Sports Beat column - April 13, 2006

Sports Beat
April 13, 2006

McCaffrey's World by Bill McCaffrey

Last week I went to â¤¦The Yardâ¤? to see the once mighty Baltimore Orioles, first off the ticket prices were outrageous, the seat which amounted to an upper deck box seat was $45.00, it was over the third base side and the opponent was a weak Tampa Bay team. Sixty years ago Terry Maher and I went to see the Detroit Tigers play the Washington Senators in a double-header, Terry and I sold our tickets to two gentlemen for $5.00 a piece but the usher allowed us to set in the aisle next to those seats and we had a great seat with money to spend on cokes, hot dogs, peanuts, etc.

Last week at the Orioles game one coke cost as much as all the food and drink Terry and I spent sixty years ago. I got into a lot of other games thru tickets given to me by Mrs. Clark Griffith and Mr. Baines (related to the Baines who owned Browning and Baines Oriental coffee and the company had a big sign on the right field wall).

When I didnâ¤t get tickets I would sit in the left field bleachers where tickets were $.60 a game. Kids could afford to go to baseball games, and baseball today wonders why kids arenâ¤t taking to the game. Insurance mogul Ray Huff has some ideas how to sell the game today.

One of the best games I saw when I was young was a Senators vs. Philadelphia Phillies exhibition game at Griffith stadium, but the good part was that Shirley Carr went with me to the game. She was a beauty but I would sure like to know how she made out in life.

But as much as baseball tickets have soared, gasoline prices at the pump soar even more. The gas coming from the pumps is the same as the day before but 10 to 20 cents more and the oil companies make 15 to 20 Billion dollars in profit, worse than BG&E is doing with their scheduled increases. Something has to be done about this rampant inflation everywhere you look.

I do like the Constellation merger with Florida Power and Light and that shouldnâ¤t be held up, I feel that is one thing that can help the citizens.

Whoa, McCaffrey get off your soap box.

JOCKS REUNION

Hey guys and gals! Don't forget the big Jocks Reunion coming up at the Greenbelt American Legion on April 22nd (yes it is the same date and time of the big, big Eastern High School get together at Maryland University, same date and time) April 22nd from 11 am to 3 pm.

For the Jocks Reunion send $40 to Horace Highsmith, 8303 Sprague Place, New Carrollton, MD 20784. For questions call Joe Warren at 301-918-8100 or fax him at 301-918-8124.

Langhorne Named Team MVP At Annual Women's Basketball Banquet

Sophomore Crystal Langhorne was tabbed the NCAA Champion Maryland women's basketball team's Most Valuable Player, which head coach Brenda Frese announced on Sunday at the team's annual end-of-the-year banquet. Langhorne earns the honor for the second-straight year, garnering co-MVP honors as a freshman. The Terps also paid tribute to its two seniors Charmaine Carr and Angel Ross.

Less than a week after winning the program's first NCAA title, the Maryland Terrapins gathered at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center with their teammates, staff, friends, family and fans to celebrate the 2005-06 championship campaign.

Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) was honored as the team's MVP. She led the team in scoring (17.2 ppg) and rebounding (8.6 rpg), while leading the nation in shooting percentage (67 percent, also a school single-season record). She was the Albuquerque Region's Most Outstanding Player and was also a second team Associated Press All-American and a USBWA All-American. Langhorne earned first team All-ACC honors, as well, and was a first team All-ACC Tournament pick.

Classmate Jade Perry was selected the team's Most Improved Player. Perry shot 45.6 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line. In the ACC Tournament setback to North Carolina, she went 7-for-8 from the field and led all Terps with 18 points.

Charmaine Carr (Accokeek, Md./Brandywine) and Angel Ross are the only two players in school history to start their careers with a win and end their careers with a victory. They were the first four-year class under Coach Frese, who began her career at Maryland in the same season. In their freshman campaign in 2002-03, the Terps went 10-18, and now, as seniors, Carr and Ross leave College Park with a National Championship.

The Terps won a school-record 34 games this season, winning its final game of the year in thrilling fashion, capturing a 78-75 overtime victory over Duke. The 34 wins are the most by any Maryland basketball team, men's or women's. The Terps, who have broken many school marks this year, return all but two players for next season and over 97 percent of the team's offense.

Most Valuable Player: Crystal Langhorne
Most Improved: Jade Perry
Leadership Award: Charmaine Carr
Academic Award: Shay Doron, Charmaine Carr, Crystal Langhorne, Aurelie Noirez
TERP Award: Aurelie Noirez
2005-06 Tri-Captains: Charmaine Carr, Shay Doron, Crystal Langhorne
Utility Award: Angel Ross
Hustle Award: Ashleigh Newman
Most Assists: Shay Doron (149)
Courage Award: Laura Harper, Kalika France
Top Free Throw %: Kristi Toliver (89.1 percent)
Top 3-Point %: Marissa Coleman (47.0 percent)

National Champion Field Hockey Squad Holds Annual Team Banquet
Powley and Infante presented Katie Kauffman award.

The NCAA and ACC Champion Maryland field hockey squad held its annual team banquet, officially marking the end of the 2005-06 campaign. All-Americans Lauren Powley and Paula Infante repeated as the team's most outstanding players, earning the Katie Kauffman award. The Kateri Simon Unsung Hero distinction was presented to senior Meredith Long, while classmate Emily Beach garnered the Carla Tagliente honor, given to the team's outstanding student-athlete. In its first year of the award, Linzi Jones was honored with the #11 Award, named in memory of Sabrina Salam, a former Terrapin All-American who was killed in a car accident last April.

"I have such a feeling of pride in this program. As we celebrate 25 years of women's sports in the NCAA, Maryland field hockey continues a tradition of excellence," said national coach of the year Missy Meharg. "This team in particular, with the strength of the ACC this season, truly has been the most outstanding team to ever play and has raised the bar for the future of Maryland field hockey."

Paula Infante and Lauren Powley both repeated as All-Americans this season. Infante was named the nation's most outstanding player, earning the Honda Sports Award, only the second player in school history to earn the honor. Infante was named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, earning all-conference nods for the third time. Powley, also a three-time All-ACC honoree, has been a staple on the Terrapins' midfield line. She missed only five games in her career, helping the U.S. Junior World Cup team to the American's best-ever seventh-place finish. Powley is only the fourth Terp in school history to be named All-American four times, earning a spot on the first team three times. The Unsung Hero was senior Meredith Long. A transfer from Boston University three years ago, last season, Long redshirted the year due to medical reasons. She came back in 2005 and was a starter in all but one game, tallying 12 points on four goals and four assists. Two of her goals came in the 3-0 win over American in the NCAA Tournament which put the Terrapins in the NCAA semifinals for the third year in a row.

A team co-captain, senior Emily Beach has been an outstanding athlete as well as a standout student. A public and community health major, she started in every game on defensive in her two seasons at Maryland, after transferring from Virginia. She posted seven goals and eight assists and was named first team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. She anchored a defense which was second in the nation, boasting an 1.01 goals against average.

Linzi Jones was the recipient of the first Sabrina Salam #11 Award. Sabrina Salam-Currow was a two-time All-American, helping the Terps win the 1993 NCAA title. She tragically passed away on April 4 after being in a fatal car accident. The 2005 season was dedicated to her memory. Every member of the Terrapin squad had a #11 stitched onto their uniform.

Powley Named to World Cup Field Hockey Qualifying Team
Qualifying Tournament, April 25- May 6 in Rome, Italy.

NCAA Champion and Terrapin Lauren Powley was named to the 18-member USA World Cup Qualifying team. The qualifying tournament takes place April 25-May 6 in Rome, Italy. The Americans will be looking to place in the top five and join Argentina, Australia, Germany, India, The Netherlands, South Africa and host Spain at the Women's World Cup, Sept. 27-Oct. 7 in Madrid.

Also among the 18 players named to the squad are former Terps Dina Rizzo '02 and Sara Silvetti '05 .

Currently 12th in the world rankings, the USA enters the qualifier as the No. 6 seed behind top-seed China, No. 2 New Zealand, No. 3, No. 4 Japan and No. 5 England. The USA will open play against Ireland on April 25 and will compete in a Pool B field that also includes New Zealand, Korea, Azerbaijan and host Italy.

The USA will leave for the qualifier on April 17 with a stop over in The Netherlands for some training games against the club team Klein Zwitzerland and the Dutch U23 squad before continuing on to Rome.

The USA has appeared in the World Cup in each of the last six editions of the quadrennial event dating back to 1983.

This will not be the first time Powley has played on the Senior National Team. A native of Mountaintop, Pa., and a four-time All-American, she played on the national team last summer and earned a starting spot and 14 caps. Powley finished her four-year career helping the Terps capture the NCAA and ACC titles in November of 2005.

For more information on the US National Team, visit www.usfieldhockey.com.

Tom Rush to Raise Awareness, Funds to Protect the Arctic Refuge
Alaska Wilderness League to host Benefit Concert on April 19

Folk Singer Tom Rush will be lending his star power to help raise funds to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in a benefit concert for the Alaska Wilderness League at 6:00 PM on April 19, 2006 at Busboys & Poets Restaurant in Washington DC.

"Tom Rush is a truly gifted musician and performer," said Cindy Shogan, Executive Director of the Alaska Wilderness League. "We are so pleased that he will be sharing his talents to safeguard the Arctic Refuge."

The concert comes at an important time in the campaign to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is still under threat from pro-drilling forces in Congress. A provision to drill in the Arctic Refuge has been passed in the Senate's budget resolution, and the House has yet to pass their budget for the year.

The Arctic Refuge protects some of America's most spectacular wilderness and wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, caribou, grizzlies, and millions of migratory birds. The Gwichâ¤in people, a subsistence culture, consider the Coastal Plain, which serves as the calving grounds for the 130,000-member migratory Porcupine River Caribou Herd, as â¤¦the sacred place where life begins.â¤?

Tom Rush's work has spanned four decades. Rush's impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the â¤—60s and the renaissance of the â¤—80s and â¤—90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. His albums include: The Circle Game, which was a folk album that featured Rushâ¤s versions of songs by Joni Mitchell and James Taylor; Ladies Love Outlaws and Merrimack County. In 1999 Columbia Legacy released an anthology of Rushâ¤s career titled No Regrets.

The event starts at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided along with a cash bar.
Tickets are available for $75 in advance and $100 at the door. Call Tara Lewis for more information: 202-544-5205. Busboys & Poets Restaurant is located at 2021 14th St. NW, Washington DC.

The Ballroom has a knockout show coming May 4th!

Coming off a show that has been hailed by many as the "Greatest Show in Ballroom History", you may ask, whatâ¤s in store for May? Promoter Scott Wagner respond with an overwhelming, â¤¦EXCITEMENT!â¤? Ballroom fans attending in May will witness the return of March stars, Maxell Taylor and Derek Ennis, but not in a rematch. Maxell â¤¦The Generalâ¤? Taylor (12-2-1, 5KOs, Baltimore, MD) will return in the Main Event, this time taking on Nurhan Suleyman (16-3, 8KOs, Houston, TX) in a 10 round Junior Middleweight match. Suleyman is no stranger to the Ballroom as the May 4th bout will mark his fourth trip to Michaelâ¤s. Both Taylor and Suleyman are tough fighters Their match should prove to be a brilliant finale to an undercard that is shaping up to be a night of prospective â¤¦Newâ¤? stars.

Derek Ennis (9-0-1, 6KOs, Philadelphia, PA) will fight in a six round Junior Middleweight bout against an opponent who has yet to be named. Local undefeated prospects on the card include Tyrell Samuel (5-0, 4KOs, Baltimore, MD) against Fred Fleming (0-2, Cincinnati, OH) in a four round Junior Lightweight bout as well as Tim Coleman (3-0, 1KO, Baltimore, MD) in a four round Welterweight bout against an opponent to be announced later. Eric Hunter (5-0, 3KOs, Philadelphia, PA) will also return to fight in a four round Featherweight fight against fellow undefeated prospect Apollo Welch (3-0, 1KO, New York, NY). Hunter is currently only 22 years old and stopped his March Ballroom appearance in 26 seconds of the first round by knocking out his opponent with his first punch. Also featured will be Michael Torres (6-0, 3KOs, Jersey City, NJ) and Paul Reyes (2-6, 1KO, Ft. Wayne, IN) in a six round Junior Welterweight bout. A highly anticipated pro debut bout is scheduled between Julius Kennedy (Baltimore, MD) and Tyrone Joiner (Jersey City, NY). Kennedy, who holds an outstanding amateur record, is currently trained by Janx Morton and managed by Courtney Bridges. Joiner, like â¤¦The Generalâ¤?, is trained by Lou Duva. Both sides of this pro debut bout have people talking.

To view the Printable Bout Sheet for May 4th, click below: http://www.ballroomboxing.com/info/bout_sheet.asp
Get your Tickets Now!
Call 410-766-7474, 410-800-7021 for phone orders!
Or visit the Michael's Eighth Avenue Sales Office in person, M-F from 10am-6pm or Saturdays 10am-12N. Click the link below for door to door driving directions to Michael's Eighth Ave.
http://www.ballroomboxing.com/info/directions.asp

D.C. Divas 2006 Schedule

Home Field Info & Directions
Home Games & Away Games @ 7pm
Week Date Opponent W/L Score Links/Notes
1 April 15th Bye Week
2 April 22nd Baltimore
3 April 29th @Tidewater (VA)
4 May 6th Harrisburg
5 May 13th Bye Week
6 May 20th @Connecticut
7 May 27th @Baltimore
8 June 3rd Tidewater
9 June 10th @Harrisburg
10 June 17th Connecticut
View the entire: 2006 League Schedule

DIVAS FOR A DAY-THE TERPS TOP DUKE
Washington's women's football team the D.C. Divas helped lay the foundation for last night's NCAA Championship, at least in part. Starting Defensive End Subrena Rivers helped build a Maryland tradition when she led the Terrapins to the Final Four during the 1988-89 season. "Today is a proud day for all of us who came before this great team" said Rivers, who by day and night is a D.C. police officer. "I know how hard it is to reach that level and to win it all is just incredible". Rivers and her D.C. Divas teammates begin their season on April 22nd and they intend to honor the National Champion Terrapins at halftime.

DIVA NEWS - OUR TEAM IS READY TO ROLL!
There are a number of Divas with ties to the University. Quarterback Allyson Hamlin co-captained the Terps softball team to an ACC championship in 1999 and was recently named as one of 6 captains for the 2006 Divas. Joining her is Safety Vickie Lucas who knows something about National Championships. She won a Division 2 Title in basketball at Hampton University. Linebacker "Poison" Ivy Tillman is one of the original Divas and brings tremendous leadership on and off the field in her 4th year as Captain. Joining her from the defensive side is Cornerback Kathryn Hemlock, who was named rookie of the year in 2004 and lead the team in interceptions in 2005. Wide receiver Nikki Williams is regarded as one of the top receivers in all of women's football and her competitive spirit is an inspiration to all.

Linebacker Ray Savoy is in her first year as a Divas captain, but it's not her first experience with the role. During the summer of 2005, a group of Divas and players from other NWFA teams came together in California to tape a reality show called the Gender bowl. The game played at the L.A. Coliseum saw the ladies take on a team of men with the show's airing date to be announced soon. Savoy was appointed Captain and led her squad with fire and grace. The outcome is a secret until the show's airing.

The Divas are entering their 6th season of play in the 33 team NWFA. Season tickets are currently on sale on the D.C. Divas website.

SAVE THE DATE: D.C. Divas home-opener v. Baltimore - APRIL 22, 2006
Go Divas!
Rich Daniel, General Manager

Rich, I am with you, "Go Divas, Go"

WE GET LETTERS

Bill,
Can Brenda Frese coach the menâ¤s team?
Tom, Odenton

Tom,
Yes I think she could but not with the slugs that Gary has been saddle with lately, sheâ¤ll have to recruit and get some quality players.
Bill

Bill,
Is the Tuckerâ¤s restaurant you mention the same one that used to be on or around Good Hope Road SE? I used to go there when I worked for C&P on N St. SE I remember you could get a T-Bone steak (very razor thin), pickled beets, French fries all for 85 cents at lunch.
Also, my son will be playing guitar at the Birchmere for the headliner, Cleve Francis on 15 April. Looking forward to it. If you can make it there, would love to see you.
Marlene G.

Marlene,
I donâ¤t think I can make it the 15th. I remember the Tuckerâ¤s you mentioned, I use to work on the frame when Walter Auer was there (summer of 1951). This Tuckers is off Route 4 near Andrews AFB.
Bill

Bill,
Re the column, Jesse Houston, Coolidge â¤48 is my brother-in-law and I asked you long time ago to add him to your list as he played sports and grew up in DC and I thought he would really be interested in your column. He married my sister, Jean West, Roosevelt 48. Remember I told you I was also related to Shirley Carr.
Haven't heard from her or Ruth for ages. Iâ¤ll try and get in touch with her. Small world Regards and keep up the good work
Carole

Carole,
He has been added to our list right? I sure would like to hear from Shirley Carr.
Bill

Bill,
thanks for your excellent column, as always and the coverage of women's sports, especially the Lady Terps, National Champions! Have heard nothing from the good Colonel Chuck lately, will have to send him something to shake him up, ha ha ha.

Any suggestions since Miss Jane seems not to be able to do this on her own. Do not see our Donnie Neuenberger on the starting lineup in today's Busch race again, hope all is well and the team is just working on the car, finances, etc.

Perhaps Donnie will make it to the Pepsi 400 here in July.
God bless you and yours,
Dale
Guess no takers to collect their rewards for locating either/or the ever evasive Jack Pitt or the "Mystery One"

Dale,
I thought Donnie was coming to my 900th show but he didnâ¤t show. I haven't heard from him in a while. Colonel Chuck will be your host if he's not in the hospital.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Please forward and help spread the word! Thanks! Dave and Don.

DAVE COLLINS & DON CLARKE PRESENTS
TUCKER'S COMEDY/KAROKE CAFE
9205 Marlboro Pike Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 301-599-6060
LIVE IN PERSON TONY WOODS
"Comic View, Comedy Central, HBO Def Jam"
Music by DJ MELLO-T
April 14, 15, 16, 2006
SHOW TIMES:
FRIDAY - 9:00 PM
SATURDAY - 9:00 PM
SUNDAY- 9:00 PM
STAY AND PARTY WITH DJ MELLO-T AFTER SHOW
$FREE W/FLYER (PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS)
TuckersComedy@aol.com or call 301-599-6060
Doors open 1/2 hour before show
Casual Attire
Directions: From I:495 Take Exit 11A â¤³ PENNSYLVANIA AVE, RT 4 SOUTH
Go thru 2 traffic lights, then get in the right lane and bear right onto OLD MARLBORO PIKE.
Follow Old Marlboro Pike thru the next traffic light (Dowerhouse Road)
and Tuckers is just ahead on the right.

SPORTS NOTES

A big Golf Tournament will be held on June 17th at the Pine ridge Golf course, itâ¤s the 1st Annual St. Gregory the Great Church. For information call410-454-7120 (day) or 410-292-9019 or watch PGCTV channel 76 as the â¤¦countermanâ¤? will be coming on my Inside Sports show in May to talk about this great event.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. took a 12 round decision from Zab Judah to take the IBF Welterweight crown.

Jake Smith has a big Pro-Am event at the Pikesville Armory on Aopril 21st.

Was that the Mystery One that I saw at Timbukto this week?

I had a great lunch last week with Charlie Pratt, Jay Ferber and Chic Leapy at RIPS.

Steve Strickland is the new boys basketball coach at Spalding High School replacing Mike Glick.

Is it true that â¤¦Downtownâ¤? Brown claims he can fly?

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Methodist Minister Harold A. Milstead. He was a minister at Eldbrooke, Pasadena, Douglass, Jarrettsville, Pikesville, Havre de Grace, Liberty Grove, Washington Grove, and Bryans Road Methodist Churchs. He was born in Charles County.

Donnie Gray, Lenny Moore, the team of Tim and Tim are among the upcoming guests on my PGC TV show.

Where is "Junior" these days?

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS