THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409080164
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG GOLDFARB, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Like many baseball players, Roy Aldon ``Chip'' Runyon III says he would play the game whether he ever got paid for it or not.
``I just love to play baseball, and I want to do something I like doing when I get older,'' Runyon said.
So if the Nansemond River High School freshman were in the big leagues now, he would not be in favor of a players' strike.
``The players have a good point because they need their freedom,'' Runyon said. ``But I don't think anyone should get paid that much to play baseball.
``I mean $4 million is a lot of money. All some guys want is the money; they don't care about the game.''
If he were baseball commissioner, he would tell the players and owners that there has to be a way for players to be fairly evaluated and compensated on their overall ability. But he would allow those players who excel to receive bonuses for leading the league in hitting or in strikeouts.
Runyon could be on his way to hitting or pitching in the major leagues. He was a star at the national 13-year-old AAU tournament in West Des Moines, Iowa, last month, and was named to the All-American team.
Runyon pitches, catches and plays first and third base. During the tournament, he had a 3-0 record with one save and hit .433 as the Virginia Stars finished fourth out of 36 teams.
Virginia beat Sports Page of Kansas City, Kans., 12-3, Arlinghaus Builders of Florence, Ky., 15-3, the Iowa Storm of Cedar Rapids, 11-4, the Del City Royals of Del City, Okla., 4-3, and the Plymouth Gold of Plymouth, Minn., 9-8, in bracket play.
After advancing to the gold medal round of 12, the Stars lost to the Indiana Bulls, 7-5, but came back with a 6-2 win over Edina, Minn. Then they blasted Sports Page again, 12-3, and edged the New England Miners, 7-5, before the Bulls eliminated them, 2-0.
The Virginia team took third in the 12-year-old division last year at Burnsville, Minn.
Runyon's fastball has been clocked at better than 70 mph, and he has already talked with college and professional scouts. Runyon likes playing various positions, but prefers pitching.
``The pitcher is more or less in control,'' he said. ``He can boost the team up, or he can let them down.''
Already 6-foot-1 and 158 pounds, Runyon is beginning to work with weights to develop his upper body strength. Doctors say he will grow to at least 6-3 and if his talent and ability keep pace, he could be a prospect in other sports as well.
Runyon will run for the Nansemond River cross country team this fall to develop foot speed. He also intends to go out for the Warriors' basketball and baseball teams.
An honor student, Runyon would like to attend Florida State or Arizona State and major in sports medicine.
``Baseball is a big part of my life, but it's not all,'' he said. ``I worry a lot about my grades.''
He also tries not to take baseball too seriously. Easier said than done.
Even when he goes 3-for-4 and strikes out a dozen batters, Runyon gets down on himself if he walks a batter late in the game.
``I'm real hard on myself,'' he said.
He is not the only athlete in the family. His father, Ray, played basketball and baseball at Portsmouth's Cradock High.
His 10-year-old sister, Mandy, plays T-ball and is a cheerleader at John Yeates Middle School. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Chip Runyon, left, was a star in the national AAU tournament. His
dad, Roy, right, was the coach for the Virginia team and Robby
Grandy was a teammate.
by CNB