Bill Aker, 62, who served as Northern Kentucky University's baseball coach for the program's first 28 seasons, retired in 2000 but recently made a notable return to the world of coaching.He served as an ambassador for Major League Baseball this summer in Germany, spending seven weeks in three different cities while teaching baseball to children, teenagers and adults. Aker was given a small stipend; his accommodations and meals were provided by host families. Aker, who went 806-572-1 at NKU and had two Division II World Series appearances, took time this week to answer five questions from the Enquirer's Neil Schmidt.

        1. How did you end up getting this assignment?

        Major League Baseball had some people out at (an American Baseball Coaches Association) convention I went to last year in Orlando (Fla.). I kind of wanted to do this before, but when I was working, I couldn't. Summer was recruiting time and the time to work (NKU) camps.I put my name in and thought it'd be about a year before I heard from them, but they called me in three weeks. They gave me a chance to go to Austria, Germany or England. I had been to Germany before and liked the people.

        2. What is Baseball trying to accomplish?

        I think they're trying to get interest in baseball throughout the world. It's another recruiting area that could open up for them. Financially, I'm sure they want to see Atlanta Braves hats and T-shirts or whatever being sold in other countries. Most of the countries they're sending coaches to seem to be in Europe.Baseball's pretty new in Germany, though they started sending coaches over there six years ago. The Netherlands and Italy are pretty good. They're beyond some of the other (European) countries; they've been playing longer.

        3. What was the experience like?

        The kids that are really interested in baseball really follow the ESPNs, CNNs. They get on computers and follow their teams, what they're doing. Soccer still is No.1. I was there during the World Cup; you couldn't believe the interest in soccer. I also went to some grade schools where some kids had no idea what a baseball is or how you played.

        The kids that played were very dedicated. Sometimes it rained all day, but I was only going in each city for two weeks, so we'd be out playing anyway.

        Anything you could tell them to help them, they really thought you were like God to them. Whatever they'd ask me about, they were very receptive to trying things. I don't speak German. I had a little cheat book, but I didn't really need to do it. I spoke all in English, and most of the time they understood. They had a translator there if they didn't.

        4. Will you do this again? Do you miss baseball in retirement?

        They've already called and asked if I'd do it again, but I haven't decided anything. I kind of enjoy the retirement. I've learned to live very well without the pressure of winning all the time.I still go to watch Northern play and I've seen Thomas More play; both those coaches (NKU's Todd Asalon and TMC's Jeff Hetzer) played for me.

        5. What are your thoughts on the potential major-league strike?

        If they go on strike, they're really going to do a disservice to the game. I can't believe how many (fans) left the game after the '94 strike and how many kids stopped playing. I think (owners and players) are going to cut their own head off if they do it again.

Reds 4, Padres 3 Reds box, runs Reds Q&A Staff ace, Dessens, could be destined for DL Braves 6, Cardinals 1 Five Questions with Bill Aker Louisville 8, Charlotte 7

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