RESULTS THETD 50 Back Joaeph VWkfl NOVA 4792 100 Back Ravercomb NOVA 1:3295 50 Break: Judin Cortes PSON 4719 100 Breast: A Sai-lergen NOVA 1:4396 649-6298 NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION A MOTIVATOR Richmond Stmeo-iBtfjuitcfe SWIMMING VIRGINIA GLIMMER AWARDS (July 1S-21 at Radford Unkerrity) Dial 649-6828 for the latest results 50 Bade Bryan Ptecentint PSON 4797 100 Back Justin Cortot PSON 1:4497 100 Butterfly: Joaeph WML NOVA 1:3849 200 IM: Jama Liddto NOVA 3:2316 U-12 COLONIAL HEMHT8 SOCCER ASSOCIATION ana tne cotomai nevus uepanment or iners abon and PirV' are sponsoring an adult soccer leagre (30-and-ddar) RagMrabon deadline is Kit 11 Coat: $30 $45 tor husband and wife Regulation at the Colonial HeigH Library from noon to 2 pjn on Saturday Information: Adriano Pdo (5209889) POCOSHOCK VALIEV YOUTH SOCCER hae openings tor U-9 advanced sMIsgrt soccer team that wM play in Central Virgnia Gets Soccer Lsagre lecreationM diviMon in toll aeaion Training and tryout (if neceaary) Aug 6 from pm at Manchester Mddie Information: Mdw Conner (272-6176) POCOSHOCK VALIEV YOUTH SOCCER 017 GIRLS competitive team (bom after Aug 11979) has two openings for players vnth advanced MiG and U-1A gbla competitive team (bom after Aug 1 1983) haa opening for gatekeeper Information: Debi Evans 745-5331 George Merier 745-1227 for U-17 Dan DRton 674-9250 tor U-16 URLS OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PR09RAM tryout wR be held Aug 17-18 at Providanc Mri-die School tor U-12 througi U-19 players Cost: $15 Information: Haney Uoyd (796-3231) or Art WaKman (1-823-6504) CHESTERFIELD HAMES U-1S travai aeiact team Is tooNng tor additional ptoyars for the 96-97 season Information: Fred Haaach (745-0394 or 524-7407) CHESTERFIELD SOCCER CUM is accepting toll regulation for players bom between 7-3192 and 7-31-78 Com is $50 Information: 796-3030 or 790-1403 50 Bade Vbgnia Madin VACS 5260 50 Breast: Virgnia Madin VACS 5694 TV Bath Santo PSON 389a 50 Butterfly Waiters VACS 3592 11-12 Lauren EMot NOVA 200 Lauren EMot NOVA 2:3462 400 Fiee: Imrrr Vinson VACS 5:3002 100 Bread: Lauren EMot NOVA 1299a 50 Butterfly: Lauren EMot NOVA 3695 200 IM: Jaaeke Vinson VACS 39631 13-14 Winners 100 Beck Haley PhiMps PSON 1:1746 200 Beck Hdey PhRips PSDN 2:4657 200 IM: Holey Phdlips PSDN 2:4788 400 IM: Hdey PhiMpe PSON 59594 50 Free: Ehn GoochMe PSON 3247 100 Bread: Rory Martin PSDN 1:2895 100 Butterfly: Christine Kwon VACS 1:1897 400 IM: Erin Coochiote PSON 60910 100 Butterfly: Erin Butcher PSDN 1:2151 200 Butterfly Hdey PhiMpe PSON 2:5614 Froe: Karen O'Grady PSDN 1:2168: 200 Rea: Karan O'Grady PSON 39026 100 Bade Rebecca Ruaasll VACS 1:3391 50 Butterfly: Laclair NOVA 4197 200 IM: Darians KM VACS 3:2149 REWARE) UP TO $1000 50 Ffee: Chrii Manhafl PSON 3256 200 Free: Gregory Kaon VACS 100 Butterfly: Gregxy Naan VACS 1:2000 50 Free: Christopher Ptecentini PSON 3646 400 Free: Gregory Neon VACS 5:3283 100 Beck Gregory Hwon VACS 12686 13-14 i Holmes PSON 19656 Chile Noam PSON 1:1656 100 Bisect: Murph Hriasz NOVA 1:2121 200 BraattCMe Neon PSON 69657 100 Back Keen Mathay PSON 1:2096 200 IM: Matt Armans PSON 29196 200 Ftee: Darlene KM VACS 3:1050 50 Back A Madin VACS 4693 100 Bade Dartene KM VACS 1:3497 50 Breast: Johanna Mri-la PSDN 5228 100 Breast: Blayre EDM NOVA 1:5092 11-12 100 Rse Writers VACS 1:1127 50 Bach International national regional state and local news you need to know Business news you can use food sports and entertainment information with Flair you want to read The Richmond Times-Dispatch is your survival guide to life Mid Atlantic's Largest Antique 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This week Crime Solvers needs your help to solve several break-ins that have occurred at churches in Dinwiddie County Between June 29th and July 13th three churches have been forcibly entered The Church of Nazarene in the northern section of the county Mansons Methodist and Cutbank Baptist Churches in the southern section of Dinwiddie Items taken were office supplies and a PA system However damages and property taken exceed over this time Officers have few leads at this time and your call could solve these cases Crime Solvers pays rewards of up to $100000 in cash for information that leads to an arrest If you know who is' responsible for these church break-ins or if you have information on any crimes in the Petersburg or Dinwiddie area call Crime Solvers at 861-1211 Remember as always all calls are absolutely confidential You have to give your name or testify in court to earn the reward POCOSHOCK YOUTH SOCCER it- aaoMng coaches tor advanced MHt competitive youth toarm (boy and fits) tor toll and spring 97 season Intomulton: 276-1642 ADVANCED SKILLS SOCCER TRAINING is Heir held tor boy and grtag 11 and ddr Four hours minimum weehendapmtonad Information: Tony Tommaai (320-7229) RICHMOND KICKERS SUMMER SOCCER CAMPS WTO be hold and Aug 12-16 tor age 6-18 Information: 644-KICK SOFTBALL USSSA YOUTH FAST-PITCH TOURNAMENT the Eaet Coaat Ctorii tor U-1S U-16 U-14 and U-12 team will be hrid at the LX Bid Complex RugMnbon deadline: Aug 6 at 7 pjn Contact BR Lowe (672-2728) or Done Lewie (744-2649) USSSA YOUTH BLOWPITCH TOURNAMENTS led Chance Sutler wR be hdd Aug 17 Competitive U-16 U-14 and U-12 and U-10 teams MM be held at the RFAP Mi in Henrico RagMrabon deadline: Aug 13 at 7 pjn Information: BR Lowe (672-2728) MISCELLANEOUS PRINCE GEORGE COYOTE ARCHERY CLUB invite aH archer to attend as 3-D archery tournaments held the Bwd and fourth wediend of auery month IHigitratinn ia from 7:30 a-m to 1 pm on Satuntoy or Sunday- Coat ia $5 Information: Don Hefner (861-3323 avanind) RICHMOND I State im At Laburnum Ave and Henrico Tpke AdmiMMion: $200 Ivr Info: 804-431-9500 i I I i.