BASEBALL CAPTAIN LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Berra one goal: team success
By JAMIE TURNER
When comparing Michigan baseball
captain and shortstop Jim Berra to the
prototype field general, one sees ob-
vious differences between the two. Cap-
tains quite often are the stars of the
team, driving in the winning runs and
clouting long home runs. Berra, on the
other hand, is a quiet guy who plays the
infield position that most often deman-
ds solid fielding over slugging percen-
tage.
What Berra lacks in offensive punch,
however, he makes up for in an all-
consuming, intense and unselfish desire
to see the Wolverines come out on top in
the NCAA tournament, which has yet to
have Michigan get past the regional
finals.
But Berra doesn't see that as a con-
demnation of the team. "It's such a
short series that anything can happen,"
said Berra. "One year, (1976) Bob
Owchinko (now of the San Diego
Padres) was great. Last year we lost
our first game in the double elimination
tournament and our backs were to the
wall. But we still sent Oklahoma home
in their own park, then we sent Texas
A&M home."
MICHIGAN RETURNS practically
the entire starting lineup intact for this
year's Big Ten campaign, and Berra
sees complacency as an obstacle.
"We have to work harder because
t
everyone is laying back for us. They
save their best pitchers for us . . . but.
that's alright, sometimes you don't
think you have to work hard all the
time, but that's wrong; you only get'
what you deserve.
Berra has been grabbing grounders
and turning the double play for four
seasons, with the experience gained
during that time aiding him in his role
as captain. "I hope to be an organizer,
leader, someone who the younger guys
can talk to. I can lead by example," he
something which has not always oc-
curred.
THE CROWDS AT Fisher Stadium in
past years often consisted merely of
parents and friends. However, with
Michigan's recent success, Berra sees
things changing.
"Our sport has picked up, now people
ask us on the street how we're doing,
whether we'll win the Big Ten, and so
on," the mustachioed Berra commen-
ted, "but you can't let it affect your
'Sometimes you don't think you have to work hard
all the time, but that's wrong; you only get what you
deserve.'
-Jim Berra
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added, "If they see an old guy working
hard every day it might keep them
working."
And Berra works. Starting usually
sometime in January, the Wolverines
begin practice for the coming season by
working out three to four hours in the
Track and Tennis Building. The players
don't get recognition for their effort,
but they don't ask for it, what they do
hope for are decent-sized crowds to
cheer them on during the season,
play, (after all) winning a
doubleheader is gratifying."
But Michigan has been struggling.
With the weather holding them to few
games and less practices, the
Wolverines have had problems, win-
ning only one of the first four games up
north.
The biggest obstacle has been incon-
sistent hitting and non-existent run
production. Berra has also been
dragged into a slump, only hitting at an
WALKING WOUNDED SUFFER POWER SHORTAGE:
Struggling batsmen face Badgers
.147 clip going into this weekend's
games. It's time someone got hot and
Berra has pinpointed a couple of
possibles.
"MIKE PARKER is the type of hitter
who can almost carry the team
singlehandedly. He won a number of
games last year with clutch hits.
"Bob Wasilewski has been injured
and (coach) Moby (Benedict) has been
restipg him. He could play this weekend
and if he gets hot he could carry us for a
week or so.
But the player that Berra most an-
ticipates returning to the Michigan
starting lineup is all-conference center-
fielder Rick Leach. "Just doing what he
has done here at Michigan is almost in-
comprehensible," Berra stated, "He
has practiced football, then on game
days put on a baseball uniform and
done a really great job.
"HE'S ALSO A leader, he helps keep
everybody loose and encourages the
gus," Berra added.
With other players counted on to
provide the offensive punch, Berra ex-
pects himself to provide stability and to
do the little things it takes to win."eh v o fg o ig e n
"We have a lot of good singles and
doubles hitters with good speed. We're
aiming for the NCAA's and want to
make it to the finals in Omaha.
"Individual goals are not as impoe
tant as team goals, that's the way life is
all about."
And that's why Jim Berra was selec-
ted captain.
American League
Toronto 10, Detroit 8
Boston 5, Texas 4
Baltimore 6, Milwaukee5
Minnesota 14, Seattle 5
National League
Los Angeles 5, Atlanta 1
Chicago 5, Pittsburgh 4
New York 3, Montreal 2
Men's Tennis
MICHIGAN 7, Northwestern 2
NBA Playoffs
New York 109, Cleveland 107
(Knicks win series, 2-0)
Get ready for.
SUMMER and the
MIXED LEAGUE
BOWLING
Wednesday night
50C per game.
SIGN UP at the
Union Lanes
The Michigan Daily-Saturday, April 15, 1978-Page 9.
j th e kai4
Michigan Sports Happenings
Softball
The Michigan women's softball team will enjoy an unexpected advantage
when they meet the University of Detroit today,
The game had been originally scheduled to be held in Detroit, but due to
facility conflicts it has been moved to Ferry Field.
The Wolverines will try to bounce back from a defeat suffered at East
Lansing Tuesday, where the Spartans pulled out a 2-1 win in nine innings Cold
weather caused the cancellation of the second game of the scheduled
doubleheader.
Coach Gloria Soluk will choose from among a strong pitching staff which
includes Shelly Piilo, Teresa Gardoski, and Bonnie Schwan for today's starter.
The game will get underway at 12:00.
-LIZ MAC
Women's track
With one meet already under its belt, the women's track team is heading
for the Bowling Green Invitational and what Coach Red Simmons is "the
biggest meet I've ever been in."
Eighteen college teams will be assembling at this weekend's meet, in-
cluding Slippery Rock, Central Michigan, Oberlin, Hillsdale and Michigan
State. Seven high schools will also be participating, but only on an
exhibitionary basis.
Simmons will take his entire team down to Bowling Green, including Pam
Moore who seems to be recovering from her injury. -ELISA FRYE
Men 's track
Michigan's men striders are in Knoxville, Tennessee today, for the 13th
annual Dogwood Relays. Although there will not be team competition, the
meet lures many top individuals and relay teams from colleges and track
clubs across the nation.
Maryland, Villanova, and Penn State are among those represented at the
meet.
Wolverine striders with chances for placing include those on the sprint
medley and distance medley relay teams, as well as pole vaulter Jim Stokes.
-AL FANGER
By BILLY SAHN
A somewhat sore, but improved
Michigan baseball team will take the
field against Wisconsin today, at
Madison.
Aside from the adverse spring
weather, the Wolverines have been
-plagued by numerous injuries this past
week. Centerfielder Rick Leach, who
injured his left elbow in his living room,
"is improving considerably," accor-
ding to trainer Dan Campbell.
"Leach has no pain in the elbow and
is able to swing a bat'if needed," said
Campbell. "But, he still can't throw."
Pitcher Steve Perry, who was com-
plaining of stomach pains, will make
the trip to Madison. He is able to pitch,
according to Campbell, but probably
won't due to his absence from practice.
Likewise, first baseman Bob
Wasilewski sore hamstring has
healed considerably during the week.
He may see some action against
Wisconsin.
Last, southpaw Craig McGinnis has
recovered and will be able-to pitch. He
was suffering from a blister on the
middle finger of his pitching hand.
Thus, the Wolverines are steadily
improving. As for the weather, that is
BILLBOARD
The intramural all-campus mile run
will be held on Friday, April 21 at 5:30
p.m. at the Intramural Sports Building
track. Entries are due April 20 in the
IM Sports Building main office. For
more infirmation, call 763-3562.
* * *
The annual Blue-White spring foot-
ball scrimmage will be played today at
the stadiym starting at 1:30. Admission
is $1, with all the proceeds going towar-
ds the women's athletic fund.
f
WESTERN'S
THE ONE.
The one that -will help
you earn money during this
school vacation.
The one that lets you
work when you want, where
you want, and for as long as
you want.
The one that lets you en-
joy the freedom that tempo-
rary work offers during vaca-
tions, quarter or semester
breaks, and when you have
free days in your school
schedule.
The one that thoroughly
evaluates your skills and abil-
ities. You're carefully as-
signed to temporary jobs
that are right for you... and
Western has 300 different
job categories.
out of control of the trainer's hands.
"The bad weather has been a
problem," said Badger coach Thomas
Meyer. "It's not only a physical factor
in not being able to practice, but it's
also psychological."
This is their big advantage," commen-
ted the Badger coach.
"We're very young. There are only
three seniors on the ball club. In fact,
our top six pitchers are freshmen. In
contrast, Michigan's infielders are all
seniors. They've got experience," said
Meyer.
Despite the fact that Wisconsin's top
pitchers are all in their first year, they
have a lot to show for it. In particular,
there is Jim Vanproosdy.
Vanproosdy pitched a no hitter
against Whitewater last week. It was
the first time since 1962 that a Badger
pitcher has hurled a hitless game.
However, Vanproosdy will not be
starting against Michigan. His next
start is against Michigan State. That's
probably a good thing, because the way
Michigan is hitting, it needs all the help
it can get.
Michigan, which was blanked twice
this past week in a doubleheaderagain-
st Detroit, has been having trouble
swinging the lumber. It has four games
in two days to try and improve the
situation.
After the doubleheader in Madison,
the Wolverines travel to Minneapolis
for a Sunday twinbill against Min-
nesota.
Cross Country &
Downhill Ski Inventory
Three days only...
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - April 21,22,23
Noon - 9 pm Friday " 10am -6 pm Saturday * Noon - 5 pm Sunday
3150 Carpenter Rd. * Ann Arbor " 971-4310
Bob Wasilewski
As for the series with Michigan,
Meyer feels that this is an important
one, in that Michigan is favored for the
Big Ten title.
"Michigan has a really good offense.
THE DEAN OF BEERS QUICIE QUIZ.
Q: "29.5 Degrees" is:
a) The new book by Dennis "Credit Hours" Yeider, college
student since 1904.
b) The latitudinal coordinate of an area of unexplained
phenomena known as the "Bermuda Shorts"
c) The temperature of Aunt Gertrude's holiday smooches.
d) The temperature at which Schlitz is Chill-Lagered.
A: Always (d) and sometimes (c).
Though 29.5 degrees is bad news for nephews, nieces and
Uncle George, it's great news for us beer lovers.
'Cause Chill-Lagering gives Schlitz a distinctively crisp, clean taste.
Which we academic types refer to as "great" to the nth degree.
To obtain reference material for the next quiz, consult the
Yellow Pages for the name of your local Schlitz distributor.
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