TV Stars at Play

Sports and Fitness Tips from Your Favorite Performers

by Digby Diehl, TV Guide, 6/19/93

Thanks to Rosie in Australia!

What do TV-land's weekend warriors know about fitness fun that you don't?  You'd be surprised.  We checked in with a few celebs for advice on cutting loose.

A Martinez:  Daddy at the Bat

    'When I was a little kid living in Tujunga (a suburb of Los Angeles), I was crazy about the Brooklyn Dodgers," admits A Martinez of L.A. Law.  "When they brought the whole team across the country to my home town, I couldn't believe it."  His love for the national pastime extended to playing, and he spent five seasons in the California Baseball Association before going on to Emmy-winning fame on Santa Barbara in 1984.  "I have always felt that playing competitive sports was useful for me as an actor," says Martinez.  "If you're used to being nervous about something else -- like the bases being loaded -- it helps during auditions.  To function in baseball, you have to stay relaxed.  But that's difficult because it is so competitive.  It's a lot like trying to act natural in front of a TV camera."  These days, Martinez is passing his passion for the game on to his son, Dakota Lee (almost 7, pictured), and daughter, 4-year-old Devon Makena -- teaching them about what he sees as baseball's unique balance of athletics and intellect.  Says A:  "I've always liked the fact that you don't have to be real tall or real big to contribute in baseball."

A's Tips

Try to imagine the correct handling of certain plays in detail.  It's much easier if you do that mental work -- use your mind ahead of time.

When hitting, learn whatever trigger mechanism you need to put your whole body into the swing.

If you want to pitch, don't try to throw too many fancy pitches when you're young.  I damaged my elbow by throwing sliders and wound up playing second base.

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