ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604290094
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: BASEBALL
SOURCE: RAY COX
Tim Jorgensen of the Kinston Indians may not have many nice things to stay about his two baseball trips to Salem in the past year.
On the first occasion, the third baseman came to the NCAA Division III World Series as a player for Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The Titans were heavily favored to win, in no small measure because of guys such as Jorgensen, the all-time Division III leader with 70 home runs and the 1995 player of the year after launching 39 homers in 44 games.
The expected coronation didn't happen (interlopers from a place in California called LaVerne took home the hardware), and Jorgensen and his associates left with a sour disposition.
Last week, Kinston came to town atop the Carolina League's Southern Division standings and left in third place after being swept in four games by the Avalanche.
``We just aren't getting the timely hitting right now,'' Jorgensen said.
One thing Jorgensen did get this time was a look at the new ballpark. The Division III Series was played at Municipal Field because Memorial Stadium was not ready.
``Nice, very nice,'' he said of the new palace. ``I didn't like the other place. It's too small. The game was always one swing of the bat from being totally changed.
``They must have the same grounds crew for both places. The new field is pretty hard, just like the old one.''
HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW: The glare factor in the Avalanche's clubhouse skyrocketed this week.
Pitcher Mike Vavrek had whitewalls installed on his head.
To celebrate his 22nd birthday, the left-hander chose to seek radical hair removal. He didn't have to go far.
Across the luxurious Memorial Stadium clubhouse was the team barber, catcher Blake Barthol.
``I wanted to change some things up,'' Vavrek said.
Barthol, who favors a militaristic flattop, gave Vavrek an updated version of the same shearing, shaving the sides almost to the bone and bristling the top ferociously.
Another of Barthol's prize creations sits atop the skull of shortstop Kyle Houser.
``I cut everybody's hair,'' Barthol said.
Actually, only the brave.
BY THE NUMBERS: The Avalanche is 6-1 in games played on Mondays and Wednesdays. ... Through Thursday, Salem had left 144 on base, an average of 7.2 per game. ... Lynchburg's 9-9 record would have left it tied for last place in the Carolina League's Southern Division at the end of last week. The Hillcats were in sole possession of first in the Northern Division at the time. ... Fifteen of the Avalanche's first 20 games were decided by two or fewer runs.
TAKE A SEAT, PLEASE: Avalanche players and coaches alike have been wondering where the spectators are.
Instead of the expected onslaught of fans at the (almost) brand-new Memorial Stadium, the first 11 home games have been short of witnesses. The most extensive empty-seat panorama was an audience of 813 as the Avalanche beat Kinston 1-0 on Tuesday. It was the smallest gallery yet at the new ballpark.
Theories about the absenteeism abounded. Among the most plausible were the weather (mostly unfavorable), the school year (still in session) and the absence of ticket-giveaway nights.
Even a night when beer was offered for 75 cents per cup attracted only 1,296.
General manager Dave Oster was looking for a pickup at the box office this weekend. The main reason for his optimism was giveaways that included posters and T-shirts, as well as a fireworks display.
``I'll wait to see what happens this weekend before I hit the panic button,'' Oster said.
STREAKS: Former Salem Buccaneer Jon Farrell had a 10-game hitting streak going at Lynchburg through Thursday.... Danville's Al Shirley ended a hot stretch for Wilmington by going 0-for-5 with five strikeouts that resulted in seven stranded runners. Shirley had gone 10-for-28 with four homers in his previous eight games for the Blue Rocks.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 linesby CNB