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Sports W Sports editor I Making millions a year, and going on strike? Folks, it’s time that we got our hackles up. You might call this Part II of the diatribe I started last week. I start out with the same question I had last week—why is Major League baseball trying to deliber ately destroy a game that Americans have grown to love over the past century or so? It seems that the men of summer have decided that they are going to walk the picket line instead of pulling down big bucks to play a boy's game. I have great sympathy for work ers in fast food places. Their work is hard, their bosses demanding and their pay low. I have great sympathy for some one who does hard manual labor outdoors, especially in Georgia. Some are well compensated, some are not. Still, the job is physically demanding, and the main objective is to finish the job in the quickest way possible without sacrificing quality. I have great sympathy for teach ers, policemen, firemen and others who have jobs with great responsi bility; but, the paychecks they bring home, while enough to live on, rarely reflect the responsibility of the job. I even have respect for minor league baseball players. While their "brothers" pull down big bucks playing in the "show,” minor league baseball players pull down less than $25,000 a year, live two or three players to a cheap motel room and endure long bus rides to far away games. But, I have no respect for a man who makes $1 million a year, or better, telling me that his working conditions are bad. NO RE SPECT, what-so-ever. Please don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying that I agree with the owners, either. While owners have a legitimate right to make a profit, they have proven themselves no less greedy than the ballplayers who "play" for them. If needed any evi dence, just look at the threats they have made to youth leagues using Major League names, emblems and logos. "But," the players say, "you have no idea what we go through to earn that money. Besides, our ca reers are so short that we have to earn a lot of money to live, after our career's are over." Four points—first, I would love to know the problems of making millions for not growing up. Play ing a child's game and getting the kind of money these guys are get ting paid can't be that difficult. We pay a reserve infielder who couldn’t conceive of hitting .300 more than we pay a research scientist working on a cure for AIDs. Secondly, I don't know of too many Major League baseball play ers who were too worried about mandatory retirement at 72. The last figure I heard was that people can be expected to change careers, not jobs, but careers, an average of 7.1 times today. That might be a little high; but, very few people are going to retire in their 70s in the same career they started in their late teens and early 20s. This argument just doesn't wash. If the professional career doesn't work out —find another job. Maybe it doesn't pay as much as profes sional sports; but, that's too bad, and that's life. I can just hear Bob Tribble's, the paper's owner, reaction if I went into his office demanding a few hundred thousand a year because I didn't know if I would be in news papers five-to-ten years from now. I have a feeling Iraq would have a better chance of winning a second Persian Gulf War than I would of retaining my job. Thirdly, these guys knew what was in store for them before they ever decided to become professional players. If they didn't, they made a bad mistake, signing away several years of their lives on a dream. Be lieve me, the players are well com pensated for any of the "drawbacks" of their careers. Finally, it's not the money that is the problem here. If someone, my current employer or anyone else, lost their head one morning Please see Roloy, page 8A Local schools hire softball coaches ■■■"■ 1 1 t 1 1 ** —— Jy9BK||g jjjH BH 9H g K fl -:.y Maeum v Billy Sellers stands In front of the Lady Hornets softball facility. Sellers Is the new Hornet softball and basket ball coach. Britsky comes home By VETO F. ROLEY Sport* Editor Kelly Britsky wants the Perry Panthers to have a good experience next year. "The big goal for them as play ers is to enjoy themselves," said the new Perry softball coach. "A good experience, that's what it is all about. "We are going to work hard, and we are going to have fun. We are going to work to get where we want to be. If we improve each game, then I will be satisfied. "More than anything, I want these girls to develop character. I want my team to be a class act, win or lose." Britsky is returning, somewhat, home in taking over the Panther softball squad. She played high school softball at Warner Robins High School before going on to ABAC and, later, LaGrange Col lege. "Houston County's home," said Britsky. "I was always looking for a chance to get into Houston County. It's a great (school) sys tem. "The principal (Phil Smith), ath letic director (John Stephens) and all the people in the county seem very cordial, very open and accept ing. I feel comfortable coming back here, coming home." Westfield football schedule Defending state runnerups West field will defend their second place trophy in 1995 starting with a road game against Mt. DeSales Aug. 8, opening a 10 game schedule. The Hornets will open their home schedule against Tattnall Academy on Sept. 2. Westfield will play four of its first six games on the road, includ ing a Saturday game, Sept. 16, at John Milledge. The Hornets will play three of their last four games Westfield Football Schedule 8- Mt. DeSales Away 9- Tatnall Home 9-9 Open 9-16 John Milledge Home 9-24 Westwood Away Saturday 9-30 Tiftarea Away *lO-7 Windsor Away * 10-14 Stratford Home * 10-21 First Presbyterian Home * 10-28 Southland Away 11-4 Athens Christian Home * Region Game Although she graduated as a Demon, Britsky said she was quickly becoming a Panther. At ABAC, Britsky was named to the all-national junior college team and also won two state champi onships and a national title. She continued her play at LaGrange, named to the all-conference team two years and winning the team's M.V.P. award. After her playing career ended, Britsky stayed at LaGrange as a graduate assistant, picking up her second national title as LaGrange won the N:A.I.A. title. "What affects the way that I think about the game is the good coaches I've had in the past," said Britsky, who noted that she has been playing serious, competitive softball since her early teen years, when she was on traveling softball teams. "I was fortunate to have some good coaches. "You learn a lot of good things. And, you learn a lot of the wrong things not to do. The right person coaching makes a difference." Britsky said that her team would not wait for the homerun ball to win games, saying that the Pan thers will move runners and manu facture runs in 1994. "We are going to be strong fun damentally and defensively," said the new Panther softball coach. "I at the Hornet's Nest. Westfield will start the region schedule Oct. 7 with a match against Windsor. The Hornets are moving to Region lAAA, which also includes Stratford, FPD and Southland. The Hornets will conclude their regular season with a Nov. 4 meet ing with Athens Christian at home. Westfield will start practice on Aug. 1. Houston Times-Journal Sellers follows Campbell By VETO F. ROLEY Sport* Editor Ronnie Jones persistence caused Billy Sellers to fi nally say yes to the Westfield softball and women's basketball job. Sellers said that Jones called in the middle of March to talk with him about the job; but, that he was in the middle of baseball season. Then Jones called again at the end of the season, with Westfield still looking for someone to replace Donna Campbell. Again, Sellers turned down Jones' offer. However, Jones was not to be denied, and recently made a third call to Sellers. This time Sellers agreed to come to Westfield. "The opportunity to work with Ronnie Jones was a big factor (in taking the job)," said Sellers. Sellers will take over the women’s softball and bas ketball programs from Donna Campbell, who was at the school for nine years. Campbell left Westfield to pursue a master's degree, in order to coach on the col lege level. "They (players) are used to one system for nine years," said Sellers. "Ultimately, they will have to leant a new (system)." "It's always going to be a challenge when you change jobs,” said Sellers. "The biggest challenge I will have is to convince the young ladies I have that I am with them and for them and will do anything for them. "The challenge is being able to smooth the transi tion as much as possible in a short time as possible." The presence of Jenny Crooms at Westfield should make the transition easier for him, said Sellers, since she could provide a bridge to the players from Camp bell's tenure. Sellers comes to Westfield from Hogansville High School, where he was women's basketball coach and baseball coach. Before going to Hogansville, he coached at Miller County High School, where he started the women's basketball program, and the men's team for three years. - ■'. <$F k'i'kj-i,. ‘-fj^H ifl lHH[ygßffl||||?v.. -j^fcaßp ■‘s&ssßßßm ' y| .JEM New Perry coach Kelly Britsky looks over a roster with Perry athletic director John Stephens. Britsky will guide the Lady Panthers softball team In 1994. want a strong defensive team. My philosophy is that if you can play consistently good defense, you will make up for the days that you don't his so well. "You don't need a bunch of stars,” said Britsky of her offensive and defensive systems. "Hopefully, we will have a bunch of girls with the will to win. "When we won the national championship (at LaGrange), we probably didn't have the best team Hunter safety classes scheduled in county Georgia Hunting Laws require that any resident bom on or after January 1, 1961, and who is 12 years old or older, must complete a Hunter Safety Certification Course prior to hunting or purchasing a hunting license, unless hunting on their own land or land of their parents, or legal guardian in whose home they live. Children 10 years old or older must complete the Hunter Safety Certification Course in order to participate in Wildlife Management Area Parent-Child Hunts. Nonresident hunters must also have completed an approved Hunter Safety Course prior to purchasing a season hunting license, if bom on or after January 1,1961. Proof of hunter safety certification MUST be carried by the hunter at all times when hunting. The Hunter Safety Course taught by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or any Hunter Safety Course meeting the standards established by the North American Saturday, Juno 25.1994 "H0u5t0n Tknes-Joumal Page 6A around. But, the girls worked well and everybody wanted it. It was the best feeling in the world, I guess." Britsky said that she was learn ing about her team. "I don’t know what they had. I know a good num ber of girls are returning. I'm kindof in the dark, I don't know what I've got." However, Britsky said that would not hold her back. "We need to worry about getting ourselves ready. Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators will satisfy the above requirement. The Georgia Hunter Safety Certification is accepted by all states of the United States and all provences of Canada, that require Hunter Safety Certification. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Hunter Safety course (six hours) will be taught at locations and times indicated on the attached schedule. Students arriving 10 minutes after c'ass starting time WILL NOT BF "~EPTED. Students must attenu ,ix hours of instruction and pass a 50 question written test with a minimum score of 75 percent in order to be certified. There is no charge for these courses. Students MUST have their Social Security number (SSAN) with them in order to complete the course. The minimum number of students For these courses is 10 students. Any course may be cancelled if less than the minimum number of students are present for He holds a 74-119 record as a basketball coach. However, two of those years, he was 0-26, with a Miller County team having only one player with prior organized basketball experience. As a men's coach, he 33-21, with a region runner-up. On the diamond. Sellers was named as the West Ge orgia Coach-of-the-Year in 1994. He has a record of 49- 22. He has not coached softball. Even though Sellers has not coached softball, he sees a lot of similarities between it and baseball. "Other than the fact that one throws overhand and the other throws underhand, the basic principals are the same," said Sellers. "I know a little more about base ball; but, I've played softball all my life." "We are going to be able to do the fundamentals," said Sellers of his philosophy in both basketball and softball. "If we do the fundamentals right, then every thing else will be easier. "I like to be able to do the small things a s good as possible. That makes doing the hard things easier." In softball, Sellers said that his teams would attack the other team. "It's been my experience through baseball that you have to manufacture things instead of waiting for one big play," said Sellers, who said he would teach his players how to sacrifice for the good of the team. "We've taken the ballgame to them. We haven't waited for them to make one mistake. "A lot of the time, we won ugly and lost pretty. Winning ugly is a lot better than losing pretty." Sellers said his basketball philosophy was "simple." "We like to chase people all over the court, and force people to chase us until they tire themselves out," said Sellers. "From what I hear, and from what I've seen, the talent level at Westfield will allow us to a lot of what my philosophy is based on. "Again, we have to do a lot of fundamentals. - "We want to be competitive first," said Sellers. "I think the talent level here allows us to do that. Until I can get in here and find out what I have to work with, I can't be any more specific." "I'm looking forward to getting started and meeting the girls." the course. Seating for these courses is FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED. The course is CLOSED when seating capacity is reached. There is no pre-registration. Course information may be obtained by phone between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling the Wildlife Resources Division Office in Macon at (912) 751-6415. The Hunter Safety Training courses are taught by DNR Law Enforcement Officers and DNR Certified Volunteer Instructors. The facilities for the Hunter Safety Training Courses are donated free of charge by the sponsoring organizations. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources wishes to express its gratitude to the sponsoring organizations for their support of the Georgia Hunter Safety Education Program. July 12 & 14, 1994: Macon College-Building C, Room 104. August 9 & 11, 1994: Shirley Hills Baptist Church-Fellowship Please see Hunting, page 8A For the Best Sports Coverage Read the Houston Times-Journal!