Transcription: Angels sign DeNeff
The California Angels signed Jim DeNeff of I.U. Thursday as their first draft choice, the Associated Press reported yesterday. DeNeff, who played shortstop as a sopho-more this spring, resides in Holland, Mich. He was signed by Angel scout Nick Kamzic and is due to report next Wednesday to the Angels’ farm club, Quad Cities, in Daven-port, Iowa.
Madison Hts.’ Baker named frosh coach
Bob Baker, head football coach at Madison Heights High School of Anderson, has been appointed freshman backfield coach at I.U., Athletic Director Bill Orwig announced yesterday. Baker, a native of Bluffton and a 1951 graduate of Ball State, climaxed seven years at Madison Heights with an undefeated season last year. He played four seasons of varsity football at Ball State and quarterbacked the 1949 Cardinals to their first undefeated season. After graduation, he was head coach at Royerton High School for seven years, producing four unbeaten teams and a 33-game winning streak. •He spent one year as assistant coach at Fort Wayne Southside before becoming head coach at Madison Heights. His appointment becomes effective July 1. No bonus was mentioned, but DeNeff told’ the I.U. athletic department earlier in the week that he wouldn’t consider signing for less than $60,000. DeNeff was figured heavily in I.U. coach Ernie Andres’ plans for next year. Andres will now have to rebuild. the entire starting infield from the club that finished fifth in the Big Ten this year. Third-baseman Wayne Witmer, second-baseman Bob Miner and •all-Big Ten first-baseman Jack Campbell were all seniors. Leading the Hoosiers in homers with four in all games, DeNeff batted .354, second only to Campbell, who hit .361 in all games. The 6-1, 185-pound DeNeff was described by Andres as a “good” fielder and as having a “great” arm. He was named to the all-Big Ten second team this week.
