Washington Soccer Fans Will Have to Dance in the Aisles
Soccer purists are unhappy about a Washington, D.C., Police plan to build a six-foot metal fence around the field at RFK Stadium for five World Cup games.
World Cup organizing officials have protested, but Deputy Police Chief Melvin Clark said that despite objections, his department still plans to build the fence.
Dave Jensen, Washington venue executive director, said soccer enthusiasm shouldn’t be confused with crowd control problems.
Recalling Brazilian fans’ samba displays on the field during a U.S. Cup ’93 match at RFK last summer, Jensen said: “That’s what you want. That is soccer at its best.
“One thing I think you have to do here in America is not to confuse an expression of enthusiasm and a visceral soccer reaction with a movement toward hooliganism. There’s a big difference.
“The expressions of excitement and of following the game are natural expressions to these people and not to be confused with insurrection.”
Trivia time: What country has the best won-lost record in the World Cup?
Just a start?Kendra Hanes, softball coach and outfielder who didn’t make the cut with the touring Silver Bullets, the women’s baseball team, did make it with the Kentucky Rifles, a Class A minor league team.
The Rifles play in Pikeville, Ky., and begin their season on June 17. Rifle General Manager Mike Weisbart didn’t deny that the signing of Hanes--who has never played baseball--was a publicity gimmick but also said his team might play a historic baseball role.
“This team and I believe strongly that someday there will be a woman in baseball, and the best way for that to happen is to start in the minors,” Weisbart said.
“There are some very disturbing attitudes in baseball about women, and we think they need to be attacked.”
Riddle: From Ed Schuyler of the Associated Press: What has more ads than the yellow pages and goes faster?
Answer: An Indy car.
Trivia answer: Brazil, 44-11-11 since 1930.
Quotebook: From Barry Flatman of the London Daily Express: “There is a lot of talk about players coming on the scene too early, but (Gabriela) Sabatini is someone who has been playing too long.”
