Changing Positions Spring training and the early part of a baseball season are the times for experimenting. Some of the experiments involve the pitching rota tion, and others are adjustments in strategy that the team will use in cer tain game situations. But as far as individuals are concerned, nothing is more dramatic than when the manager calls a player into his office and says, “We want to try you at a new position.” Some players get upset when asked to learn a new position, but many times it is the best thing for their career. It certainly was for me. I started out as a shortstop, but after a year of pro ball, the powers-that-be wanted me to change. There were several good reasons for making the switch. First of all, I wasn't a very good shortstop. I could catch the ball, but the way 1 threw was suspect. Too many of my throws ended up in the dirt. Another major reason was that the Braves already had an outstanding shortstop in Johnny Logan, who was still in his prime. There was an other kid in the minors with me by the name of Felix Mantilla, who was a better position player. Moving me to the outfield got me to the major leagues quicker than if I had been playing behind those two. Speeding up progress to the majors is an argument most young players can under stand, and I was no exception. Some moves are harder than others. Going from the outfield to the infield is tough because the throws are different and the movement is different. But it varies from position to position. For example, some players can manage third base but can’t play any of the other infield spots. A third baseman may not be a good fielder, but he can knock down balls hit to him and still throw out the runner. But you’ve got to have a good fielder at shortstop, and the first baseman has got to be able to field the ball. A player also increases his value to a team by increasing his versatil ity. A manager loves to have a player who can move from second base to shortstop to the outfield and not embarrass himself or the manager. Ver satility has kept many players in the major leagues. Although Tm best known for my years in right field, I was something of a jack-of-all trades. I could play all three positions in the oqtfield and in an emergency, 1 could be called on to move to the infield. I never regretted changing positions. Moving to the outfield allowed me to concentrate more on hitting. I doubt that I would have hit nearly as many home runs as a shortstop, lil Hank Aaron is the top home run hitter of all time with 7SS homers. A member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, Hank is vice president of the Atlanta Braves. ©1989. PM Editorial Services Thursday, >^)rU 13, 1989 - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page 9B Crawford Signs CFL Pact HICKORY — James Crawford, a four-year standout tailback for the Lenolr-Rhyne football team, has signed a contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. Crawford eigreed to terras with Winnipeg and signed on Mon day, April 3. Details of the con tract were not disclosed. Crawford becomes the first Bear football player to sign with a professional team since wide receiver Terence Steward Inked a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys In 1986. _Craw- ford Is projected as a runnlSg back and kickoff returner for the Blue Bombers. A native of Chariotte, Crawford led the bears In rushing and scoring each of the last three seasons, becoming the first Bear ever to accomplish that feat. Crawford Is also the only Bear grldder to be listed among the all-time L-R leaders In both rushing (sixth) and receiving (10th). He rushed for over 2,500 yards, caught 55 passes, and scored 31 touchdowns during his time with the Bears. A team captain and All-SAC-8 performer as a senior, Crawford will graduate this May with a double major In psychology and sociology. "We are very excited that James Is getting this opportuni ty to further his football career In the Canadian Football League," said Bear head coach John Peny. "James' style of pls^r Is very well suited for the CFL and we are certainly proud that he Is getting this chance." Crawford's CFL opportunity arose after he attended a tryout camp with over 100 participants In Atlanta during Jrmuary. Win nipeg, the 1987 Grey Cup cham pions, contacted Crawford fol lowing the tryout. Canadian Football League teams are limited to 15 non- Canadian players, known as 'imports'. Crawford reports to camp in mid-June. Hornets To Treat Fans At Season Finale April 21 In observance of the final home game of the Inaugural Charlotte Hornets National Basketball Association season, and to honor the fans who sup ported the team In record num bers, the Hornets are planning FANtastlc FANale on April 21, Hornets Vice President and General Manager Carl Scheer announced today. The day-long celebration will Include the official proclama tion of Teal Day In Charlotte by Mayor Sue Myrlck and an even ing of festivities at the Charlotte Coliseum where the Hornets will face the Milwaukee Bucks In the last hcxne game of the year. "We may not have made the playoffs In our first year, but we still won a championship." Scheer said. "Thanks to our great fans, we have established our place In history, leading the league In attendance this sea son." When the sellout crowd of 23,388 enters the turnstiles for the 7:40 p.m. tlpoff. It will make official the Hornets' attendance championship for the 1988-89 season. It ^1 mark the first time a m^or league expansion team has fed Its sport In atten dance in Its charter season. Additionally, the nearly 950,000 who filled the Charlotte Coliseum this year falls second only to the Detroit Pistons, who placed just over 1 million In their final season In the Pontiac Sllverdome last season. 'This franchise was met by considerable skepticism from the national media about mar ket size and piopulation. Many said the team would not draw well because of the strong ties to college basketball In this area," Scheer sadd. "The fans have proven them wrong. This is a major accomplishment on their part. "For their efforts, we will desig nate the Charlotte Hornets fans as the team's ofilcial Sixth man." Through the proclamation of Teal Day on .^rll 21, Charlot- teans will be encouraged to wear teal to work and school during the day as a prelude to the ex citement that will take place that evening at the coliseum. Activities will begin In the park ing lot with live entertainment, games, prizes and remote radio broadcasts with participating stations sponsoring a Best Ban ner Contest from which finalists will be selected and displayed during the game. There will also be a most Creative Hornets ftin Costume contest. On the concourse wlU be live music and a carnival-llke at mosphere will be purveyed. Fans will have the opportunity to register to win valuable priz es, Including a car, which wfil be awarded throughout the even ing. The Beginimig Of The End PtieM/CALVM FenOUtON fio Bo Brooks (right) starts to tall after a Kelvin Seabrooks barrage to the midsection in bantamweight boxing action last week at True Leg ends restauant. Seabrooks, who was fighting for the first time In nine months, scored a technical knockout in the fourth round to run his record to 26-14. 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