spflte E by Steve K. Walz SPORTSWHIRLED It s that time of the year sgsin when all five major professional sports cut into each other's box office. Baseball is coming down the home stretch, football is beginning to gain momentum, the soccer season nears its climactic end, basketball begins its exhibition season and yes, hockey training camps are operating at full blast. In less than three weeks the Los Angeles Lakers will be trying to defend their NBA title when the regular pro season begins and the New York Islanders, last year's surprise Stanley Cup champs will open up against the Boston Rculns... By the way, the current NBA exhibition schedule features several doubleheaders and games in untested markets like Little Rock, Arkansas. Saginaw. Michigan, Norman. Oklahoma. Vancouver, British Columbia and Rochester, New York. What's interesting about those last two cities is that Canada is being groomed as a future NBA territory and Rochester was once the home of the Royals, a fairly strong team in the 1950s... Some of the new NBA rules being instituted for the coming season include the banishment of jewelry being worn by players during the course of a game, an added free throw attempt after the goaltending call, which essentially becomes a three point play and the automatic ejection of a player who commits a flagrant foul. KICK, PUNTS AND PASSES--When the Steelers were upset by the Jets during the pre season, the World Champs thought they were looking into a mirror. Now the rest of the NFL is finding out how lethal Wes Walker, Lam Jones and Derrick Gaffney are, when quarterback Richard Todd is on target. A three wide-receiver offense with speed-burners such as these, overloads a defense and opens up other possibilities such as quick-draw plays, and the New Yorkers have the running backs who can punch a hole open when the receivers are being keyed on ... So you don't think small colleges can provide prime NFL talent, huh? Last year, when Lions signal-caller Gary Danielson was put on the ,injured reserved list, unheralded rookie Jeff Komlo stepped in and showed that he had the moxey to play with the big boys. Komlo's collegiate understudy Scott Brunner has solidified the number two QB position behind Giants starter Phil Simms. Where did Komlo and Brunner play? Delaware U. an NCAA Division II squad spawned these two talented kids with their pro-style offense. Scott's father John Brunner ironically is the Lions offensive backfield coach. SPORTS MAGIC--Hoping that a little Olympian magic vill rub off on them, the New York Rangers and Buffalo Jabres have scheduled an exhibition game in Lake 3lacid later this week. PORTS QUEST--Q. In your opinion, who do you hink was the greatest all-around baseball player?-- rik Drewniak, Westport, Mass. A. That's tough because some of the games reatest players toiled before I was born, but as far s the present is concerned, I'd package Willie Mays, eggie JacksOn and Mickey Mantle as the greatest I've een to date. Send your questions to: SPORTS QUEST, TV ompulog, P.O. Box 123, Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071. TV COMfUiOC MltVtClf. IMC thursday 1059 Marlon Brando, Joanne Woodward. A wan- daring bum arrive* in a Southern town, aparking romance* with a middle- aged married woman and a epunky girl. (2 hr*., 30 mln*y CD 39 Eeta America Nueatra 0 Thursday Night Ba- aeball (Joined In Progreee) Baltimore Oriolea va Detroit Tigera (Due to blaokout regulationa, thia game may not be aired In your area. Pleaae check local •tation.) 0 Top Rank Boxing Prom Totowa, Now Joraoy 0 Flret Row Foaturoa 0 Streeet Of San Francleco 8:30 HTO TeHThe Truth Two Ronnloa Teach Us To Pray 8:80 QD® Nawecone 0:00 20-20 ID ISA EIShowDeEduerdo 8 Tho Beat Of Baaeball 0 0 Adventuree In Riming Ban I: America Qoee anas TBS Evening News Newark And Reality M.A.8.H. SDon Lane Show Good Nelghbore I All You Need la Love ) Women'e Channel )0 MervGriffin 0:30 ffl) 0 Over Eaay 'Sex end theOlderPereon'Hoet:Hugh Down*. (Cloeed Ceptioned) 0 Don Konnedy'e rMight Standing Room Only: BurloaquoUSARedButton* host* thi* apicy, *tar- etudded production thst is s ssluts to ths bsggy psnts comsdisn*, *lsp*tick eketchea end elsborsts mu- sicsl dsnce number* of the vaudeville ere. 0 Movie -(Comedy) ••• "Matilda" 1078 Elliott Gould, Robert Mitchum. The etory of a prizefighting kangaroo that hop* Into a theatrical agent'e life. (Rat ed G) (2 hre.) 0 Thursday Night Ba aeball Loe Angelee Dodger* vs 8sn Dlsgo Psdrss 00 Voles Of Fslth 0 Moot The Mayore 0 Barney Miller Do it your$0lf and saw at... Jensen* HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTER & BADE BUTK • Hardware • Electrical & Plumbing Needs • Bath Towels, Curtains & Accessories • Kitchens & Accessories • Wallpaper & Draperies "PIvmMna • • Air CowrflMa^ln^Sydalii**' • - 338-6929 or 338-1936 670 Calhoun St. Woodstock, III.