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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1989-04-12, Page 15Sports Spotlight by Wayne Proctor Somebody fojgot to tell the weather man it is now baseball season but the cold weather didn't stop the London Tigers from getting their debut into the Eastern Baseball League off to a successful start Friday night, despite losing the opening game, 5-1, to the Albany Yankees. It was announced in August of last year that London was accepted into the league as the "AA" affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and many people had been working non stop since then to get things ready for the first game and most had worked right up until game time Friday. Workers had been at it all week putting the finishing touches to get things ready. The paint on the walls in the press box was almost still wet. The Tigers games will take place at the new -and -improved Labatt Park in London. For anyone who is familiar with the Riverside Drive park, new scats have been added to the stadium, a new score- board has been added and updated and many backs have been added to existing benches to add comfort for the patrons. One of the biggest problems that the 5,524 opening -night fans had to face were long lines. The lines were long at concession stands, washrooms and to purchase hot dogs. There were only one conces- sion on each side of the stands to serve the customers, but many were heard growling, about the slow service and long lines as 1 walked by. , For those willing to stick it out, the hot dogs were delicious and well worth the wait. There are two separate hot dog vendors on each side as well. The hot dogs were very good, but my only complaint was the hot chocolate I bought wasn't even warm. For those who like something different than the regular ball park staples like hot dogs and crackerjack, there is also a special nachos concession and a place to purchase Dominos Pizza. Dominos Pizza is owncd by the same person that owns the parent Detroit Tigers, Tom Monaghan. The first -night fans came enthusiastic and prepared for the cold weather. Most were bundled up with blankets by the time the first pitch was thrown, shortly after 7 p.m. The play on the field was very good, but one things the fans have to remember is that the players are not major-league calibre, al- though they are very close. That seemed to be evident by the four er- rors the Tigers made in the first game, but some of those might at- tributed to bad nerves on opening night. All the players, including manager Chris Chambliss, wanted to make a good impression in front of their new fans. Perhaps the proudest man that night was Tigers general manager Bob Gilson. It was a six-year struggle for Gilson and vice president Bill Wilkinson to bring Tiger baseball to London and Gilson was walking around Labatt Park Friday night like a proud new father. As the fans were cheering a rally by the Tigers, Gilson was over- heard in the press box to say, "who said London fans couldn't get into the spirit of it. It gives me goose bumps listening to them". That.rally was foiled by a stikeout in the eighth inning. In February, Gilson spoke at the Lions Sports Celebrity Dinner in Exeter and said he was planning an Exeter night sometime this sea- son and he assured me that that was still in his plans. "We still want very much to have an Exeter night very soon. After this first home stand we are going to sit down and analyse how things went and then we will try and set something up," said Gilson. Souvenirs at the park are not cheap. A good sweatshirt will set you back $25 while a regular t shirt will cost $15 and a London Ti- _ gers cap is selling for $9. There are a number of souvenirs and all are at various prices. Tigers ticket prices range from $6.50 for box chairs to $4 for bench seats. Just like the players, the umpires in the Eastern League are also striving to make the Major Leagues and are likely to make some mistakes, but that didn't stop the fans from letting the umps have it the first night. The oldest umpire in the league is 33, while the youngest is only 21. The only thing missing from all the opening -night hoopla was Mike Lumley.. The 22 year-old pitcher from Lucan was supposed to have made the London Tigers, the only Canadian player in the Tiger system,, but tendinitis has forced Lumley to start 1989 in Class "A" ball in Lakeland Florida. Coach•Rob Thompson, 25, a Sarnia native was an up-and-coming catcher in the Tiger organization, until tendinitis ended his playing career two years ago and he became a coach, the youngest in Tiger history. Thompson said there is one big difference between the his form of tendinitis and the one that Lumley has. "He is coming back from his where as 1 didn't," said Thompson. Thompson offered this advice for Lumley as he attempts to reha- bilitate himself. "I. told him don't rush it and listen to what the trainers say. I also said he has a bright future and many pitchers get hurt even worse try- ing to come back too soon from injuries like his." I think Lumley realizes there will be a spot waiting for him in London when his coaches feel he is ready. Panthers soccer team opens season with win By Michelle Ellison PETROLIA - On Thursday, South Huron District High School's Girls' Soccer tcam opened their season by winning the conso- lation championship over, Forest at a tournament held at Pctrolia Sec- ondary School. .� :• The Panthers began the day -rather -,... uasueeessfully;-i -2=0' to Petrolia. Despite the two losses, the girls. managed to find themselves in the consolation final game. Following regular -timed play, the game ended ina0-0 clash. • During the shootout, SH's goal- keeper, Laurie Forrester, made many great saves allowing only one ball past her. Scoring for the Pan- thers were Kim Crawford and roo- kie, Sharon DcBruyn. The Panthers took the 2-1 victory over the Eagles to brq e _.<. solation.+' ecom�..t.^ South Huron will be holding their second annual Invitational Girls Soccer Tournament this Sat- urday. The Panthers also host their first Huron -Perth league game on Tuesday against St. Michaels at 3 p.m. $ SAVE $ SAVE $ 4C4�N'4COC'-sem _- ••.'...- SAVE $ SAVE $ Spa Sale Lifestyle Spa's - Special pricing of Lifestyle Spa's during Stratford Home Show April 13 - 16 custom $--poal apa • 404 Erle St., Stratford, Ontario N5A 2N4 Telephone (519) 273-0976 Mixed Shuffleboard KIRKTON - The Exeter Mixed Shuffleboard met Wednesday. April 5. The five game winners • were: Albert Hummel - 408 Lloyd Lovell - 243. Four game winners: Muriel Marshall - 402 Pearl McKnight - 382 M. Eizenga - 351 B. Brown - 332. Three game winners: Verda Gartley - 233 Jean Hein - 140. Thursday, five game winners: John Pepper - 625 Howard Johns -. 552 Lloyd Lovell - 459 Ray Cottle - 456. Soccer anyone? EXETER - Any soccer players 19 or over interested in playing competitive senior soccer in the Exeter -Grand Bend area should contact Dick Lord, Box 23, Cre- diton, 234-6396. The Exeter Centennial senior team is starting practices for the upcoming season and are look- ing for more interested players. Times -Advocate, April 12, 1989 Page 15 Huron Perth champs - The Exeter Junior Belle Ringette were hon- ored for winning the Huron Perth division at the Exeter Ringette annual banquet Monday night at the Legion. Front row, (left to right), Becky Morgan, Tiffany Tryon, • Tonya Riehl, Becci Farquhar, Christie Bedard. Back row, (!-r), Joyce Morgan, coach, Barbie Mor- tley, Janel Papple, Jayne Rowe, Liz Coates, Christine Chappel, Jill Sararas, Brydenei ryseels. Missing, Julia Merner, Laura Cook, Fred Cook, coach. HITINQ MILLER CARPET& DRAPER 63 MAIN ST., EXETER (519) 235-1964 ft\ 1 1:( Len's Quality Collision > PROFESSIONAL AUTO BODY REPAIRS 237-3775 Len Dietrich RR3 Dashwood P11iisirntoIt -- It happens only once a year and for a very sh'brt time when Burlington authorizes a reduction in the price of he'L.., carpet. And its happening now! A tremendous choice of top of the line luxurious carpet at once a year price cuts. • PON 1 (I Ri L) S1NNMASTER CARPI 1 FREE ESTIMATES PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION AVAILABLE Don't miss it, dozens of colours.all stain, soil and for worry -free easy care •. performance. At price cuts like this it will move fast, so make your • choice now to save and enjoy. HITINQ' MILLER CARPET& DRAP 63 MAIN ST., EXETER (519) 235-1964