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Asahi quq Cy)' earns 7 medals at Ontario qualifier The Asahi Judo Club took part in the 2002 Ontario Senior Qualifiers last weekend a cape away with seven medals. Not that he didn’l appre- ciale the opportunity. He was treated fine. There was just no opportunity for advancement When talking about the trade that brought him to Ricketts said his time there was all right, but he fell he was not going any- where since the Dodgers had the money to go nut and get a guy with tive or tux years of big league experi- ence when they needed one. He wasnt as sure that he would get the same upper, tunity if he was still in the Dodgers' organization. Ricketts said he hoped to make the big team this spring, and thought the opportunity was there, but he realized there were a lot of good arms in camp. In his last game against the Indians, Ricketts pitched two innings and gave up two runs, one of which was earned. He also allowed four hits, struck out two bat, ters and walked one. He threw 20 strikes out of 33 total pitches he threw. Continued from page 26 had good command of his pitches Ricketts still positive Silver miedals went to Aneta Mozdzen. SAHARA FOOLS & SPAS 490 Weber Street North, Waterloo Telephone: 884-5295 Fox: 884~864| march/awn madness sale But at age 27. he still thinks he's in the club's plans and that personnel are beyond his control. Rirkells said there would he some disappointment if he was sent down, and not able to play in the big league in front of his family. -- Chad Ricketts bl 'ruerioo Minor Brtsehall grad um] Imam" Blue Jays prospect Ricketts said he knew what he had to work on this spring training to get a shot with the big club, and that included working on his change-up and throwing better m left-handed bat- lers. the Blue Jays. Ricketts said his family was very excited. They didn't get to see him pitch much while in Los Angeles organization. “If it wasn't for my parents, I might not be playing baseball now" Ricketts is realistic about Bronze medals went io Andy Zeta. Barry Williams. Toni Mladineo and Janeen Hein- Talitha Leifso and Andrej Mladineo. becker. $,l?,?,i?,.ieri, 'lt And soon. who knows, maybe he can live out his dream to pitch in front of his family at the SkyDome. He will just have to use the opportunity to pitch more in the minors to strengthen all areas of his game. Ricketts has learned it takes a certain resilience and patience to make it in the majors. Ricketts said, “If it wasn't for my parents, I might not be playing baseball now. The former WCI student said he is still very grateful to his parents for giving him the opportunity to play baseball all year round hy relocating to Dunedin dur- ing his high school years. After all, he's just one year older than the Blue Jays' opening day starter, Chris Carpenter. Since the Blue lays' pitching staff is young and inexperienced. there may be opportunities soon for Rick- ens his prospects and following the common advice given to all young players -e stay focussed with the job at hand. FOR OUT or TOWN DEW/[RV WORLDWIDE, tAll TOLL-FREE LOSE-ROSE“! CENTREPIECE ARRANGEMENT 888-7010 SijilEaljiEElEiE ‘ (GROIIV'ER _,itji,i,i,iicjrr)j, L his , C "t 1' nwcrs A ZELLERS PLAZA 94 Bridgeport Rd. E. (at Weber), Waterloo MAKING QUALITY FRESH CUT FLOWERS - AN AFFORDABLE, EVERYDAY EVENT! q Long Stem Roses "" a dozen and up . Spring Bouquets and Plants 243.3