19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

Sir:
That the CBS minicam shouldn't be placed in NASCAR Winston Cup stock cars is certainly a matter of debate. CBS was lauded for its excellent coverage with its six-pound mini-cam, as well it should have been. CBS 's expertise, along with the most exciting racing in the world, made for a superior telecast.

Yet the situation, which had never been controversial before your July 18 edition, may already be academic. Not only did Cale Yarborough win the Daytona 500 with a CBS camera aboard, he did the same in Michigan 's Gabriel 400. This may turn from a question of whether a camera should be in a car to how do we get the driver to take it out.
CHIP WILLIAMS
Director of Public Relations NASCAR
Daytona Beach , Fla.

TREATING DRUG ABUSERS ET AL.
Sir:
Your editorial (SCORECARD, July 25) accurately reflects just how ineffective sports officials have been in their attempts to deter illegal off-the-field activities of professional athletes. It's ironic. Owners give outrageously high salaries to kids right out of high school and college. The young athletes become instantly rich and famous and suddenly can afford life in the fast lane, a great temptation to someone just out of his teens. Then management scratches its head when these kids get into trouble.

As long as huge salaries are given to young athletes, problems such as drug abuse are going to continue. When such problems occur, management should offer rehabilitation, not hand out punishment.
CRAIG PRICE
Lineville, Ala.

Sir:
Ray Miller 's comments on Steve Howe (19TH HOLE, July 25) sickened me. He says alcohol or drug addiction isn't an illness, but a weakness of the will. Well, Mr. Miller , try willpower when you've got diarrhea. I feel sorry for you and your dark-age attitude.
KIRBY WILCOX
Morris, Minn.

Sir:
Let's see now, there is alcohol illness; Art Schlichter has gambling illness; and Steve Howe has cocaine illness. I'm sure Billy Cannon has counterfeiting illness and Jesse James had train-robbery illness. It's good to know that no matter what I do, I'm just ill and not responsible. I'll sleep better tonight.
BOB WILLIS
Sarasota , Fla.

BILLY TUBBS 'S ACCIDENT
Sir:
The reference in SCORECARD (July 18) to the accident involving Oklahoma Basketball Coach Billy Tubbs didn't quite tell it like it is. As a personal friend of the driver of the vehicle, I would like to plead her case.

What happened on that Sunday is the following: Tubbs was jogging on a street that was wet from a previous rain. He was doing two things that are hazardous for joggers—wearing earphones and running with traffic instead of against it. He stepped out into the lane to avoid a puddle and into the path of the car. At no time was the driver at fault, and no citation was issued the driver.

I bring this to your attention because Tubbs 's references to being hit by a "charging" car are a source of consternation to my friend and unfair in that there was never any fault on her part.
ANONA ADAIR
Norman, Okla.

? Tubbs , who always tries to see the funny side of things, no doubt meant his remark to be taken as a joke. He has been quoted as saying that the accident was his fault.—ED.