Author: David Shama

The old building is quaint but it’s partially held in place by steel supports that obstruct the sightlines of spectators.  Those tickets are sold with advance notice that you will have a partial view, not exactly 21^st century marketing.

Concourses and restrooms are crowded, even for games with less than capacity crowds.  The old building is less charming when your bladder is about to burst and the bathroom line reminds you of gasoline rationing in the 1970s.

Then, too, the building is a recruiting liability with out of state player prospects when they look at it without fans on non-game days.  It’s pretty hard to relate to a facility that was built before their grandparents were born and by comparison must compete with the newer palaces of college basketball.

The recruiting formula will receive a lift when a new practice facility is built in the near future.  Maturi said costs and location haven’t been determined but it may be connected to Williams Arena where the Gophers not only play but practice.

Further into the future a new facility might replace Williams Arena.  Although totally new, it could have a retro Williams Arena design.  More seats, better sightlines, improved concourses, rest rooms and practice facilities.  A facility capable of generating more revenues for the athletic department while better serving the fans and basketball program.

Even 15 years into the future, though, Dutcher thinks the original Williams Arena, then almost 100 years, will still be around.  “…I think the alternative is the new practice facility,” he said.  “I think they’ve already decided to go that route, to build a nice building that has the practice facility, that has the coaches’ offices, probably academic counseling rooms for basketball players. …When a recruit comes on campus the showcase is probably going to be the new basketball building. The sideline is going to be Williams Arena with all the emotions and so forth. …”

Maturi will be in New York on Thursday where he is one of four nominees for Athletic Director of the Year, determined by a selection committee from SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. The other nominees are Sandy Barbour (California), Joe Castiglione (Oklahoma) and Jeremy Foley (Florida).  Maturi’s profile has been enhanced by the realization of TCF Bank Stadium, the hiring of basketball coach Tubby Smith and the Gophers current No. 2 Director’s Cup ranking that measures total sports success of programs across the country.

A source reported to Sports Headliners that Minneapolis Community and Technical College has decided to eliminate its men’s and women’s basketball programs (the only two sports offered at the downtown school) effective after next season.  A permanent decision to eliminate the programs would leave the metro area with only one community college offering basketball, Anoka-Ramsey.

Basketball makes a difference in the lives of young people, both on and off the court.  In the men’s program at MCTC, two-thirds of the players since 1990 have gone on to play basketball at a four-year school, according to an e-mail from the source.  Two-thirds of those students then earn a bachelor’s degree.

New Timberwolves president David Kahn was articulate and impressive during his news conference last week.  Owner Glen Taylor expressed confidence in his new hire but also said Kahn might ultimately not be successful and could be terminated.

Taylor also said regardless of whether coach Kevin McHale remains with the franchise, he will “always have a friendship” with him.

Timberwolves TV analyst Jim Petersen told Sports Headliners last week he’s picking Denver and Cleveland in the NBA Finals, with the Cavs winning the series.

Hopkins senior Royce White was recently presented with the Mr. Basketball award in front of family and friends during an event at the Martin Luther King Center in St. Paul.  White said he plans to play on the team of former Wolves guard Troy Hudson in the Howard Pulley summer league.  Games start next month and although the league isn’t known for its defense, White said his team will be focused that way because he wants “to win.”

Best wishes to Bob Werness, former leader of the Mr. Basketball selection group, who is ill with cancer.  His wife Shirley also has cancer.

Joe Mauer homered in his third straight game for the first time in his career yesterday as the Twins lost 6-5 to Boston at the Metrodome.  He has hit 10 of his 11 home runs in his last 17 games.  This is the fifth time in club history that a player has hit 10-plus home runs in May.  Harmon Killebrew hit 12 in 1964, 11 in 1961 and 10 in 1970, while Justin Morneau had 10 in 2007.

Twins losing pitcher yesterday Francisco Liriano (2-6, 6.42 ERA) pitched only four innings for the second consecutive outing.  He has allowed five-plus earned runs five times in 10 starts.  His seven strikeouts were his second-most this season (nine on May 4 at Detroit).

Joe Mauer’s extraordinary start this season has substantiated the enthusiasm of perhaps his biggest fan, grandfather Jake Mauer.  Whether it’s home runs or batting average, the Twins’ 26-year-old catcher is one of the most talked about players in the majors.

Last season Mauer hit nine home runs in 146 games and 536 at bats.  This year, despite not playing in his first game until May 1, he’s homered seven times in 18     games, with 68 at bats.

In his five previous big league seasons the 6-5, 225-pound Mauer hit a total of 44 home runs but his grandfather said this is a different hitter now.  “He’s lifted weights in winter time down in Florida, and he’s built up his muscles in his biceps, and his chest and his shoulders,” Jake said. “He’s really big through there now.  He’s really grown up.  He came out of that baby fat and put on muscle. …He’s strong.  I would say he’s probably 40 percent stronger than last year. I mean it and that’s a big up, I will tell you that.”

Most of the home runs have been hit by the left handed Mauer to left field.  Pitchers have been throwing sinkers toward the outside of the plate and Mauer sends some of those balls over the fence.  Now, according to Jake, he’s been pitched inside more and the likelihood of home runs to right field is next.

Jake predicts 20 home runs this season, 25 to 30 next year and then 30 to 35 in 2011.  He’s predicted for many years that as his grandson enters his peak years physically he will not only hit more home runs, but also bat over .400.

“I think 27, 28 is the year that he’s going to hit .400,” Jake said. “I made that statement when he first signed…(his pro baseball contract).”

Mauer is hitting .397 so far after batting .328 last season and winning his second American League batting championship.  His grandfather doesn’t rule out a .400 season in 2009 but is convinced it will happen next year in the new Minneapolis ballpark where he said the ball will carry better than inside the Metrodome.

Mauer could hit more home runs if he wanted to sacrifice his average.  “Oh, definitely, but he wants to win the batting crown,” Jake said.  “He said, ‘Grandpa, I am going to win it again.  I am going to get enough time at bat, too (to qualify).’  I said I know you are, Joe.  When you make up your mind to do it, you’ll do it.”