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Friday, November 14, 1997     Page: 2B

WVW student selected for Clemente team
   
Wyoming Valley West student James O’Malia has been selected to represent
    Pennsylvania as a member of the Roberto Clemente All-Stars. These are
national teams that will travel to Puerto Rico in the spring to take on some
of the same amateur teams that produced stars such as Roberto Alomar, Juan
Gonzalez and Ivan RodriguezO’Malia will play on a team made up of players from
the United States. The team will meet on April 5 in San Juan for a rigorous
two-day training camp before playing five games during the next four days.
   
While in Puerto Rico, O’Malia will have a chance to meet Vera Clemente, the
wife of the late Roberto Clemente, who was the inspiration for the program.
Roberto Clemente is often called the Latin Jackie Robinson because he paved
the way for other Latin ballplayers to enter Major League Baseball.
   
O’Malia also will receive instruction from top coaches and former major
league players, compete in a professional winter ball stadium and visit famous
sites throughout Puerto Rico. Before he can head south however, O’Malia faces
the challenge of raising the funds needed to cover the trip’s cost.
   
“I’m working odd jobs saving my money, but I’m also seeking sponsors from
local businesses and other people in the community,” O’Malia said. “This is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which I believe can make me a better
ballplayer and a better citizen of Larksville.”
   
In addition to baseball, O’Malia is an honor student, plays basketball and
football and has competed in the Junior Olympics and Keystone State Games.
   
Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 1997, Kingston, Pa., 18704.
   
James O’Malia