P8Q3 14
thursday, may 3, 1979
dally nebraskan
Lured to UNL, then right fielcl9 Oakley hitting Imp
' By Sara Martens
Coming to Nebraska and playing
outfield were two of the farthest things
from Steve Oaklevi mind a couple of years
ago, but todav he finds himself In both
situations and perfectly happy with his
position.
Oakley, a junior from Los Angeles,
Calif., had played infield most of his life
until he met UNL baseball coach John
Sanders.
Sanders recruited Oakley to attend Ari
zona Western where Sanders was the assist
ant coach. Sanders was then offered the
position at Nebraska and asked Oakley to
come with him.
. I said there was no way I'd go to Ne
braska, so I stayed in Arizona," Oakley
said.
. After an injury sidelined him for half a
season, Oakley Was contacted by Sanders.
Because of the added persuasion from Ne
braska recruiting materials, the lure of a
large university far from home, and the
fact that friends Ray Tromba, Val Priman
te, Tim Pettit and Pete O'Brien also would
be playing for the Huskers, Oakley decided
to make the move.
Right field
The move from California to Nebraska
before last season was longer than the
move from second base to right field that
Oakley made before this season. However,
it was met with the same amount of hesi
tation, Oakley said.
Oakley began his baseball career as a
Eitcher and remained at that position until
is senior year in high school.
uMy senior year Benny Lefebvre
became our coach. He taught me how to
hit and really helped me as a ball player'
he said.
Lefebrve would bring in his son Jim,
the 1965 rookie of the year for the Los
Angeles Dodgers, Sparky Anderson and
other baseball notables to work with
Oakley and his teammates, he said,
"Being around those guys made you feel
like a ball player and play like one too,"
Oakley said.
After graduation, a partial season at
Arizona Western and the move to Ne
braska, Oakley spent a season as the
Huskers' second baseman, batting .303.
New record
"I liked it there. John Russo (the Hus
ker first baseman) and I turned 41 double
plays, which was a new school record. We
worked well together," he said.
Before this season Sanders asked Oakley
to move again, this time to right field.
"I didn't think he was serious when he'd
ask, so I just said "Well, whatever, coach,'
and tried to ignore him whenever he said
anything about it.
"In the infield you're always handling
the ball," Oakley said. "I liked that, but
second didn't give me a chance to use my
arm'. Now I get the chance to throw farther
and harder."
Oakley's ability to throw long was one
of the reasons he made the switch, Sanders
said.
"I'm glad I made the change, but it gets
boring," Oakley said. "I hum a lot of songs
out there."
Happy with move
Oakley is as nappy with his move to
Nebraska as he is with the switch to right
field.
"A lot of my friends teased me at first,
and I didn't really blame them. They didn't
know what was in Nebraska and I didn't
know what to expect, but I knew the jour
nalism school was one of the finest and
graduating from here would be a big plus if
baseball doesn't work out," the advertising
major said.
But school work tends to take a back
seat when baseball season rolls around.
"I work real hard the first couple of
weeks then when March comet around I
dosS my books and just hope for the
best," he said "It's hard to concentrate
when you wake Up In the morning think
ing about the game," he said.
The Southern California road trip gave
Oakley the opportunity to play college
baseball In front of his parents for the first
time.
'To play good baseball teams, Southern
California is the place to go," he said.
"There are so many good teams so close to
gether. Hawaii is a good recruiting tool but
there are too many distractions, like
beaches and grass skirts, to really con
centrate ort playing ball."
Friendly atmosphere
"It's fun going to other places to play
but it's always great to Play at Buck Belt
zer. The support from tans, students and
the people in Lincoln is really great. It
makes a real friendly atmosphere to play
in," Oakley said.
Some of the Huskers1 best fans this sea
son have been little kids, who huddle
around the players between and after
games in search of autographs.
"They really look up to you," Oakley
said. "I think it's important for them to
model ball players, and it's important for
us to be friendly and talk to them about
baseball. It seems like the little kids and
the old men enjoy it the most."
The only disadvantage Oakley has found
in Nebraska is the weather.
"I hate playing in cold weather and
wind. When I go up to bat I feel like I've
already got two strikes against me. Warm
weather is a lot more fun," he said.
Fun is a key part of the game for Oak
ley and the rest of the Huskers.
Different breed
"Baseball players are a different breed.
They're alwayi goofing around. Last year
the California guys had a hard time mixing,
but by how we know everyone elseYs
moods. There U i good rapport among
teammates. We stay loose until the first
pitch, then everyone knows what their job
is. As soon as the last out is recorded all
hell breaks loose," he said. '
Oakley does his part for team harmony
by conducting the Husker Baseball fost
Game Show on the Way home from away
games.
He and designated hitter Bob Gcbler Use
the bus P.A. system to interview the
outstanding players of the game and
Sanders. 14 '
"Oakley has a double shot at a career,
either in baseball or radio," Sanders said.
Oakley continues his part on the field
with a .317 batting average, fifth on the
team.
Hitting well
"I don't try to power the) ball. You
won't see the high towering home runs out
of me," he said.
In fact, Oakley had yet to hit a pitch
out of the ball park until last Weekend's
series with Missouri. That fact, he admits,
is a little distressing.
"I really can't complain because I'm
hitting good," he said. "They always say
hit the line drives and the home runs will
come. Well, I'm still Waiting."
However, Oakley said he has attained
one of his major goals; to consistently hit
the ball hard.
This personal goal remains though team
goals constantly shift.
"In the beginning of the season our goal
was to make it to the Big Eight play-offs,"
Oakley said. "Now With every game We Win
that changes. With the team we have how
we can go to regionals, and if the big Hus
ker in the sky Is on our side we should go
all the way."
'4
slip
r .FOR SALE: Mobile home
close to campus, lit nice park
(10x43-12x65) $500 idown'
plus 3 years td pay with credit;
Also renting; 423-C375. . 4- 7
, -v ....... - -- - -
V" football table-coirtoperat
ed-good condition. $300 or
best offer. Call 477-8688 or
432-6135.
- Want to buy a classic? Here's
your chance. 1965 Ambassador
classic with 70.000 miles needs
minor work. New clutch and
tune up. Call 477-7483 after 6
asking $400.
Technics semi-automatic
turntable with M91Ed cart.
1 Mo. oldll Still on warranty.
Retails for $160 will sell for
$140. 477-4789 after 5.
1 1971 Mobile Home. Appli
ances, central air, shed. Excel
i litnf condition. 1 Pavmentt are ,
orfrJb433-t34 - sfiar : 8 ... less ten rent. BVcwner $3350.?
435-3847. '
1972 200 3 Yamaha. Good
condition; loW mileage; $303 or.
best.;
pjm.
WATERS ED-Brand - newt I
Mattress, heater, liner, pedestal,
decking, 4 poster frame. Steve
477-1648.
Technics SLS 1800 direct
drive turntable with Shure cart
ridge. WARRANTY till January.
$120,475-8247.
- x . . .
lip
232 N. 13th
SPRING SALE
UP to 50 opf
An clout summer shotting
' v of what's new in:
OSwimsuiti O Shorts
V - O Tea's O Tubes O Rompers
r OBandesus
FREE GIVEAWAYS1
Stop !n end register STARTS TONIGHT!
' . O Minolta Camera QDr. School's Sandals
V O Even-up Tanning Blanket OT-Shirts
O Coupon, Towels, and other prizes
THURSFRL-SAT.
S Promotion
Yamaha 1978-750 Special,
fairing and other accessories.
Call 477-7490 after 10:30 pJit.
weekdays; or 873-4493 week
ends. Ladies Ten Speed bicycle
$33t Call 475-9201 early even-
One carat diamond ring and
wedding circle. 4234342.
One fifth carat engagement
ring with matching band and
matching men's band. $350.
Call 464-2583 after 5.
Left-handed golf clubs-Wilson
Staff 2-9 and wedge, 1-4
woods. Bullseye putter. Excel
lent condition. $155. Phone
423-9069 after 5:30. f
BOSTON TICKETS """
Concert sold out
472-9659 after 7
; Separate Pioneer amp and
tuner, 60 watts. Call Kris 435
2364. 74 Capri. Excellent condit
ion. Best reasonable offer. 472
0731. 14x60 mobile home. Posses
sion in August. Between
campuses. Furnished. 477-1752.
HOMES FOR SALE
CLOSE TO CAMPUS
Why pay rent when you Can
buy. Through inovative financ
ing you can purchase home
with little or no down payment.
Get your hedge against Inflation
charge reasonable rent to
friends end be able to pay
sainct principal. Call today for
an appointment and detailed
explanation.
CENTURY 21 Lancaster
437-4341
V ' t i : 1
Pitcher needed f or M fast
pitch Softball team. Call 403
3513 evenings.
Composer needs e3 kinds of
muskjarw-preferabia acoustic
from percussion to ccHo-CaU
Steven 477-23C3. -
Help! I am trying to get in
old obituary translated for my
grandparents. It is written in
Swedish and I need it in
English. If you can help, please
call 474-5307.
2 . bedroom apt., all appli
ances. 4220 Huntington-$230
ma May 1 and May 15. Sum
mer terms avail. 423-0302 after
5:30. ,
SUBLEASE: Furnished
apartment available immediate
ly. Call 477-6757 before 5879.
1 -bedroom apt., furnished,
carpeted, washerdryer, shower,
util. paid, 4 blocks to city
campus; May 13.477-5049477-7305.
,.; .
Cornhusker Co-op Is taking
applications for summer and fall
housing. Summer rates: Double
$18 Ave., Single $25wk. Call
475-6798 and ask for house
manager.
Split-level, 1 bedroom apt.
from $155 to $173 lights.
Laundry and off street parking.
877 North 26th. 4354940 and
477-8358.
223 S. 17th efficiencies.
$115-$ 170 deposit 475-2901,
477-8358.
1135 Sumner-Large 2 or 3
bedroom, oak, stone barbeque.
Available, May 23, no pets..8
$220 gas lights, torn 477
B231 evenings. 477-4733.
3, 4, and 6-bedroom houses
5 blocks from city campus; fully
furnished with beds, desks,
washerdryer, shower, etc. 477-
6049.
East Campus -4327 Walker
-2 bedrooms, fireplace, large
balcony etc. $250 plus ess,'
electricity. 47S-2707.
I SUMMER HOUSING
AVAILABLE AT ACACIA
FRATERNITY. $17J50AEEIC
FOR R A DOUBLE ROOM Af.'C
S24AYEEK FOR C'NGLE
ROOMS. CENTRAL AIR AND
MANY OTHER BENEFITS.
FOR DETAILS, CALL T03Y
AT 435-2023 er 475-2242.
SUMMER PARKING: Large
frat. lot on "RM Street available.
Call 435-6555 after 8:30.
Sublease for Summer! Com
fortable efficiency at 1801 B.
477-64S3. " 1
Sublease for summer: Spaci
ous 2 bedroom apt. Close to
I campus, Call 475-3707. ,
2 bedroom apt, furnished.
Located between campuses. Ort
bus line. Owner pays Utilities.
$185 deposit Please no Wild
and crazies. 477-2540.
For Rent: 2 bedroom apt
Roomy, carpet, air, appliances.
$180-$185. Close to Eest
Campus. Call after 5 p.m., 463
5654. SUMMER APTS.
1 & 2 bedroom, furnished and
unfurnished loads of good furni
ture (twin beds) accomodates 2
to 4 easily; close In: bus, bike or
hike. Caretaker!: 474-6529,
475-2297, 432-6764 eves, or
leave message: 477-3817.
Large 3 bedroom townhouse
1703 Knox. 3 minutes north of
city campus. 1 baths. Monthly
lease, $275. 475-6144.
Available May 12, newer 2
bedroom, fireplace, appliances,
drapes, 1801 Knox, $215 434-8180.434-6030.
-
; 11th 81 F St
Sharp unfurnished In classic
older building. Air conditioned.
We pay heat $175mo. de
posit , Huge 2 bedroom duplex unit
with basement, ess fireplace, air
conditioned. $200mo. plus gas
end elec. deposit no pets or
children. References required.
474-1CC3
RESIDENCE HALL
' GJU! HOUSif.-a
AVAILABLE
Economical
Air conditioned
Convenient
A variety of contract options
are available to meet student
needs. :; ,-
Drvrc:crj c?
U?IVEn!TY H0UC:?.'3
1U3CrrnHi:i .
! ' 47231 - , . "