Mike Guardabascio - Gazettes -
Saturday morning, the first day of LBUSD’s winter break, you can bet that 99% of Long Beach’s high school kids were sleeping in, catching up on sleep they’ve skipped during the school week, perhaps dreaming about presents to come the following Saturday. The Millikan baseball team was up, working at the Eastman Boys & Girls Club on Del Amo, where they gave away over 200 toys and served over 350 pancake breakfasts to children and their families. Duncan Smith from the B&G helped put things together at the facility for Millikan.
The Rams served all the food, bused all the tables, sang carols, played with the kids, and helped Santa hand out toys. All but two players in the whole program, and every single coach attended, with pitching coach Kevin Marchael handling Santa duties (probably the only time you’ll see a Ram in red and white this year). Syrup was donated by Hof’s Hut, milk and OJ by Rockview Dairies, sausages by Farmer John, coffee and hot cocoa by Starbucks, and pancake batter by California Waffles.
We tip our cap to the Millikan program for taking a moment out of their vacation to give back—if you know of a player or team who’s giving back, shoot me an email at mike@gazettes.com and we’ll put up a story this week.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
UCLA Baseball
Junior right-handed pitchers Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole have earned preseason first-team Lousville Slugger All-America honors, as announced by Collegiate Baseball on Friday. Each pitcher secured second-team All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball as sophomores in 2010.
Collegiate Baseball has selected Bauer and Cole as two of its six starting pitchers to secure preseason first-team Louisville Slugger All-America honors. The Bruins' right-handed duo is joined by Danny Hultzen (Virginia), Taylor Jungmann (Texas), Matt Purke (TCU) and Noe Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton).
Bauer and Cole have excelled in UCLA's starting rotation since their freshman seasons. They are the only returning starting pitchers in the Pac-10 Conference who have earned All-Pac-10 Team honors the last two years. Cole was named a preseason first-team All-America selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA) earlier this week.
Hailing from Valencia, Calif., Bauer went 12-3 with a 3.02 ERA as a sophomore in 2010. He led the nation with 165 strikeouts in a team-high 131.1 innings. Bauer's 165 strikeouts established the school's single-season record. The right-hander went 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in four in the playoffs (four starts) to lead UCLA to the finals of the College World Series for the first time in program history.
With the college baseball season slated to start two months from Saturday, Bauer and Cole will return to the mound next spring with extensive resumes. Bauer has gone 21-6 with a 3.00 ERA in two seasons at UCLA, totaling 257 strikeouts and 68 walks in 236.2 innings. Cole has posted a 15-12 record with a 3.42 ERA in two years at UCLA, recording 257 strikeouts and 90 walks in 208.0 innings.
UCLA opens its 2011 schedule with a three-game series against San Francisco, beginning Friday, Feb. 18. Game time at Jackie Robinson Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.
Collegiate Baseball has selected Bauer and Cole as two of its six starting pitchers to secure preseason first-team Louisville Slugger All-America honors. The Bruins' right-handed duo is joined by Danny Hultzen (Virginia), Taylor Jungmann (Texas), Matt Purke (TCU) and Noe Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton).
Bauer and Cole have excelled in UCLA's starting rotation since their freshman seasons. They are the only returning starting pitchers in the Pac-10 Conference who have earned All-Pac-10 Team honors the last two years. Cole was named a preseason first-team All-America selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA) earlier this week.
Hailing from Valencia, Calif., Bauer went 12-3 with a 3.02 ERA as a sophomore in 2010. He led the nation with 165 strikeouts in a team-high 131.1 innings. Bauer's 165 strikeouts established the school's single-season record. The right-hander went 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in four in the playoffs (four starts) to lead UCLA to the finals of the College World Series for the first time in program history.
With the college baseball season slated to start two months from Saturday, Bauer and Cole will return to the mound next spring with extensive resumes. Bauer has gone 21-6 with a 3.00 ERA in two seasons at UCLA, totaling 257 strikeouts and 68 walks in 236.2 innings. Cole has posted a 15-12 record with a 3.42 ERA in two years at UCLA, recording 257 strikeouts and 90 walks in 208.0 innings.
UCLA opens its 2011 schedule with a three-game series against San Francisco, beginning Friday, Feb. 18. Game time at Jackie Robinson Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
CIF Approved Bat List
The CIF has posted an approved bat list on their web site. To check your bat for the 2011 season go to the CIF web site under helpful links on this page- then, go to the drop down list of sports and click baseball - then go to events & news releases. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Approved BBCOR Bats Coming Soon
Marie Ishida, executive director of the CIF, said Wednesday that a list of BBCOR-approved bats should be available by next week from the National Federation of State High School Assns. website and should be available for purchase at Sports Authority and other commercial outlets as early as December.
Sports Authority has agreed to put a CIF label on bats that can be used for the 2011 season and beyond.
The CIF is requiring aluminum bats used in 2011 must meet new BBCOR requirements. There also will be a list of bats that have a one-year waiver and can be used in 2011but not in 2012.
Sports Authority has agreed to put a CIF label on bats that can be used for the 2011 season and beyond.
The CIF is requiring aluminum bats used in 2011 must meet new BBCOR requirements. There also will be a list of bats that have a one-year waiver and can be used in 2011but not in 2012.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Scout All Star Game
There's a terrific all-star baseball game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mount San Antonio College featuring numerous top high school players from Southern California. Its the PBSSC Jesse Flores All-Star Game run by professional scouts.
Included on the North team are Aaron Brown (Chatsworth), Trevor Gretzky (Oaks Christian), Kyle Raubinger (Arroyo Grande), Shane Zeile (Valencia), Austin Davidson (Oxnard), Steven Karkenny (Chatsworth), Koby Gauna (St. John Bosco) and Quincy Quintero (Valencia).
Included on the South team are Eric Snyder (Edison), Travis Harrison (Tustin), Christian Lopes (Edison), Ryan Garvey (Palm Desert), Austin Hedges (JSerra) and Brandon Martin (Corona Santiago).
Should be a good one.
Included on the North team are Aaron Brown (Chatsworth), Trevor Gretzky (Oaks Christian), Kyle Raubinger (Arroyo Grande), Shane Zeile (Valencia), Austin Davidson (Oxnard), Steven Karkenny (Chatsworth), Koby Gauna (St. John Bosco) and Quincy Quintero (Valencia).
Included on the South team are Eric Snyder (Edison), Travis Harrison (Tustin), Christian Lopes (Edison), Ryan Garvey (Palm Desert), Austin Hedges (JSerra) and Brandon Martin (Corona Santiago).
Should be a good one.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
When Should Scholarships be Offered?
It's pretty amazing that UCLA Coach John Savage already has much of his pitching rotation lined up for 2013 with commitments from junior pitchers Hunter Virant (Camarillo), Max Fried (Montclair Prep) and Lucas Giolito (Harvard-Westlake), among others.
Of course, there's still time for late developers, but it's clear that recruiters are identifying prospects younger and younger, accelerating the recruiting process.
This is a tough call. Parents get upset when students don't make varsity as a freshman or sophomore, fearing it's going to hurt their college scholarship chances. But sometimes playing junior varsity or freshman ball is best for a player's development.
There's discussion in the NCAA about delaying when scholarships can be offered, which might lead to a last-minute stampede of decisions.
The key is parents and athletes need to educate themselves on the rules, get their academics in order and perform. Recruiters will find you.
Of course, there's still time for late developers, but it's clear that recruiters are identifying prospects younger and younger, accelerating the recruiting process.
This is a tough call. Parents get upset when students don't make varsity as a freshman or sophomore, fearing it's going to hurt their college scholarship chances. But sometimes playing junior varsity or freshman ball is best for a player's development.
There's discussion in the NCAA about delaying when scholarships can be offered, which might lead to a last-minute stampede of decisions.
The key is parents and athletes need to educate themselves on the rules, get their academics in order and perform. Recruiters will find you.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Baseball, Softball History Celebrated
Long Beach will continue to honor its robust baseball and softball past by inducting 12 new members to the Long Beach Baseball and Softball Hall of Fame this Saturday at Blair Field in Long Beach. Some of the inductees include:
Major League Baseball super-utility player Jack Rothrock. He played for four teams and won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also recorded an appearance at all nine positions over the course of the 1928 season.Jerry Gardner, who played and managed many years in minor league baseball before becoming a scout. He helped sign Barry Bonds to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dodgers beat writer George Lederer of the Press-Telegram. George also worked public relations for the Angels later in his career. Damion Easley who was an All-Star and Silver Slugger shortstop in 1998 will be on hand along with Ray McKinstry and Don Anderson who will be honored for community involvement. Dan Peters former Millikan, LBCC and CSF player will be recognized as well.
The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. at Blair Field, 4700 Deukmejian Dr.
Major League Baseball super-utility player Jack Rothrock. He played for four teams and won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also recorded an appearance at all nine positions over the course of the 1928 season.Jerry Gardner, who played and managed many years in minor league baseball before becoming a scout. He helped sign Barry Bonds to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dodgers beat writer George Lederer of the Press-Telegram. George also worked public relations for the Angels later in his career. Damion Easley who was an All-Star and Silver Slugger shortstop in 1998 will be on hand along with Ray McKinstry and Don Anderson who will be honored for community involvement. Dan Peters former Millikan, LBCC and CSF player will be recognized as well.
The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. at Blair Field, 4700 Deukmejian Dr.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Friendship Series
The Urban Youth Academy in Compton will be the site for the USA-Japan Friendship Series set to take place this weekend. The first game is Saturday at noon, followed by Sunday at 1 p.m. and Monday at 1 p.m.
Former Dodger great Steve Garvey will throw out the first pitch on Saturday.
Among the U.S. players is Garvey's son, Ryan, who plays for Palm Desert.
Also on the team are infielders Daniel Arellano (Compton Centennial), Ron Miller (Gardena Serra), Mark Silva (Paramount), Thomas Walker (Long Beach Poly), outfielders J.P. Crawford (Lakewood), Travis Harrison (Tustin), Desmond Henry (Compton Centennial), Austin Wilson (Stanford), catchers Darrell Miller (Servite) and R.J. Ybarra (Riverside Poly) and pitchers Ryan Keller (West Ranch), Kerry Kelly (Palmdale), Marcos Lara (Compton CC), Mike Martin (L.A. Cathedral), Kyle Twomey (El Dorado) and Aki Yamamoto (South Torrance).
Side Note:
Brett Kay has been given a five-year contract extension as baseball coach at San Juan Capistrano JSerra. That's pretty good job security for a private school, but Kay deserves it.
He guided the Lions to their first Trinity League title in 2009 and has steadily built the program into an elite one since taking over in 2006. And he also has attracted the attention of college coaches.
Former Dodger great Steve Garvey will throw out the first pitch on Saturday.
Among the U.S. players is Garvey's son, Ryan, who plays for Palm Desert.
Also on the team are infielders Daniel Arellano (Compton Centennial), Ron Miller (Gardena Serra), Mark Silva (Paramount), Thomas Walker (Long Beach Poly), outfielders J.P. Crawford (Lakewood), Travis Harrison (Tustin), Desmond Henry (Compton Centennial), Austin Wilson (Stanford), catchers Darrell Miller (Servite) and R.J. Ybarra (Riverside Poly) and pitchers Ryan Keller (West Ranch), Kerry Kelly (Palmdale), Marcos Lara (Compton CC), Mike Martin (L.A. Cathedral), Kyle Twomey (El Dorado) and Aki Yamamoto (South Torrance).
Side Note:
Brett Kay has been given a five-year contract extension as baseball coach at San Juan Capistrano JSerra. That's pretty good job security for a private school, but Kay deserves it.
He guided the Lions to their first Trinity League title in 2009 and has steadily built the program into an elite one since taking over in 2006. And he also has attracted the attention of college coaches.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
UCLA Requits
Pitchers Adam Plutko from Glendora and Zach Weiss from Irvine Northwood have rejected professional baseball offers and will enroll as scheduled at UCLA this fall.
Plutko, a sixth-round draft choice of the Astros, was offered a signing bonus of more than $1 million. Weiss was taken in the 10th round by the Pirates.
It's great news for UCLA Coach John Savage, who returns his two top pitchers in Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer but needs to find a No. 3 and No. 4 starter. Plutko and Weiss will be contenders for both spots. Also turning down a pro contract to join the Bruins was Cerritos Gahr outfielder Brenton Allen, a ninth-round pick of the Phillies.
USC lost Palo Alto High outfielder Joc Pederson, an 11th-round pick of the Dodgers who received a $600,000 bonus.
Cal State Fullerton lost Dana Hills pitcher Peter Tago, taken No. 47 overall by the Rockies. Titans outfielder Gary Brown, a first-round pick of the Giants, signed for $1.45 million.
Westlake Village Westlake first baseman Christian Yelich, taken No. 23 by the Marlins, signed for $1.7 million instead of going to Miami, according to Baseball America.
Plutko, a sixth-round draft choice of the Astros, was offered a signing bonus of more than $1 million. Weiss was taken in the 10th round by the Pirates.
It's great news for UCLA Coach John Savage, who returns his two top pitchers in Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer but needs to find a No. 3 and No. 4 starter. Plutko and Weiss will be contenders for both spots. Also turning down a pro contract to join the Bruins was Cerritos Gahr outfielder Brenton Allen, a ninth-round pick of the Phillies.
USC lost Palo Alto High outfielder Joc Pederson, an 11th-round pick of the Dodgers who received a $600,000 bonus.
Cal State Fullerton lost Dana Hills pitcher Peter Tago, taken No. 47 overall by the Rockies. Titans outfielder Gary Brown, a first-round pick of the Giants, signed for $1.45 million.
Westlake Village Westlake first baseman Christian Yelich, taken No. 23 by the Marlins, signed for $1.7 million instead of going to Miami, according to Baseball America.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Assemblyman Withdraws Bill on Metal Bats
Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) confirmed Wednesday morning at a news conference in Sacramento that he was withdrawing his bill, AB 7, that would have imposed a one-year moratorium on non-wood bats for the 2011 season after reaching agreement with the CIF on new safety standards for metal bats.
Update: Marie Ishida, executive director of the CIF, said it will be up to the sections to vote on whether to require mandatory headgear for infielders in 2012. She said manufacturers first must develop gear that's less cumbersome.
Update: Marie Ishida, executive director of the CIF, said it will be up to the sections to vote on whether to require mandatory headgear for infielders in 2012. She said manufacturers first must develop gear that's less cumbersome.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
CIF Executive Committee Rule Changes
The executive committee of the California Interscholastic Federation approved last week a motion that would require aluminum baseball bats to be used for the 2011 season to meet the new BBCOR performance standards.
It also passed a motion that would mandate the CIF to encourage member schools to voluntarily require protective headgear for baseball and softball infielders and pitchers for the 2011 season, while also proposing to the National Federation of State High School Assn. Baseball and Softball rules committees to develop standards for protective headgear in 2012.
The motions come in response to a pending bill in the State Legislature, AB 7, that would prohibit non-wood bats for the 2011 season. The bill's author, Jared Huffman, had been negotiating with the CIF, so he's expected to withdraw the bill. College baseball teams are switching to the new BBCOR performance standard next season.
Requiring infielders to wear protective headgear in baseball will not be popular. "As an infielder, I wouldn't want to wear one," Mission Hills Alemany Coach Randy Thompson said. "I could see pitchers wearing a skull cap under the hat."
The actions come after lots of lobbying and publicity in the wake of several injuries suffered last season after balls hit from metal bats struck high school players in the head.
What do you think?
It also passed a motion that would mandate the CIF to encourage member schools to voluntarily require protective headgear for baseball and softball infielders and pitchers for the 2011 season, while also proposing to the National Federation of State High School Assn. Baseball and Softball rules committees to develop standards for protective headgear in 2012.
The motions come in response to a pending bill in the State Legislature, AB 7, that would prohibit non-wood bats for the 2011 season. The bill's author, Jared Huffman, had been negotiating with the CIF, so he's expected to withdraw the bill. College baseball teams are switching to the new BBCOR performance standard next season.
Requiring infielders to wear protective headgear in baseball will not be popular. "As an infielder, I wouldn't want to wear one," Mission Hills Alemany Coach Randy Thompson said. "I could see pitchers wearing a skull cap under the hat."
The actions come after lots of lobbying and publicity in the wake of several injuries suffered last season after balls hit from metal bats struck high school players in the head.
What do you think?
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