THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996                TAG: 9604040474
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   39 lines

OTTAWA WILL BE TOUGH AGAIN AND CHARLOTTE MUCH IMPROVED STUMP MERRILL IS BACK FOR HIS 5TH TERM AS MANAGER AT COLUMBUS.

The more things change in the International League, the more things stay the same.

Stump Merrill is back for a fifth time as the Columbus Clippers manager. Must be something about being in the New York Yankees organization. Merrill will coach his 600th game in a Clippers uniform before Columbus arrives in Norfolk Monday for a four-game series. He's 333-264 as manager of the Clippers.

This looks to be a big year around the IL, big as in 6-foot-8 pitching phenom Matt Drews of the Clippers, 6-4 Richmond Braves outfielder Jermaine Dye, 6-7 Braves reliever Tom Thobe and 6-7 Ottawa Lynx reliever Derek Aucoin.

What are these clubs building, baseball teams or basketball teams?

A brief look at the Norfolk Tides' competition:

[The rest of this story is not available electronically. For complete text, please see microfilm.] ILLUSTRATION: Photos

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Richmond Braves prospect Germaine Dye he hit .285 with 15 home runs

and 71 RBIs last year for Double-A Greenville.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus centerfielder Ruben Rivera had 24 home runs while splitting

time between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

by CNB