SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Fridav. March 4, 1994
13
Jordan's first ball game plagued by mistakes
By Ben Walker The Associated Press
SARASOTA, Fla. — Michael Jordan felt like a nervous rookie, and he played like one.
Jordan went 0-for-3, barely missing an extra-base hit before striking out twice on off-speed pitches, and he dropped a wind-blown fly ball as his team fell to a 12-7 defeat yesterday in an intrasquad game for the Chicago White Sox.
"Some critics may see it as a setback," Jordan said. "But I saw it as an opportunity to go out and see what a baseball game is like.
"It was my first game, and I felt nervous and out of my element. Hopefully, I'll get another chance and be a little more comfortable."
White Sox manager Gene Lamont said Jordan would not start today in the exhibition opener against Texas. But Lamont said Jordan was likely to play in right field later in the game.
"If he'd gone 3-for-3 or 0-for-5, I don't think it would've made any difference," Lamont said. "It was just a chance for him to go out there. He probably hit the hardest ball of the day."
In his first at-bat, facing the fastballs of prospect Jamead Baindwion, Jordan hit a line drive into the gap that left fielder Warren Newson caught with a backhanded dive.
Jordan, batting sixth for a team led by coach Joe Nossek, had a tougher time against the abilities of rookies Rod Bolton and Scott Christman.
Jordan was called out by college umpire Cal Van Aukan on a 1-2 sinker by Bolton and swung far ahead of a 2-2 change-up by Christman.
No pitcher threw close to Jordan, and he managed a total of three foul balls in his three atbats.
"No hits, but certainly I felt comfortable at the bat," Jordan said. "I saw every pitch. I saw some good ones."
Jordan was on the same team as Jack McDowell and did not face the Cy Young winner. American League Most Valuable Player Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura and most of Chicago's regulars did not play.
Earlier in the fifth inning, Jordan was fooled by the wind. With two outs, two runners on and the
score 6-6, Joe Hall sliced a high fly into the 25 mph gusts. Jordan, instructed to play deep, ran in and toward the line, but the ball glanced off his glove, a model specially made by Wilson with his name in it. One run was scored on the play, and eight runs were scored in an inning that included errors by all three outfielders.
"I didn't think I would be able to reach it," Jordan said. "When I did, I was not able to collect myself, and the ball hit the heel of my glove."
"That was one of those mistakes you don't want to happen because everybody is paying attention to you. I think everybody forgot the center fielder's and left fielder's error, but they remember mine. But I realize that."
Jordan played all six innings of a game that had 17 hits, four errors, six walks and five hit batters. Hall, competing with Jordan for a job, hit a solo homer and a two-run single.
Because Jordan did not get on base, he did not get to show off his speed, one of his better assets. He also did not test his arm because his only other play came when he caught a routine fly that ended the sixth inning.
Jordan, however, showed some feel for the game's nuances. When he was at bat and Christian threw a wild pitch, Jordan quickly waved the runners to second and third. When he ran on and off the diamond, he made sure not to step on the foul lines, a no-no in baseball superstition. When he was left on deck, he knew to wait for a teammate to bring his equipment.
"Because it was my first time, I was a little more observant, making sure I watched what other players do," he said. "Picking up the glove, taking the hats out there, all the things you go through in the course of a game."
Many in the crowd of 1,736 left after Jordan's second strikeout. Some fans stopped on their way out at a special Nike van selling Jordan-related items; the regular souvenir stand at Ed Smith Stadium does not have anything bearing his name or picture.
"That's the first thing everyone is asking: 'Do you have something with Michael Jordan on it?' vendor Cathy Carlson said, frowning. "We don't, and that's all anyone wants."
Coach to leave Indiana State
The Associated Press
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Members of the Indiana State basketball team say Tates Locke has told them that he will not return as coach next year after a 4-23 record this season, his worst performance in five years at the school.
Locke, who has three years remaining on his contract, declined to comment Wednesday on the reports of his departure.
Paul Edgerton, the school's vice president for student affairs, also declined to confirm that a decision on Locke's tenure had been made, but he said an announcement could come as early as yesterday.
"There are still some important steps that have to be taken to fulfill the process we have in place," Edgerton told The Tribune-Star of Terre Haute.
Edgerton said that Brian Faison, athletic director, would make a recommendation to the university athletic committee yesterday regarding Locke's status.
The newspaper reported in yesterday's editions that Locke met with Edgerton and Fusion on Wednesday as part of an evaluation process. Afterwards, members of Locke's staff were informed that he would not be the coach next season, and Locke met with players to inform them, the report said.
"Coach told them he would not be back next season. He said that he would help them in any way he could," said head basketball manager Carmine Bove.
Locke's Indiana State teams compiled a 50-88 record. His best mark was 14-14 in 1990-01, when he was named the Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year.
He had informed his players before Monday's seasonending loss at Tulsa that he might not return as coach next year.
He did not receive a vote of confidence in comments Tuesday by Indiana State President John W. Moore.
"I've been in Indiana long enough to know that basketball is our flagship program. We have an obligation to put the best team possible on the floor," Moore said. Locke has been the coach since 1989, when he was hired to replace Ron Greene. Greene had two years left on his contract at the time and reached a salary and benefits settlement of about $200,000 with the university.
K KAΘ ΠΓΔ ΔΔΔ ΠΔΘ ΔΓ ΛXA KKΓ ΣX AXO AKΛ
Congratulations to those who participated in Rock Chalk from the men of
Pi Kappa Alpha
KAΘ ΠΓΔ ΔΔΔ ΠΔΘ ΔΓ ΛXA KKΓ ΣX AXO AKλ $ _{k} ^{K}$
It's Spring Break - do you know what your travel plans are? Why not Go Greyhound*, see the U.S.A. and collect high educational experiences for your next term paper with the Grayhound Spring Break Companion Pass! Just buy one ticket by A/3/09/4, and get a second ticket free. Share one with a friend (or freeloader) – and leave the books behind. Just remember to be back in time for finals.
Greyhound $ ^{o} $ Spring Break Companion Pass. Yes, my roommate would like the free companion ticket when I purchase one at the unrestricted walk-up fare.
Valid for trips of most than 400 miles each week. Competition must move on the ammary library. Riders must prepaid票和包。No advance payday recovery. Boundaries dawn at 10:30 a.m., and all rides begin at 8:00 a.m.
©1994 Grayhound Lines, Inc.
A Black Comedy by Caryl Churchill About a Butcher, a Baby and a Buyer! Directed by Penny Weiner 8 PM Mar. 4-5 and 2:30 PM Mar. 6 Hashinger Hall (1632 Engel Rd.) General Admission $3
BRITCHES CORNER FINAL WINTER SALE UP TO 70% OFF
THUR, FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY