Notes on a Scorecard - May 27, 1992

“A League of Their Own” is the title of an upcoming motion picture about a women’s baseball team that played during World War II, but it could best be applied to the UCLA softball team. . . .

These Bruins truly are in a league of their own, having won four of the last five NCAA championships and seven of the last 10. . . .

How dominant are they? Two of their games in the Division I tournament at Oklahoma City had to be shortened from seven innings to five because of the 10-run rule. They led California, 10-0, and Massachusetts, 11-1. In five games, the Bruins outscored the opposition, 35-1. . . .

Junior pitcher Lisa Fernandez’s 2-0 victory over Arizona in the championship game Memorial Day lowered her earned-run average, but not by much. It dipped from 0.15 to 0.14. She gave up four runs in 196 innings this season, finished with 65 consecutive scoreless innings, and had a 29-0 record. . . .

Unlike the Dodgers, the Bruins always seem to get the best home-grown talent. Only two players, one from Arizona and one from Australia, are from outside the state. . . .

Thirteen of the 14 players on the roster will return next season when, you can be pretty certain, the Bruins again will be in a league of their own. . . .

Another UCLA pitcher, Pete Janicki, also had a busy few days. He pitched 12 innings in a 13-inning loss to Oklahoma on Thursday in the NCAA Mideast Regional and came back after only two days’ rest to pitch seven innings in a victory over Mississippi State on Sunday. . . .

UCLA didn’t reach the College World Series, but the state will be well-represented in Omaha by Pepperdine, Cal State Fullerton and California. . . .

Baseball America, which usually is right, predicts that Cal State Fullerton third baseman Phil Nevin will be taken first in the draft Monday by the Houston Astros. . . .

If everything had gone according to plan, the Raiders’ stadium in Irwindale would have opened next season. . . .

I can’t remember, was it Mark Price or Scottie Pippen who had that intestinal problem Monday? . . .

When conference championship series games are televised on network prime time, you know the NBA has come a long way. . . .

Give the edge to the Miami Dolphins in the trade that sent Sammie Smith to the Denver Broncos for Bobby Humphrey. . . .

Justice was served when Felipe Alou, who paid his dues as a minor league manager and major league coach, was hired as manager of the Montreal Expos. . . .

I like the way the Padres’ Gary Sheffield retaliated after being brushed back by Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Zane Smith in the fourth inning Monday night at San Diego. Sheffield hit a home run. . . .

Not even the sauna is a safe place for ballplayers these days. That is where New York Yankee outfielder Jesse Barfield sprained his wrist and landed on the disabled list. . . .

Look-alikes: Mike Marshall and Danny Ferry. . . .

Channel 11 might eventually regret losing the Dodgers. Radio station KFI did. . . .

Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd may re-surface soon with the Pirates. . . .

Padre first baseman Fred McGriff continues to be the most underrated player in the National League. His batting numbers are far better than his All-Star game voting numbers. . . .

Not only does the Mazda/Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon have the longest name, it is ranked among the top 10 events in the world by Triathlete magazine. More than 1,000 triathletes will compete Sunday morning at Lake Mission Viejo in a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bicycle ride and 10K swim. . . .

The UCLA basketball banquet, which was postponed by the L.A. riots, has been rescheduled for Thursday at Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City. . . .

Hockey broadcaster John Davidson was interviewed for the Hartford Whaler general manager’s job, but will remain in the booth. . . .

Is today a lay day? . . .

One of the best things heavyweight contender Riddick Bowe has going for him is Eddie Futch in the corner. . . .

Tracy Patterson, the adopted son of Floyd Patterson, will try to bring the family another title when he challenges World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Thierry Jacob next month. . . .

There has to be a way to put some of those safety devices that saved drivers’ lives at the Indy 500 into our automobiles. . . .

You’re a college basketball expert if you can name the winner of the 1992 NIT tournament. . . .

I never thought the Dodgers would miss Steve Sax’ arm.