. N Pros uring batsen.... By SCOTT G. MILLER U NDOUBTEDLY, major-league baseball is part of the American dream. Youngsters have visions of playing the nation's pastime from the time they receive their first glove. The problem with professional baseball today is that too many get a chance at this dream, though most will never attainit. The baseball draft system is at fault. Unlike football and basketball, high school seniors are eligible for the baseball draft. If a drafted player decides to go to college, he can be selected again at the end of his junior year. The pro raids on college recruits and upper- classmen are increasing. "I think you are seeing fewer great players out there," said Michigan coach Bud Middaugh. "As a result more and more kids are signing professional contracts because the pro clubs are projecting these kids a lot more. "Some work out, and some don't. So they have to bring in another group." I wanted to write a story about Wolverine baseball recruits, but Middaugh would not reveal players' names for fear the majors would sign them. Mid- daugh's fears are well founded. Seven members of the 1986 Big Ten Champions signed professional contracts. "The situation is dif- ficult when you lose so many, so quickly, in such a short period of time and lose some incoming kids as well," said Middaugh. "There are some years it can be devastating, and that has been true in this case." Besides losing seniors Casey Close, Dan Disher, Kurt Zimmerman, and Chris Gust, Middaugh must also replace juniors Hal Morris, Dave Karasinski, and Paul Wenson. Close, a seventh-round pick, and Morris, an eight-rounder, joined the New York Yankees. Disher, a tenth-rounder, joined the Seattle Mariners while Karasinski, a 48th-round pick, went to the Atlanta Braves. Free agent Wenson joined the Tigers. "My concern for these kids as juniors and not high draft choices is, 'Are they really going to get an oppor- tunity?' " said Middaugh. "What is going to happen if things don't work out? I hope they come back to com- plete their education." ... sysem must change Losing juniors to the pros is not a new problem for Middaugh. Last season, two-time All-American Barry Larkin and outfielder Mike Watters (.417) departed a year early. Both are performing well in Triple-A this season. Recruits signing contracts compound Middaugh's problems. When a player signs a letter of intent, a scholarship is tied up. If the player decides to turn professional, it is like nobody has been recruited. The better the recruit, the less likely he will come to school in the fall. Middaugh lost pitcher Kent Mercker to the Braves. The Wolverine recruit was the fifth player selected in the first round. "My job is to attempt to go back out and find people nobody else has recruited to this point, who can come into the University of Michigan and play," said Mid- daugh. "That is not going to be an easy chore. "If I told you the amount of miles I have gone since last week (to recruit), you would probably lock me up in the funny house." Should major-league baseball make Middaugh's job more difficult? I think not. Professional basketball and football allow players to develop physically, mentally, and socially in college. If an athlete is not talented enough to reach the pros, at least he has his college degree. Minor-league baseball players are left with nothing. They travel between backwater towns. If they play poorly, another player replaces them, and the cycle starts again. Sadly, many low-round draft choices sign for a bonus for less than the cost of a college scholarship, which can be worth $50,000. Only five percent of baseball fir- st-round picks make it to the majors in three seasons. Those same years are better spent in college. A talen- ted player will make it to the majors whether or not he attends school. "Don't think anybody in college likes the system we work under," said Middaugh. "But maybe it will change. I think you have to work within the system like we try to do here. The biggest concern is for the player himself." Unfortunately, the major leagues don't have that same concern. Michigan senior outfielder Dan Disher, who signed recently with the Seattle Mariners, has visions of the major leagues. Schroeder races to second at Nationals By EMILY BRIDGHAM Sue Schroeder, the 5000-meter genius, did more than trim her old time in the NCAA this past weekend. She hacked it apart, taking second. Along with teammates Cathy Schmidt had a last spurt of energy. It was pret- ALSO PREPARING for Tech and Thomas Wilcher, Schroeder ear- ty close." Nationals after taking fifth in the 110- ned All-American honors for her ef- hurdles is Thomas Wilcher. Wilcher fort. Nevertheless, Schroeder's perfor- ran a 13:57, which was just a few hun- Clocking in at 15:44.27, Schroeder mance was fine enough to qualify her dredths off his season best 13:52. finished close on the heels of Wiscon- for the Tech Nationals, which is in two These world-class times, like sin's Stephanie Herbst, who ran a weeks. There she will face more than Schroeder's, would have earned him 15:42.36. just college talent. More than likely, a third-place finish in the Prefontaine Schroeder will run the 3000-meter Classic, where the top three times "I WAS happy but a little disap- race in that meet, and her 9:11.20 were 13:33,13:39, and 13:59. pointed at the same time," said earned earlier in the season places Although not qualifying for Tech Schroeder. "Near the end of the race I her among the top in her field. Nationals, senior Cathy Schmidt had began to move up, but she (Herbst) an equally memorable performance As a case in point, this past in the 1500 meters, earning the title of weekend in the Prefrontaine Classic, All-American in her last college race. which featured the nation's top run- Schmidt completed the race in ning talent including Olympians Carl 4:21.24, taking sixth. She was not far Lewis and Judy Brown-Ling, the behind Tennessee's Alisa Harvey, 3000-meter top finishers ran times of who ran 4:17.48. 8:57.47, 9:04.46 and 9:06.75. This "Cathy didn't get her best time, but -proves that Schroeder will be right in it was a slow tactical race for her," the thick of things at Tech Nationals. said assistant coach Sue Parks. "She beat a lot of people that I doubt she planned on defeating." "I thought it was going to be a lot IT'S GREAT HAIRSTYLES faster in the finals," said Schmidt. "It UNIVERSITY LICENSED was crazy because prelims were so much faster and everybody was just TOWERS BARBER STYLISTS - dying at the end. They were just com- new creations at reasonable prices pletely different races. Furnished Apartments "I was ninth after the prelims and Great Location DASCOLA STYLISTS I'm just glad I have a fast kick. I en- Corner of e. University & .. Forest ded up passing a bunch of people at 5368. Forest Ave' Maple Village ................ 761-2733 the end. I thought no way do I want to 761-2680 Liberty off State .............. 668-9329 end up twelfth out of twelve." Schroeder ... an All-American