Baltimore Blast

The Baltimore Blast placed Waad Hirmez on waivers yesterday for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.About eight hours after Hirmez was released, Blast vice president of soccer operations Drew Forrester announced the team had reached a contract agreement with Maryland Bays forward Jean Harbor.Harbor, 26, was introduced to the crowd before last night's Blast-San Diego Sockers game at the Baltimore Arena. Harbor was wearing street clothes when he walked on to the floor and waived to the fans amid a loud ovation.

Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale announced last night that the team will return to its original flashy combination of red, orange and yellow uniforms next season after an ill-fated experiment with blue and gray last season.Hale said: "I realize when I make a mistake. When you lose all the games we did, so much for blue and gray. We're going to change the design a little, but we're going back to red."Hale received a loud ovation when he made the announcement at the Baltimore Blast Fan Club Appreciation Dinner at La Fontaine Rouge on Belair Road.

Former Calvert Hall star Chris Reif is expected to sign a 15-day contract with the Baltimore Blast today, and he likely will play Saturday night against the Sockers in San Diego.A possible snag is approval from his employer, the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, for whom Reif is a meter reader.The signing will fulfill a long-time ambition for the Baltimore product who said last summer, "I'd kill to play for the Baltimore Blast. I'd love to be getting the salaries they're making to play soccer.

I would like to clarify some of the statements made in your article about Hale Properties and the Baltimore Blast leaving the Clarence H. Du Burns Arena ("In dispute with city, Hale moves businesses out," Feb. 28). The management fee to run the Du Burns Arena mentioned in the article has been declining over the years. In fact, the last agreement, which ended on January 21, included no management fee to be paid to Hale Properties to operate Du Burns Arena. Hale Properties was also responsible for paying all the operating expenses of running Du Burns Arena, and the Blast paid a rental fee to the city for use of office space there.

Baseball Senior Professional Baseball League -- Announced former Red Sox OF/DH Jim Rice has agreed to play with St. Petersburg.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Signed free-agent OF Darryl Strawberry to 5-year, $20.3 million contract.CollegesNCAA -- Placed Missouri's basketball team on two years' probation and banned school from NCAA tournament in March.Baylor -- Announced QB J.J. Joe will miss rest of season with broken thumb.Missouri -- Announced assistant basketball coaches Bob Sundvold and Rich Daly had resigned, effective at end of season.

In a back-and-forth match that featured three lead changes and multiple penalties, the Baltimore Blast lost its first game of the season, 9-8, to the host Omaha Vipers after Johnny Torres scored the eventual game-winner with three minutes left Friday before an announced 3,500. The Blast (5-1) remains in a tie for first place with the Milwaukee Wave after the Missouri Comets' 13-8 victory over the Wave on Friday. Max Ferdinand scored the first goal of the game just four minutes in to put Baltimore on top, 2-0. With time running out in the second quarter, former Blast player Carlos Farias scored a restart goal to tie the game at 2. In the third quarter, the Vipers (3-4)

For 10 years, Tim Wittman has lived an American youngster's dream -- he has played a professional sport for his hometown team.Wittman not only came right out of high school (Calvert Hall) to play for the Baltimore Blast, but he also has been a star in a league in which American players sometimes find it tough to break in.Wittman, 27, has played in three Major Soccer League All-Star games, was named last season to the Baltimore Blast All-Decade Team, holds two MSL records for short-handed goals (most in a season, seven; and two quickest, 15 seconds)

An Orioles' wish listThe following is a Christmas list for the 1991 Orioles.1) Frank Robinson -- A microphone so he can be heard publicly admitting that he is just as frustrated by the O's tight-fisted management as we, the fans, are.2) Roland Hemond -- A waiver wire that does not come from the south side of Chicago (the White Sox rejects).3) Cal Ripken -- A .300 hitter with power so Cal can see some good pitches. This is about as likely as a 10-year-old getting a Porsche.4) Eli Jacobs/Larry Lucchino -- The realization that a serious drop in ticket prices is justifiable since they don't pay major-league wages.

An article yesterday in The Sun about IRS tax claims agains Edwin F. Hale Sr. carried incorrect figures about Mr. Hale's claimed income in 1989 and 1990 in an accompanying table. Mr. Hale says he lost $128,386 in 1989 and $753,602 in 1990.The Sun regrets the errors.Baltimore businessman Edwin F. Hale Sr. significantly understated his income from 1988 through 1990 and now owes almost $2 million in back taxes, interest and penalties, according to the Internal Revenue Service.Mr. Hale, the owner of trucking and barge companies and the former owner of the defunct Baltimore Blast soccer team, filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court last month challenging the IRS's claim that the $11,682 he paid in taxes during the three years fell short by $1,159,543, not including an additional $645,437 in penalties and interest.