Lynch suffering the setbacks of basebali By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion ti Pat Lynch appears t0 be the latest victim of professional baseball's precious peckingI order. t Just a few weeks ago ail signs pointed 10 the Blue Jays prospect moving up to single- A bail in St. Catharines this summer. But despite a highly impres sive extended spring training camp, upper management had other plans for the Milto pitcher. 'Being sent back 10 the rookie team in Medicine Hat was detinitely a surprise," said Lynch, who turned 20 Pat1 Saturday. "I had a lot more strikeouts in Florida this spning and was hitting the inside pitches well. 1 really thought I'd donc well enough t0 move up. "The spring training instructors ail felt the same way." Lynch figures his retum 10o Medicine Hat has more to do with the Blue Jays wanting to give most single-A veterans another shot and less 10 do with his own perfor- mance. However, this theory offers little conso- lation. Remarked the former Milton District High star, 'What's disappointing is that the decision was made by someone who probably didn't even see me play this spring." Takung a positive appi-oacli las ali-eady ranslated into three strong outings in vMedicine Hat. In a combined 16 innings he' s surrendered just three earned runs and two measly walks while fanning 20 - a team high after week number Half of those strikeouts came last Tuesday in Montana where he scattered three hits over five innings adpaced his cluh 10 a 10-3 t mph over Helena. 1 was getting ahead in the count a lot and had them (Helena batters) chasing my fastball." said Lynch of his latest stant. : Lynch "I've been very pleased with my performance as late. My control is much better." Lynch said recent modifications to bis delivery - to maximize his finish - have caused his curve hall to take a temporary leave of absence. However, surfacing in its place has been a much more effective slider that has already frustrated numerous batters. Should he continue 10 dominate on the mound Lynch could still find himself in St. Catharines this sumrmer. StilI, having been passed over once already he' s not holding his breath. "I'm not even thinking about that any- more. I just want to pitch wel bere and whatever happens, happens. Besides, Medicine Hat has a great shot at winninî the Pioneer League this year." Riders show well The Canadian Champçion. Tuesday, Juiy 7, 1 998-19 Fax yoursprt Duning one crash team member Edward Dawe strained a shoul- drand sprained an ankle yet still managed to hold up his end of 4943 the workload. Lscaping with only a slightly hnîised hip, Minkhorst said, -this d û h n course is much harder than Hardwood Hilis (where last year's or w r Kokanee Race was held). Here the laps are 35 minutes each com- o fa 9 v~ î pared t0 an hour at Hardwood His so you don't have as much of t 9 M i recovery time between shifts. "We've got to thank Spokes and Slopes for fixing our bikes St e , f r twice. They were a real lifesaver." They inished tenth. Maldng up the rest of the teamn were Kart FEours ,iirougi Pasternak and Tim Sparrow. Also sponsored by Kodiac Power Equipment was Burlington's the front door Paul Maltby, who finished fourth among solo cyclists. The race drew more than 100 teams from across Ontario as iiiil Siot well as special guest Steve Bauer, of Tour de France racing fame. e iefà *e -. . . . I k â er- Ask for Alison Alison Schulze Home Care Speclallst 4Y.J2arkIm 547Main S E. Mihon 878-91MI DJVWe~V .9, s e-«",-PA T:: S LARGEST FASHION FABRIC DISTRIBUTUR CANADA