Prime-time telecasts are scheduled daily on WMAQ-TV (Ch. 5) from 6:30-11 p.m. Team sports scheduled to be included in prime-time telecasts are listed here, along with additional day-time and late-night telecasts scheduled each day.
– Saturday, Sept. 17: Men`s basketball preliminaries, men`s volleyball preliminaries
– Sunday, Sept. 18: Women`s basketball preliminaries, men`s volleyball preliminaries
– Monday, Sept. 19: Men`s basketball preliminaries, women`s volleyball preliminaries, men`s and women`s rowing heats
– Tuesday, Sept. 20: Men`s basketball preliminaries, men`s and women`s track cycling heats
– Wednesday, Sept. 21: Men`s volleyball preliminaries, women`s basketball preliminaries, men`s and women`s rowing semifinals, men`s and women`s track cycling heats
– Thursday, Sept. 22: Men`s basketball preliminaries.
– Friday, Sept. 23: Men`s and women`s rowing finals, men`s volleyball preliminaries.
– Saturday, Sept. 24: Men`s and women`s rowing finals, women`s basketball preliminaries.
– Sunday, Sept. 25: Men`s basketball quarterfinals, women`s cycling road race, men`s volleyball preliminaries.
– Monday, Sept. 26: Men`s cycling road race, women`s basketball semifinals, women`s volleyball semifinals
– Tuesday, Sept. 27: Men`s basketball semifinals.
– Wednesday, Sept. 28: Women`s basketball final, men`s and women`s canoeing semifinals.
– Thursday, Sept. 29: Men`s basketball final, men`s volleyball semifinals, men`s tennis singles final, men`s and women`s canoeing finals.
– Friday, Sept. 30: Women`s tennis singles final, men`s and women`s canoeing finals.
– Saturday, Oct. 1: Men`s volleyball final
WHAT IT MEANS
– Balk: In baseball, a break in a pitcher`s motion or a failure by the pitcher to come to a complete stop before releasing the ball, resulting in each runner advancing one base.
– Bonk: In cycling, when a racer runs completely out of energy, likened to
”hitting the wall” in marathon running.
– Deuce: In tennis, when both players have scored four points in a game, the score is deuce. One player must score a two-point advantage to win a game.
– DH: Abbreviation for designated hitter in baseball. The DH hits in place of the pitcher but does not play the field.
– Heats: Preliminary races.
– Hitting for the cycle: In baseball, a player hitting at least one single, double, triple and home run in one game.
– Love: In tennis scoring, zero points is called love. This is derived from the French word l`oeuf, meaning egg.
– Man-to-man: A defensive style in basketball in which each player on the defending team guards a specific opposing player.
– Ping-Pong: Another name for the sport of table tennis.
– Puddles: Swirls in the water left by oars when rowing.
– Repechage: In certain events, losers of initial qualifying heats are given a second chance to advance in another series of races, called repechages.
– Swinging: In rowing, when a crew is stroking in perfect unison.
– Throw-in: A means of putting a ball into play by standing outside the boundaries of the court or field and throwing the ball to a teammate on the court or field to begin or resume play.
– Zone: In basketball, a defensive style in which each player is assigned a certain area on the court to guard and any opposing player moving into that area becomes that defender`s responsibility.
BASKETBALL
– Event: In the Olympics, 12 teams of 12 players each qualify to compete in the men`s tournmanet, six teams in the women`s event. The men`s teams are divided into two groups, which compete in a round-robin. The two teams with the best records in each group advance, each playing one of the two best teams from the other group to determine the finalists. The women play a round-robin with the teams with the best records winning medals.
– Game: Games are 40 minutes long (eight minutes shorter than NBA games) with two 20-minute halves. Halftime is usually 10 or more minutes long. A game tied at the end of regulation goes into a five-minute overtime period. As many five-minute overtime periods as necessary are played to produce a winner.
– Rules: Some rules of play: A team on offense has 10 seconds to move the ball across the center line and 30 seconds to take a shot; when the ball goes out of bounds, it is awarded to the team that did not touch it last and that team has five seconds to throw it in bounds; no player on offense can remain more than three seconds in the free throw lane in front of the opponent`s basket;
if a closely guarded player with the ball fails to make a move (dribble, shoot, pass, etc.) within five seconds, a held ball is called and the ball goes to the other team; each team is allowed two one-minute timeouts a half.
– Fouls: If a player is fouled while shooting, he/she is awarded one free throw if the shot is good, two free throws if the shot is not good and three free throws if the shot is not good and was attempted from the three-point area. Two free throws are awarded for a technical foul. Each player is allowed five fouls, after which he/she is disqualified. Each team is allowed seven fouls a half before the opposing team goes into a bonus situation, with a player awarded one free throw receiving a second one if he makes the first shot.
– Jump balls: Each half and overtime period starts with a jump ball. Jump balls also occur when it cannot be determined which team knocked the ball out of bounds, the ball gets lodged on the basket supports or accidentally enters the basket from below.
– Ball: The ball is a 30-31 in. sphere with a pebbled leather cover over a rubber bladder. It weights 21-23 ounces. When inflated and dropped from a height of about six feet, it should bounce to a height of about 4 ft. 9 in.
– The Court: Length: 85 ft. long (International court, NBA and U.S. college courts are 94 ft. long). Width: 47 ft. 1/4 in. (International court, NBA and U.S. college courts are 50 ft. wide). Basket: 10 ft. high, attached to glass backboard. Three-point shot line: 20 ft. 6 in. from basket.
VOLLEYBALL
– The event: The Olympic field consists of 12 men`s teams and eight women`s teams. The object of the game is to have the ball strike the floor on the opponent`s side of the court. On any given play, each team has a maximum of 3 hits to accomplish this. A player may not make contact with the ball twice in succession, except when there is successive contact by blockers, or simultaneous contacts by opponents. The defensive team attempts to keep the ball from hitting the floor on their side. A ball must be cleanly hit, it cannot be thrown. A team only makes points when it serves. The serving team keeps the serve as long as they make a point; the opposing team takes over the serve when the serving team fails to make a point while they are on the attack. The first team scoring 15 points wins the game, provided there is a two-point advantage.
– The ball: Laceless leather; 25-27 inches in circumference; weighs 9-10 oz;
when jump serving, the ball clears the net by inches and travels at nearly 80 miles per hour.
Cycling
– Events: Cycling consists of track and road racing, both held outdoors. Countries enter separate track and road racing teams.
– Track races: Held on a concrete velodrome, these include five men`s races and one women`s race: 1,000-meter match sprint (men and women), 1,000-meter individual time trial (men), 4,000-meter individual pursuit (men), 4,000-meter team pursuit (men) and 40-kilometer points race (men). Match races pit two cyclists against each other, time trials are raced by single cyclists or teams against the clock, pursuits are two cyclists or two teams starting at opposite ends of the track attempting to overtake each other, points races are longer races with sprints occurring periodically and points scored for the time on each sprint.
– Road races: Held on streets and roads, these include an individual race, 122.4 miles for men, 50.9 miles for women, in which a pack of cyclists go off together with the winner the first to finish, and a 100-kilometer team time trial for men, in which teams of four ride as a unit against the clock.
– Clothing: In competition, cyclists must wear black shorts, usually made of lycra, that reach approximately to mid-thigh and racing jerseys that cover the shoulders.
– Drafting: Riding closely behind another racer to takeadvantage of the air pocket created by the racer in front, enabling the racer in back to go the same speed without using as much energy
– Banked track made of concrete, 333.3 meters (about 365 yds. 1/2 ft.) in circumference
– U.S. velodrome bike
– Cost: $45,000
– Made of: Carbon graphite
– Weight: Overall, 16 lbs., frame weighs 3.3 lbs.
– Wheelbase: 26 1/2 in.
– Head tube: Worn in track races, made of fiberglass
– Disc wheels: Allowed in competition, but add extra weight and create instability in crosswinds
ROWING
– Events: All events are raced in a single direction in lanes over a distance of 2,000 meters. Men and women row in single, double and quadruple sculls, uncoxed pairs and coxed fours and eights. Men also row in coxed pairs and uncoxed fours. Boats compete in heats, with winners advancing. Losers compete in repechages (losers-bracket races) for a second chance to advance. Six teams make each final.
– Boat size: Typical dimensions are singles sculls, 27 ft. long; uncoxed pairs and doubles sculls, 34 ft.; coxed pairs, 35 ft.; uncoxed fours and men`s quadruple sculls, 44 ft.; coxed fours and women`s quadruple sculls, 45 ft.;
eights, 62 ft.
– Sweeping: Each rower uses one oar on one side of the boat,
as shown.
– Sculling: Each rower uses two oars, one on each side of boat.
– Coxswain: He/she steers the boat by pulling ropes attached to the rudder and coaches the crew during races.
Seat: Slides from front to back on rollers.
Shoes: Attached to floor of boat.
Rigger: Holds oar in place
CANOEING
– Events: Men compete in four events, 500- and 1,000-meter singles and pairs, on a flat-water course in 9-meter wide lanes. Heat winners advance to the next round and losers go into repechages for a second chance to advance. Nine boats qualify for the final.
KAYAKING
– Events: Men compete in 500- and 1,000- meter singles and pairs and 1,000-meter fours. Women compete in 500-meter singles, pairs and fours. Heat winners advance to the next round while losers go into repechages for a second chance to advance. Nine boats qualify for the final and the winner is the first boat to reach the finish line.
– Technique: A kayaker sits down in the hollowed-out hull of the boat. He/she uses a single paddle with blades on both ends. The rudder is connected by cable to a steering bar that is operated by the kayaker`s feet (in pairs and fours, the kayaker sitting in front operates the steering bar).
Paddle: 7 ft. 3 in.-7 ft. 6 in. long for men, 2 in. shorter for women, made of wood, lengths vary depending on rowers` heights.
YACHTING
– Event: Using sail power only, competitors aim to be first to finish a set course. Each country may enter one boat in each of eight classes. Seven races, one daily, are held in each class. A point system based on each race result determines placings.
– Tacking: Also called coming about, it is to alter course from port (left) to starboard (right), or vice versa, to head into the wind.
– Jibing: Altering course to head away from the wind, usually is slower and takes up more water than a tack.
– Course: Usually triangular with three marks and including windward
(direction from which wind blows), leeward (direction to which wind blows), windward runs.
– Overtaking: A yacht is overtaking when her bow (front) pulls even with the stern (back) of a boat ahead and the boats are two lengths or less apart.
– Passing windward: Overtaking yacht must keep clear.
– Passing leeward: Yacht ahead must keep clear and overtaking yacht must allow her room to do so.
– Trim a sail: To pull the sail in.
– Heeling: When a boat leans over on its side.
TABLE TENNIS
– Event: Men and women compete in single elimination tournaments in both singles and doubles. A game is won when a player reaches 21 points (must win by at least two).
– The first player to win three games wins the match. Each player tries to hit the ball over the net and onto the opponent`s side of the table so that it can not be returned. A point is scored if the ball is hit into the net, off the table, bounces twice or is served into the net.
– Paddle: The paddle may be of any size, weight and shape, but the face must be flat, rigid and made of wood. The paddle`s sides must be colored red and black and may be plain wood or covered with smooth or pebbled rubber.
– Ball: The ball is made of celluloid or similar plastic and colored yellow or white. It weighs less than a tenth of an ounce and is 1.4-1.5 in. in diameter. – Chinese or penholder grip: Paddle held between thumb and forefinger, used in fast-attack style designed to overwhelm opponents.
– Western or handshake grip: Traditional grip resembles shaking hands with paddle, used for topspin and to set up kills.
TENNIS
– Events: Any player who represented his or her country in the Davis Cup (men) or Federation Cup (women) in the last two years is eligible to compete in the Olympics. In singles, 64 men and 48 women will participate. In doubles, there will be 32 men`s teams and eight women`s teams. The tournaments will be single elimination in each event.
– Rules: The Olympic rules will be the same as those governing play on the professional circuits.
– Scoring: To win a game, a player must score four points and win by two. The first player to win six games, also by a margin of two, wins a set. The first player to win two sets in women`s events or three sets in men`s wins a match. – Clothing: Must be mostly white with no endorsements
– Court: In the Olympics, players will compete on outdoor hardcourts. Lines on the court are marked in white.
– Ball: Yellow or white, 2 1/2-2 5/8 in. in diameter, weighs 2-2 1/16 oz.
– Racket: Must be no more than 32 in. long and 12 1/2 in. wide
BASEBALL
– The event: Played by two nine-man teams, plus a designated hitter (who bats for the pitcher). The object of the game is to score runs by advancing from home plate, around the bases in order, and returning to home plate. Batters advance by hitting the ball out of reach of the defense, hitting a ground ball and reaching first base before the ball is thrown there, by a walk (taking four pitches out of the strike before accruing three strike) or being hit by a pitch. The game consists of nine innings. Each team bats once in each inning and is allowed three outs per inning. The home team (assigned by the Olympic organizers) bats last in each inning. If the game is tied after regulation play, extra innings are played to break the tie.
– Olympic format: Two four-team brackets; first place teams play second place teams in opposite division; Winners advace to gold medal series, losers play for bronze. Baseball is not recognized as a full medal sport and will be awarded special demonstration medals.
– The bat: Made of aluminum or hardwoods such as hickory. Tape is permitted along the bottom third of the bat to improve grip.
– The ball: Made of yarn wound around a hard rubber core, covered with tightly stitched leather; 9-9 1/4 inches cir.; weighs 5-5 1/4 oz.
– The strike zone: Midway between shoulder and belt to top of knees.
FIELD HOCKEY
-The event: Similar to soccer with a stick, the game is played for two halves, each lasting thirty-five minutes. Teams of eleven players compete on a 100 x 60- yard field. The object of the game is to hit a 3 1/2-inch hard leather or plastic-covered ball into the opponents goal. Heavily padded goalkeepers are used to defend the goals. A team is comprised of a goalkeeper, backs, midfielders and forwards. Players use field hockey sticks with curved wooden heads that are flat on one side. Players are not allowed to use any part of their bodies or sticks to prevent opponents from hitting the ball. Teams are divided into two groups with the top two in each group advancing to the semifinals. Teams receive two points for a win and one for a draw. In event of a tie after group matches, the team with the bigger goal difference is ranked higher. If the goal difference is the same, the team that has scored the most goals is ranked higher. In the medal round, ties are broken by penalty strokes, with five players from each team taking turns.
– Scoring: Field goals must be hit from within the 16-yard semicircle in front of the goal. Penalty corners are awarded for deliberate fouls by the defense outside the circle but within the 25-yard line or for accidental fouls inside the circle. Penalty strokes are awarded for a deliberate foul by a defender inside the circle or for an unintentional foul that prevents a goal from being scored.
– Penalty corners: Player hits ball from the goal line to a teammate kneeling at the edge of the shooting circle, who stops it, allowing another teammate to take a shot.
– Penalty stroke: Taken on a spot seven yards in front of goal by a single player against the goalkeeper.
– Stick: 3 ft. in length; weight, 28 oz. (men), 23 oz. (women).
– Ball: 3 1/2 in. in dia.; weighs 5 1/2-5 3/4 oz.
SOCCER
– Event: Soccer, known outside the U.S. and Canada as football, is played with teams of 11 men. The object of the game is to direct the ball into the goal without using the hands. The team with the most goals wins.
– A two-year qualifying process produces 12 Olympic entrants, who are divided into four groups. In group round-robin competitions, teams gain two points for a win, one point for a tie. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals, with winners there advancing to the semifinals. Semifinal winners play one game for the gold and silver medals, semifinal losers play for the bronze.
– Ball:Slightly smaller than a basketball (26-27in. circumference), weighs 14-16 oz.inflated, outer casing made of leather.
TEAM HANDBALL
– The game: People who are familiar with the game have described team handball as ”water polo on land” and ”soccer with hand”. Basically, it is a noncontact game of throwing a leather-paneled ball into the opponent`s net. Two teams of seven players, one goalie and six court players, play two 30-minute halves on a 22- x 44-yard court (about 15 feet longer than a basketball court). The ball is moved by dribbling and passing. Players may stop, catch, throw, hit or bounce the ball with any part of their bodies above the knee, and may play the ball while sitting, kneeling or lying on the court . Players can hold the ball for no more than three seconds while standing still. While on the move, a player is allowed three steps before he or she must pass, dribble or shoot the ball. Good athletes must possess a strong throwing arm, jumping ability, speed, mental quickness and substantial size.
– The court: Only the goalie is allowed inside the goal area. Shooters can dive into the area but must release the ball before touching the ground.
– The offense: Plays are designed for players to shoot either over or betwen the defensive players, who must stay six meters (19 ft. 8 1/4 inches) from the goal.
– The defense: Players are allowed a certain amount of contact, similar to that in hockey.
– Penalties: If fouled in the act of shooting, a player gets a penalty throw from the penalty mark within three seconds of the referee`s signal. A free throw is awarded for minor infringement and is taken from the point of the violation. Two minute suspensions are given for serious fouls.
– Men`s ball: 23 inches cir., weighs 16oz.
– Women`s ball: 21 1/2 inches cir., weighs 13 oz.
(color) Chicago Tribune Graphic by Judie Anderson, John Hancock, Annette Ney Meade, Dennis Odom and Terry Volpp Sources: Amateur Basketball Association of the U.S.; Bicycle Guide, Aug. 1988; Cycling, Aug. 1988; Everbody`s Soccer Book; Huffy Corp., NBC Viewer`s Guide; The Rule Book; The Sailing Lifestyle;
Summer Games Access 1988; U.S. Volleyball Association; What`s What in Sports.
