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Wednesdav, Sentemember 19. 1979
University Daily Kansan
Ramon leaves street life for KU
By JERRY FINCHER
Juan Ramon's baseball skill has taken him from the streets of New York to the green grass of KU's Quincy Field.
Hannon was recruited by KU baseball Coach Floyd Temple after playing at St. Louis for five years. He led the Jayhawk Jue Conference in hitting last spring with a 468 hit.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Ramon moved to New York City when he was nine.
KANSAN Sports
Ramon's first baseball experience involved gambling.
The stakes were sometimes as high as $400 for a three-inning game, he said.
"When I was 13, we played for money," Kamon said. "We picked sides and people bet on our team."
"You're just betting out there," Ramson said. "It gets pretty serious, just like in a world series. You slide into people and try to knock them down."
"I don't hang around the block anymore. I don't want that kind of life."
At age 16, Ramon was playing for a semi-
team in New York. The team's games
were played in Central Park on a field
without fences.
In addition to playing catcher for Brendan High School in New York, Ramen also played football and was co-captain of the track team.
He was recruited for baseball and track by colleges in New York, but he said he didn't want to stay in that state.
1. wanted to be as far away from there as possible," he said.
"You can play more ball here," he said.
"When it's 50 degrees there, it's 70 here."
Weather was another reason Ramon left New York.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE HISTORY'S MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOK.
Ramon nearly went to Purdue University because his track coach knew the school's baseball coach. But he changed his mind when Purdue hired a new baseball coach.
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Two of last season's graduating Jayhawks, Monty Martin and Dan St. Clair, also were garden City Juco transfers.
"I didn't know anything about Garden City," Ramon said, "but I went there two months later."
Kansas Wesleyan University was recommended by Ramon's baseball coach, but the size of the school didn't impress him.
A scout from the Philadelphia Phllises recommended Garden City Junior College, and the team's coach, Joe Slokob, sent Barron an application.
The Garden City Brombusters won the state junior college championship Ramon's second-second string catcher behind Ronnie Reynolds, now a senior at the University of
Ramon said there was a big difference between pitchers in junior colleges and the ones he will face at KU.
Sponsored by New Life Christian Fellowship.
Ramon said after KU's pitchers we clocked at that speed during the fall-openers. But when we started really blow a fastball to me, I wish I would have gone to a four-year school first. It's a different thing when you start changing the pitching strategy, freshman we here and now again here."
"Anytime I'm out there with that uniform on, no matter how bad or good the other team is. I'm going to give 200 percent."
Ramon said his personal goals for next spring were not as important as helping the team.
Rarmon got that chance Sunday in the second game of KU's doubleheader with Johnson Community College. He caught the entire game, driving in a run with a sacrifice bint in the first innning and a save to secure Jessanne Venn for the final run of the game.
"I'll be nice if we go to the playoffs and I'm able to contribute. I like to go to 300, but if we go to the playoffs, I'll feel better than hitting 400 and not going."
"If the coach gives me the chance to catch, I'm going to try to take advantage of it," he said.
"You didn't see guys throwing 85 mph,"
Although Ramon prefers catching, he said he would play any position.
Ramon's goal is to play professional baseball.
"Playing in the big leagues—that's everybody's dream," he said.
Sun., Sept. 23—60 & 80 mi. routes.
Tune-up Ride to Lake Perry
Meet at South Park gazebo at 9 AM.
"Info: SUA Office 864-3477"
Get ready for the Oct. 14th Octoginta . . .
AMERICAN GREEK TINGS • DRAWING BOARD • CASPARI •
IT'S IN THE BAG!
2 Locations
Downtown Hillcrest
1107 Mass 919 Iowa
BOOKS. They're slipping,
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Styles and colors with features like Ziggy and the cats are yours to choose from. Prices range from $4.95-$15.95.
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So stop dropping your books, and start toting them.
GIFTS
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SIOWA
Say Cheese!
Rappoport Studios will be taking Senior pictures October 1-19 in Spooner Hall call Jayhawker Yearbook for appointment. 864-3728
$1 Sitting fee. Call Now.
Juan Ramon
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A0II
Orientation Tea Wednesday, Sept.19,7 pm Watkins Room Kansas Union
Alpha Omicron Pi would like to extend an invitation to upperclass women interested in seeking the challenge of forming a new AOII chapter on the KU campus. AOI alumni from regional chapters in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska will be present to answer your questions about AOII. Leader or follower, join us and find out what the AOII commitment can mean to you.
EVENTS:
Thursday and Friday, Sept. 20-21 interviews (appointments made at the orientation tea.) Saturday. Sept. 22 invitations to pledge will be issued. Sunday, Sept. 23 formation of Alpha Omicron Pi charter pledge class.
charter pledge class.
charter preface gcd:
AXO·5K·ΔΓ·AO·KAO·AΓΔ
ΔΑΩΣ ΣΚ ΔΓ ΑΦ ΚΛΩ ΔΓ
KU PANHELLENIC ™
KU PANHELLENIC $^{\text{II}}$ For more information:
108 RASMAN UNION LAWFEST NO. 8644 $^{\text{II}}$
864-4643
NO. FOR: ANN KETT