Spob @6te Dais Ryan ready as free agent ANAHEIM, Calif. - Hard-throwing California right-hander Nolan Ryan says he will test the free-agent market this fall, but emphasized that he might return to the Angels next season. Ryan, on the final year of his contract with the Angels, had indicated previously that he wouldn't negotiate until the end of the season. He had a more definitive statement this week. "I'm going into the free agent market and determine exactly what my value is," he said. "That doesn't mean I won't be back here in Anaheim next year. It means I'm going to let the other clubs set the price." Ryan, 32, has been the mainstay of the Angels' pitching staff for nine years. He has a 133-113 record for the Angels and is 11-6 with a 2.77 earned run average and a major league-leading 151 strikeouts this year. Ryan, who has pitched four no-hitters during his career, admitted he'd like to become the first player to hurl a fifth. "I'm aware I could be the first in history to do it," he said. "But right now, I'd prefer winning the pennant for Angel owner Gene Autry. I think everyone on the team feels the same way." California General Manager Buzzie Bavasi has said he was confident that 24 hours of negotiations with Ryan after the season would keep the pit- cher in Anaheim. Olympic support TORONTO-The Canadian Olympic hockey team will receive unpre- cedented support from both the National Hockey League and private enter- prise in its preparation for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Canada, which pulled out of international hockey in 1969, will play up to eight exhibition games against NHL teams, Alan Eagleson, a director of Hockey Canada and president of the National Hockey League Player's Association, said at a news conference Thursday. In addition, players on the Calgary-based Olympic team will be able to participate in work projects with major corporations and earn between $20- 25,000 while playing for the national team. "Our real goal is to play eight games versus NHL teams, five of them in Calgary," Eagleson said. "The fact that every NHL team had indicated it would play our Olympic team happily and without compensation is the most significant step forward that this Olympic program has been able to make." The Michigan Daily-Friday, July 13, 1979-Page 15 GUARD SIGNS FIVE YEAR CONTRACT Bullets reclaim Porter WASHINGTON (AP) - Guard Kevin Porter returned to Washington yester- day with the goal of helping the Bullets regain the National Basketball Association championship. The Bullets, NBA champions two years ago but beaten in the finals by Seattle last season, announced at a news conference that Porter, who led the NBA in assists the last two years before becoming a free agent, had been signed toa five-year contract. TERMS OF the contract were not disclosed, but it was reported that Por- ter would earn $1 million over the cour- Kevin Porter se of the pact. Porter, an eight-year veteran, played for Detroit last season. Under the NBA's procedure in the signing of free agents, the Pistons are now entitled to compensation from the Bullets. Bob Ferry, Bullets general manager said the teams would be able to reach agreement on compensation and that the matter would not have to be decided by NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien. "THE FINAL details of compen- sation have not been finalized yet," said Ferry, "but I feel they will be shortly." Ferry said he made his comments based on more than a month of discussions - including Thursday - with the Pistons over compensation should the .Bullets sign Porter, who began his pro career in 1972 as a third- round draft choice of the Bullets out of St. Francis, Pa. Bill Kreifeldt, a Pistons spokesman, described the five-foot-11 guard as "ex- tremely valuable property." He said Detroit had offered Porter a contract but the guard was unhappy because the Pistons' five-year offer was guaranteed only for the first two years. THE BULLETS declined to say whether their contract with Porter is guaranteed. Abe Pollin, Bullets board chairman, said, "It's really a great day for the Bullets. We missed him. We're happy to have him back home. We are looking forward to a long relationship. We feel he will be here the rest of his career." Porter played three years with the Bullets before being traded in 1975 in exchange for Dave Bing and a first round draft choice. The Pistons dealt him to the New Jersey Nets in 1977 but got him back last September. MUCH OF the blame for the Bullets' playoff defeat at the hands of Seattle was placed on the Washington guards,, and speculation regarding the reacquisition of Porter surfaced as soon as the playoffs ended. Porter is expected to replace Tom Henderson in the Washington lineup. Henderson, the Bullets' playmaker, also became a free agent this summer. If the shirt fits ... A Tiger left fielder Steve Kemp looks every bit the All Star heis as he lounges in the lockerroom on Wednesday after being named to the American League All Star team. ** TWO SHOWS ~7PM; 11PM ** T T5 O AVAILAAT;*E * __ W4EUIOSE R5RPS) WW.ISLA N 8 AaWooc.