THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504200626
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
The golf course will have to wait until next Thursday. The Tides who planned on having an off day today, one of only seven on their schedule, instead must catch a plane for Binghamton, N.Y. to play an exhibition game against the Mets' Double-A team.
It is not, shall we say, a popular idea in the Tides' clubhouse.
``It (stinks),'' said first baseman Frank Jacobs, a Binghamton graduate.
``I'd be playing golf,'' pitcher Dave Telgheder said. ``Better yet, I'd do nothing.''
``No comment,'' said third baseman Chris Saunders, who also played at Binghamton last season.
The original schedule gave the Tides a day off before their six-game trip to Toledo and Columbus. But Binghamton general manager R.C. Reuteman had a brainstorm to arrange an exhibition game with the Tides, because he can never get one with the Mets.
Tides GM Dave Rosenfield, Reuteman's former boss, was willing - Reuteman is paying the freight - and both clubs were off today. Reuteman, whose team is 2-9, said about 2,000 tickets have been sold.
``We've got another (day off) next week,'' Rosenfield said. ``We're coming back from Columbus after a day game, so they're going to have a full day off. I didn't think it would be too much of a burden.''
One break for the Tides: The game will only be seven innings. It's the kind of contest major leaguers always grouse about playing. But in the big leagues it's less bothersome, pitcher Mike Birkbeck said, in that you get to charter in and out the same day.
Big leaguers generally try to avoid prolonging the exhibition activity, but Tides manager Toby Harrah said he'd frown on half-hearted effort.
``People come to watch that game and they expect to see normal baseball,'' Harrah said. ``They'll play and play hard. They all have pride in themselves I think, they don't want to go out there and just go through the motions. I'd be on their case if they did.''
At least one Tide doesn't mind taking the trip. Reliever Bob Stoddard will probably start, and considering he's only pitched 1 2/3 innings, he's eager to work.
``I'm looking forward to it,'' Stoddard said. ``I need to pitch.''
Rosenfield, who will make the trip with Tides president Ken Young, shrugged off any grumbling from his team.
``Ballplayers bitch about everything,'' he said. ``It's part of their nature.''
LEAGUE LEADERS: Tides lefthander Bill Pulsipher is tied for the International League lead with three victories. His co-leader is Pawtucket reliever Dale Plummer, the former Tide. Plummer did not play last season after being released by the Tides in spring training. ILLUSTRATION: BOX SCORE
STANDINGS
STATISTICS
[For a copy of the charts, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB