<a href=www.dailyherald.com>Suburban Chicago Daily Herald By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted April 17, 2003

There was security meeting after security meeting after security meeting Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field.

While the White Sox and Major League Baseball came up with some potential solutions to stop the increasing number of fans from running onto the playing field and attacking players, coaches and umpires, nothing is guaranteed.

Well, almost nothing.

In his native Venezuela, Sox right fielder Magglio Ordonez said there is very effective crowd control.

"They have police at the games with machine guns,'' Ordonez said. "And they have dogs in the bullpen. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds. All kinds.''

One night after first-base umpire Laz Diaz was attacked by a fan who jumped over the railing, identified as 24-year-old Eric Dybas of Bolingbrook, the White Sox announced several changes in their stadium security policy.

Last Sept. 19, a father and son ran onto the field at Comiskey Park and assaulted Royals first-base coach Tom Gamboa.

"To have to deal with this yet again is really a black mark on the city and, frankly, the organization,'' said Sox general manager Kenny Williams. "For it to happen twice in our city is unconscionable.''

Beginning with Wednesday night's game against Kansas City, the White Sox added two security guards to each foul line, instructed ushers to check ticket stubs more frequently, and aired a video message from first baseman Paul Konerko urging proper conduct.

The Sox also are talking to local public officials about increasing the fines and jail terms for individuals who enter the playing field. The White Sox said they are making some additional covert changes in security.

"They'll be more effective from an operations standpoint if we keep them to ourselves,'' Williams said.

Three other patrons also ran on the field in Tuesday night's game. And, like Dybas, alcohol appeared to play a major role.

While the White Sox announced no changes in alcohol sales - they serve beer and other beverages until the top of the eighth inning - Major League Baseball is aware that problems exist.

"Alcohol management is something we take very, very seriously,'' said MLB security director Kevin Hallinan, who along with operations director Sandy Alderson met Wednesday with the White Sox and the Royals.

Said Alderson: "If you look at (Tuesday) night, I don't think it's a coincidence that these events took place late in the game.''

But after all the meetings ended, potential problems still exist.

"Hopefully, we can solve this and look at these two cases as aberrations,'' Williams said. "But it is what it is. The feeling I had in the pit of my stomach (Tuesday) night, it was disbelief along with embarrassment for the city as well as the organization.''

Before reaching Diaz, Dybas jumped over the railing on the right-field line where a security guard was stationed.

"(The guard) was looking left for one split second, and that's when the young man decided to jump on the field and attack the umpire,'' Williams said. "I don't know if you can do better than that unless you put snipers on the roof. And we don't want to do that.''

White Sox relief pitcher Kelly Wunsch agrees with Williams.

"It's a baseball game; it's not a communist state,'' Wunsch said. "I've played in Venezuela over the winter, and they have guard dogs and security guys with machetes. It's ridiculous. It didn't even feel like baseball. Who wants to take their kids to a place where they have guard dogs all over the place?''

The White Sox are scheduled to host the All-Star Game on July 25, and Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said the event should be moved due to safety concerns.

"That (ticks) me off,'' Wunsch said. "But everyone's entitled to their opinions, however stupid they may be. He sees a clip on SportsCenter and says we shouldn't get the All-Star Game.

"Come on, dude. Get real. I know you don't like the White Sox, but mind your own business.''

Alderson said the Mid-Summer Classic is still coming to U.S. Cellular Field.

"The All-Star Game will be played in Chicago,'' he said. "It will be played in a safe environment for players, coaches, umpires and fans, and it will be a great event.

"Given the fact it has happened twice here, are we concerned? Yes, as we have discussed with the White Sox.

"But sometimes preparation and execution can't eliminate these kinds of incidents. We are going to go cross the board throughout baseball to reduce the number, if not eliminate them.''

<a href=sportsnetwork.com>(Courtesy of International League)

Dublin, OH (Sports Network) - The International League announced today that Richmond catcher Johnny Estrada and Rochester pitcher Carlos Pulido have been named the League’s first Batter and Pitcher-of-the-Week for the 2003 season. These awards cover the first eleven days of the season, the period from April 3-13.

While much of the International League dealt with rain, snow, and cold temperatures during opening week, Richmond’s JOHNNY ESTRADA didn’t let the weather affect him, batting .500 with 14 RBI in the Braves’ first nine games.

On Opening Day in Charlotte, the 26-year-old had a two-run homer in the Braves’ 7-6 loss. The next night, Estrada went 2-3, walked, and scored a run in a 7-4 loss to the Knights. The native of Hayward, CA walked in a pinch-hitting appearance on Saturday (a 3-2 defeat), before returning to the line-up on Sunday. In Richmond’s 11-10 victory, Estrada had three RBI on two singles. The club traveled to Durham on Monday with the switch-hitter driving home both Richmond runs in a 5-2 loss to the defending Governors’ Cup Champions. The Braves fell to 1-5 with an 8-4 loss to the Bulls on Tuesday as Estrada had a hand in all the Richmond runs with a two-run double and a two-run homer. Rain washed out the R-Braves’ games against Toledo on Wednesday and Thursday, but the club returned to the field to play Columbus on Friday. In a 6-2 win over the Clippers, Estrada went 3-4 with a double and an RBI. Saturday, in an 8-2 loss, Johnny again drove in both Richmond runs with a single and a double. As the designated hitter yesterday, he went 2-3 with a double, extending his hitting streak to eight games and improving his average to .500 (15-30 on the season). In addition to batting average, Estrada leads all IL batters in hits and RBI, is tied for first in doubles and extra-base hits, is second in on-base percentage and slugging percentage, and is tied for second with a pair of home runs.

Estrada is currently in his first season in the Atlanta organization, having been acquired from Philadelphia for pitcher Kevin Millwood last December. The Salisbury, NC resident spent much of last season in the International League with Scranton/WB, earning post-season All-Star honors after batting .279 with 11 HR and 67 RBI (a career-high). He hit .118 for the Phillies in September. Estrada got off to a fast start with the Red Barons in 2001, hitting at a .290 clip through the first 32 games, before being promoted to Philadelphia for the remainder of the season to replace injured All-Star catcher Mike Lieberthal.

Left-hander CARLOS PULIDO returned to affiliated baseball for the first time since 1998 to open the 2003 season and flourished in his first two starts, going 2-0 for the Rochester Red Wings. Inclement weather limited the Red Wings to just one game in the first six days of the season forcing Pulido to make his first start in the second game of last Wednesday’s double-header in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The native of Caracas, Venezuela allowed just one hit with six strikeouts in five scoreless innings as Rochester won its first game of the young season, 2-1 over the Red Barons. The win was historic for the Rochester franchise as it marked the inaugural victory for the club as a Minnesota affiliate. The 31-year-old returned to the mound in the first game of yesterday’s double-header in Pawtucket, allowing an unearned run in five innings. Pulido fanned five for his second victory. Carlos is one of four pitchers (minimum six IP) tied for the League lead with a 0.00 ERA and is one of eleven IL pitchers who have started the season 2-0.

Pulido was out of baseball during the 2000 & 2001 seasons and returned to action in 2002 with Oaxaca of the Mexican League (13-7, 3.57 ERA). He last pitched in the affiliated minor leagues in 1998, making three relief appearances for Norfolk. Pulido, who also pitched in the Montreal and Chicago Cubs’ organizations, spent the entire 1994 season in the Major Leagues with Minnesota going 3-7 with a 5.98 ERA in 19 games.

Virginia Sports April 14, 2003

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Student Athlete-of-the-Month showcases athletes who have demonstrated excellence both on the playing field and in the classroom. The April Female Student Athlete-of-the-Month, fourth-year Ruby Rojas has displayed a strong work ethic in her academic and athletic endeavors. A double major in Women's Studies and Sociology from Santa Ana, CA, Rojas was one of the 10 UVa Golden Anniversary Team honorees and selected to the 50th Anniversary Softball team.

Q: You are originally from Venezuela, correct? When did you move to the states?

A: When I was two my family moved to southern California to Santa Ana.

Q: When did you become involved with softball?

A: My family has always been huge baseball fanatics. My dad got me into softball when I was ten and I absolutely fell in love with it and I've been playing ever since!

Q: What brought you all the way across the country to Virginia?

A: Primarily the academics associated with this school. I basically liked the overall environment of UVa and felt comfortable being here. I think it was a great decision for me!

Q: Who or what has influenced your life the most?

A: My parents are my biggest influence. They have always been there for me, always encouraged me to work hard and do well. I have 110% of their support in everything I do and they have been my greatest motivation in both softball and in life.

Q: What has been the most memorable moment of your softball career?

A: Playing in the Women's World Cup this past summer in Canada was amazing. I was recruited to play at the age of 17 and have been playing with this team every summer since. It is one of the highest levels of competition and we basically travel all over Canada playing different teams for one month. This summer I played some of the best players in the world and my team made it to the World Cup.

Q: How did you feel when you were named one of the 10 UVa Golden Anniversary Team honorees? What does it mean to you to have been selected to the 50th Anniversary Softball team?

A: I was delighted when I was named to the team, it was such an honor. The ACC definitely has lots of great teams and it's an overall highly competitive conference. So I was kind of shocked to be selected to receive this great honor. It really hasn't affected my performance this season because I'm really trying to stay focused on our games.

Q: What is the most difficult thing about being a student athlete at Virginia? Why?

A: I would have to say the stigma attached with being an athlete. We are always being watched academically and athletically. People think we get extra privileges and there is a stereotype that athletes like to cut corners. But we don't.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: When I have free time, I try to hang out with friends as much as possible. I like to go to the movies and just spend time relaxing. During the season though, I get free time once a week if I'm lucky!

Q: Are you graduating this year?

A: Yes, I will be graduating this May and then I'm going to graduate school at Longbeach State in California. I will be studying Physical Education and will be a graduate assistant for the softball team.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: I definitely think that in ten years I'll be coaching college softball and eventually I'd like to coach a national softball team.   University of Virginia Softball

This website is served by the Official College Sports network. Website concerns can be sent to our suggestion box.   All rights reserved. Click here to view our Privacy Policy.

By David King <a href=news.mysanantonio.com>San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 04/13/2003 12:00 AM   HOUSTON — More than 14 years ago, Andres Reiner came to Venezuela with a hope and a contract in hand.

Reiner was setting up the first baseball "academy" in the South American country, for the Houston Astros. His aim was to establish a route to the major leagues for young players in one of the region's most baseball-loving countries.

The first player he signed was a 16-year-old kid named Raul Chavez, from Valencia, the third-largest city in the country. Reiner quickly added Roberto Petagine, Bobby Abreu and Henry Centeno to his first group of players, who were put to work with a handful of coaches.

Abreu has gone on to establish himself in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies. Petagine is one of the top power hitters in Japan. Centeno is managing a team in Venezuela.

And Chavez?

On April 1, the 30-year-old was on a big-league roster on Opening Day for the first time in his life.

"It's just unbelievable. Everything is great," said Chavez, who is with the Astros as a backup catcher and infielder. "I'm still excited."

His trip from Valencia to Minute Maid Park wasn't easy.

He had worked his way up to Triple-A by 1995, in the process being named the best defensive catcher in the Astros' farm system. But he was traded to the Montreal Expos in the Sean Berry deal that offseason.

He appeared in 17 big-league games with the Expos in two-plus seasons and one game with the Seattle Mariners after a trade in '98. Most of the time, he was stuck in the minors, at Tacoma, Wash., and Ottawa, Canada.

When he became a minor league free agent after the '99 season, there was only one place he wanted to play.

"(Astros farm director) Tim Purpura called my agent and asked 'Does Raul want to play here again?'" Chavez said. "We said, 'Why not?' I knew all the staff here. I knew everybody here, and I was happy to be back."

He was the organization's Triple-A catcher for three years before getting his chance this spring.

"It's a great story because he's just one of those kids who loves the game," Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "You're going to have to tear the uniform off his back. His perseverance paid off."

It's a perseverance born from a love of the game and more than a little determination. Chavez said he never was discouraged about it taking him so long to earn a permanent roster spot.

"I knew I was going to work and I was going to get there," he said.

He passes along that philosophy every winter. He returns to Venezuela to play winter ball and help out at the Astros' academy, which has produced 85 players for the team through the years.

"When I go down to Venezuela and work out at the academy, I try to teach some of the guys," he said. "I work with the young guys coming up as catchers."

Chavez knows that with Gold Glove winner Brad Ausmus and veteran Gregg Zaun on the roster, he isn't going to see that much playing time behind the plate. So he takes dozens of ground balls every day to keep his infielder skills sharp and works on his catching skills when he can.

"There are some people who think that Raul might be the best pure defensive catcher they have here," said Milton Jamail, who is writing a book about the Astros' Venezuelan academy.

Hunsicker was impressed enough to keep Chavez around.

"We knew he was a reliable receiver who could catch and throw at the major league level," he said. "He was the perfect fit for us."

It only took 14 years for it to happen.

Citizens Time By George Porter Jr. , Sports Writer April 12, 2003 10:49 p.m.

ASHEVILLE - The scouting report on Asheville Tourists shortstop Oscar Materano so far has been that he is a young, skilled infielder with a strong arm and a lot of tools.

Good enough reason there for just about anybody to draft this kid.

But the report forgot to mention that he's pretty good at the plate, too.

"He does have a pretty good bat doesn't he," Tourists manager Joe Mikulik said. "He has definitely been a great surprise. I mean, we knew that he could play defense, but if he can come in here and add a little offense, as well, we get a real good bargain."

After sitting out the Tourists' season opener, Materano immediately made his presence felt the next night as he went 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI. At the end of the first series, Materano was leading the South Atlantic League, batting a robust .583.

Tourists' coach Tony Diaz said Materano's early-season consistency can be credited to a steady routine.

"I've tried to teach him, as well as some of the other guys, how to follow a steady routine," Diaz said. "I want them to learn the ability to set a pattern and follow that pattern every day. If they go through the same routine on a daily basis, they don't have a choice but to get better."

One routine Materano said he always follows is writing his mother's name in the dirt. Materano said when he's at shortstop, he routinely writes his mother's first name, Belkis, in the dirt so that she will be with him on every play.

"I try to keep my family on my mind," said the Valera, a Venezuela native. "I play baseball for them. A lot of guys from my country play baseball for money, but I play for the opportunity. The opportunity to just be on the field when others can't."

Although Materano's hot bat has been one of the reasons other teams have started to pitch him a little more carefully, his defense is as good as advertised.

And Tourists third baseman Ashely Freeman has the best seat in the house.

"He makes a lot of plays at short, that you see guys on television making," Freeman said. "And that's very impressive, seeing as though we're just in single A. I mean, at this level, we see guys all the time with his type of range, but to be able to go deep in the hole and throw a guy out, now that's impressive."

Unlike most up-and-coming baseball players in the states, Materano said he didn't have the opportunity to impress the professional scouts in high school because his high school didn't have a baseball field.

"We just had to play when we could," he said. "We usually played on softball fields and in other remote areas, so it wasn't the best."

No matter what the circumstances were for Materano, he obviously impressed scouts when he had the opportunity. When the youngster with the charismatic smile was 16, he said a scout invited him to a tryout.

The scout, Jorge de Posada, is the father of all-star New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada. Materano said after the tryout, Posada asked him if he wanted to play professional baseball.

It was a no-brainer.

"I didn't care about the contract or anything like that," he said. "I just wanted to play baseball. And when he offered me the chance to play, I jumped all over it."

Materano admits he's not very knowledgeable about the things that go along with baseball, such as contracts. But what he does know is that he, along with every other guy in the Tourists clubhouse, wants to one day make it to the big leagues.

"That's my goal," he said. "I want to play Major League Baseball. But the only difference between me and other guys trying to make it, is that I don't want to be rich. I just want to play baseball. Money doesn't mean anything to me."

Contact Porter at 232-5832 or GPorter@CITIZEN-TIMES.com