Football and baseball.

Both American pastimes. Young boys dream of growing up to make it in one or the other.

But as time passes and these boys grow into men, many face reality and leave that dream behind; however, a select few find their niche with one or the other and vigorously pursue their glory.

But Chris Cisar is living out the ultimate boyhood fantasy.

Cisar, a junior from North Hills Pennsylvania, has displayed his athletic versatility as both a safety on the football field and, more recently, as a pitcher on the baseball diamond. But for Cisar, being a two-sport standout was not his personal boyhood dream.

"I didn't start playing football until ninth grade. I started playing baseball at an early age so I always liked baseball," he said. "I wasn't really big on football till later on in my childhood."

But growing up in the Pittsburgh area where people live and breathe football, Cisar said that when it became college decision time baseball had to take a back seat.

"Most of the schools I went to visit for football I spoke to the baseball coaches and I told them that I was going to take a football scholarship," he said. "So after I told them I was taking a football scholarship most of the baseball offers seemed to disappear."

The main ingredient which Cisar feels has enabled him to compete at the college level in two Division I sports is his ability to concentrate on one specific sport at a time.

"You have to be a hard worker. You also have to be able to distinguish between the two sports, know what you have to do and the capabilities of becoming the type of player you want to become," he said.

Most would think that two sports would put a strong mental strain on and athlete, but Cisar said that he has not experienced this type of problem.

"Baseball does not really take as much mental preparation as football does. For football you usually go staight through the year," he said. "So I'm used to always being in shape or in competition."

To make up for the spring football workouts which he is missing by playing baseball, Cisar plans to stay on campus this summer for workouts.

Meanwhile, Cisar said both the football and baseball coaches have been receptive to his decision to pursue both sports.

"Joe (Paterno) had told me that he did not have a problem with it as long as I'm making a major contribution to the other sport since football is paying my scholarship," Cisar said.

Baseball Coach Joe Hindelang said that he was excited when Cisar first approached him about playing baseball and that he has been pleased with his performance to date.

"Chris is an outstanding athlete and a good lefthand thrower. He hasn't really pitched since high school but he has shown us the athletic ability and willingness to learn," he said. "He has done a marvelous job of late and now we believe that he's one of the top four starters for us."

Cisar, who as of April 12 was leading the baseball squad in earned run average, feels that some of the traits he has developed over the last couple of years on the gridiron, especially his high intensity level, have helped ease the adjustment to the diamond.

"You become intense when you play football. In baseball not too many players have the intensity you would have or developed if you would have played football," Cisar said. "When the going gets rough is usually when I get going. As far as baseball, I like it when the game's on the line . . . I want to be a part of that play."

Hindelang agrees with Cisar in that the football experience plays a significant role in his baseball performance. He sees Cisar's major advantage stemming from what he likes to call "the competitive edge."

"He knows what it takes to win. He certainly has the physical ability and the mental focus and concentration you need to be an outstanding competitor and get the job done," Hindelang said.

Even though he has only been with the baseball team for half a season, Cisar said the sport's emphasis on individual fine tuning should help him come football season.

"As a pitcher, I find myself developing skills personally more than I do in football," he said. "Hopefully this will carry over to the football season."

Another factor which Cisar feels has contributed to his success is the support he has received from both sets of teammates.

"They (his football teammates) don't look at me like, 'He's doing this to get out of spring practice.' They support my decision and they're always curious if I'm doing well and how the team is making out," he said. "The baseball team is also a bunch of great guys."

Included in this group of supporters is O.J. McDuffie. McDuffie, who played both football and baseball last season, feels that it is not difficult at all to play both sports. In fact, he thought that it was easier since he felt baseball was less demanding than football. McDuffie said that the main advice he would give to Cisar on how to handle the situation involves keeping both sports in perspective.

"I would just tell him to enjoy baseball, but to remember to keep his strength and conditioning up since baseball does not stress these as much as football," he said. "He just needs to remember that after baseball's done to come back to football with the right attitude and get back into the football mind."

If the situation was to arise in which he had to choose between baseball or football, Cisar said that at this point he would have great trouble making that decision.

"I really haven't been in a starting role as a football player. This year hopefully I can move into the free safety position and win a starting role. I've only played a year of college baeball and not even a full year as of now," Cisar said. "I'm doing well, I think. I have a lot of work to do in both sports, so if it came down to it I would take what I could get right now."