2B
Wednesday, September 28, 1994
SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Players may start new league
Next spring is up in the air for baseball
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Baseball players who attended their union leader's latest briefing said a new league was likely if the dispute between baseball's owners and players would not end by spring training.
"The bottom line is that the owners are trying to break the players' union, and they are not interested in bargaining. I really don't think they care about the fans and what is going on," said Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas, whose bid for a Triple Crown was curtailed when the season was canceled a month after players went on strike.
Thomas, one of 56 players attending Monday's meeting near O'Hare International Airport, said he expected no wavering by the union.
"You never know," he said. "There could be some guys who jump the line, but I have a feeling that is not going to happen. It would be unheard of, undoing what the players before us did. That's what they're trying to do, make us take a giant step backwards."
Thomas and teammate Jack McDowell have lost big money during the strike. McDowell will lose more than $1 million in paychecks. But they are not ready to cave in on the salary cap that owners want.
"When I broke in, the dollars I'm making now was not even thought of," said McDowell, whose 1994 contract was for $5.3 million. "The salary cap would close that system up. Whether I recoup or not is not what it is about. It's about wrong or right."
There were some brief discussions about starting a new league.
"We have seven or eight options," said Cubs player representative Randy Myers. "What I have been told (is that) there are 10-plus corporations that are willing to sponsor us, and there are a lot of city-owned stadiums where leases haven't been fulfilled.
"We also have a couple of broadcasting stations that are willing to go with us. It's just one of the possibilities."
Player agent Tom Selakovich said the announcement of a players' league for 1995 could be made in about 10 days. But Dick Moss, the agent organizing it, said Oct. 19 is his
"I wouldn't call it a joke," Selakovich said. "People are putting a lot of time and effort into it."
current target date.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Mark Grace said there was a lot of work being put into a players' league.
Some players also said Monday that a threat to bring up minor leaguers to fill out rosters would not work because fans would see the difference in talent.
For now, the players are just waiting and hoping for a breakthrough, which does not look close.
"There is nothing you can do about it," Minnesota's Kirby Puckett said of the strike.
"Just hang in there. I'm doing fine, and I'm sure other players here are doing fine, or they wouldn't be here. It's good to see a big number of guys turn out."
NHL season likely to be postponed
The Associated Press
TORONTO — The NHL season will begin Saturday night unless commissioner Gary Bettman postpones it Friday.
There were strong signs that the start of the season will be delayed. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks canceled their hotel reservations in Dallas for Friday, and the Boston Bruins were looking into booking ice time for playoff hockey in July.
Bettman said a decision will be made Friday so that 12 teams have time to cancel their travel plans to opening-night destinations for Saturday's scheduled start of the season.
While Anaheim might have jumped the gun, the Bruins aren't the only team to inquire about the availability of ice in July.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association are to resume negotiations today. If they pick up where they left off on Monday, things look bleak.
"I think every team is looking to see what dates are open in July," one general manager told the Canadian Press. Had he allowed his name to be used, he could face a fine of up to $1 million under the NHL's gag rule.
One insider said "nothing was accomplished" during five hours of negotiations.
"It is very clear we have a wide difference of opinion," said NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow. "I think unless there is
flexibility shown by owners, there flexibility is a serious problem, he said.
The threat of a lockout is definitely on the minds of those in the hockey world.
"Like Wayne Gretzky said, it could go three to four months before it is settled," said Rick Toccher of the Los Angeles Kings.
In Vancouver, Canucks coach Rick Ley said the postponement threat had been a distraction to the players.
"They're not quite as intense," said Ley. "It's a big distraction. You hope, with the uncertainties, the players aren't letting up, physically and mentally."
Negotiators for owners and players met in large and small groups trying to find common ground for a collective bargaining agreement on two of three key issues — a tax to help small market teams and salary arbitration.
"It was a free-flowing discussion," said Bettman. "I think it remains formative and constructive."
The NHL is proposing to tax teams that exceed the league's average salary, which was approximately $16 million in 1993-94.
The money would be pooled to help small market teams.
Players resist the proposal because they feel it is a salary can.
"I do not believe in a salary cap in any way, shape or form in any occupation," said Kings goalie Kelly Hurdey.
A recent study of 60,000 athletes at Seattle-area high schools found that the overall injury rate for girls' cross country was higher than any other sport.
Girls' cross country shows top injury rate
Knight-Ridder Tribun
Fans getting their fill of 'cupcake' games
The Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On a day when there were marquee games like Colorado-Michigan and Washington-Miami on the national schedule, fans in Alabama were watching their teams devour cupcakes.
At Legion Field, the Crimson Tide beat Tulane 20-10. At Auburn, the Tigers beat up East Tennessee State 38-0.
"I started out at $10, now I'm down to $5," complained Jimmy Jones of Birmingham, a longtime Alabama season-ticket holder, as he stood outside Legion Field trying to peddle four extra tickets. "They're fixing to be free here in a minute."
There are plenty of games like that in the Southeastern Conference, where teams have loaded their scheduling plates with regional turkeys like Louisiana Tech, East Carolina, Northeast Louisiana and Arkansas State.
Tennessee has the only tough nonconference schedule in the SEC this year. The Volunteers lost at UCLA in the season opener and face No. 17 Washington State at home Saturday.
The fans find that explanation hard to swallow, especially a fan like Jones who has to pay $500 just for the privilege of buying season tickets.
The Pacific-10 and Big Ten have eight game league schedules, and their teams still find room for quality out-of-conference opponents. Michigan's slate includes Boston College, Notre Dame and Colorado; Southern California has games against Penn State, Baylor and Notre Dame.
"It's sad we don't play more intersectional games," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "But I understand why we don't. It's the eight conference games."
By contrast, Auburn's 38-0 victory over East Tennessee State last weekend didn't quite measure up on the excitement scale.
"When Tennessee played UCLA, I thought, 'Why don't we play a team like that?' said Kendall Hoffman of Birmingham, who attended the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium with her husband and his family. 'I'd kind of like to see them play somebody from a different conference. You know, they say they're better, and we say we're better. Well, let's find out."
Still, the fans keep coming. The SEC set an all-time attendance record last year of nearly 4.9 million, and league stadiums were filled to 92 percent capacity.
Not so long ago, Alabama was playing teams like Nebraska, Southern California and Notre Dame. But that was in the days of the six and seven game conference schedule. The Tide have ventured outside the South for a regular season game since visiting Penn State in 1989.
"I'd rather see us play good games," said Alabama fan Mark Shetton as he entered Legion Field for the Crimson Tide's 20-10 snoozer over Tulane. "I don't think any team ought to schedule those little teams, especially I-AA teams."
Alabama and Auburn have both stooped that low. The Tide open the season with an easy victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga; while Auburn
Alabama and Auburn have both stooped that low. The Tide opened the season with an easy victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga; while Auburn — coping with the financial effects of probation — picked up East Tennessee State to have an extra home game before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
Auburn coach Terry Bowden said he would like to play a tougher schedule, but the school administration mandates seven home games a year. Since the conference games are split evenly home and away, the Tigers must schedule three other teams willing to come to Jordan-Hare without a return visit.
Orioles want La Russia, but so do other teams
Long before he fired manager Johnny Oates on Monday night, Orioles owner Peter Angelos coveted La Russa as the field general for his talent-rich ballclub. La Russa's contract
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles' wish list for a new manager begins and ends with Tony La Russa. Two Daveys, Johnson and Lopes are among the contenders who will be considered only if La Russa says no.
The Associated Press
"Your Book Professionals"
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with the Oakland Athletics expires next month, at which point he will begin to entertain offers that should net him millions.
Oakland wants to keep him. And several teams, including the Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, want to get him.
The Orioles were so eager that they asked Oakland for permission to speak to La Russa before they dumped Oates.
Oakland rejected the Orioles' request. But when word of the inquiry became public, Angelos was forced to announce the decision he had already made — to dismiss Oates.
Jayhawk Bookstore
Because La Russa is the No.1 candidate and his contract doesn't expire until Oct. 7, Angelos won't be naming a new manager anytime soon.
"If one can get a La Russa, why would he want anyone else?" Angelos said. "He's a big name that would be good for this town."
Jayhawk Bookstore
Red Lyon Tavern 944 Mass. 832-8228
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JON BLUMBAUGH MEMORIAL WHEAT MEET
October 2,1994 Benefits KU Cancer Research
Entry:
Entry fees-$6-Race
$11-Relays
$5-Fun Relay
$4-Simon Says
100% cotton t-shirts will be given to winner of each race. Winner of Simon Says receives trip to Chicago.
Sign up on Wescoe beach before Friday September 30,1994.
Chi Omega Alpha Kappa Lambda
UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHY
Awards:
Shirts Illustrated
BULLWINKLES
Meet begins at 9:00 a.m. on October 2, 94.
For questions, call 841-5567 or 841-6094
TRAVEL CENTER
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18th AMENDMENT
river valley music
UNIVERSITY BOOK SHOP
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RANCH
Country Western Ranch
Receipts (period 95) from cash or check purchases are eligible for a 7% rebate at the Customer Service counter of the KU Bookstores until the end of December,1994.
KU Bookstore REBATE
Over $2,400,000 returned to date.
KU student I.D. required.
Now Available!
Now accepting receipts from the Spring '94 semester for rebate payments.
Computer hardware purchases are not eligible. Other restrictions may apply.
KU Bookstores Kansas and Burge Unions The only store that offers rebates to KU students
The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Department of Music and Dance
Concert Wind Ensemble Robert E. Foster & James Barnes Co-conductors
7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 4, 1994
Lied Center
For general admission tickets are available through the KU box offices (Murphy Hall, 864-3982, Lied Center, 864-ARTS, SUA Office, 864-3477); public $4, students and senior citizens $2; VISA/MasterCard accepted for phone orders.
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