[Tiger Fan]

APRIL 14, 1975

MISSISSIPPI A&M WINS NATIONAL CAGE CROWN

Mississippi A&M added another chapter to its proud basketball history Monday night at Bigsby Garden, riding a brilliant performance off the bench from Frank Warner to a 60–47 victory over conference rival Noble Jones College and its third AIAA national championship.

Warner poured in 17 points in a sparkplug role, changing the tenor of the game after a shaky opening and pushing the Generals to titles in 1961, 1971, and now 1975. With the win, Mississippi A&M became just the 10th program in AIAA history to capture three national crowns.

Early on, it appeared the Colonels might again have the upper hand. Having already defeated the Generals twice during the Deep South Conference season, Noble Jones burst out to an 8–0 lead and kept Mississippi A&M scoreless for nearly five minutes. Darren LeBlanc finally broke the ice, but the Generals continued to labor, trailing 19–8 midway through the first half as Noble Jones dictated tempo.

The turning point came when Warner entered the game. His energy and shooting fueled a 12–2 Mississippi A&M run that steadied the Generals and erased most of the deficit. The comeback was completed when Ed Turner knocked down a jumper from the wing with 3:12 remaining in the half, giving Mississippi A&M its first lead at 25–23.

From there, the Generals were firmly in control. Warner continued to deliver, LeBlanc finished a crisp 5-for-7 from the floor, and Mississippi A&M shot nearly 52 percent as a team. The Colonels were never able to reclaim the lead, and the Generals gradually pulled away in the second half to secure a convincing 13-point victory.

For Noble Jones College, the loss was another painful near miss. The Colonels have reached the national title game five times in the past 11 seasons, but only once—against Custer College in 1969—have they emerged as champions. Monday night marked yet another long walk off the Bigsby Garden floor wondering how close is still not close enough.

For Mississippi A&M, there was no such doubt. The Generals arrived in New York determined to finish the job, and behind a deep, balanced effort and a defining performance from their bench, they left as national champions once again.

COPPERHEADS, CANNONS PACE ASSOCIATIONS AFTER FIRST WEEK

Baseball is back again for the 1975 season, and even after one week it's easy to look at the top of the association. In both the Fed and the Conti, it's their East division leader with the early lead, as both Atlanta and Cincinnati won 4 of their first 5 games. For Atlanta, that's expected. They're one of the best and most talented teams in the country, one of the top lineups and rotations in the game. Studs like Al Hubbard and Howard Smith make it easy, both are top-5 position players, but they have so many guys who can beat you and that's exactly what happened here. Hubbard and Smith hit as well as they tend to, but it was a power explosion from shortstop John Newton that's led their current 4 game win streak. Not really known for his power, hitting just 11 homers last year and 6 the year before, the 32-year-old homered in three of those four wins, and owns a 1.667 OPS despite having yet to draw a walk in 18 plate appearances. He was the obvious Player of the Week in the Fed, the fifth of his ten year career. They've also allowed tied for the fewest runs allowed despite ace Howie Burt accounting for a third of the runs they've allowed. Veteran Jack Kotarski threw 7.1 shutout innings while Marco Middleton allowed a single run in a complete game win, and five of their seven relievers didn't allow runs in their outings. A complete team, they may not look back all year, as they've gotten quite comfortable in the top spot in the East.

Cincinnati is a different story, as while they've had a few recent second place finishes, they have some rotation questions and the lineup doesn't have the same fire power. They do have a budding star, 25-year-old Billy West, who at least hit like one to get things going. Hitting two of the Cannons four homers, West slashed .350/.435/.650 (199 OPS+) with 6 runs and 5 RBIs. Fellow 25-year-old Bill Brown (.435, 2, 1) got off to just as hot of a start, just with singles instead of homers, and a majority of their rotation found a ton of success. The lone exception was their ace, in name only, Ace Barrell, who allowed 6 of the 11 earned runs charged to Cannons pitchers this week. Coming off a 18-10 season with a 2.94 ERA (122 ERA+), 3.07 FIP (85 FIP-), and 1.10 WHIP, '75 was supposed to be the big breakout for the son of a Hall of Famer, but for that to happen he'll have to shake off this rough start.

FABL's win leader, however, is the Chicago Chiefs, who quickly won each of their first five games before dropping a double header in Chicago against the Detroit Dynamos. Despite being hit with a few pitching injuries in the spring, that's been the strength, as each of their top four starters have early ERAs below 2.60. Leading the way is new ace Otis Hawkins, who has quickly shown he does not want to return to the minors in 1975. The 27-year-old was hit with two unlucky no-decisions, allowing just 8 hits, 3 runs, and 5 walks in 15 innings. Most impressively, the lefty already has 10 strikeouts, and his K% is nearly 5 points higher to start this year then in his 10 starts with the Chiefs last year. Johnny Maples (1-0, 2.08, 11) made two good starts while both Nate Carr (1-0, 1.08, 2) and Walt Jackson (0-0, 2.57, 3) impressed in their season debuts. It hasn't only been pitching, however, as third year catcher Chris Wells has hit a robust .480/.581/.680 (252 OPS+) in the opening week and both Rankin Ziegler and Joe Siniscalchi are hitting over .330 with clutch home runs. Few would have expected much from the Chiefs after winning just 69 games last year, but considering 11 consecutive winning seasons predated their tough 1975, they may be working to portray their recent misstep as a fluke.

On the flip side, the New York Imperials have yet to win a game, but as the only team to play four games they have a built in excuse. Getting swept by Milwaukee and Cincinnati, likely the top two teams in their division this year, Imperials fans may have to get used to losses when they catch them on the schedule. A rebuilding team, it might be a year for slugger Phil Terry and co-aces John Alfano and Jim White to bring in large prospect packages. It's also a year to see what their young players can do, with guys like Al Reece starting to get chances to emerge as new building blocks. 25 in May, he's got a swing kids love, off to a quick .500 start as the #3 hitter. Even if this ends up another lost season, the Imperials will have talented players to enjoy, and with more fair competition we'll see the Imperials string together wins.

• In the Continental, Milwaukee's Harry Edwards joined John Newton in taking hope the opening Player of the Week. Like Newton, Edwards reached the .500 mark, though he didn't push past it. Already on his Whitney defense, the former 2nd Rounder hit .500/.579/.938 (323 OPS+) with a double, 2 homers, 4 runs, 8 RBIs, and 3 walks. He struck out just once in 19 PAs, and his only real issue was a caught stealing. Already one of the top hitters in the game, Edwards hit an elite .306/.408/.503 (164 OPS+) last season, leading the Conti in walks (104), OBP, OPS (.912), WRC+ (172), wOBA (.410), and WAR (6.7).
• Edwards wasn't the only Arrow to take the headlines, as "Double M" Mel Maddox twirled a 3-hit shutout against the Imperials. Winning 5-0, the 34-year-old vet walked just 1, striking out 4 to capture the third shutout of his career. He wasn't the only pitcher to throw a shutout, as a few minutes before his game ended John Roberts of the Saints finished off the Wolves in the Canadian series. Soon-to-be 34 himself, the 10th year starter matched Maddox's line. For him, it's his 20th, led by five times throwing three shutouts in a year. About as reliable a starter as it gets, Roberts is looking to make '75 another season with 32 or more starts, and he's made 34 or more in all but his rookie season.
• Along with the two shutouts, April 11th also saw a big offensive explosion, with long-time Keystone Andy Parker going 5-for-5 in a big 12-3 win over Boston. Parker added a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs, but had just two hits the rest of the week. It's not his first time reaching base on five base hits either, as way back in 1967 he went 5-for-5 against the Pioneers.
• Ten players made their FABL debut in the opening week, but none were as widely watched as Gil Armstrong. Not only is Armstrong a former #1 pick, but the 22-year-old was involved in the spring blockbuster between Washington and Boston. Ranked as the 68th best prospect in baseball, Armstrong led off all week, and the twice traded outfielder got to face the team that traded him most recently. It wasn't an easy task, as he had to face Eagle ace Eddie Yandow, who got him to whiff and then flyout to start the bottom of the first. Armstrong did single later in the game, and the potential building block in Beantown finished his opening week 5-for-15 with a walk.
• Three other first rounders debuted, including the guy taken two picks behind Armstrong. That would be righty Jack Turner, a Kansas City Maverick who ranks as FABL's 78th best prospect. Winning the stopper job, he got the win in his debut despite allowing 4 hits and a run in 1.2 innings against the Cougars. What helped was the 3 strikeouts, and he ended up pitching in 5 of the Mavs 6 games. An even 3-3, he's responsible for two wins and a save, already an extremely valuable member of a weak staff.
• The waiver wire is filled with players and claims, with two going through after the opening week. Both involved the Chicago Cougars, who still have a few claims out on other players. The more notable add is Steve Madden, the former rotation member of some dominant Pioneer rotations. At 35 he's far from Allen quality, and he's been more of a journeyman pen member the last five seasons. Now with his sixth organization, Madden will have a chance to eat innings out of the pen. Known for his workhorse tendencies and ability to put the team ahead of himself, he's a career 120-91 pitcher in 490 FABL outings, working to a 3.68 ERA (104 ERA+) and 1.27 WHIP with 1,338 strikeouts. He'll be joined by an outfielder 10-years younger then him, Paul Germano, who spent parts of three seasons on the Boston bench. A former 7th Rounder from Washington, "Mr. G" is a smart kid who once had starter potential that the Cougars may hope he can still reach. Unlikely to start, he can handle all three outfield positions but he's best suited for the corners.
• One of those two are likely to replace Tom Halliday on the active roster, who left the Cougar 3-2 victory over Seattle with back tightness. Now 36, 1975 was his 15th Opening Day selection, and the slick fielder is now quickly injured again after a concussion ended his 1974. A 4-Time All-Star, Halliday hit .321/.345/.464 (127 OPS+) to start his season, picking up a steal, two doubles, and a triple in 30 trips to the plate. A mainstay in the Cougar infield, he's appeared in 150 or more games in 14 of his 15 full seasons, but will likely miss that now this year. Chicago lacks an obvious replacement, but the early expectation will be second basemen Cleo Harris temporarily shifting to the other side of the bag, and slugger Bill Grimm taking over at the keystone.

A Look at the Wolves Opening Week

The Toronto Wolves began their long journey through the summer of 1975 with a 4-2 week, taking 2 of 3 from both Cleveland at home followed by Montreal in Quebec.

On a chilly evening at Dominion Stadium with 21,579 on hand the Wolves has their worst game of the week in the season opener. If the team is to win with pitching and defense it certainly was not evident on this day. The Foresters scored 12 runs on 12 hits aided by three errors, two by normally reliable third baseman Henie Pearce which contributed to gifting Cleveland 5 unearned runs in the game. The crowd left the park with the feeling of "here we go again, it is going to be a long summer".

After a day off the team rallied behind a strong 7 inning performance on the mound from Red Bullock, to win 6-1 aided by three doubles on a warm, at least by April standards, afternoon. The only downside was two more fielding miscues. With their bags packed for the impending trip to Montreal, Lee Humphrey worked around 6 walks in 5 2/3 then handed the ball over to the 'pen triumvirate of Dick Miller, Bill Cox, Harry Street who completed a 6-0 whitewash aided by two double plays to put the team in a festive mood for the jaunt to Montreal.

At Stade Montreal John Roberts worked a complete game for the Saints in the series opener, allowing only 3 hits while his mates bombarded three Toronto hurlers with 13 hits in a 8-0 rout in front of 27,426. The good news is that Toronto once again showed the ability to quickly bounce back when on Saturday Jackie Daniels produced the big hit with his third double of the season driving in a pair breaking a 1-1 tie in the 8th where the Wolves score 4 to give Manny Espinosa his first Toronto victory by a 5-1 score.

In a Sunday afternoon marathon the Wolves won 3-2 in 13 innings when backup catcher Jim Brooks delivered a single to bring home Dwayne Cleaves with the winning run. Cleaves had earlier gunned down Montreal star Dixie Turner with a perfect throw to third. This was one of two outfield assists in the game which aided 5 Wolves pitchers along with 3 twin killings on the bases. Bill Johnson was credited with the W. The bullpen will by glad to have 2 days off before the comes home to face Milwaukee on Wednesday. The five hurlers on Sunday combined to throw 190 pitches in the game.

Wolves manager Carl Evans comments: "4-2 is better than 2-4, it is still early. We have tightening up our defense 7 errors in 6 games is not winning baseball."

In the far too early to mean anything Phil Story, 36, continues to hit posting .333/.429/.444 line in 21 PA. Let's see if Bullock can replicate his first start when facing the Arrows on Wednesday.

HOME AT LAST: THE SHAKEOUT IS OVER AND THE MINUTEMEN ARE READY
By Mickey Sullivan | Globe Staff April 7, 1975

BOSTON — Boston! We are home! The Minutemen touched down after finishing the spring with a league-best 20-10 record, and you could feel the confidence radiating off them as they stepped onto the tarmac. Of course, that confidence was immediately met by a gale-force wind that made the low 40s feel more like a freezer in a North End butcher shop. We can only hope that the chill cools off Washington’s bats tomorrow and not our own when things kick off at 2:05 pm.

We have come a long way since the first day of camp when sixty hopefuls were fighting for twenty-five spots. The brass must have had some sleepless nights recently because they made some eye-opening decisions to get this roster compliant.

Here is the staff that will lead the charge:
Starting Pitchers: Bill Kelly (R), Johnny Hall (R), Hank Springer (R), Bob Scott (R), and Charlie Roberts (R).

Aside from Bob Scott, the starters were remarkably effective this spring. It might raise a few eyebrows to see Scott sliding all the way down to the four-spot in the rotation, but he will get plenty of chances to prove he still has the "ace" stuff. With not a single lefty in the rotation, the club decided to carry three of them in the bullpen to keep things balanced.

The Bullpen: Owen Phipps, Ed Phipps, and John Lewis will handle long relief, while Les Snyder and Richie Thorton (L) cover the middle. The late innings belong to Walt Portelli (L) and the man with the ice-water veins, Bud Shireman (L).

The bullpen looks like a genuine strength. While manager Dode Edwards is a "ride the starter" kind of guy, he has to feel better knowing he has capable replacements waiting in the wings. No major surprises here; the Kelly trade really allowed the rest of the arms to fall into their natural slots.
Behind the plate, we have Ed Cole (L) and Bill Gallagher (R). This is a bit of a curveball. Early in the spring, we thought Cole was just resting his legs, but as the weeks went by, Gallagher kept forcing his way into the lineup. Cole is the Opening Day starter, but don't be shocked if this turns into a platoon situation.

On the dirt, the infield consists of Willie Stephens (1B), Charlie Hartsell (2B), Hal Mazur (2B), Howard Smith (3B), Jim Wise (3B), Dale Raz (SS), and Dick Wood (SS).

Sully’s Stance: Howard Smith is the story of the spring. The 35-year-old hit an incredible .400 and basically dared the club to cut him. They couldn't. Consequently, Mickey Barker and Frank Borgen are heading to Columbus. As the old saying goes: if you hit, you play. It was also a relief to see Willie Stephens find his stroke at the end of camp; we are going to need that bat to stay hot.

Then there is the outfield: Dick Ward (LF), Gil Armstrong (CF), Jim Morton (RF), and Bob Menz (RF).

Yes, you read that right. The club is carrying only four outfielders. But the real story isn't who is on the roster—it is who isn't. The front office just put a massive amount of hardware on the waiver wire, and it is going to sting.

First, there is Frank Kirouac. A four-time All-Star and three-time Diamond Defender who has never worn another uniform. It hurts to see a man with 1,500 hits and 273 homers in a Minutemen jersey get shown the door, but the performance just wasn't there. Then there is Bobby Phelps, a two-time All-Star who was rumored to be the very last cut. At 32, he still has plenty of gas in the tank.

But the biggest shocker? Buddy Miller. The three-time Whitney winner and ten-time All-Star is looking for work. At 44 years old, it will be the first time since 1950 that Miller isn't on a roster to start the season. With 3,100 hits and 434 homers, he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but the Minutemen decided they couldn't afford to be a retirement home.

So, there you have it. For better or worse, these are the twenty-five men going to war for the Eastern crown. It all starts tomorrow, and I for one am ready. Just pray this weather lets up before the first pitch.

Until next time, stay warm Boston.

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIRST WEEK OF WHAT LOOKS TO BE ANOTHER LONG YEAR IN DETROIT

You don’t want to overreact to the first week of a baseball season. That’s one of the old rules. Another one is that you shouldn’t ignore what your eyes are telling you, either. The Detroit Dynamos, after seven games, are already testing both theories.

They opened the year by losing five straight, which is not the sort of thing that inspires springtime optimism, especially when three of those losses came at the hands of Minneapolis — a club Detroit privately hoped to beat out so it wouldn’t be glued to the bottom of the Federal Association’s West Division again. That didn’t happen. Not yet, anyway.

The Dynamos did manage to confuse everyone on Sunday by sweeping a doubleheader from Chicago, a Chiefs club that had started the season by winning five in a row and apparently figured Detroit would be a convenient stopover. Baseball has a way of doing that. One day you look finished, the next day you look merely fragile.

Detroit gets a day off now, which may be the most popular item on the schedule, before opening at home Tuesday afternoon at Thompson Field against St. Louis. The Pioneers are 2–4, a half-game ahead of the Dynamos, which already tells you something about where both clubs expect to spend the summer. At least Detroit can take comfort in knowing it was not the last team in organized baseball to win a game. That honor belongs, so far, to the New York Imperials of the Continental Association, who somehow survived an 0–4 week without a single victory among the FABL’s 24 teams.

One of the early disappointments wore a familiar name. Ossie Schrieber looked like a pitcher reborn in spring training, giving up just one earned run over his final four exhibitions and briefly convincing people that maybe — just maybe — he was finally ready to become the ace scouts once promised back in 1964. Then the season started. Eight hits, four walks, five earned runs in six innings later, the Dynamos were reminded why Milwaukee finally cut bait after a decade of waiting. Detroit claimed Schrieber on waivers in November. It may already be back on the waiver wire, looking for something else.

Not everyone has been sleepwalking. Buddy Ensey and Jack Lucas are playing like men who would very much like a change of address, and since both are on the trade block, that’s probably not an accident. Bill Austin, also rumored to be available, had himself a useful week, driving in five runs and coming through when Detroit desperately needed somebody — anybody — to do so.

As for genuine bright spots, they’re scarce, but one deserves mention. Richard Elk finally got his first big-league start, and he looked like he belonged. The 24-year-old right-hander, once a second-round pick of Washington, came over in the Eddie Yandow deal — a trade that has otherwise aged poorly — and may yet justify it all by himself. Elk allowed just one earned run and five hits over seven innings against Minneapolis, leaving with a 2–1 lead that the bullpen couldn’t protect. He didn’t get the win, but he got noticed.

Which brings us to Paul Sullivan, who is already 0–2 with an ERA that looks like a typo. Three appearances, 24.00 earned run average, and more tension than comfort when he’s on the mound. Manager Roger Cleaves insists Sullivan remains his closer, at least for now. Managers say a lot of things in April. Sometimes they mean them. Sometimes they’re just buying time.

It’s early. That’s the mantra. But after one week, the Dynamos already feel like a club searching for traction on a road they know all too well. In Detroit, hope still shows up in April. It just doesn’t tend to unpack for very long.

NAHC QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS SET AFTER OPENING ROUND CONCLUDES

The North American Hockey Confederation’s new-look opening round is in the books, and for the most part it delivered exactly what was expected. The short, best-of-three series produced only one mild surprise as three of the four higher seeds advanced. With that preliminary hurdle cleared, the postseason now shifts into its traditional gear. Beginning with the quarterfinals, all remaining series will be best-of-seven.

The four division champions now enter the picture after enjoying first-round byes, and all four will open their quarterfinal series this week.

League-leading Boston, which finished atop the NAHC standings with 112 points, begins its pursuit of the Challenge Cup tomorrow night at home against Minneapolis. The Norsemen had little difficulty disposing of expansion Cincinnati in the opening round, sweeping the Ironclads in two games. Doug King’s late goal with 28 seconds remaining sealed a 5–4 win in the opener, and Minneapolis followed that with a 6–3 victory in Game Two, paced by a three-point night from Anthony Baptiste.

Defending Challenge Cup champion Philadelphia will be tested by an unpredictable Los Angeles Stingrays club that showed its dangerous side in the opening round. The Stingrays knocked out St. Louis by winning two one-goal games, starting with a 4–3 victory at home when Alain Ducharme scored with just 57 seconds left. In Game Two at St. Louis, Alvin Yardley took over, scoring twice — including the overtime winner — and adding an assist to send Los Angeles through with a 3–2 triumph.

In the Yeadon Division matchup, Chicago will renew its rivalry with Toronto after the Dukes swept New York. It was a disappointing end for the Shamrocks, who were making their first playoff appearance in 15 years. New York succeeded in quieting Toronto star Ollie Perreault, holding him to a single assist, but the Dukes found offense elsewhere. Sam Schmidt and Ty Cole led the way as Toronto posted 5–2 and 4–2 victories to advance.

The final quarterfinal pairing gets underway on the West Coast, where Vancouver will meet Montreal in what shapes up as the most evenly matched series on paper. The Totems and Valiants finished level with 90 points during the regular season, and Montreal arrives after a dramatic three-game set with San Francisco. The Valiants opened that series with a dominant 7–0 win, highlighted by Ron Kincaid’s two-goal, two-assist performance. The Gulls responded in Game Two, earning their first playoff win in franchise history on Dick Paletta’s overtime goal after Marty Jensen scored twice in the third period to force extra time. Montreal closed things out in the decider, a 2–1 overtime win in which Dean Sapier finally broke through after the Valiants outshot San Francisco 42–17.

With the opening round now complete, the NAHC’s heavyweights step onto the stage. The margin for error disappears from here on out, and the road to the Challenge Cup promises to be far more demanding.

MAULERS, PEAKS MOVE ON TO SEMI-FINALS
Ottawa, Cleveland Set For Game Seven

Two tickets to the Continental Hockey League semi-finals have been punched, while the remaining pair will not be decided until the final horn sounds. Top-seeded Milwaukee and Denver both closed out their quarterfinals in five games, while Winnipeg and Kansas City, along with Ottawa and Cleveland, are still very much locked in battle.

The Milwaukee Maulers continued their remarkable inaugural season by dispatching the defending Continental Cup champion Edmonton Huskies in five games. The expansion club left little doubt, leaning heavily on the steady play of 24-year-old rookie goaltender Simon Allenby, who was consistently sharp throughout the series. Milwaukee now awaits its next opponent with confidence growing by the shift.

Denver joined the Maulers in the semi-finals after eliminating Chicago in five games, ending the run of a Lions club that reached the finals a year ago. The Peaks were fueled by winger Rosey Austin, whose breakout regular season has carried seamlessly into the postseason. Austin scored six goals in the series, including two in each of the final two games, as Denver pulled away late to finish the job.

The other two series remain unresolved. Winnipeg, paced by league scoring champion Tim Moore, holds a 3–2 edge over Kansas City. Moore has been productive again, posting seven points in five playoff games, but the Falcons were handed a stiff reminder of how quickly momentum can swing. The Warriors stormed into Winnipeg over the weekend and blanked the Falcons 6–0 behind a Mark McCoach hat trick and a 34-save shutout from Eric Spencer. Winnipeg can close out the series tonight in Kansas City; a Warriors win would send it back to Manitoba for a deciding seventh game.

The most dramatic series of all will be settled tonight in Ottawa. The Athletics and Cleveland Immortals are headed for Game Seven after Ottawa roared back from the brink with consecutive wins. The Athletics dropped three of the first four games and appeared finished in Game Five when Cleveland grabbed a 4–2 lead midway through the third period on Ben Hirsch’s 10th goal of the series. Hirsch, a 22-year-old winger who scored just 12 goals in 78 regular-season games, has been one of the postseason’s great surprises.

Ottawa refused to fold. The Athletics’ big line of Hobie Barrell, Ludvig Olsson and Neil Ferguson scored twice late to force overtime, and Olsson—set up by his linemates—ended it just 30 seconds into the extra session for a 5–4 victory. Any lingering suspense vanished in Game Six, as Ottawa carried that momentum into a decisive 6–1 win, highlighted by a three-point night from Ferguson.

With Milwaukee and Denver already through, the CHL now waits to see which two clubs will survive the final tests. Possibly by tonight or Wednesday at the latest, the semi-final picture will finally be complete.

MERGER TALK DOMINATES AS PLAYOFF RACE TIGHTENS

The Federal Basketball League may be enjoying one of its most spirited finishes in years on the floor, but this past week it was the sound of murmurs from the boardroom — not the bounce of the ball — that carried the farthest. Long-simmering speculation about a union between the established FBL and the eight-year-old Continental Basketball League has suddenly grown louder, and for the first time the talk feels less theoretical and more inevitable.

Whispers of cooperation between the two circuits are nothing new. Previous conversations never progressed beyond polite soundings and carefully worded denials. This time appears different. While neither league will publicly acknowledge that negotiations are underway, multiple sources within Federal circles insist a merger ahead of the 1975–76 season is “all but assured,” with a single top-level professional basketball league expected to take the floor come October.

The Continental league was formed by owners intent on forcing their way into the basketball establishment, borrowing a page from the football playbook. When the National Football Conference challenged the old order and eventually earned admission into the American Football Association, it provided a blueprint — one the CBL’s founders have followed with patience and persistence. If reports prove accurate, that gamble is about to pay off in similar fashion.

According to sources, the framework of a deal is already in place. The remaining question is not whether a merger will happen, but how many of the CBL’s 12 clubs will be folded into the Federal Basketball League’s current lineup of 18 franchises.

PLAYOFF SCRAMBLE INTENSIFIES ON THE COURT

Lost somewhat beneath the weight of merger speculation is the fact that the FBL’s regular season is careening toward a dramatic finish. With just one week remaining, only half of the division titles have been settled. Chicago has locked up the Central Division, while Minneapolis has claimed the Midwest crown and will enter the postseason as the Western Conference’s top seed.

Everything else remains unresolved.

In the Eastern Conference, four clubs are fighting for three playoff spots. New York currently leads the Atlantic Division and can secure a berth with a single win, or with one Philadelphia loss in any of the Phantoms’ remaining three games. Boston and Toronto remain very much in the picture as well, with the uncomfortable reality that one of those four teams will be watching the playoffs from home.

The Western Conference offers no less drama. Behind division champion Minneapolis, St. Louis, Houston, Seattle, and San Francisco are locked in a four-way struggle for the final three postseason positions. Just one game separates the quartet, turning every possession and every scoreboard glance into something of consequence.

With boardroom decisions threatening to reshape the sport’s future and playoff races hanging by a thread, the Federal Basketball League heads into its final week with no shortage of intrigue — even if much of it is coming from places far removed from the hardwood.

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 04/13/1975

• Ordered to fight at any cost to save the remaining quarter of the country, South Vietnamese forces drove back heavy assaults over the weekend against strongholds northeast and southwest of Saigon.
• Congress passes legislation barring renewed U.S. combat role in Vietnam, effectively closing the door on any return of American forces.
• U.S. shifts focus to evacuation and humanitarian relief, with White House officials acknowledging that saving lives, not territory, has become the administration’s top priority.
• Phnom Penh falls to Khmer Rouge forces, ending Cambodia’s civil war and raising alarm in Washington and Ottawa over the fate of civilians and foreign nationals.
• The Philippine government is reconsidering just how useful American bases in its country are. "We have to ask ourselves whether we can continue to be involved in conflicts engendered by policies not our own" said an official as they debated the merits of Clark Air Base and the Subic Naval Base.
• 29 are reported dead after Lebanese rightists and Palestinian guerrillas clashed yesterday in Beirut.
• The army has taken over the government of Chad after the President of the north central African country was killed in an attack on the presidential palace.
• A leading magazine in England ran a cover story asking "Is America Fading?" alongside pictures of the troubles in Indonesia, Europe and the Middle East.