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Waterloo ball- player a step closer to major league dream an Francisco has become Stile centre of the baseball iverse with Barry Bonds' record-setting pursuit of the single-season homer But San Francisco would have been the centre of the baseball universe furWatedoot Aamn Homoslaj anyways, after hewasselected by theGiants in Major uague Baseball's June t He went in the Mth round to the Giants, which is con- - and follow The big- league team selectsttwplay- er,thenfollows their progress through junior college or a four-year col- lege before -wfiatever the Giants decided to do with him down the road. Homostaj was just pleased to "It's an honour being draft- ed by a major league team," said Homostaj, a mnem mem- ber of Canada's national under- ttIteamontourinthe us. until mid-My. "Not too many kids get to do that, espedally from Canada. soIwasreallyproud to be drafted." Homostaj said he knows the odds are long that he'll ever reach the major leagues, so he's planning on attending school in the US. in the fall and getting an edumtion before thinking about the big leagues _ "i""'"'-"??'"" 8m as» facility pas SAtINQN ms ty SFAS 'After all. education has always been as important to his family as basgball and lie likes "It's every kid's dream to play in the bigs" said Homostal. "But that's the next step afterschoor' to foliow the fine example of his 490 Weber St, N., Waterloo Phone 8844295 Fax 884-864] Looking for a new or pre-owned BMW? j,;,' ByBoanw _0s_rynAceiself 327 King St. N. WATERLOO (519) 885-5090 Aaron Homosuif Come fo Canada’s Benchmark BMWSbmoroom older brother Adam, who pitches for Wilfrid Lturier University and the Waledoo SeniorTlgers "qucation lasts you a life- time." said Aaron. "Baseball lasts. until you're 40, if you're lucky." The younger Homoslaj plans on studying kinesiokMy, while improving on his base- ball skills at Oakland College in Auburn Hills Michigan The school has a fledgling baseball program that will allow Homostaj to step right in and play second-tsaw, said Homostaj. "It will be a goodppportgnity forma"_ _ It'll also allow him to physi- cally mature as he looks to put some musde on his six-foot- one, Im-pound frame. The one thing that wont need much improvement is his hitting He has a left-handed hitter’s natural stroke and makes good contact with the "Depending on what team I play for I can do different thingc" said Homosta'y "For the Blue lays I hit third and hit for some power For the national team the last two years I've hit second and set the table." Homostaj is on tour with the national team until mid- My when he finally returns home. When he gets back he'd like to pursue another baseball "I'd love to play baseball With my brother." he said It is his pre- ferred position after playing third base for national team, and the Ontario Blue Jays team he plays for pmvirrially. 7 goingtobealot of pmum on me to perform right away 50. I'llbeabletogr the yes, in defeat. Who sets the example for those who compete, Who advocates ream - work and proves everyday that everyone wins in the game affair play hat was the simple I poem a group of local girls used to dedicate a memorial to their late coach Norm Vanderburg last Friday at Bechtel Park. The longnme Waterloo Minor Soccer volunteer passed away in October after a brave battle against a cancerous brain tumour. But his contributions to the Waterloo Hawks Under- 10 soccer team weren't iror- gotten by the girls he coached or the parents involved with the team, as they dedicated a bench in his honour that will serve as a symbol of his volun- teerism. That lean-on-me attitude started when Vanderburg, who had no connection to the team, decided to take on the team when no one stepped forward to coach it. Vipers climb to the top of the pile He attended every prac- tice, and every game. offer- ing the girls, who still play r I he Tti-aty Vipers contin- ued their winning ways this past Saturday at University Stadium as they defeated the Beelon Express by a score by of 46-0. With the win, the “pets solidified their hold on first place in the Great lakes Football Leagua TheVipers opened the srx2r- ing on their rust possession when tailback Gordon Radlein swept around the left end for the major. On their next pos- session, Radlcin again armed on an off tackle play The Vipers' third posmion of the first quarter was mapped by a 45 yard pass-and-run play from the quarterback Jon Morbey to receiver Jeff Nasal to make the some 204). A coach is a teacher who constantly strives to reach greater heights as a builder of lives. In glory and victory, and SPORTS BY Boa Vnmc Chrelctcsttrtr, The Waterloo Hawks Under-W Girls soccer team honoured their former coach Norm Vanderburg with a special memorial ceremony Friday night before the start of the annual Waterloo International tournament. leaving a spot on the bench in his memory. together in the Under-12 Although his appearance Jessica Chalk. "Every time division, encouragement changed, the affable we walk past here we'll along the way. Vanderburg tried his best to remember him." He was a constant sup- come out and support his "We'll always remember oorter of the team, until he former team. him," said Kristen Baker. He was a constanl sup- porter of the team, until he missed his first toumament two years ago. The team was shocked to find out that Vanderburg couldn't even make it out of bed that day and was hospi- talized because of his seizures. He was diagnosed with brain cancer, and under- went painful treatments that caused him to lose his hair. lnthe second quarter. full- barkManHoweIlphmgedover foramaiusazmssutiTekkher The Vipers Mike Desrochers makes a tough catch Saturday. When he finally lost his battle, the team of young girls took it hard. They vowed not to forget his con- tribution. "I wouldnt be here with- out him." said goalie Stacey Kursikowski, rrghting back tears, "He made me the play- er that I am." "Norm was a great coach who helped us a lot," said Ted Ballantyne booted a field m Radlein also scored his thirdttmchdownofthegameto Hick here "He loved kids and teach- ing," said Donna. "The bench is just a wonderful tribute. Norm's wife Donna was touched by the gesture. - "He had a certain man- nerism about him. He was very involved with the com- munity and just enjoyed being involved with Waterloo soccer." put the “pus up 36-0. Ihe Vipers continued their scoring assault in the third quarter as inside [teem Mike Salter scored his first touch- down of the season to put the game out of reach Defersisely. the Vipers shut out their third opponent of the seasorueading the way were defensive tadles Paul mealik and lawn Schmidt, who con- trolled the line of scrimmage. linebacket lesse Alexander led all [adders while defensive end Chad Durant wreaked havoc on Beeton's attempt to run outside The Vipers are now on the mad until Aug. 4, which includes their annual stop to Montreal's Molson Stadium My 14.