
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 6, 1993                   TAG: 9306060055
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WAGNER NO LONGER IN DARK WITH ASTROS

They negotiated by candlelight at the Jack Lamie house. Billy Wagner, his family and his college coach conducted initial contract talks with the Houston Astros soon after Friday night's storm knocked out power, but they did not reach an agreement.

"We're just getting to know each other," said Lamie, Wagner's uncle and legal guardian.

Wagner, the 12th pick Thursday in the first round of the amateur draft, met with Astros scouts Tom Mooney and Bill Buck.

"We're not close to signing," said Lamie, who was joined on Wagner's side of the table by Wagner's father, William, and Ferrum College coach Abe Naff. "It'll be a day or two yet."

The scouts were staying in Marion and driving back and forth to the Lamie home in Tannersville. They met for two hours Friday night in the wake of the storm and talked for 30 minutes Saturday.

"They're a real class outfit," Lamie said of the Astros officials. "They've been a real pleasure to work with - so far."

The Lamies' phone service was not restored until early Saturday afternoon, and they did not have electricity until about 6:40 p.m. Wagner took Saturday night off to take his girlfriend to the movies.

"Billy's tickled to death that it is a National League team," Lamie said. "He gets to bat. He has not been able to bat in college, but he is a good hitter."

In Roanoke, meanwhile, Virginia Tech's Dee Dalton spoke by phone with St. Louis Cardinals scout Scott Nichols.

"We'll talk by phone [today]," said Dalton, who was drafted by St. Louis in the 15th round. "And he said we'll probably meet Tuesday or Wednesday."

by CNB