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Show Wildcat errors lead way to Pocatello Legion victory By TOM HARALDSEN POCATELLO Before Woods Cross' American Legion team took the field against the Pocatello Run-nin' Run-nin' Rebels Thursday night, the game had already become a legend in this southeastern Idaho town. After all, not only was New York Yankee great Whitey Ford on hand to present two trophies, but the contest was being videotaped for playback on national television at a later date. More on that subject in the accompanying story. Everything was in place. A light rain before gametime had subsided, and Ford had presented Woods Cross pitcher Mike Smith with the first annual Sports in America "High School Player of the Year" Award. He had also honored longtime long-time Pocatello manager Bill Durham with the Sports in America "Legion Coach of the Year" Award. But the Wildcats, who arrived in town late due to transportation problems, couldn't get untracked. Pocatello took advantage of eight Woods Cross errors to gain an 1 1-1 victory. A doubleheader scheduled for Friday was rained out. Smith in particular entered the game under a lot of pressure, or so it would seem. Thursday morning at a press conference in Salt Lake City, Ford presented Smith with his award, which is the first of many efforts planned by Sports in America Amer-ica to promote youth athletics. Then it was off to Pocatello, with Ford flying north and Smith and teammates driving. In pre-game ceremonies, the presentation pre-sentation was made again. Pocatello Pocatel-lo is a hot-bed for Legion ball, and a big effort was made for this game. The contest was played at Halliwell Field, where the Pocatello Gaints of the Pioneer League play. Each of the Rebels' home games is broadcast on a local radio station, and Pocatello entered the game with a 29-13 record, leading its league. Though Smith pitched well for eight innings, giving up three walks while fanning 11, his team's defense de-fense was poor make that porous. For whatever the reason, the Wild- Contlnued Next Page ' |
