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Lakes Cable' 2039 Gros .Green Bay (414)49 McHENRY OPTICIANS 1301 RIVERSIDK OR Mct'i'lRY 111 t r 0 . < . n u , f i < * ' i f f g i i 8 s v ? . i n (815)385-9241 Legion baseball facing tough battle It was just over a month ago when an article appeared in the McHenry Plaindealer's sport section announcing the American Legion baseball team in McHenry was folding because of the lack of funds. Hie story, plus the column Dick Rabbitt wrote, stirred up some concern right away. All of sudden McHenry American Legion coach Russ Williams was receiving one phone call after another of money pledges. The McHenry American Legion story had a happy ending thanks to some generous businesses. But, let's just say the battle was won, but the war goes on. McHenry may be financially strong now, but the overall American Legion picture looks glum. At the present, only six teams participate in the McHenry County Afnelican Legion league. One of those teams, Genoa City, isn't even a county town, much less an Illinois town. All of the other five teams in the league face the same problems Williams was facing - money. Money makes the world rotate, and it's becoming a stumbling block for American Legion. Another big problem is jobs and football clinics. It seems football coaches in the area don't want to give American Legion a break, scheduling football clinics conveniently at the same time Legion plays ballgames and practices. It all adds up to one big headace for McHenry County Baseball Chairman Don Enstrom. "One of the biggers problems is the teams won't get certified," said Enstrom. To be certified, the six managers have to send Enstrom birth certificates from all of their players. Only Algonquin and McHenry have done that, and the deadline was June 15. "They know about the birth certificates," Enstrom said. "I guess their hard to get." Enstrom has been chairman of the league since 1971, and he has seen better days. "I just don't get any cooperation anymore. I had better times." Enstrom is so fed up he has decided to quit after this season. Williams will be taking over the chairmanship, and he will inherit Enstrom's headaces. Williams, however, seems to have some definite plans to strengthen the league. "We just need somebody to organize the county. To keep the thing going." said Williams. "We need more teams to par­ ticipate. I believe that would make it more competitive." Besides McHenry, Algonquin and Genoa City, the league consists of Richmond, Crystal Lake and Wonder Lake. Williams mentioned that 10 years ago Harvard, Cary and Woodstock | played in the league. If anybody can help the American Legion in McHenry County, it's Russ Williams. The former University of Wisconsin catcher has done a good job with McHenry. The Vietnam veteran started coaching American Legion ball in 1970 in Crystal Lake. He coached three years before moving to Colorado. He moved back to Illinois in 1976, residing in McHenry. In 1980 he started coaching the McHenry team. His coaching highlights included a county championship in 1980, traveling to the district tournament. But lately, Williams has had problems. "Each year it has been difficult. I haven't been raising the money," said Williams. Besides the money, recruiting the best talent in the area hasn't been easy. Williams has to compete against jobs, among other things. For one reason or another, not one player from Johnsburg High School is playing for Williams. That doesn't make Williams happy either. All the problems, however, doesn't seem to be discouraging Williams. To do it right, you have to spend a lot time," said Williams on coaching. "It's fun working with the kids." This will be the last time you will see my column or byline on the Plaindealer sports pages. It's time for me to move on. My two years in McHenry have been very gratifying and I will miss all the people I have met - especially all my friends at the Plaindealer. Although I owe thanks to several people, I would like to extend special thanks to a couple people. I would like to thank Plaindealer publisher Tom Miller for hiring me in the first place. Also, special thanks to Dick Rabbitt. Without his help, I would have had a difficult time. If you are ever in the vicinity of Alamogordo, New Mexico don't forget to look me up. Back in time Ben Kozcar of the Cabs gels back to first base in plenty of time as Cardinal first baseman Ray Martin waits for the ball. The Cubs beat the Plaindealer photo by Mike Lamb Cardinals 11-9 during senior youth baseball at Peterson Park Monday. McHenry Legion squad belts Genoa McHenry High School physical day McHenry High School will its physical day for all athletes at East at 6 p.m. July 16. physicals will be con- by Dr. Jim Mowerv and other local physicians. The session will last until all physicals are completed. All boys and girls who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors are invited. The cost is $10.00. By Mike Lamb Plaindealer sports editor Lately, pitching for the McHenry Nautilus American Legion team has been easy. Again, McHenry slammea the ball around enough to give its starting pitcher some lengthy breathing room. Nautilus defeated Genoa City 11-5, with Pat Cameron pitching the distance for the win. "We have been hitting the ball real good," said McHenry coach Dave Smith. His squad belted out 13 hits. * Smith was also happy With his starting pitcher, despite the fhte runs. "He (Cameron) wasn't even supposed to pitcfi," Smith said. "He did a real good job. He didn't walk too mariy. A couple of those runs weren't his fault." Cameron struckoUt three and only walked one. McHenry broke the game open in the third, scoring six runs. A two-run homer by Ross Vehring was the big hit. The McHenry bats chased Genoa City starting pitcher Dave Staxen out of the game in that third inning. - McHenry took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. After Bill Cameron singled, Brad Snyder doubled. Dave Colberg walked to load the bases. Staxen was able to strikeout Pat Cameron, but Bill Miscovich came through with a double to knock in Cameron and Snyder. Kris Teuber started off the second inning with a single, setting up the homerun by Vehring. Vehring ripped a full count pitch into centerfield over the running track and into the football field. Staxen then walked Bill Cameron and hit Snyder with a pitch. Colberg singled. Two outs later, Tim Pankiewicz singled in Cameron, while Steve Cunningham singled in Snyder. Staxen was then replace with Bill Fox. Teuber then singled in Pankiewicz, but Vehring flew out to end the inning. Bill Cameron was breezing right along on the mound for McHenry, but Genoa City finally rattled him in the fourth inning. Consecutive singles and a double scored the two runs. McHenry came right back and got one run back in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Snyder singled. He stole second and third, scoring on the throwing error. Genoa City tried to make a game of it by scoring two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth. In the fifth, consecutive doubles by Jeff Sauerman and Bob Lip- strever did the damage. McHenry put the game away with two runs in the sixth inning. Ross Vehring led off the inning with a double. One out later, Fox hit Snyder with a pitch. It was the second time Snyder was hit with a pitch in the game. After Snyder stole second, Colberg knocked in both Vehring and Snyder with a centerfield single. McHenry earned a split in four games at a American Legion Tournament at Waukegan last weekend. Ross Vehring pitched in both wins for Nautilus. The McHenry squad started off with a 4-3 win over Vernon Hills, but lost the second game to Waukegan, 15-4. Kenosha beat McHenry 9-2 before the Nautilus crew came back with a 8-7 win over Skokie. After a game with Algonquin Thursday, McHenry faces Wonder Lake Monday at Mc- Cracken Field. Game time is 6 p.m. . , CRYSTAL LAKE - Going against a team loaded with experienced varsity players, things weren't looking too well for Crystal Lake's girls' traveling softball team from the start Monday night. And things didn't look so hot after the game was over, either. McHenry, with a lineup filled with members from a McHenry High School team that finished a game from the Fox Valley Conference Championship two straight years, feasted on Crystal Lake's inexperienced hurlers, 14-6. In an earlier meeting this summer, McHenry coasted to a 31-4 triumph. "They certainly have a lot of varsity girls and that makes, a big difference," Crystal Lake coach Bob Traxler said. "But when you look at it, we have younger girls who are getting summer experience for next season." McHenry knocked out starter Angie Franchikowski, who will be a Crystal Lake South fresh­ men, by scoring seven runs in two innings. Lisa Traxler and Jenny Gibson relieved, but couldn't quiet McHenry's bats. Crystal Lake cut the deficit to 7-5 with a five-run third, but McHenry went on a 7-1 scoring binge to ice the victory at Crystal Lake South. I Kris Keevil ignited McHenry during its six-run second inning by smashing a grand slam ovfer the head of Crystal Lake left fielder Laura Jensen. "She just missed it, it was very close, assistant coach Janet Kasha said. The win was McHenry's seventh in eight games. Crystal Lake lost its second straight, dropping its overall record to 4- 6. i The McHenry travelers host Kirkland Sunday at West Campus High School starting at 2 p.m. Republican play day Wally Frett (left) and A1 Jour dan worked on their putting stroke at McHenry Country Club in preparation of McHenry County's Republican Play Day scheduled for next Wednesday. Jour dan is County Chairman of the event and Frett is a Republican committeeman. Governor James Plaindealer photo by Mike Lamb Thompson, Lieutenant Governor George Ryan and congressmen Phillip M. Crane will be par­ ticipating in the four-course event. Golfers will play at the McHenry Country Club, Chapel Hill Country Club, Hunter Country Club and Pistakee Country Club. The event will start at 5 a.m. DAILY 8 30 5:30 8:30-2 WED. 8:30 I Travelers port Talk by Mike Lamb Sports Editor over power Crystal Lake Plaindealer news service ESCAPE TO WISCONSIN On Cable TV Half hour program featuring: *500,000 Estate in Shawano County *250,000 Lake Michigan summer home Door County and Wisconsin nts, hotels and attractions thru Thursday 8:00p.m. Cablevision CH. 3 ss Avenue Wl54304 9135 PHONE OUR FRIENDLY ADVISORS FOR HELPFUL HINTS WHEN YOU WANT TO BUILD REPAIR OR REMODEL YOUR HOME FREE Planning ft Estimating Services. Phone 385 • 1424 909 M. 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