Tony C. feels confident he's on comeback trail
By MILTON RICHMAN UPI Sports Writer
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Tony Conigliaro told me something that was hard to believe.
He told me he isn't particularly religious.
The cool-looking, dark-haired,
24-year-old ballplayer-singer,
trying to make it back with the
Boston Red Sox after a year and
a half on the shelf, said some
other things, too, mostly related
to his 1967 beating after which
he nearly lost the sight in one
eye and was told he could never
play baseball again.
"When I came down here this spring," said Tony C, taking his orange juice straight from a wax container, "I felt rather strange at the plate. I'd been away a year and a half; it felt like three years. What made me feel good, though, was that I could see the ball perfectly. As well as I ever did."
"Some of the people here say you're having a wonderful spring," I said to Conigliaro, who turned them all on in Boston two seasons ago with his home runs and his songs.
Felt strange
"Wonderful?" he came back questioningly.
"I guess they mean I'm seeing the ball good and hitting it hard."
"What are you hitting?" I asked.
"Around .200" he said
"No."
"Any home runs?"
"Are you concerned about it?"
"No, because I've hit five balls I couldn't possibly hit any better right into the wind and I know they would've been out anywhere else but down here."
"I don't want to sound cocky," he said, "but I'm going
8 KANSAN Mar. 26
1969
to play right field this year."
"The doctors have given you a clean bill of health then?"
"That's right," Conigliaro said. "The doctor said to me 'I
pre-game warmups.
don't understand how that hole closed up in your eye but it's closed."
"Now what do you say about what happened?"
"I'm grateful to God. I'm grateful to the people who prayed for me. I've gotten many letters. I know people said masses and made novenas for me. That's something I can never forget, I can never repay. I know I'm not most religious person in the world but . . ."
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UPI) - The no-dunk rule in college basketball will remain at least for another year.
of nine actions at the conclusion of two days of closed-door meetings.
Tony Conigliaro
"It sounds as if you're trying to say something to someone," I said to him. "Do you ever go to church?"
Conigliaro's head suddenly came up. He seemed upset for a second, even angry. Then he smiled, a soft warm smile.
A major change approved would have a jump ball called when any closely-guarded player in the forecourt, including the post player, holds the ball for five seconds. Previously the post player had been exempt from the rule.
The National Basketball Committee of the United States and Canada, which sets rules for the game in both countries.
"I always do," said Tony C.
Lew leaves collegiate ranks but no-dunk rule will remain
Clifford Fagan of Chicago, committee secretary, said there was considerable discussion over the no-dunk rule after which the committee agreed to continue the prohibition, including
Miss Patti Treat
Spring's first love . Our Boe Jost "tucked" blouse and Ladybug slacks
Miss Patti Treat
at the back of the Town Shop
839 Mass. St.
Uptown
VI 3-5755
There had been considerable speculation at last week's NCAA championships here that the rule might be lifted with the 7-foot-$\frac{1}{2}$-inch center going into pro ranks.
voted Tuesday to retain the current prohibition, even though UCLA's Lew Alcindor is graduating.
KANSAN Sports
The 20-man committee, headed by Norville Neve, commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference, issued a list
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The Planned Parenthood Association of Kansas City and Lawrence ANNOUNCE the premier showing of a film by ROGER DOUDNA
LESS THAN HUMAN
8 p.m., March 27 Kansas Union Ballroom Free and Open to the Public Dinner Preceding Film at 6:30 NON-STUDENTS $4.00 STUDENTS $1.50 For Information and Reservations Call Mrs. Aldon Bell, VI 2-3208
Vanilla Fudge
IN CONCERT
with Brewer & Shipley
APRIL 19-HOCH AUD.
TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 7
- SUA Office-Kansas Union
- Bell's
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Block Tickets on Sale, March 26 Information Booth