Baseball Coach

Centennial's Bill Stara will be honored as UMBRO/NSCAA National Boys Youth Soccer Coach of the Year at the national convention of soccer coaches next week in Washington.Stara, who coached the Columbia Darby club team last summer, has coached two national championship club teams and one runner-up.The Columbia Kick won the under-16 North American championship, the Niotis Cup, in 1982.The Columbia Jays won the under-19 national title, the McGuire Cup, in 1985.The Howard Challenge was an under-16 national finalist in 1986.

In a move that has been anticipated since Buck Showalter took over as Orioles' manager in August, the club has agreed to terms with Mark Connor to become its new pitching coach. Connor, 61, has been on Showalter's staff in each of the manager's three previous stints in the majors, including time as Showalter's pitching coach with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. Connor attended part of the Orioles' organizational meetings in Phoenix this week and a club source confirmed that Connor has reached an agreement to be the Orioles' pitching coach.

Something has been interfering with Randallstown baseball coach Dave Wright's practice time.And it's not the cold weather.Before Wright can devote his full attention to the boys of summer, he has some business to take care of with the girls of winter.Like trying to win the Class 3A state basketball championship.Wright, a varsity baseball coach since 1973, has led the ninth-ranked Rams to their first appearance in the state semifinals in his rookie season as a head basketball coach.Randallstown (20-2)

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, former Dunbar and University of Maryland basketball coach Bob Wade and the Washington Bullets cheerleading director Judy Holland will be guests as the Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball League celebrates its 25th anniversary June 1 at Hopkins Plaza."

Dave "Pop" Warner, baseball coach at Chesapeake from 1981 through 1985 and later an assistant at UMBC, was hit by a car Sunday night in Nags Head, N.C., and died yesterday morning.Warner, 58, an Anne Arundel County elementary school physical education teacher, was on a vacation at the Outer Banks with his wife Claudia and daughter Wendy."They had been to supper [Sunday night] and came out of the restaurant, and crossing the street, Dave was run down by a car," said John Irvine, retired Chesapeake physical education teacher and golf coach.

Chris Harney, the Harford County boys basketball Coach of the Year this winter after leading Bel Air to a program-best 21-3 record, said he has resigned to become an assistant coach at St. Mary's College in Southern Maryland. Harney compiled a 41-27 record in three seasons at Bel Air, leading the Bobcats to the Class 3A North semifinals this year and their first area ranking in what is believed to be two decades. Harney said a chance to coach at his alma mater - he played for St. Mary's in 1993 and 1994 - and family commitments factored in his decision.

Veteran umpire Frank "Jocko" Svoboda of Glen Burnie has been out in the county selling ads for the Friends of Joe Cannon's 13th annual Baseball Scholar/Athlete Banquet on May 16. Svoboda, 75, loves helping young kids, especially baseball players, and has raised nearly $1,000 on his own. The non-profit organization showcases the top student athletes from the county's 16 public and private baseball-playing schools and, over the last two years, has given...

BASEBALL National League ST. LOUIS CARDINALS -- Agreed to terms with Brian Jordan, outfielder, on a three-year contract. Carolina League DURHAM BULLS -- Announced the resignation of Rob Dlugozima, general manager, effective at the end of the season. BASKETBALL USA BASKETBALL -- Named Warren Brown executive director, effective Oct. 1. National Basketball Association CHARLOTTE HORNETS -- Signed Allan Bristow, coach, through the 1996-97 season; Dave Twardzik, player personnel director, to a three-year contract; and Bill Hanzlik and T.R. Dunn, assistant coaches.

Most varsity baseball games and many other sports events scheduled for Monday are being postponed in the area because of the heavy rain over the weekend. At No. 7 C. Milton Wright, baseball coach Joe Stetka said his team's game with Harford County rival No. 8 Patterson Mill is being rescheduled for Tuesday. The same is true at No. 11 Hereford, where the Bulls will now play Dulaney on Tuesday and No. 13 River Hill will be at No. 3 Glenelg tomorrow, as well. Other sports are also being moved.

Each morning, Monday through Friday, we'll hook you up with some reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. ** Tommy Hunter surrendered just one run Wednesday in his start for the Orioles, who beat the Twins 2-1 . ** Quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens are looking long term as training camp nears . He is in line to be a free agent next offseason.  ** Orioles manager Buck Showalter seems confident that Chris Tillman and Zach Britton can be a part of a playoff run . ** Former Maryland quarterback Scott Milanovich has landed in the CFL as the Toronto Argonauts' head coach.