Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / July 27, 1989, edition 1 / Page 19
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Thursday. Juty 27, 1989 • THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page 7B Playing in the Heat Like most baseball players, 1 prefer playing in hot weather to those chilly games early in the season. I played in Milwaukee for the first 12 years in the major leagues, and they have just two seasons up there, spring and winter. Having grown up in Mobile, Ala., and then playing minor league ball at Jacksonville, Fla., I had to adapt to the weather in Milwaukee. I’ve known players in chilly games to be afraid to swing the bat because they would get that buzz in their hands if they didn’t hit the ball just right. But just as the cold can affect a ballplayer’s performance, so can the heat. As the season progresses deep into summer, the temperature and humidity can become factors in the game. Some players who get off to slow starts in the spring become known as hot weather players. When the weather heats up, so do their bats. This seems particularly true of players from really hot countries such as the Dominican Republic. The manager of a team has to be very careful when his team is playing in a ballpark where the temperature and humidity are both in the 90s. Pitchers suffer the most, and the manager has to watch and see how many pitches are thrown. When the heat is really bad, the average major league pitcher may be able to throw only about 100 pitches effectively. After that, he can lose his “good stuff” quickly and be in trouble before a relief pitcher can warm up. The manager has to have his bullpen ready from the sixth in ning on. The catcher also takes a beating in hot weather. He’s back of the plate with all that equipment strapped on his body. He’s standing or squatting on bare ground without a blade of grass under him to soak up any of the heat. On a really hot day, I would much prefer playing on natural grass. There is no question that it gets a great deal hotter on artificial surfaces. I’d say the difference is easily 10 or 15 degrees, and on a day when it’s 95 or 100, that is really rough on the players. Thinking back on all the cities and ballparks I played in. I’d say St. Louis had to be the hottest in the major leagues. There, you really had the combination of heat and humidity. Willie Mays and I were talking the other day about an All-Star game in St. Louis that went into extra innings. We were the only two players to stay in the game all the way. And boy was it hot! The television crew had to pack their cameras in ice to keep them from exploding. After .a series in St. Louis, it was nice to get back to Milwaukee and be rejuvenated by some cool weather, lil Hank Aaron is the top home run hitter of ail time with 7SS homers. A member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, Hank is vice president of the Atlanta Braves. ©1989, PM Editorial Services SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! 376-0496!! Russel Sets New World Mark Charlotte's Joe Russel set a world record In winning a weigh tlifting gold medal Tuesday In the Stoke-Mandavllle Games In Alsbuiy, England. Competing In the 132-pound class for wheelchair athletes, Russel lilted 308 pounds. Another Charlottean, Kater Cornwell, won the heavyweight division with a lift of 375 pounds. S.C. state Signs Six For Track Teams ORANGEBURG, S.C. - South Carolina State has signed six track and field prospects to grants-in-ald. Head track Coach Robert Johnson announced the signing of sprinter and hurdler Angela Crawford of Madison, Ga. sprinter and hurdler Melody Epps of Tallahassee, Fla., and distance runner Teresa Mills of Winter Park, Fla. Also, Cedric Crumbley, a dis tance runner of Winder, Ga.; half-mller Sanders Hightower of Pensacola, Fla., and sprinter Mi chael Ketchup of Augusta, Ga. Crawford owns a 11.9 and 24,5 clocking, respectively. In the 100 and 200 meters. Epps has run the 100 In 11.8 and has been timed In 14.7 In the 110 meter hurdlers. Crumbley has covered the mile In 4:26 while Hightower has been clocked at 4:06 at 1500 me ters and In 1:53 In the half-mile. Ketchup has a 10.4 clocking In the 100 meters and a 21.4 In the 200. VolleybaU Leagues The Charlotte Parks and Rec reation Dept. Is sponsoring reg istration for Its fall volleybil league. Registration began Wednes day and continues to Aug. 22. Registration Is $ 150 and can be paid by mall only. Thirteen leagues with eight teams each wUl be formed. Play will run Sum Sept 18 to Nov. 16. For more Information, contact the Parks and Recreation Dept, at 336-2584. SEAGRAMS GIN “They say it’s the number one gin in America. They say “smooth” is its middle name. They say it tastes real nice on ice. “They also say add that special someone and...” Everything they say...is true. SEAGRAM’S. AMERICAS NUMBER ONE GIN. ) 1988 • SEAGRAM'S GIN • 100% NEUTRAL SPIRITS • DISTILLED EROM GRAIN • 40% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME (80 PROOF) • JOSEPH E. SEAGRAM 8, SONS. INC, NEIAI YORK, NY, HERE5 TO YOU. AMERICA! FINANaNG AS LOW AS f 1 1 1 HIOORir CASH back; PLUS GREAT '89 CLEARANCE DEALS! CHRYSLER LE BARON COUPE: 0^ FINANCING OR n,500 FACTORY CASH back: DODGE DAYTONA SHELBY: FINANCING OR HflOO FACTORY CASH back: EAGLE PREMIER; 0'^ FINANCING OR nflOO FACTORY CASH back: ALL-NEW PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM: 2.9 FINANCING OR $500 FACTORY CASH back: DODGE DAKOTA: 2.9'^ FINANCING OR $1/)00 FACTORY CASH back: JEEP. CHEROKEE; 4.9*^ FINANCING OR $1^00 FACTORY CASH back: *On new '89 dealer stock. Short-term A.P.R, Financing for quaiitied buyers through Chrysier Credit. Longer term rates availabie. SEE YOUR CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH, DODGE, JEER AND EAGLE DEALERS NOW! CHRYSLER Dodge Jeep, VlymoutH I Dodge Truchs I Eagle Buckle up for safety.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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July 27, 1989, edition 1
19
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