Pete Rose can be real classless act

Pete Rose has ruffled some feathers again, this time over his barnyard language at a U.S. Army-sponsored baseball camp for kids.

Baseball's disgraced hit king, who signs autographs at Caesars Palace four days a week, probably "was a complete embarrassment," Staff Sgt. Steven Tischer told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Tischer is commander of a suburban Cincinnati U.S. Army Recruiting Station that sponsored the baseball camp last month for 7- to 14-year-olds. Rose was among a group of former Reds players who participated.

"You don't swear in front of kids, that's just common sense," said Tischer. "He dropped the F-bomb and the S-bomb. He told them winning is everything and if you get second place you're just losers."

Rose mentioned gambling, told a raunchy anecdote about seeing Joe Dimaggio in a shower and said he was upset -- he used an earthier word than that -- because former Reds owner Marge Schott left him out of her will.

"It was like an uncle at Thanksgiving you want to stick in a back corner," said Renee Collins, a mother who brought her son to the camp.

MEDIA UPDATE

KTNV-TV, Channel 13 announced its anchor changes Friday, most notably the pairing of Nina Radetich, a former evening anchor at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, with Steve Wolford. They will anchor the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts effective June 9, 2008. At that time, Tricia Kean will move to the early evening newscasts, plus continue Contact 13 reporting. Evening meteorologist Bryan Scofield and morning/midday anchor Rikki Cheese have signed contract extentions. Mike Tsolinas has also signed a new long-term contract to continue doing weather for morning and midday shows. Casey Smith begins co-anchoring the 4 p.m. news starting Aug. 20 with Kean on Mondays and Tiffani Sargent on Tuesday through Friday. He will serve as night reporter Monday through Friday. Wolford will continue his duties anchoring 5-6-11 p.m. newscasts, Monday through Friday. Cathy Ray remains on medical leave. ...

Cher Calvin, former KVVU-TV, Channel 5 anchor, got engaged in Hong Kong this week on her birthday. She moved to KTLA-TV in Los Angeles in early 2005. ... Carla Rea, public relations/community affairs director at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, continues to pursue her passion for standup comedy. She's performing tonight and Sunday at the Riviera Comedy Club. ... Bryan Bass has resigned as vice president of operations at Beautiful People LLC, which includes Food & Beverage Magazine, The Vegas Eye and an event division. ... Marleen Marino is celebrating her 62nd birthday and the second anniversary of her Web site,VegasCommunity Online.com, on Tuesday at Take 1 Nightclub.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The Snow Day promotion at the Palms was shut down during Ditch Friday after 2 1/2 hours over a permit issue. An Eye Spy said a fire marshal showed up and said Miller Brewing, the event sponsor, didn't have a permit or a health card. About 25 tons of artificial snow was created for a tubing slope. ... Our condolences to Liza Minnelli. Her longtime music director and conductor, Bill "Pappy" LaVorgna, who was also Judy Garland's drummer, died earlier this week. He was 74. Minnelli and LaVorgna were so close that during her appearances at the Luxor, she introduced LaVorgna as a member of the family.

SIGHTINGS

Candy Spelling, with two of her lady friends, at the 7 p.m. performance of "Love" (Mirage) on Thursday before dining at Japonais.

THE PUNCH LINE

"It was so hot that NBA ref was fixing hockey games." -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.