SPRING SPORTS
According to the calendar, spring is just around the corner, so let's take a look at a few of the spring teams. The baseball and lacrosse contingents, for instance, have been working out in the new Leverone Field House for well over a month and within a few days will be heading south for the usual spring-vacation games.
Pushing away the snow from the field house, we see that Coach Tony Lupien has only six returning lettermen; but exclusive of pitching, it should be an improved Dartmouth nine.
Currently nine men are contending for starting pitching assignments, but none is rated as good - at least not yet - as Dave French, last year's ace. According to Coach Lupien, "If the pitching comes through, we'll be having a good team. We have gained run-making ability, speed, and defense."
Heading the list of returning letter-men is Captain Mike Nyquist, who should get the nod at first base. Last year Nyquist established a Dartmouth record for most home runs in a season (eight) and runs batted in (31). He is the only Ivy League senior to have been named to the All-Eastern League team for two years.
Elsewhere in the infield will be veterans Henry Ota at second and Mike Bloom at shortstop. Chip Hayes, who just completed a fine season of hockey, has the inside track at third base. He batted .353 last spring on the freshman team.
Coach Lupien will probably field an all-letterman outfield with Ken Lapine in left, Steve Dichter in center, and Jacques Shure in right. Shure was the second best batter in 1962 with a .292 average.
Bill Dubocq, who was 3-0 as a Green hurler in '62, heads a list of nine hurlers, which includes two captains-elect: Scotty Creelman (football) and Fran Hanlon (basketball). Bob Johnson, a senior, returns to the baseball scene after two years in the Army and Ernie Torres is making a bid as a pitcher for the first time since '61. Both may give the pitching staff the added help it needs.
Lacrosse Coach Whitey Burnham is having his problems but hopes that by the time spring arrives he'll have some answers. His biggest problems are in the goal and on attack, where a big hole has been left by John Walters, last year's national scoring champion.
By the time the Indians return from the South one of two men may have nailed down the starting goalie assignment. One is short on experience, however, and the other is a member of the Class of 1960, back in school after a three-year absence. At defense Coach Burnham has two returning lettermen, Bobby Baker and Bill Krueger. The third defensive position is currently a toss-up between Tom Parkinson and Jim Pfau.
At this writing two midfields seem pretty well established. The team's captain, Bill King (better known probably as a quarterback of some repute), who last year received honorable mention on the the All-American Lacrosse Team, heads the first midfield which also includes Ed Robb and Tom Sieminski. The latter has been converted from attack. On the second midfield will be Mike Herriott, Paul O'Connell, and Howie Myers. The third midfield is still in doubt at this time, but will be needed before the season gets under way.
On the attack Bill Bates and Ed Comiskey are solidly entrenched, but on the left side, Walters' old position, it is a toss-up between senor Mike Cardozo and Sophomore Rick Monahon. Despite the loss of Walters, Coach Burnham is optimistic that the 1963 team can develop a better balanced attack. Next month we may have the answers to some of Coach Burnham's problems.
The tennis and golf teams are also heading South, but a full report on these teams must wait until the May issue. We would like to mention, however, that the New England Intercollegiates in tennis will be held in Hanover, May 17-20.
