WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/21/96

06:00-01

headlines

ANCHOR=Melanie
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WRITER=mel
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(----------------)
VO-NAT

The court rules in a case against two Martinsville Hospital employees facing criminal charges in a mock hostage drill,
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
and another day of thermometer popping weather is sending students home early again today. wx-head
(beth ad lib)
live-head
(larry ad lib)
ANCHOR=Melanie 2 shot

News 7 Mornin' is next.

Schoolwatch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none
(mel ad libs schoolwatch)

M'ville-Hospital

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-36
GRAPHIC=legal scales

A NOT- guilty verdict in the trial of two Martinsville hospital employees involved in a mock hostage drill.
A Martinsville General District Court judge dismissed the charges of aiding and abetting, as well as brandishing a firearm.
The court ruled the security officials were acting in the safety of Memorial Hospital.
Kimberly McBroom reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Security Director
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=@File; :15
SUPER=01-Randy Smith/Martinsville Commonwealth's Atty.; :31
SUPER=01-Roscoe Reynolds/Defense Attorney; :43
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:07
RUNS=1:16
OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville

(( Security Director Jeff Bledsoe and Security Guard John Cassell probably never imagined their scripted E-R drama would have such an effect.
Both testified in court they meant no harm to the nurses on duty the night of the emergency hostage drill.
Meanwhile, the nurses testified they were frightened by the group of phony gunmen who invaded the hospital January 25th.
But the court ruled there was no criminal intent-- something even the prosecution admitted was difficult to prove since it was a planned drill.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:56:20
IN Q=
((RANDY SMITH/MARTINSVILLE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY:MOST EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE NURSES THEMSELVES AND THE SECRETARIES ON THE DESK WERE REALLY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A DRILL. SO, THEY WERE SOME OF THE FEW PEOPLE NOT ADVISED IT WAS A DRILL.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:18:32
IN Q=
((ROSCOE REYNOLDS/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: IT APPEARED TO ME THAT THE INVOLVEMENT THEY HAD WITH POLICE, OFFERING THE POLICE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PLANS BEFORE THEY HAPPEEND, EVEN TAKING PART IN THE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE OFFICER NEGATED ANY CRIMINAL INTENT.))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=

Both sides agreed on the importance of the testimony of Bledsoe's supervisor-- who says periodic emergency drills are required for hospital accreditation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 19:18:37
IN Q=
((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7: THE CASE DOESN'T END HERE, THOUGH. THREE NON- HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES WHO ALSO POSED AS MASKED GUNMEN WILL HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT JUNE 28TH. KIMBERLY MCBROOM, NEWS 7, MARTINSVILLE. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=
))

Coyner-Springs

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=NONE

An employee at the Coyner Springs Detention Center was injured Sunday night after she was allegedly attacked by three girls being detained there.
Police say the three teenage girls tried to strangle 48-year old Mary C. Gardner with a bed sheet.
They say one of the girls sprayed Gardner in the face with deodorant.
The woman was able to scream for help and another employee freed her. Gardner suffered injuries to her neck and mouth. She was taken to Community Hospital where she was treated and released.

GAY-RIGHTS

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#from net a
GRAPHIC=us supreme court

It's landmark victory for gay rights.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Yesterday, the Supreme Court struck down a Colorado measure that would deny homosexuals protection from discrimination.
Anti-gay groups had described the decision as destructive to American culture.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((WILL PERKINS/GAY RIGHTS OPPONENT: WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS DONE TODAY COULD RIP THE FOUNDATION OUT OF OUR CULTURE. PRISCILLA INKPEN/GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTER: WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DESTROY THE FAMILY. WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DESTROY AMERICAN VALUES. WE WANNA UPHOLD AMERICAN VALUES.
))
SUPER=01-Will Perkins/Gay Rights Opponent; (quick!!!)
SUPER=01-Priscilla Inkpen/Gay Rights Supporter; :06
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=American values.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Colorado amendment was approved in 19-92 and was meant to knock down gay rights measures in Denver, Boulder and Aspen.
It immediately sparked a court challenge and was never enforced.
(----------------)

BOORDA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=clinton, bill

President Clinton attends a memorial today for Admiral Mike Boorda.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

The Chief of Naval Operations committed suicide last week amid questions about whether he earned Vietnam combat pins worn on his uniform.
A successor to Boorda could be named within days.
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wipe wipe wipe

SHUTTLE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=music in
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=(nats of up, up and away, my beautiful balloon)

The crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour woke up this morning to the Fifth Simension's "UP, UP and AWAY,"-- one day after the astronauts successfully completed its inflation of a flexible antenna, then released it.
It's expected to hit the earth's atmosphere and burn up later today.
NASA scientists say deflating the antenna, folding it, and then bringing it back with the crew would have been too expensive.
The antenna experiment cost 14-million dollars.
The experiment showed lighter and cheaper technology can work in space.
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1-Sports

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=sports cut in
GRAPHIC=none

In sports -- Mike Stevens has the latest on the Stanley Cup finals.
Good Morning, Mike.
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SOT
IN Q=good morning
RUNS=1:18
OUT Q=little bit

Carroll-Fatal

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=none

A Florida man was killed in a car accident in Carroll County yesterday.
Police say 82-year-old Sidney Schepps of Boca Raton was driving south on I-77 when his car ran off the road and overturned several times.
The accident happened at about 3 p.m. -- Schepps died about an hour later at the hospital.

Meningitis

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cst
TAPE#96-39
GRAPHIC=meningitis

A Floyd County High School teacher is in stable condition, and OUT of the intensive care unit of a Winston-Salem Hospital.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Floyd Co.; :

The Vocation Department teacher was diagnosed this weekend with bacterial meningitis.
The teacher's family and about five students have been given antibiotics-- simply as a precaution.
But actually getting sick from meningitis is very rare.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:18:16
IN Q=Studies have shown
((DR. JODY HERSHEY/NEW RIVER VALLEY HEALTH DISTRICT DIRECTOR: STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT 5-10% OF THE NORMAL POPULATION, THOSE OF US CARRY THOSE OF US THAT CARRY THE BACTERIA IN OUR THROATS AND NEVER GET SICK WE'RE SORT OF ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Jody Hershey/New River Valley Health District Dir.; :
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=asymptomatic carriers.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

In Virginia, about 70 cases of the central nervous system infection are reported each year.

Chemo-Treatment

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=cancer

Good news for cancer treatment patients.
Researchers meeting in Philadelphia say a new genetically engineered hormone counteracts the sickening effects of chemotherapy.
Scientists say the hormone helps boost the supply of critical blood-clotting cells.

Southern-Virginia

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-37
GRAPHIC=southern virginia college

It's out with the old-- In with the NEW as new owners take over Southern Virginia College in Buena Vista.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:16:51 (Tape 1)
IN Q=Effective this last
((DAVID W.FERREL/SVC PRESIDENT: EFFECTIVE THIS LAST WEEK IT BECAME A FOUR YEAR CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE.))
SUPER=01-David W. Ferrel/SVC President;
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=year co-educational college.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

That was the announcement by NEW Southern Virginia College president David Ferrel.
A group of businessman with ties to the Morman church saved the 130 year old school.
It lost its accreditation due to financial trouble.
But Congressman Bob Goodlatte worked to save the college along with education advocate, Congressman Howard Mckeon from California.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:41:53
IN Q=I think there are a
((HOWARD P. MCKEON/CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN: I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PLUSES WHY THIS SHOULD BE SAVED. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE STUDENTS WHO COME HERE, AND WHO POTENTIALLY WE'LL BE COMING HERE. I THINK TO LET THIS INSTITUTION DIE WOULD BE A REAL TRAVESTY.))
SUPER=01-Howard P. Mckeon/California Congressman;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=be a real travesty.
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VO-NAT

School officials hope to receive official accreditation by the summer.
Some renovations are already underway- New Owners expect 250 students by fall.
(----------------)

Thomas

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=campaign 96

The Virginia Independent Party has nominated its first candidate for Congress.
Gary Thomas, a Pittsylvania County high school teacher, will run in the 5th District.
The party is an offshoot of United We Stand, the political organization started by Texas billionaire Ross Perot.

2-scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=nba playoffs

Seattle erased an eight-point, fourth quarter deficit to beat Utah 91-to-87.
The SuperSonics own a two-games-to-none lead in the N-B-A's Western Conference finals.
Let's take a look at the scoreboards.
(//////////////)
SUPER=#C-200;
SUPER=96-Seattle/=91/Utah/=87;

SUPER=103-Pittsburgh/==3/Florida/==2;

SUPER=93-Salem/==3/Lynchburg/==2//Salem/=11/Lynchburg/==1;

SUPER=91-Boston/=16/Oakland/==4//Kansas City/==5/Toronto/==4;
SUPER=91-Milwaukee/==3/Minnesota/==2//Baltimore/=13/California/==1;

SUPER=92-Atlanta/=18/Chi Cubs/==1//Florida/==5/Cincinnati/==3;
SUPER=92-St. Louis/==5/Houston/==3//Colorado/=10/Pittsburgh/==7;
SUPER=92-NY Mets/==7/Los Angeles/==1//San Francisco/==9/Montreal/==6;

2headlines

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=
WRITER=mel
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

A judge says two Martinsville hosptial security officials were acting in the interest of Memorial hospital when they took part in a controversial mock hostage drill.
The judge dismissed charges of aiding and abetting and brandishing a firearm.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Divers today plan to head into the crater that was created when a ValuJet plane slammed into Florida's Everglades.
Wearing special heavy-duty suits they'll search for more wreckage and clues -- including the cockpit voice recorder.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

And a North Carolina jury decides on life in prison for the man who helped in the murder of Michael Jordan's father.
Larry Demery was the star witness against his friend, Daniel Andre Green, who was also sentenced to life for the 19-93 murder.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie 2 shot

And that's what's making news on this Tuesday May 21st.
ANCHOR=Beth 2 shot

The hot forecast coming up plus a list of schools closing early because of the heat.

Schoolwatch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none
(mel ad libs schoolwatch)

TORNADO

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=none

In what may be a case of life imitating art an audience watching the movie Twister apparently experienced the real thing.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Thorold, ON/Last Night;

It happened last night at a drive in, in Ontario, Canada.
The movie screen was destroyed right before moviegoers' eyes.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((THE TORNADO TURNED THE CORNER, WENT RIGHT THROUGH HER AND NEVER TOUCHED THIS OTHER BUILDING JUST WALKED RIGHT THROUGH HERE. ))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=RIGHT THROUGH HERE.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The storm's path of destruction stretched all the way down to the U-S border.
Luckily no one was injured.
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wipe wipe wipe

CO-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
NA007+ VO NAT
SUPER=03-Buffalo Creek, CO;

A group of young people camping in the Colorado wilderness say it was their campfire that set off the blaze around Buffalo Creek.
Officials say those responsible for the fire could be billed for the costs of fighting it -- and could go to jail.
(-------------)

VALUJET

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=plane crash investigation

Weather permitting this morning, divers will plumb the crater made by the crash of Valujet flight 5-92.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Dade Co., FL;

They'll wear special protective suits to withstand the everglades waters, which are laced with aviation fuel.
Most of the plane's parts are believed to be in the crater.
Divers also hope to find the still-missing cockpit voice recorder.
(----------------)

demery

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=legal scales

A jury says it's life in prison for Larry Martin Demery.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lumberton, NC/Yesterday;

He's the man who helped send a friend to prison for killing Michael Jordan's father.
After two hours of deliberations, the North Carolina jury decided Demery should get the same sentence as his lifelong friend, Daniel Andre Green.
Demery pleaded guilty last year to first-degree murder and armed robbery and then testified that he watched Green fire the shot that killed James Jordan.
Green claimed he was elsewhere when the crime occurred.
(----------------)

Thorpe

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-25
GRAPHIC=None

V-M-I's rifle instructor will NOT be prosecuted in the shooting death of a young Lexington boy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Last month 10-year-old John Pickral died after an accidental shooting at the school's rifle range.
The youngster was hit when Jim Thorpe's gun went off.
Thorpe told authorities he thought his pistol was empty when he pulled the trigger.
SUPER=03-Lexington/April;

In a prepared statement, Commonwealth's Attorney Gordon Saunders said the incident did not warrant charges, because it was not a willful act... and that Thorpe had no intention of endangering the boy.
(----------------)

Ostrich-Farm

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-38
GRAPHIC=NONE

Ostrichs, emus and rheas (REE-uhs), all flightless birds called ratites
(RAT-ites) are growing in popularity in Virginia.

But while the birds may be grounded, farmers say complicated state regulations are keeping the INDUSTRY from taking flight.
Tracy Altizer reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=At Feather Quest Farm
SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Cindy Harmon/Va. Ostrich Assoc. Pres.; :16 QUICK!
SUPER=01-Mel Kurtz/Va. Emu Assoc. President; :28 QUICK!
SUPER=@Tracy1; :41 (SCREEN LEFT!!)
SUPER=01-Russell Fallin/Va. Ratite Assoc. Pres.; :50
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=Altizer, News 7.
(( At Feather Quest Farm in Giles County, ostrich, emu and rhea burgers were the special of the day.
Similar in taste to beef, ratite meat is about as low in fat and cholesterol as turkey.
The appeal to farmers is catching on.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:41:49
((CINDY HARMON/VA OSTRICH ASSOC. PRES.: IT DOESN'T TAKE A WHOLE LOT OF LAND OR A WHOLE LOT OF TIME INVESTMENT IN ORDER TO RAISE THEM. ))
RUNS=:00

And it's not just the meat that's appealing.
Emu oil is being researched for medicinal and cosmetic uses.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:47:45
((MEL KURTZ/VA EMU ASSOC. PRESIDENT: I MEAN IT'S JUST GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS, THIS OIL. WE JUST REALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO, IT'S REALLY EXCITING. ))
RUNS=:06

Ostrich leather has long been popular, even its feathers find a variety of uses.
But while those markets are expanding, the meat, at least in Virginia, has seen slower growth. suIn Virginia, ratites are classified as livestock, but their meat is classified as exotic. That puts growers at a competitive disadvantage.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:52:02
((RUSSELL FALLIN/VA RATITE ASSOC. PRES.: SOME RESTAURANTS WOULD BE HESITANT TO BUY IT UNLESS IT'S INSPECTED SOME KIND OF WAY, WHICH I CAN'T REALLY BLAME THEM. ))
RUNS=:06

But exotic meat is not included in the U.S.D.A. mandatory inspection program, so ratite farmers have to pay inspectors themselves, 35 dollars an hour.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:46:31
((WE FEEL IT'S REALLY UNFAIR AND ALMOST UNCONSTITUTIONAL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY AS EMU FARMERS WHERE OTHER FARMERS, CATTLE FARMERS OR WHAT HAVE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. ))
RUNS=:05

Kurtz says ratite farmers are organizing to mount a lobbying effort to change the meat classification.
Meanwhile they'll continue selling to individuals and gourmet shops, and IMPORTING the meat from states where inspections are mandatory, to supply to restaurants in Virginia. Tracy Altizer, News 7.))

3-Sports

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=sports cut in
GRAPHIC=none

Cave Spring has a new head basketball coach.
Mike Stevens talks with him in sports.
Good Morning, Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=howdy once
RUNS=2:14
OUT Q=on today

School-Info

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=heatwave

The heatwave continues.
More very hot weather is expected this afternoon with temperatures coming close to the record highs in many areas.
SS=school information

The heat is causing some schools to close early today...
(mel ad libs schoolwatch)

Fatal

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=none

An elderly Florida man is dead following a car accident in Carroll County yesterday.
Police say 82-year-old Sidney Schepps of Boca Raton was driving south on I-77 when his car ran off the road and overturned several times.
Schepps died about an hour later at the hospital.

Hospital

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-36
GRAPHIC=legal scales

Two Martinsville hospital employees involved in a mock hostage drill are found NOT guilty.
Ruling that the security officials acted in the safety of Memorial Hospital, a General District Court judge dismissed the charges of aiding and abetting, as well as brandishing a firearm.
Kimberly McBroom has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Security Director
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=@File; :15
SUPER=01-Randy Smith/Martinsville Commonwealth's Atty.; :31
SUPER=01-Roscoe Reynolds/Defense Attorney; :43
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:07
RUNS=1:16
OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville

(( Security Director Jeff Bledsoe and Security Guard John Cassell probably never imagined their scripted E-R drama would have such an effect.
Both testified in court they meant no harm to the nurses on duty the night of the emergency hostage drill.
Meanwhile, the nurses testified they were frightened by the group of phony gunmen who invaded the hospital January 25th.
But the court ruled there was no criminal intent-- something even the prosecution admitted was difficult to prove since it was a planned drill.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:56:20
IN Q=
((RANDY SMITH/MARTINSVILLE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY:MOST EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE NURSES THEMSELVES AND THE SECRETARIES ON THE DESK WERE REALLY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A DRILL. SO, THEY WERE SOME OF THE FEW PEOPLE NOT ADVISED IT WAS A DRILL.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:18:32
IN Q=
((ROSCOE REYNOLDS/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: IT APPEARED TO ME THAT THE INVOLVEMENT THEY HAD WITH POLICE, OFFERING THE POLICE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PLANS BEFORE THEY HAPPEEND, EVEN TAKING PART IN THE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE OFFICER NEGATED ANY CRIMINAL INTENT.))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=

Both sides agreed on the importance of the testimony of Bledsoe's supervisor-- who says periodic emergency drills are required for hospital accreditation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 19:18:37
IN Q=
((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7: THE CASE DOESN'T END HERE, THOUGH. THREE NON- HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES WHO ALSO POSED AS MASKED GUNMEN WILL HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT JUNE 28TH. KIMBERLY MCBROOM, NEWS 7, MARTINSVILLE. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=
))

Detention-Center

4-scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=nba playoffs

Turning now to sports -- the SuperSonics own a two-games-to-none lead in the N-B-A's Western Conference finals.
Let's take a look at the scoreboards.
(//////////////)
SUPER=#C-200;
SUPER=96-Seattle/=91/Utah/=87;

SUPER=103-Pittsburgh/==3/Florida/==2;

SUPER=93-Salem/==3/Lynchburg/==2//Salem/=11/Lynchburg/==1;

SUPER=91-Boston/=16/Oakland/==4//Kansas City/==5/Toronto/==4;
SUPER=91-Milwaukee/==3/Minnesota/==2//Baltimore/=13/California/==1;

SUPER=92-Atlanta/=18/Chi Cubs/==1//Florida/==5/Cincinnati/==3;
SUPER=92-St. Louis/==5/Houston/==3//Colorado/=10/Pittsburgh/==7;
SUPER=92-NY Mets/==7/Los Angeles/==1//San Francisco/==9/Montreal/==6;