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Mark V ai USC 9s ba] D.r CAI I V llfWI prkM ii T oiiiiii i Asst. Sports Editor Every time Carolina has a baseball game you can count on seeing it happen. The opposing pitcher's arm is back, the runner inches away from first base while watching the pitcher intently. The ball is released, and the runner sprints, beating the catcher's throw to second base by a fraction of a second. One USC player has apparently found the secret to stealing bases and uses it effectively. Mark Van Bever, a senior second baseman from Melbourne, Fla., led the nation last year in stolen bases with 56, a school record. Van Bever has two components in ma suwtcaaiui stealing iormuia. "First is having the ability to run and to concentrate on the pitcher," he said. "That's just something that's given to you." "Second is the desire to do it," Van Bever said. "Coach Raines is the best head coach I've ever had. He's the kind of guy you want to do anything to win for." AGAINST CINCINNATTI this season, Van Bever set a school career record with 91 stolen bases. John Gambrell had the record with 89. However, Gambrell set the record in four seasons, from 1971I SN \ mis week Re Tuesday thro closing, ONLSr Come in and I of the specio Tuesday: All Columb Wednesday: All RCf Thursday: All londot v Vladimir Horowi FAVORITE BEETHOVEN SON/> Moonlight, Appassionata, Pathet i Be vers ndit on tin Mark Van Bever 74, while Van Bever did it in three seasons. Going into today's same against Clemson, Van Bever has 98 stolen bases. Van Bever leads USC in stolen bases this season with 21 after 20 games. And as long as he gets to first base. Van Bever will continue to try to increase that total. "I'M ALWAYS going until rtNiNv cord 8or celebrates ugh Thursday eveni ' classical music uuill listen to the master: I nightly sales. ia Masteruuorks Si Odyss \ Red Seal, RCfi Gold Sec i classics and Import Clos ON Sfll Mflftt ~z boulez conducts 'jf. bartok \ I Ab THr ,que WOODEN PRINCE ICONPICTI BALLCTI a new york philharmonic Di 3 bases Coach says not to," he said. "Unless we're playing a team with' an excellent catcher, I'll go on the first pitch." Most high school and college coaches signal players to steal bases. But Van Bever and centerfielder Mookie Wilson usually decide for themselves when to steal. "He (Van Bever) makes things happen when he gets on base," USC coach June Raines said. "Our opponents know he was the iimiunai icauer in sioien oases, ana they expect him to go. But he still gets there anyway." One prerequisite for stealing second base is getting to first, and Van Bever had some difficulty with hitting early in the season. "I started out slow, but lately I've been bringing it (batting average) up," Van Bever said. Raines also thinks Van Bever's hitting has improved. "He's been swinging the bat well the past few weeks," Raines said. Van Bever, who bats first in Carolina's lineup, has increased his average from qcn 'inn ?i? ' ? .ijv iu wiuiin nie lasi live games. "MY JOB IS getting on base and UJITH 1 ; the classics. ings, from 6:00 pm i be played in the st s and take advantag eV *3.98 list CP; _ i r- i it . i_ - - ? ji 01 viccroia *6.98 list IP? sics *7.98 list IP? '.H 28-HPRIL 2 (These Tchaikovsky ? 1812 OVERTURE I NUTCRACKER SUITE KRAFT ft ALEXANDER THE ARP SYNTHESIZER TO The Electronic Sound *< of Phase 4 stereo* Br i irrl tm&aI u jtch Square Mo "I want to play wel part in helping the t chance to piay son like to lead the nati but that's secondar getting in scoring position so other guys can get me in." Van Bever said. Raines, however, has a broader view of Van Bever's role. "Mark's a leader for me," he said. "He's an asset as far as everything goes. He's going to be in every game." Like other USC baseball players, Van Bever was interested in coming to Carolina to play for excoach Bobby Richardson. "When I was 10 1 read the Bobby Richardson Story," Van Bever said. "I wanted to get a chance to play for him and use that to be an influence for God." Feelings of interest, however, were not mutual between Richardson and Van Bever until Van Bever had played a year at Brevard Community College in Melbourne, Fla. "Kichardson told me he looked to junior college players who've proved themselves," Van Bever said. Junior college is a middle step between high school and college, Van Bever said. VAN BEVER'S freshman year at Brevard prompted Richardson to offer him a scholarship and a chance to play at Carolina. Van nt tin: until :ore. I ieof ^1 '2.49/disc /-! t M AM / -It V >: 'H.YY/ OISC A. ' s: $5.99/dlsc ; 5 items only) RAMFWJL. MM m VkyreSvUoou ^>| jrmm mmmsamSWJSmksm ill II enough to be a big earn win and to get a *\e pro ball, I would on in stealing bases; y." Mark Van Bever j Bever led Florida junior college players in hitting, stole 25 bases in 25 attempts and played in the junior college all-star game in 1974. Although he originally wanted to play for Richardson, Van Bever is I more than content with first-year coach Raines. "I'm glad we got coach Raines," he said. "The best thing about him is he knows how to keep you up after a bad day. He's always positive." This season, however, is Van Bever's last at USC and the quick base stealer wants to make the best of it. "I want to play well enough to be a big part in helping the team win and to get a chance to play some pro ball," he said. "I WrtlllH lilr#? fn looH tlio natinn .. m?v w iwuv4 MIV IBUV1U1I 111 stealing bases, but that's secondary." Van Bever was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies after his freshman year at Brevard, but he had other goals. "I was interested in playing pro ball, but I wanted to > get an education behind me," Van Bever said. "I'd like to get a chance in the pros. If I didn't make it, I'd have some security to fall back on." USC will have a few less stolen bases when Van Bever leaves this year, but a professional team could be gaining quite a bit more. geq Th<7 WW tficRtlfc'. koseal a Mit-iua-: MI?iL uMr*k?. FOR : _ A 1?ORCHtSTRA \" *> J E O/.aui \ AMrr/ / :MEISIKIi, . / I i|