By Staff
The Question …
The inventive citizens of the 18th century mounted a stone ring at well-above-head height and tossed a rubber ball through it. The winner received the clothing of all the spectators. The captain of the losing team often lost his head. They've changed the rules a bit since then, but the primitive game called ollamalitzli is still credited as the original form of basketball. Was this game played in Lapland, Mexico, or Nigeria?
Star Tracking …
April 5, 2001
BALTIMORE First Hideo Nomo conquered Coors Field. Then he gave a command performance in the bandbox called Camden Yards. Nomo became the fourth player in major league history to throw a no-hitter in both leagues, using his trademark hesitation delivery and a crafty mix of pitches to lift the Boston Red Soxs past the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 Wednesday. Nomo's first no-hitter, in September 1996 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is the only one ever pitched at Colorado's high-altitude Coors Field. Now he's the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter at 10-year-old Camden yards.
OXFORD Following the most successful basketball season in school history, Ole Miss coach Rod Barnes signed a new four-year contract with the school Wednesday. Barnes led the Rebels to their first appearance in the NCAA tournament round of 16 this season and a 27-8 record that set a school record for victories. He had three years left on a deal worth about $450,00 per year.
April 5, 1997
Joey Smith smashed a 3-2 pitch for a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to lift the East Central Warriors to a 4-2 victory over visiting Northwest Friday night. Travis Matherne (4-0) picked up the victory in the extra-inning affair. Game two of the schedule doubleheader was postponed because of rain. East Central improved to 27-7 with the victory, and they return to action at Copiah-Lincoln for a twinbill today.
The opening game at Atlanta's new ballpark went a lot better than the final game at their old stadium. Chipper Jones drove in the tie-breaking run with a two-out single in the eighth and the Braves rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 Friday night in the first regular-season game at Turner Field in Atlanta.
April 5, 1992
Norman Driskill saved his best for last. It wasn't the prettiest of longest basehit of the day, but Driskill's two-out single up the middle his fifth hit in two games scored Henry Tanksley from second base on a hit-and-run with two out in the bottom of the ninth and gave Meridian at 3-2 win and a doubleheader sweep of Pearl at John Moss Field Saturday. Meridian (19-3) won the first game 8-3 and had several chances for the sweep prior to the two extra innings.
Ryan Satcher
The Answer …
Mexico.