Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.sports From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: sports Mon, Apr 6 1992 Date: Mon, 6 Apr 92 05:43:33 EDT Message-ID: 04-06 0000 DECISIONLINE: Sports USA TODAY Update April 6, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network BASEBALL RETURNS: The boys of summer return Monday as nine games open the major league baseball season. Pitcher Nolan Ryan, 45, starting his 26th season and hinting it could be his last, will open for the Texas Rangers at Seattle. Opening day officially begins a few minutes after 1 p.m. EDT when Detroit takes on Toronto at Tiger Stadium. The National League opener is San Diego at Cincinnati. ORIOLES TO OPEN NEW PARK: The newest "old" baseball stadium in the major leagues is about to hear its first "play ball!" Oriole Park at Camden Yards will officially become the new home of the Baltimore Orioles Monday when the O's take on the Cleveland Indians. The design for the 48,000 seat, $105.4 million field of dreams is based on the "the great parks of old," says Orioles owner and CEO Eli Jacobs. (For more, see special Park package below.) DUKE, MICHIGAN VIE FOR TITLE: It's down to two in men's college basketball, with Duke and Michigan doing battle Monday night in Minneapolis to crown the national champion. The No.1-ranked Blue Devils can become the first team since UCLA in 1973 to repeat as champions. Duke is favored by six points, but Michigan's Jalen Rose, one of five freshman starters, says, "Being the underdog has gotten us this far." STANFORD WINS WOMEN'S TITLE: Four Stanford players scored in double figures as the Cardinal downed Western Kentucky 78-62 Sunday to win its second NCAA women's basketball title in three years. Stanford was led by freshman Rachel Hemmer (18 points, 15 rebounds), junior Val Whiting (16 points, 13 rebounds), junior sophomore Christy Hedgpeth (17 points) and junior Molly Goodenbour (12 points, six assists). NEW PROPOSAL BY PLAYERS: Striking players have offered a proposal for consideration when owners convene Monday, but NHL President John Ziegler's response gave little hope of a breakthrough as the stalemate enters its sixth day. "I'm duty-bound to take it to the board," he said Sunday night, "but I do so without endorsement." Players are offering a two-year deal, with a reopener clause after one year. TREVINO, BECK WIN TOURNIES: Lee Trevino overcame a penalty stroke with birdies on two of the final four holes Sunday to win The Tradition. He beat old rival Jack Nicklaus in this Senior PGA Tour event, which Nicklaus won the last two years. Also, Chip Beck won the PGA Tour Freeport-McMoRan Classic in New Orleans by a stroke over Greg Norman and Mike Standly. ELLIOTT'S STREAK ENDS: Alan Kulwicki broke Bill Elliott's four-race winning streak on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit Sunday at Bristol (Tenn.) International Raceway. Kulwicki beat Dale Jarrett by 0.78 seconds in the Food City 500. Also, Bobby Rahal won the IndyCar Valvoline 200 at Phoenix and Nigel Mansell won the Brazilian Grand Prix, his third straight Formula One victory. CAVS SWEEP KNICKS: The Cleveland Cavaliers completed a four-game sweep of the New York Knicks with a 97-93 win Sunday. In other NBA games: Boston 97, Chicago 86; LA Clippers 97, Milwaukee 96; New Jersey 128, Indiana 120; Minnesota 93, Utah 91; San Antonio 90, Denver 87; Detroit 104, Miami 80; Sacramento 103, Dallas 89; LA Lakers 109, Phoenix 104; Portland 130, Golden State 122. WEINBRECHT WINS MOGULS TITLE: Olympic champion Donna Weinbrecht of West Milford, N.J., cruised to her fifth consecutive national moguls title Sunday while Rick Emerson, runner-up the last two years, earned his first at the U.S. freestyle championships in Winter Park, Colo. Olympian Craig Rodman of Park City, Utah, suffered severe ligament damage in his left knee when he fell after an aerial maneuver. SNOW LEADS USA TO SOCCER WIN: Steve Snow had three goals, including the game-winner in the 89th minute, as the USA beat Honduras 4-3 Sunday in an Olympic zone qualifying soccer match at Fenton, Mo. The USA leads the four-team zone. Mexico and Canada are tied for second. SABATINI WINS FAMILY CIRCLE CUP: Argentina's Gabriela Sabatini, the No. 1 seed, successfully defended her Family Circle Magazine Cup title, beating No. 5 seed Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-1, 6-4 in the final Sunday at Hilton Head Island, S.C. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON PARK: FANS KEY TO ORIOLE PARK: "If you build it, they will be comfortble." That may not be exactly what the voice said, but Oriole Park at Camden Yards is definitely fan-friendly, from wider seats to more restrooms to food prepared within view at the concession stands. And fans have had an impact on the stadium, suggesting such things as raised bullpens and a scoreboard that always has out-of-town scores. OLD PARKS KEY TO DESIGN: Hours of studying plans and photos of older parks such as Ebbets Field, Fenway Park, Comiskey Park, the Polo Grounds and Wrigley Field, led to Oriole Park's more traditional elements. They include: Only three tiers, an asymmetrical playing field, natural grass, less foul territory, and archways along the stadium's exterior. QUESTIONS REMAIN: Everything about Oriole Park isn't said and done. Fans will have to come up with a nickname for the 25-foot-high wall in right field. And players will have to give it their best shot to see who will be the first to hit a ball off the old B&O warehouse beyond the right field wall - a 460-foot blast from home plate. (End of package.) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Sports Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Sports Editor: Jason P. Smith. (919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM