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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-06-28, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2000. PAGE 15. Sports From the sidelines Going around, coming around By Hugh Nichol There is a saying in sports that what goes around comes around, a perfect example of which is happen­ ing in Canada’s two major league baseball cities. After years of operating under financial restraint the Montreal Expo’s ownership has unveiled plans for a new downtown ball park, increased player budget monies, and hinted they may even explore the free agent market. At the same time the Toronto Blue Jays may be on the verge of entering an era of uncertainty with regards to their finances. Television rights not withstanding the everyday operating costs of the franchise are covered through the leasing of luxury sky­ boxes and the sale of season tickets. To date the Jay’s average attendance is less than half of the Sky Dome’s capacity and in time the reduced cash flow may force involuntary tightening of the purse strings. Financial responsibility is a tough sell at the professional level. Despite the fact the players average salary Lightning record at 3 and 3 The Blyth Lightning Atoms had a rough start this season, but have pulled even with three wins and three losses. They were defeated early in the year by the Blyth Storm, 6-1 and the Clinton Trailblazers 10-4, before they got on track winning the next two. Scorers in the first two contests were Ben Walsh (two), Michael Elliott (two) and John Bokhout. The squad captured their first win, has risen to $2 million a year and comments by commissioner Bud Selig that suggest as many as 23 of the 30 teams may be losing money, ownership continues to raise the ante in player signings to the point where Juan Gonzalez can confidently refuse an eight-year $140 million extension from the Detroit Tigers. Signs of an upcoming problem first surfaced in the Blue Jay camp last winter when only 40 per cent of the private suites and 60 per cent of the lower level club seats were renewed during the annual ticket drive. Fortunately the Jays didn't totally ignore the issue but instead adopted a new fan friendly approach to selling tickets. The number of skyboxes made available has been reduced from the original 161 to 115, with 20 of the closures being remodelled into cigar lounges, billiard rooms, conference centres, and daycare facilities. Top boxes behind home plate have been lowered 30 per cent in price to $160,000 while outfield perches have reached an all-time low of $50,000 although the leases still do not include the price of tickets, food or beverage. As well new plush field level seat­ May 23, against Goderich Suncoast Mall. Walsh tallied four and Elliott a single in the 5-1 victory. The second win came against Goderich Kinsmen, May 30, with a 3-0 shutout. Scorers were Blake Hesselwood, Walsh, and Darren Bouman. Elliott earned an assist. The Clinton Crusaders downed the Lightning 6-4, June 6. Bouman hit the twine three times with Elliott adding one and Bokhout getting his second assist of the season. ing has been installed behind home plate and every Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday the average “Joe2 can purchase a family four- pack which includes four tickets, four soft drinks, four hot dogs and one souvenir program for only $64.99. My own personal opinion of past Blue Jay marketing was that it was based on Kevin Costner’s build it and they will come line from the movie Field of Dreams. And now 10 years later the tourism novelty of the SkyDome has worn thin and the Jays actual on-field performance will dic­ tate what share of the Toronto sports entertainment dollar they will receive. Based on recent history it is there­ fore understandable that Jays fans have taken a wait-and-see attitude, but at least the organization doesn’t have to worry about the rowdyism experienced by their soccer counter­ parts. Last month in Istanbul a Turkish man stabbed two English fans to death before an European semi-final game between Leeds United and Galatasaray. I mean really, risking life in prison over a mere semi-final game. Blyth battled the Goderich Gators to a 3-3 tie through the first half when they met June 13, then nipped them late in the game for the 6-5 win. With just 59 seconds remaining, Bouman beat the opposing netmin- der for the goal. Other netters went to Cassandra Uyl (two), Bokhout (one goal, one assist) and Bouman (two). Elliott earned two assists and Jory- Lynn Uyl aided on one. Arghh! It was a great grab but not in time to get the runner at sec­ ond when the Mini Mites and Rathwell Rebels took to the playing field at the Ethel ball tournament this past weekend. (Vicky Bremner photo) Mosquitoes tie Clinton On June 22 the Blyth Mosquitoes travelled to Clinton and played to a tie. It was looking good for Blyth in the early going after they took a 2-0 lead. Charlotte Worsell. with assists from Brett Bean and Shawn Drost got the first of the game. Then a long top corner shot by Lisa Carter widened the gap. Clinton came back to take the lead with three goals, while holding Blyth down. The exciting end-to-end action continued for these two close­ ly matched squads with Blyth’s goalie making many outstanding saves to keep the Lightning team in the game. A final shot by Jenna Rinn tied it up before the final whistle. Seaforth Agricultural Society’s Coach McDougall said he was pleased with the Lightning attack. “Every player gave it their all the whole game, making my job a lot easier.’’ Brussels I wins The Brussels U-9 I and II teams played an excellent game June 19, with both squads playing very well and the goalies making great stops. Trevor Wood and Danica Zwep tallied the only goals in the game, giving Brussels I the 2-0 win. Andrew Lindsay played a very good game both in net and on the field said Assistant Coach Ray Becker. Blyths Squirt Girls lose to Varna >>1 The Blyth Squirt Girls baseball team suffered a loss on June 19 when Varna came to town. Varna started things off with a homerun in the first to set the tone. Blyth’s Kendall Whitfield con­ tributed to her team’s effort with a double in the bottom half. Varna came back with more hits in the second, while Ellen Procter man­ Bayfield downs Hullett Squirts The Bayfield Squirts stormed into town June 19 and blew away the home squad 11-6. After allowing the visitors to score three in the first, Hullett could only manage one. It was turnabout in the second inning, however, with Hullett taking a 4-3 lead. Unfortunately, the game was back U-7 Wolves win first game 4-0 The U-7 II Wolves started the sea­ son on May 30 in Brussels against ListoweI III. Ty Sebastian started in net for the Wolves, Christine Bone was in net for the second half. Both had a shut out. Zach Watson got three goals, and Morgan Deitner got one. The score was 4-0 for Brussels. June 6 they played Lisiowel 1 away. Sebastian got two goals. aged a single for the home squad. In the top of the third a single and a double were followed by a homer. Katie Stryker singled in the bottom half. After a walk and a double in the fourth to get players on board, Varna’s offense continued to pum­ mel the opposition in the fifth inning with a double and a homerun. in Bayfield’s favour after they brought in four runners then shut down the home team in the third inning. A scoreless fourth set the tone as the teams battled neck and neck. Hullett held their opponents to two in the fifth, but managed only one of their own. Deitner got one and Watson got five. Kabrina Bishop and Cassidy Peachey were really digging in front of their net. Bone had another great game let­ ting only one goal in. Brussels won 8-1. June 13 they hosted Elma 1. Sebastian managed to slip two by their goalie. Bone had another shut out. Blyth enjoyed its most productive inning in the bottom half beginning with a walk to Lindsay Malhiot. This was followed by a single from Alyssji Gross, a walk to Katie McClinchey and a double to Vickie Cook. Stephanie Root singled before the inning ended. The final score was 15-7 for the visitors. It was doughnuts on both sides in the sixth inning, then a repeat of the fifth inning in the final outing. Pitching for Hullett were Joel Salveida, Julian Bolinger, Derek Dolmage, Eric Radford, Anthony Wilts and Kody Reid. Bolinger, Dolmage and Radford each tallied two strikeouts. GRAND PRIZE - Your choice of International C-80 or John Deere 5410 or New Holland TN 75S. Tickets going fast - over 83% SOLD - Buy One Today. $100. each. Only 1600 Tickets Sold - Lots & Lots of Prizes. DINNER-DANCE-DRAW SATURDAY JULY 1, 2000 2 The Royalaires & Tom Cat Prowl There was great defense by Natalie White and Marissa Pipe. The score ended 2-0 for Brussels. June 20 was a fun game against Brussels I. Janelie Smith and Curtis White were doing great on forward. Sebastian got two goals, Deitner got one and Watson got one. Brussels I’s Nick Gowing slipped one past Bone. The game ended 4-1 for Brussels II. Particulars: Only 160(1 tickets sold al SI00. each. No one 19 years of age or older is restricted from purchasing a ticket. No one under 19 years of age will be allowed into the day events, including no infants. Tickets must he purchased prior to 12 noon .lune 30, 2000 to qualify for draw July 1, 2000. Early Bird Winners stay in the main draw. The Draw will he supervised by Wes Spence CA/Brian Wightman/CG A. Ticket purchase includes Dinner, Dance and Entertainment for 2 people only. How To Purchase A Ticket: Complete the following and together with payment: (a) Send to Tractor Elimination Draw, c/o Seaforth Agricultural Society, P.O. Box 886, Seaforth, Ontario N0K IW0 OR (h) Give ticket application and payment to a Director of the Seaforth Agricultural Society and receive a receipt. IE A TICKET IS NOT RECEIVED IN 19 DAYS CALL 519-527-1321 OR EAX 519-527-0983. Licence #M 144754 Last Chance for Tickets Friday Noon Call 527-1321 or Fax 527-0983 or call Lyle Haney 522-1300 Gord Glen 233-3175 Ross Ribey 527-1790