Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 14

DETROIT FREE PRESS Tuesday, Sept. 10, 74 5-C BeLorea ertoB els Is I FIRST, CLUB'S INDEBTEDNESS TO WFL MUST BE CLARIFIED mminent defense. We hope to get some more help by Wednesday when we play Florida." Florida, which beat the Wheels 18-14 in their first meeting eight weeks ago, is the first of three straight road opponents for the Detroit club. Next week they go to Southern California and on Sept. 25 they visit the New York Stars.

"When we have the offer reedy, we will present it to Sonny Grandelius and he will take it through whatever channels it must go through in the Wheels' organization." Attorney John Noonan PiMiMEXWlLB "Regardless if I don't get a team there this season I will continue to work toward putting an expansion team in Charlotte In 1975." Bell said that he would pay a visjt to the current hometown of any team he purchased, carefully avoiding saying that the Wheels were the team he had his eyexin. "If I bought a team with the intention of moving it to Charlotte," he said, "I would visit the town where it is currently located to reassure the players and owners that everything would go without a hitch from that point on." WITH THE EVENTUAL HOME of the Wheels still unsettled, coach Dan Boisture continued to prepare his team for their 11th game of the WFL season. The Wheels added rookie linebacker Charles Battle, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker from Grambling who was recently cut by New England, as Boisture attempted to strengthen his defense. Even though Detroit held Southern California to a single touchdown in losing its 10th game in a row, 10-7, Friday night at Ypsilanti, the Wheel coach was not impressed after viewing films of the game. "We still need some help.

We are concerned about our BY CHARLIE VINCENT Fret Prui Sports Writer Attorney John Noonan will meet with World Football League commissioner Gary Davidson Tuesday in Chicago to clear up details that would open the way for the purchase of. the Wheels by Detroiters John DeLorean and Roy Zur-kowski. "The obvious reason is to talk to him, as the head of the league, as to certain points on the Wheels franchise that we want clarified," said Noonan. "It isn't entirely clear to us 'just what indebtedness the Wheels have to the league. We want that clarified.

If we're going to get into a deal like this, that is something we naturally would have to know." Noonan said, he expected it would be at least Wednesday or Thursday before DeLorean and Zurkowski would be able to make an offer to purchase the Wheels from the current group of 32 owners. DeLorean, the former vice president of General Motors, and Zurkowski, head of Vic Tanny health spas, are attempting to form a group, to. buy the winless World Football League club and keep it in the Detroit area. "When we have the offer ready, we will present it to Sonny Grandelius and he will take it through whatever mw LESS wo channels it must go through in the Wheels said Noonan, who is the attorney for Grandelius general manager, of the Wheels as well as for DeLorean. "I would say an offer is imminent." Noonan said.

BUT AT THE SAME time Upton Bell, former general manager of the New England Patriots and son of one-time National Football League comissioner Bert Bell, is laying plans to move the team to Charlotte, N.C., by the time of their next home game, Oct. 2. "I can't really comment on it," Bell said from his home in a Boston suburb. "But I have laid all the groundwork in Charlotte and I have committed myself for the stadium for four games this season. If I don't find out something shortly, I'll have to notify the people in than the best-selling fitter king Accortini to fatott U.S.

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9-5 372-1160 tigeetit, FTC faport MARCH 74. Silver Lining BY JACK SAYLOR Prf Frtsi Spertt Wrthr Some silver lining emerged Monday from the injury shadow that hovers over the Lions as they prepare for the regular-season opener at Chicago. "Levi Johnson will start practice this week and we're counting on him for Sunday," coach Rick Forzano reported. Johnson suffered an injured arch while working out with veterans during the strike. He spent considerable time on crutches and didn't play in the exhibition games.

Ben Davis probably will start at right cornerback, but Levi is expected to see action. Forzano also "said Doug Wyatt would be the probable replacement at strong safety for Mike Weger, who underwent surgery Monday for a knee injury. "Losing him was a big blow to us," the coach said. "This was the best preseason Mike's had in quite a while. Well probably start Wyatt, but Jim Thrower will play some, too.

"Jim was in a tough situation last Saturday. He had worked at left cornerback and free safety, not as a strong safety, but he did well." IN DISCUSSING his secondary problems, Forzano revealed that it was suggested last year to running back Mickey Zofko, the special team bomber, that he switch to strong safety, but he preferred to stay on offense. It is too late for any such experiments in this emergency. Both Steve Owens and Larry Hand, who sat out the victory over the Browns, are listed as "95 percent" and will be available for the Bears, although Jim Hooks will start at fullback. "Hooks had a tine football game, there's no reason to said.

"We keep track of extra yards by backs yards made after they should have been tackled. "Against Cleveland, Hooks made 16 extra yards. He had 40 in all so almost half his yardage he made on his own. That's darn good." It would not be surprising if Forzano started both Hooks and Ernie Price in place of Owens and Hand, who are suffering from banged ribs and a pulled muscle, respectively. "I usually lean to a healthy player, even if he's less experienced," Forzano said.

"I've had bad experiences paying people injured. And I don't like it when a guy can't practice all week." return here in 1975 (or a Saturday afternoon game. Central boasts what well may be the biggest offensive line in the state. The Blazers average 253 pounds across the offensive front with such giants as" 245-pound Jesse Moore, 250-pound Gregory Reed, 270-pound Charles Anderson, 252-pound Michael Thor-hill and 260-pound Chris What's more this promises to be one whale of a football game. Ever since Snead took over at Central in 1970 the Blazers have developed into one of Michigan's toughest football customers.

In 1972, Central opened its season with a 40-12 rout of Saginaw, went on to a 9-0 season, and ended up No. 4 in the state. Senior quarterback Tommy Warren directs an offense which features both the and Wishbone attack while Jerome Stanton, who anchored Centralis mile relay team to a state record last spring, is the No.l ball-carrying threat. Other experienced starters include fullback Richmond Lane, receiver Allen Jones and defensive back Melton Robinson. Snead saw the Alpena scrimmage last week and was impressed with the Wildcats.

'They're one of the most organized teams I've ever seen," said Snead. "They hustle and they go to the goal line." feels his team is on a par, or a bit superior, to his 1972 squad which featured All-State, end Mike Jones, now at Minnesota, and offensive tackle Ray Spencer, who is currently, playing for Michigan State. -f ir ra BY HAL SCHRAM Prat Prtu Iwrti Writir Gradually but surely Detroit's Public School League is coming out of its athletic shell and credit Central High for leading the way in football. For the second time in three years coach Dave Snead is taking his team outstate. The.

Trailblazers will launch a new season Friday in faraway Alpena, 240 miles to the north. "For many of our kids it will be the longest trip of their lives," says Snead. "This is a chance to give our team and our school a little exposure. It will be a different environment and a view of a different way of life for all of them." "We're tickled to have an opportunity to send our team to Alpena," echoed principal Clarence Jackson. "This is primarily a white community which is taking our team a black team into their homes for a night.

Here is an excellent example of racial co-existence. There's a lesson here for all of us." Finney, too, will take to the road on opening night. The Highlanders have a date at Battle Creek Central. ALTHOUGH SHE won't make the trip, Mrs. Beatrice Jones, who manages the cafeteria at Central, will play a big part in the trip.

She'll pack the 41 lunches for the team which will go by chartered bus. The Detroit Varsity Club is picking up the $450 bill for the bus. Under the two-year contract Alpena will LOU'S ADVICE? -THROW STRIKES Get all the facts Surprise Brock Can Be Stopped this year's Detroit Lions" the Official Detroit Lions 1974 Press Radio TV Facts Book." "I guess I've seen 150 to 200 pitchouts this year, said Brock, who was to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a two-game series Monday night. "I can't read every pitch-out," he acknowledged, "but it becomes rrfechanical. It's like getting into a car and turning on the starter.

"Some pitchers will pitch out three times in a row to keep me from stealing a base," he explained. "Once that happens he's practically 'defeated his own cause." clined 25 games in which he has stolen two or more bases, including two games in which he stole three bases and one in which he stole four. A weekend victim was the New York Mets' Tom Seaver, against whom Brock reached base twice and stole twice. "I just started to throw the ball inside and got it in too much," said Seaver, who hit Brock with a first-inning pitch. "He looked at me for a minute like I'd tried to hit him," the Mets' right-hander said, "but if there's one guy in baseball you don't want to hit, it's Lou Brock." place hitter, gets two strikes cn him," Brock said.

"But, of course, throwing strikes can have its drawbacks, too. The guy at the plate is not exactly defenseless with a bat in his hands" Brock's stolen base total stood at an amazing 103 Monday as he prepared to hurdle the pne-season record of 104 set by Maury Wills in 1962. WHILE Wills compiled his record in 165 games, including three playoff contests, the St. Louis Cardinals' star has nearly matched it in 140. ST.

LOUIS -(AP) It's a little late to reveal, but Lou Brock says there is a way to put a damper on his remarkable basestealing. "The only effective method is to throw strikes to the batter," said baseball's No. 1 thief. "That way, if the first pitch is in there batter is in a position where he hates to take a second pitch and the guy on the mound takes the pressujre off. "I don't like to hang around and try to steal a base when Ted Sizemore, our second- Find out league records and team records and in-depth information on your, favorite Lion players.

Pick up your copy of'this information-packed booklet in the Public Service Office in the Free Press lobby for 75. Or send $1.00 with the coupon below and receive your copy ML Brock's super season has' in Lou Brock by mail. Tigers Battling To Escape Cellar Connors, Billie Win Open Titles Burch-Gage's 2-Hitter Wins SpkIiI to tht FrM Prtu CLEARWATER, Fla. Bonnie Jones hurled his second straight shutout Sunday night as Detroit Burch-Gage and Tool moved into the third round of the American Softball Association national fast-pitch tournament. Jones stopped Washington State on two hits and struck out 14 as the Detroiters defeated Hawaii, 5-0, end advanced to a Monday night game" against Springfield, Mo.

victories by a relief pitcher. But, most of all, the Tigers would like to make themselves noticed in the AL East. DETROIT FREE PRESS LIONS FACTS BOOX P.O. BOX 1691 DETROIT, MICH. 48231 Please mail me copies of the Detroit Lions Official Press Radio TV Facts Book.

I have enclosed $1 .00 (includes postage and handling) for each copy. Allow three week tor deliver Hockey Referee Clinic Set A tryout and training clinic for hockey referees will be held the next three Saturdays, Sept. 14, 21, 28, at the North Shores Arena, 33101 Harper, St. Clair Shores, at 9 P.M. Robert Hopman, president of the Michigan Hockey Referees Association, is in charge of the which are open to anyone interested in refereeing.

Continued from First Sports Kaline was still a junior in high school. Kaline, of course, continues his' quest of 3,000 hits a goal he probably won't reach until the final few games of the season if, indeed, he makes it at all this season. With two hits in Sunday's victory over the Yanks, Kaline has 15 to go, with 22 games to play. ELSEWHERE, Mickey Lol-ich can still win 20 this season, especially if he's able to beat the Indians Tuesday night. And a 20-victory season would leave The Mick within one win of his goal, which is to catch Hal Newhouser as the win-ningest Tiger lefty all time.

Then, there's John Hiller, needing three more wins to erase Roy Face's record' for Ms. King nearly let the match get away, but in the end her experience paid off. Billie Jean had previously won the title in 1967, '71 and '72. The match fluctuated throughout its three sets and the outcome was in doubt until Evonne, 23, hit a long forehand in the 12th game of the third set to end the match, the next three games to The third set had opened fifth Evonne racing to a 3-0 lead, but Bille Jean, 30, won the next three games to square the set. Evonne took a 4- 3 lead, was tied in the eighth and had her service broken to lose the ninth and it was Billie Jean's lead, 5-4.

Ms. King had her service broken when she was in position to wrap up the win at that point and it was again tied, 5- 5. Evonne lost the 11th when Billie Jean returned a blazing volley in self defense. Continued from First Sports position to make the kill. The match was so one-sided, Rosewall won only 13 points in the first set, II in the second and 16 in the third.

Afterward, Connors, who received a check for $22,500 that boosted his year's take to $185,76, said "It's the best tennis I've ever played. I thought I played my best at Wimble-don when I only allowed Kenny six games, but today was better." Said Rosewall: "Jimmy has the game and style to stay on top for many, many years," He conceded it probably was the worst defeat he has ever suffered. WHAT THE men's final lacked in excitement and drama, the ladies final had in full, and the crowd of 15,303 gave both girls a standing ovation at the conclusion of their match. NAME. UiL'Udi'mii oil! Fast Start For Troy Athens Brand new Athens High School in Troy won its initial athletic competition Monday.

Led by freshman Jim Ole-sen, who fired a 40, the Athens golf team defeated Utica, 218-223, in a match played at Hickory Hollow in Mt. Clemens. MOTORCYCLE RACES. ADDRESS. CITY.