THE LATEST LINE: COMPARING EXPENSES IS APPARENTLY NOT THAT EASY

Most of you might have already figured it out, but an Ohio Valley Conference report comparing the league's athletic programs that was recently released contained some extremely misleading information.

Under the heading of `operating expenses,' the report indicated that Southeast Missouri State University spends nearly $2.6 million annually on its athletic programs while some other OVC schools -- like Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky -- spend less than $500,000.

While SEMO has admittedly done an admirable job in funding for such a new Division I program, don't get the idea that the school is spending more than five times as much on sports as some more established Division I programs like EIU and EKU.

According to OVC commissioner Dan Beebe, the reason some of the operating expenses of the various OVC schools appeared to be so different is that certain schools reported different things on the NCAA's gender equity data form. Evidently, the form was a bit misleading in regards to what actually should be reported under the operating expenses category.

Some schools evidently report every expense -- coaches' salaries, scholarships, etc. -- while other schools evidently report only things like equipment expenses and travel expenses.

Beebe said it's really not clear what to report, hence the reason for the disparity in the operating expenses between the various league schools.

The bottom line, according to Beebe, is that the expenses are fairly similar at many of the OVC schools, although some might be spending a bit more than others.

"But I can guarantee you that schools like SEMO, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee are all pretty similar in their expenses," Beebe said. "It's certainly not any kind of difference like is listed in the report."

* Two former SEMO baseball stars recently received big promotions in their professional baseball careers.

Steve Bieser, who last played for the Indians in 1989 and has spent only a brief time in the major leagues during a pro career that has spanned nearly 10 seasons, was recalled by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Bieser was hitting .266 for the Pirates' Triple A team in Nashville, Tenn. Through the end of the week, the utility player had one hit in two at-bats for the Pirates.

Meanwhile, Kerry Robinson -- who last played for the Indians in 1995 -- was recently promoted to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Triple A team in Durham, N.C.

Robinson has been making a steady climb through the minor leagues since starting his pro career with the Cardinals' organization in 1995. Selected by Tampa Bay in this year's expansion draft, Robinson batted .269 for Double A Orlando before being moved up to Durham.

And Robinson has gotten off to an impressive start in Triple A. Through the end of the week, the speedy outfielder was batting .370 (10 for 27) in six games, with six RBIs and six stolen bases.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian