SPORTS ADVENTUROUS Now...from the Age of Discovery collection: the World Timer with Seiko I.O., Intelligent Quartz. Automatically, it gives you the time in 22 cities worldwide. Seiko Diamond Diversity Jewish softballers contributed to their prep teams from a variety of positions this season. MIKE ROSENBAUM Special to The Jewish News designed it in the spirit of the explorers with a curved crystal, white dial, golden bezel and brown padded lizard strap. With Seiko's SEIKO THE FUTURE OF TIME IS IN OUR HANDS All merchandise is offered at outstanding discount prices. All sales can be exchanged or refunded. Gift wrapping is free. "Sunset Strip" 29536 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034 HOURS: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 5:30 Saturday 10:00 - 5:00 PHONE: 357-4000 Now, in progress— A sale forall dads! 20-30% off warm-tipt & tennis clothes Head • Fila Sergio Tacchini Le Coq Sportif iebhhIS 'Ube Maple and Lahser 646-4475 YOUR MEDICAL CONNECTION • WHEELCHAIRS — Manual/Electric • HOSPITAL BEDS — Electric/Manual • LIFTS — Bed/Bath • MISC, BATHROOM EQUIPMENT • EXERCISE & P.T. EQUIPMENT • STAIRWAY LIFTS & WHEELCHAIR RAMPS LARRY ARONOFF ACTON RENTAL & SALES 48 FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1990 891.6500 540.5550 enior pitcher Jackie Wander, who compiled a 9-8 won-lost record and was named most valuable player on the Southfield-Lathrup High School girls varsity softball team this season, was among the many Jewish players in the northwest metro area who contributed solidly to their teams in 1990. Wander, a second-year letter-winner who had a 4.14 earned-run average, was one of eight Jewish players on the Charger squad that finished the season with a 12-10 record. Lathrup advanced to the district final last Satur- day, losing a 9-5, nine-inning decision to Birmingham Marian. Among other area teams, West Bloomfield's Lakers posted a 15-13 mark while North Farmington rolled to its best record ever, 12-5. Wander of Lathrup walked just 49 hitters, fewer than three per game. She was the tough-luck losing pitcher against Marian, hurling all nine innings and allowing on- ly one earned run. Eight unearned runs scored on four errors, said Lathrup Coach Don Perry. Perry said that Wander's won-loss record was deceiving. "She kept us in every game and gave us a chance to win. She had an awful lot of con- fidence this year." Nikki Kaczander and Stefanie Polsky were both third-year varsity seniors this season. Kaczander, the centerfielder, batted .254, with 17 runs batted in and 30 runs scored. In three seasons, she produced 104 runs (RBI plus runs scored). "She's a very good athlete," said Perry. "She was our cleanup hitter — always batted fourth this year. She's extremely fast." Polsky, after two years at se- cond base, moved to third this year, a position she had never before played. "She did a good job there for us," said the coach. "It's a tough place to play in fast-pitch." At the bat, Polsky produced 19 runs, but her main con- tribution was with her glove: "a very knowledgeable player," said Perry. "She Lathrup seniors Proghovnick, Polsky, Wander and Kaczander. knows what everybody on the field is supposed to do in any situation." Senior second baseman Tracy Proghovnick, a second- year letter-winner, was a team captain and hit .419 with 27 runs produced in 15 games. "A very steady player who does a lot of things that you don't notice to help you win," said Perry of Proghov- nick, adding, "she just gets her hits very steadily. She moves people up on the bases." Junior Nichole Rudolph, a two-letter winner, played five different positions — left and right fields, third base, pit- cher and catcher — and com- mitted just one error in 21 games, while hitting .235. "She can play anyplace on the field," said Perry. He in- dicated that Rudolph's wandering days may end next year, however. "She will be one of our main pitchers," he said. Another second-year junior, shortstop Stacy Berman, hit .324 with 39 runs produced in 22 games. "As far as I'm con- cerned, she's our leader on the field," said Perry. "She plays with an awful lot of intensity all the time." In 95 at-bats, Berman struck out only twice. "She's the kind who usually gets her bat on the ball and makes something happen," the coach noted. First-year junior Laurie Erlich was the team's rookie of the year. She batted .370 and led the team with 29 RBIs and 51 runs produced. In 142 innings at first base, Erlich, whom Perry calls a "truly intense"player, com- mitted only three errors. Sophomore Isa Schwartz- berg played three positions, mainly third base. She batted .319 with 33 runs produced. "We are expecting her to con- tinue to improve and be a big part of our success next year," said Perry. "We're going to be a lot more successful as far as wins and losses than we have been this year," Perry predicted of his 1991 Chargers. At West Bloomfield, sixth- year varsity coach Stew Bronstein's Lakers did well despite having graduated 10 seniors last year. The 1990 team was very in- experienced at the beginning of the season, Bronstein ex- plained. "It was almost like starting from scratch. The girls have really come a long way. They have surpassed all of my expectations." Bronstein's squad, led by five seniors, was a strong of- fensive team Senior Heidi Rubenstein led the team in hitting (.474), home runs (two) and RBI (28). The outfielder was among Oakland County's leaders in all three categories. Rubinstein did not play as a junior, so Bronstein was pleased when she told him she would play this year. However, he did not expect her to play as well as she did. "She's a great surprise. I knew she was a great ballplayer, but she has been outstanding since the first day. She's what you would call a pure hitter." Rubinstein was also what Bronstein calls one of the team's "characters" who kept the squad loose and laughing