THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504130152
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Twenty-three years after playing his last game, Maurice Morning Wills still wore Los Angeles Dodger blue.
Maury Wills came to town for opening day ceremonies at the West Kempsville Little League on April 8, wearing sky-blue pants and a jacket with ``Wills'' across the back.
Instead of the black spikes he wore to steal a then-record 104 bases in 1962, he had on brown tasseled loafers. Although he retired in 1972, he still looks trim and compact at 62, capable of stealing second and third.
``I get loads of requests to attend Little League openings,'' said Wills, still a Los Angeles resident. ``But this the first time I've been asked to go cross-country.
``I was surprised and I'm tickled to be here.''
He stood and patiently signed hundreds of autographs before speaking to the crowd of 1,500. The man who once drove opposing pitchers crazy stood on the pitching rubber and threw out the first pitch.
Make that several first pitches. The recreation association fielded 58 teams and 629 players ages 5 to 14. After lobbing a few overhanded throws, Wills moved halfway to home plate and arced an underhanded toss to Dena Tschupp, 8, who plays softball for the Killer Bees.
Wills talked to the gathering, many of whom weren't born when he hung up No. 30. Holding the microphone and squinting into the sun, he practiced what he called the three ``Bs'' of public speaking.
``Someone long ago told me, `Maury, be sincere, be brief, then be seated,' '' Wills said.
Wills reminded the youngsters to never give up their dreams. The man who spent 8 1/2 years in the minors waiting for a chance to play in the big leagues knows what he's talking about. After he got his shot, the switch-hitting shortstop played in four World Series, three on the winning side. He was the Most Valuable Player in the National League in 1962, spent 14 seasons in the majors and slapped out 2,134 hits. His career stolen base total, 586, places him 11th on the all-time list.
Landing Wills for the opening day festivities was a coup for league secretary Bob Heninger. Heninger set up the appearance through Tuff Stuff, the sports card company. It was the first time a major-league player had appeared at the league opening, Heninger said.
``I told the agent, Bob Allen, I'd like to get somebody friendly and personable like Maury Wills.
``He said, `Why not Maury Wills himself?' ''
Bob and his son Kevin, 13, had met Wills in Richmond at an appearance and had been impressed.
``I couldn't believe it when he agreed to appear for our opening,'' Heninger said, looking around at the throng.
Heninger smiled:
``And it looks like he brought the Los Angeles weather with him.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Maury Wills, former Los Angeles Dodgers great, signs autographs for
Kevin Heninger, left, and Chris Sauer as Chris' father, Bill, looks
on. He stood and patiently signed hundreds of autographs before
speaking to the crowd of 1,500 at West Kempsville Little League.
by CNB