Rasner needs to stay in rotation

By Darrell Moody

Appeal Sports Editor

- I got my first close-up look at the new athletic complex in Sparks, and boy am I impressed. The complex isn't totally finished yet. The complex is on a 140-acre site and includes six softball fields, two baseball fields, two fields that could be used for youth softball or baseball and three multi-purpose soccer/football fields. All the fields are lighted with bleacher seating. There are five fields surrounding a two-story building. Bully's has plans to put in a restaurant there. Personally, I think it would be a great place for zone or state playoffs for baseball and softball. I'd love to see the city politicians make that happen up at Centennial Park.

- Kudos to Darrell Rasner for chalking up his third straight win without a loss when he combined with Joba Chamberlain to blank the Yankees. Yet it seemed the only thing people wanted to talk about was the fact that Chamberlain would be inserted into the starting rotation when the youngster, who has been toiling out of the bullpen, had built up his arm strength enough to become a starter. I hope it doesn't happen, but something tells me that Rasner could be the odd man out when that happens. It's doubtful that the Yankees are going to push veterans Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte or Chien-Ming Wang out of the rotation even if they under perform. If the Yankees go with a five-man rotation, Rasner will have to beat out heralded youngsters like Ian Kennedy or Phil Hughes for the last spot. Right now, Rasner has been the most consistent, and it should be his job to lose.

- Hank Aaron spoke at a recent college graduation, and of course was bombarded by questions about Barry Bonds. Aaron has always been graceful under the pressure of the media when asked about Bonds. He did tell the graduates that they should avoid taking shortcuts in life; do things the right way. Gee, you don't think he was hinting at Bonds do you?

- After watching the state track meet over the weekend, I would love to see it just be one meet instead of four different meets. California is bigger than Nevada, and it manages to have one state meet that includes all four classifications. That way you get a true state champion. Oh I'm aware that the big schools are usually going to dominate anyway, but it's not that hard to qualify for state when you are doing it by classes. All it would take is one more weekend of qualifying in each part of the state to make that a reality.

- The Nevada men's basketball staff is holding two boys basketball day camps this summer with the first one set for June 23-26 at the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

The secondsummer camp is scheduled for Aug. 4-7, also at the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

Space is still available for both camps, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and cost $170 per child.

The camps are open to boys entering grades 3-8, and they are designed to provide instruction based on ability and skill level.

Camp registration forms are available online at www.nevadawolfpack.com. For more information, call (775) 784-4046.