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.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
LAUSD Superintendent Rescinds $24 Donation Request
Ramon Cortines, superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District, announced Thursday that he is rescinding a request for a voluntary $24 donation from each student athlete to help pay for a $650,000 cut in transportation funding for the City Section sports program.
"After further review of the voluntary $24 per student transportation donation for high school sporting events this year, I have ordered this decision for a request for this voluntary fee be rescinded and have asked staff to go back and review other alternatives," according to the statement.
"Although this district is in a financial crisis, I am asking for other financial options to cover the $650,000 needed for the district's athletics transportation budget."
The City Section Athletics office sent an email to schools and coaches informing them of the decision.
Robert Alaniz, the district spokesman, said Cortines had been unaware of the $24 donation request and was concerned that students who could not or did not contribute would face a stigma.
Is he kidding? Two key words here: Voluntary and Request. If $24 dollars could save an entire districts athletic transportation needs (or help relieve the cost), why not try it. Coaches would find a way for their athletes to raise the money, if they could not afford the $24 dollars a year - and other options could be implemented as well.
LA Unified is not the only district facing cuts and refusing to consider minor athletic fees to keep their programs alive. In an era where most kids have at least one or more of the following items; cell phone, IPod, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PSP, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS video games - not to mention things like; skateboards, bikes, athletic shoes and equipment - a $24 dollar fee seems like a reasonable request. What do you think?
"After further review of the voluntary $24 per student transportation donation for high school sporting events this year, I have ordered this decision for a request for this voluntary fee be rescinded and have asked staff to go back and review other alternatives," according to the statement.
"Although this district is in a financial crisis, I am asking for other financial options to cover the $650,000 needed for the district's athletics transportation budget."
The City Section Athletics office sent an email to schools and coaches informing them of the decision.
Robert Alaniz, the district spokesman, said Cortines had been unaware of the $24 donation request and was concerned that students who could not or did not contribute would face a stigma.
Is he kidding? Two key words here: Voluntary and Request. If $24 dollars could save an entire districts athletic transportation needs (or help relieve the cost), why not try it. Coaches would find a way for their athletes to raise the money, if they could not afford the $24 dollars a year - and other options could be implemented as well.
LA Unified is not the only district facing cuts and refusing to consider minor athletic fees to keep their programs alive. In an era where most kids have at least one or more of the following items; cell phone, IPod, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PSP, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS video games - not to mention things like; skateboards, bikes, athletic shoes and equipment - a $24 dollar fee seems like a reasonable request. What do you think?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Brewers Rosters Released for Area Code Games
Huntington Beach Edison left-hander Henry Owens has been busy pitching for the U.S. 18U national team, but that didn't prevent him from making the Milwaukee Brewers roster for the Blue team for the Area Code Games Aug. 5-10 at Blair Field in Long Beach. Also on the Blue team are Owens' Edison teammates Christian Lopes, Timmy Lopes and Eric Snyder. Lucas Giolito from North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake is one of only four juniors on the team.
The Milwaukee Brewers White team has 25 players with two coming from the 2012 class: Max Fried and Zachary Green. The pitching staff will be solid and this team will be led by Joseph Ross and Robert Stephenson. Both righties were in the low 90s consistantly at the tryout in Northern California and at the final tryout last week in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Tyler Goeddel makes this team as a third baseman. He follows in the footstep of his brother Erik, who played in 2006 for the Milwaukee Brewers Gray. That 2006 team was loaded with notable players including Michael Moustakas, Matt Dominguez and Mike Stanton.
Should be an interesting tournament.
The Milwaukee Brewers White team has 25 players with two coming from the 2012 class: Max Fried and Zachary Green. The pitching staff will be solid and this team will be led by Joseph Ross and Robert Stephenson. Both righties were in the low 90s consistantly at the tryout in Northern California and at the final tryout last week in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Tyler Goeddel makes this team as a third baseman. He follows in the footstep of his brother Erik, who played in 2006 for the Milwaukee Brewers Gray. That 2006 team was loaded with notable players including Michael Moustakas, Matt Dominguez and Mike Stanton.
Should be an interesting tournament.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Where's the Area Code Talent?
A blog from Baseball America about the Area Code tryouts for the Milwaukee Brewers Southern California team voices concern about the talent pool being on the "narrow side."
Well, that's no surprise, considering the best pitching prospect, Henry Owens from Huntington Beach Edison, is playing for the U.S. U18 national team, and several other players didn't try out because of commitments to other tournaments.
Among the players singled out were pitcher-outfielder Nigel Nootbaar from El Segundo, outfielder Aaron Brown from Chatsworth and third baseman Taylor Sparks from Bellflower St. John Bosco. -- Eric Sondheimer
Side note:
Pitcher Henry Owens from Huntington Beach Edison allowed one run on two hits in five innings to help the U.S. 18U National team defeat the Minnetonka Millers, 9-1, in an exhibition game Monday night in Minnesota.
Michael Lorenzen, a Fullerton grad, had three hits.
The U.S. team is preparing for the World Championships in Canada.
Well, that's no surprise, considering the best pitching prospect, Henry Owens from Huntington Beach Edison, is playing for the U.S. U18 national team, and several other players didn't try out because of commitments to other tournaments.
Among the players singled out were pitcher-outfielder Nigel Nootbaar from El Segundo, outfielder Aaron Brown from Chatsworth and third baseman Taylor Sparks from Bellflower St. John Bosco. -- Eric Sondheimer
Side note:
Pitcher Henry Owens from Huntington Beach Edison allowed one run on two hits in five innings to help the U.S. 18U National team defeat the Minnetonka Millers, 9-1, in an exhibition game Monday night in Minnesota.
Michael Lorenzen, a Fullerton grad, had three hits.
The U.S. team is preparing for the World Championships in Canada.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Composite Bats Banned for 2011
One of six new rules changes by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee forbids the use of composite bats until they can meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard. The changes, which were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors, will take effect with the 2010-11 school year.
After thorough testing by the Baseball Research Center at the University of Massachusetts–Lowell, the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee voted to outlaw composite bats until they can produce consistent results through the life of the bat, be made tamper-evident and be labeled as a composite product. Under the new rule, bats with composite handles and tapers would still be legal. The stricter language applies primarily to the barrel of the bat.
A complete listing of all rules changes approved by the committee is available on the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Athletics & Fine Arts Activities” on the home page, and select “Baseball.”
Baseball is the fourth-most popular sport for boys at the high school level, according to the 2008-09 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey, with 473,184 participants nationwide. The sport ranks third in school sponsorship with 15,699 schools sponsoring the sport.
After thorough testing by the Baseball Research Center at the University of Massachusetts–Lowell, the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee voted to outlaw composite bats until they can produce consistent results through the life of the bat, be made tamper-evident and be labeled as a composite product. Under the new rule, bats with composite handles and tapers would still be legal. The stricter language applies primarily to the barrel of the bat.
A complete listing of all rules changes approved by the committee is available on the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Athletics & Fine Arts Activities” on the home page, and select “Baseball.”
Baseball is the fourth-most popular sport for boys at the high school level, according to the 2008-09 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey, with 473,184 participants nationwide. The sport ranks third in school sponsorship with 15,699 schools sponsoring the sport.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
UCLA Falls in College World Series Championship
UCLA's College World Series championship hopes were dashed after South Carolina won its first-ever NCAA baseball title with a 2-1, 11-inning victory in front of 24,390 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium. The win was South Carolina's second in the best-of-three series.
The Bruins finished the season 51-17, setting a school record in wins and making their first-ever appearance at the CWS Championship Series. South Carolina finished the year 54-16.
"I'm so proud of our players and our program and the strides we've made," sixth-year UCLA head coach John Savage said. "I told the players that they've reached the pinnacle in college baseball. They've experienced the rigors of the Regionals and Super Regionals and the bracket in playing for the national championship.
"Every player in our locker room now knows what it feels like. We can sit there and be very proud of our entire program. The bar has been raised, and we look to be back as soon as possible. This team can say they're the best team in UCLA history, which has a long and rich tradition. I'm proud of every single person who has been a part of this program."
GO BRUINS.
The Bruins finished the season 51-17, setting a school record in wins and making their first-ever appearance at the CWS Championship Series. South Carolina finished the year 54-16.
"I'm so proud of our players and our program and the strides we've made," sixth-year UCLA head coach John Savage said. "I told the players that they've reached the pinnacle in college baseball. They've experienced the rigors of the Regionals and Super Regionals and the bracket in playing for the national championship.
"Every player in our locker room now knows what it feels like. We can sit there and be very proud of our entire program. The bar has been raised, and we look to be back as soon as possible. This team can say they're the best team in UCLA history, which has a long and rich tradition. I'm proud of every single person who has been a part of this program."
GO BRUINS.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
UCLA Advances to the Finals
UCLA advanced to the finals of the College World Series after a convincing 10-3 win over TCU in 100-degree temperatures today. The Bruins scored five runs in the first inning, and Trevor Bauer (12-3) struck out 13 batters while allowing just four hits and three runs (two earned) in eight innings.
UCLA will play in a best-of-three championship series starting on Monday, June 28 against the winner of tonight's CT Clemson-South Carolina game.
The Bruins chased TCU starter Kyle Winkler (12-3) quickly after just nine pitches in the first inning. With his team up 1-0 after a Bryan Holaday solo home run, Winkler faced three batters and failed to get an out, giving up a three-run home run to Blair Dunlap, his sixth of the year, before Paul Gerrish came on in relief. Gerrish did not fare much better, allowing an RBI double by Jeff Gelalich and an RBI single by Dean Espy, as UCLA increased its lead to 5-1.
UCLA improves its overall record to 51-15, while TCU ends its season at 54-14.
UCLA will play in a best-of-three championship series starting on Monday, June 28 against the winner of tonight's CT Clemson-South Carolina game.
The Bruins chased TCU starter Kyle Winkler (12-3) quickly after just nine pitches in the first inning. With his team up 1-0 after a Bryan Holaday solo home run, Winkler faced three batters and failed to get an out, giving up a three-run home run to Blair Dunlap, his sixth of the year, before Paul Gerrish came on in relief. Gerrish did not fare much better, allowing an RBI double by Jeff Gelalich and an RBI single by Dean Espy, as UCLA increased its lead to 5-1.
UCLA improves its overall record to 51-15, while TCU ends its season at 54-14.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
UCLA Baseball
The UCLA baseball team has advanced in the winner's bracket after earning victories in the College World Series against Florida (11-3) on Saturday and TCU (6-3) on Monday. Trevor Bauer struck out 11 on Saturday, and Gerrit Cole notched 13 strikeouts in eight innings on Monday, as each sophomore right-hander notched his 11th win of the year.
The Bruins (50-14) have reached the 50-win mark for the first time in school history and will play either TCU or Florida State on Friday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. CT at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium. UCLA must defeat either TCU on Friday or (if the Bruins lose Friday) on Saturday to advance to the College World Series' championship series (best-of-three format, June 28-30).
Go Bruins!
The Bruins (50-14) have reached the 50-win mark for the first time in school history and will play either TCU or Florida State on Friday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. CT at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium. UCLA must defeat either TCU on Friday or (if the Bruins lose Friday) on Saturday to advance to the College World Series' championship series (best-of-three format, June 28-30).
Go Bruins!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
UCLA Baseball to Host Super Regional
The UCLA baseball team continues its postseason run at home this weekend in the NCAA Super Regionals against Cal State Fullerton. The Bruins (46-13) have already established the program's new record for most wins during the season (46) and now seek their first berth to the College World Series since 1997. Game 1 on Friday is slated for 7:30 p.m., and each contest at Jackie Robinson Stadium will be televised live across the nation on ESPN2.
UCLA and Cal State Fullerton were each awarded No. 1 seeds in their NCAA Regionals last weekend and held serve at home to face each other this weekend. The Bruins swept three games against Kent State (15-1), LSU (6-3) and UC Irvine (6-2) to advance to their second Super Regional in four years. Cal State Fullerton won four consecutive games in three days after losing a 3-1 decision to Minnesota in Game 1 on Friday. This weekend's meeting marks the third time in the last four years that UCLA will play Cal State Fullerton in the postseason.
As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, there remain roughly 250 tickets for Games 1 and 2 of this weekend's Super Regional. All-Session Reserved packages cost $42 for adults and $30 for students/youth. All-Session General Admission packages cost $30 for adults and $20 for students/youth. Single-reserved tickets cost $16 for adults and $13 for students/youth. Single-game general admission tickets cost $11 for adults and $9 for students/youth. Should there be a decisive Game 3 on Sunday, tickets for that contest will go on sale after Game 2 on Saturday night. At that time, fans will be able to purchase tickets for Game 3 by logging online to tickets.ucla.edu.
LOS ANGELES SUPER REGIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, June 11 - 7:30 p.m. (PT), TV: ESPN2
Cal State Fullerton (visitor) - Noe Ramirez, RHP, So. (11-1, 2.63)
UCLA (home) - Gerrit Cole, RHP, So. (10-2, 3.11)
Saturday, June 12 - 4 p.m. (PT), TV: ESPN2
UCLA (visitor) - Trevor Bauer, RHP, So. (10-3, 2.72)
Cal State Fullerton (home) - TBA
Sunday, June 13* - 7 p.m. (PT), TV: ESPN2
Cal State Fullerton - TBA
UCLA - Rob Rasmussen, LHP, Jr. (10-2, 2.90)
*if necessary (home/visiting teams TBA)
UCLA and Cal State Fullerton were each awarded No. 1 seeds in their NCAA Regionals last weekend and held serve at home to face each other this weekend. The Bruins swept three games against Kent State (15-1), LSU (6-3) and UC Irvine (6-2) to advance to their second Super Regional in four years. Cal State Fullerton won four consecutive games in three days after losing a 3-1 decision to Minnesota in Game 1 on Friday. This weekend's meeting marks the third time in the last four years that UCLA will play Cal State Fullerton in the postseason.
As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, there remain roughly 250 tickets for Games 1 and 2 of this weekend's Super Regional. All-Session Reserved packages cost $42 for adults and $30 for students/youth. All-Session General Admission packages cost $30 for adults and $20 for students/youth. Single-reserved tickets cost $16 for adults and $13 for students/youth. Single-game general admission tickets cost $11 for adults and $9 for students/youth. Should there be a decisive Game 3 on Sunday, tickets for that contest will go on sale after Game 2 on Saturday night. At that time, fans will be able to purchase tickets for Game 3 by logging online to tickets.ucla.edu.
LOS ANGELES SUPER REGIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, June 11 - 7:30 p.m. (PT), TV: ESPN2
Cal State Fullerton (visitor) - Noe Ramirez, RHP, So. (11-1, 2.63)
UCLA (home) - Gerrit Cole, RHP, So. (10-2, 3.11)
Saturday, June 12 - 4 p.m. (PT), TV: ESPN2
UCLA (visitor) - Trevor Bauer, RHP, So. (10-3, 2.72)
Cal State Fullerton (home) - TBA
Sunday, June 13* - 7 p.m. (PT), TV: ESPN2
Cal State Fullerton - TBA
UCLA - Rob Rasmussen, LHP, Jr. (10-2, 2.90)
*if necessary (home/visiting teams TBA)
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