May 2009 Archives

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF FRIDAY'S CAMPBELL HALL-MARANATHA GAME SHOT BY STAR-NEWS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH BIRMINGHAM

I don't know about you but I thought we had some really good weather today. It was almost as if the game started at 7 p.m. with no sun. Regardless, the Minutemen got the win. They were led by Dylan Covey on the mound. He struck out 11 and went the distance to pick up the victory. Senior Jordan Calloway had a big day, going 2-for-3 with a double in the fourth that scored two runs and an RBI single in the sixth that padded the lead. We'll find out soon if Maranatha plays at Paraclete on Tuesday or at home vs. Tahquitz. I know, you're wondering: What's a Tahquitz. Well, Tahquiz from what I understand is a fairly new school. They're 3-years-old and their coach is good friends with Brian DeHaan.Tahquiz is in Hemet and they play in the Mountain Pass League where they finished second. Their mascot is the Titans. Time to write my story. Unlike Calloway's visiting relatives from Colorado, I have to get my Lakers on...

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS
DIVISION V
Maranatha 4, Campbell Hall 0
DIVISION VI
Pasadena Poly 6, Rosamond 3

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF THURSDAY'S OXFORD ACADEMY-MARANATHA GAME SHOT BY STAR-NEWS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH REINGEWIRTZ

I came away very impressed with Maranatha, especially pitcher Kimmie Sommers. She was calm, cool and collect despite giving up a 1-0 lead into the sixth. It didn't matter. Sommers said she was confident in her team and I could see why. The Minutemen needed only three pitches to regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 3-1 lead. Sommers struck out two, gave up a double and got the batter to pop up to end the game. She went the distance, allowed five hits and struck out six to pick up the victory. We'll have a story of each game in tomorrow's Star-News sports section.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
TODAY'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS
DIVISION VI
Marantaha 3, Oxford Academy 1
La Salle 6, Arroyo 2
South El Monte 9, Ramona Convent 0

The Associated Press

According to the Las Cruces (New Mexico) Sun News, DeWayne Walker, New Mexico State University's new head football coach, was arrested for DUI -- a charge dismissed Tuesday -- during Las Cruces Police Department's Memorial Day weekend saturation patrol, according to police and court records.

This report comes at the heels of Walker offering Alhambra wide receiver Mitchell Crockom a scholarship. As you all know, Walker is a former Bishop Amat star, Mt. SAC and UCLA football assistant coach. I wonder if Galleti will chime in on the issue and give an insight on how people in New Mexico are reacting to the news.

Click here to read all 88 comments on this story in the Sun News report

Photo courtesy of lancerbb.org

The La Salle High administration is retaining Harry Agajanian as the school's head baseball coach, athletic director John Matheus said in a statement release.

Coach Agajanian has met with Principal Pat Bonacci and Vice Principal John Matheus to discuss the concerns within the baseball program and what the future holds specifically for our baseball players. Much of the discussions centered on the philosophy of our baseball program in general, and what La Salle expects from our coaches and players. We believe there is common ground for continued improvement in the direction of the baseball program and look forward having our student-athletes compete towards the best of their abilities while enjoying their high school experience with baseball.

Agajanian was suspended for the final two games of the season for what the school is calling a violation of school policy. School officials confirmed Agajanian's suspension stemmed from a players refusal not to play in a game against Cantwell Sacred Heart. Agajanian sent that player to the bus after his refusal to play, and words were later exchanged. School officials met, and felt a suspension was warranted.

RELATED LINKS

BREAKING NEWS: La Salle's Agajanian suspended (14 COMMENTS)

Bishop Amat shows its support for La Salle's Agajanian (21 COMMENTS)

**THIS THREAD ORIGINALLY POSTED MAY 9 BUT I'M BRINGING IT BACK TO THE TOP SINCE IT'S THE SECOND-MOST POPULAR THREAD THIS MONTH**

Discuss anything and everything you want, ESPECIALLY high school football =)

Next week is the final week of the regular season in baseball, and the start of spring football for many. Which schools do you want to hear from first? I keep hearing about La Salle, so I think I might get to them. I've talked to some others but what interest you most about spring football? Before I jump into this and we start our long campaign to the fall with the spring top 10 and ranking of the top returning players, what else do you want me to ask or report back on?

*THIS THREAD ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 6. I'M BRINGING IT BACK TO THE TOP TO LET YOU GUYS CONTINUE CONTRIBUTING*

I know I said I would post this Sunday morning but screw it .. I see no action in the softball thread so I'll let you baseball nuts go at it ... This is going to be hard because, in my eyes, so many are deserving. Bryce Rutherford for player of the year? Who would be the other pitcher? Who ARE the other pitchers? San Marino's Andrew Sloan? As of yet I have not seen Maranatha's Dylan Covey or Monrovia's Richard Kilbury who made his first start on Friday since forever. I'm really high on La Cañada's Jeff Oechsel. Who will fill out the rest of our first team? What about coach of the year? San Marino's Mack Paciorek is looking pretty good right now. What about Alhambra's Steve Gewecke? Arcadia's Nick Lemas? Go ahead and fill in the blanks, and make your arguments. No doubt this will be tough...

Player of the Year: ?
Coach of the Year: ?

First team
Pitcher: (2); Catcher: (1); Infielders: (4); Outfielder: (3); Utility: (1)

**THIS THREAD ORIGINALLY POSTED ON MAY 2 BUT I'M BRINGING IT BACK TO THE TOP TO LET YOU GUYS HAVE AT IT AGAIN AS WE GET READY TO WORK ON ALL-AREA**

Selecting the First-team all-area and Player of The Year is always a tough call. As the season's end approaches I'm throwing this out there. Who will fill out the rest of our first team? What about coach of the year? Flintridge Sacred Heart? Mayfield? La Salle? Go ahead and fill in the blanks, and make your arguments. Note: Baseball thread comes Sunday morning.

Player of the year: ?
Coach of the Year: ?

First team
Pitcher: (2); Catcher: (1); Infielders: (4); Outfielder: (3); Utility: (1)

All season long we strayed from covering Maranatha baseball during the regular-season because they played night games. Even when we covered Arcadia night games we did so with hesitation because of how long each game could run, especially during the Elks Tournament. But we never did mind covering Friday night games, especially me. I thought I would get that chance with Maranatha in the playoffs but for the last two Fridays no team has agreed to play at 7. Citrus Hill balked at the idea, losing, 5-3, and now Campbell Hall said no dice. That's too bad. I think covering a night game at Jackie Robinson could have been a cool experience. And I ask this again: Does it matter if Campbell Hall loses a 7 p.m. game instead of a 3 p.m. game?

Pasadena Poly will make an 83-mile trek to the desert to take on Rosamond, a city I had never heard of in my life. I've heard of Rosemead, but not Rosamond.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY'S QUARTERFINALS
ALL GAMES 3:15 P.M.
DIVISION V
Campbell Hall vs. Maranatha at Jackie Robinson Stadium
DIVISION VI
Pasadena Poly at Rosamond

RELATED LINK: Pasadena Poly advances to quarterfinals, 6-2 (Star-News)

What a tough break for the Spartans in their 2-1 loss to San Dimas. Both played a great game but in the end it was the visiting Saints that used speed and great fielding coupled with capitalizing when it mattered that helped them through. It's looking like we'll have all our bases covered tomorrow by having reporters at all three games. Looks like I'll be at the Maranatha game. Not sure who we'll have at the other games but we will have someone there.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
THURSDAY'S QUARTERFINALS
(ALL GAMES 3:15 P.M.)
DIVISION VI
La Salle at Arroyo
Ramona Convent at South El Monte
Oxford Academy at Maranatha

RELATED LINKS

San Dimas outs La Canada in Division V, 2-1 (Star-News)

Mission's inexperience shows through, 9-2 (Star-News)

Above: If the Rebels are to advance they will need senior Gavin Thomson to continue playing well. He leads the team in kills (434) and aces (54), averaging 19 kills per game.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS AT A GLANCE

Flintridge Prep at St. Margaret's, 7 p.m.
For the third time in five years, the Flintridge Prep boys volleyball team is making a semifinals appearance in the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs. It's quite a feat, but the Rebels are hoping to venture into uncharted waters. But in order to punch a ticket to the finals, Flintridge Prep will have to take on top-seed St. Margaret's tonight at 7. The Rebels (20-5) have the weapons to advance to the finals where they'll take on the Sage Hill-Salesian winner. Despite having to travel to deep South Orange County, the Rebels feel they can thrive given they feed off the energy that comes from playing on the road in front of boisterous crowds. The Rebels, who made a quarterfinals run last season before losing to Salesian, are said to be looking forward to the 70-mile, one-way trip to San Juan Capistrano. "The traveling is good for the guys," Beattie said. "They enjoy the camaraderie. It relaxes them a bit as a team, which is weird to say when you go somewhere." Look for Kenyatta Smith to be a threat in the middle. At 6-foot-7, the sophomore leads the team in blocks.

Torrance at Gabrielino, 7 p.m.
The Eagles (23-2) will put their 17-game winning streak on the line when they host the Tartars (13-9-1) tonight in the Division IV semifinals. Gabrielino defeated Warren in three games while Torrance defeated second-seed Bishop Montgomery in the second round and Montebello in the quarters.

RELATED LINKS

Flintridge Prep takes aim on spot in Division V finals (Star-News)

CIF-SS Division V semifinal outlook (OCVarsity.com)

Tobolski: Thoughts on the volleyball playoffs so far (OCVarsity.com)

The last football thread we posted had over 100 comments. For the record, I've put in numerous calls to San Gabriel, La Salle and Pasadena. Got a call back from Pasadena but by the time I heard it I was on to my next story (remember the spring playoffs?). As spring sports wind down tell us what's going on at spring practices. I pose you this question: Who is the best QB returning this fall? I'm thinking of a kid whose last name starts with a V and ends with a Z ....

Pasadena Poly was winning, 6-2, in the bottom of the sixth but I'm pegging them a winner. Alhambra took a 2-0 lead before Bonita came back to tie it at 2 and took a big lead in the sixth, 6-2. The Moors, according to someone at the game, fell apart and lost, 9-2. I sent DeHaan a text asking what his score was but I'm still waiting to hear back from him. As of now, we have one area team advancing, and that would be Pasadena Poly. I'll be back with details once our Jeremy Balan returns from the Poly game and Keith Lair heads back here from Alhambra.

UPDATE 1: Just got a text from Brian DeHaan. Minutemen down Mary Star, 9-1. They were led by Cory Popham who pitched a complete game to earn the win. Not sure who Maranatha plays Friday but lets hope they have a Friday night home game =)

UPDATE 2: Popham had a great game for Maranatha but so did Mark Jebbia, who hit a 2-run jack to lead the Minutemen's offense.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
SECOND ROUND
TODAY'S RESULTS
DIVISION III
Bonita 9, Alhambra 2
DIVISION V
Maranatha 9, Mary Star of the Sea 1
DIVISION VI
Pasadena Poly 6, Sage Hill 2

RESULTS: Coaches, parents, please call in results to 626-962-8811, Ext. 2233 or 2242 or email to scores@sgvn.com. Also post a quick score on the blog as soon as you get it, the more that do this, the quicker we all the results.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
SECOND ROUND
TODAY'S RESULTS
DIVISION V
San Dimas 2, La Cañada 1
DIVISION VI
Campbell Hall XX, La Salle XX
Nordhoff XX, Ramona Convent XX
Grace Brethren 9, San Gabriel Mission 2
Maranatha 9, Yucca Valley 7

Robledo posted this on his blog, which I found very interesting.

I always find the second game of the baseball playoffs the most interesting. I remember a few years back watching Temple City's big stud Ryan Tucker pitch game one, pitch game two (started a new week), throw three innings in game three, and come back to start in the semifinals (game four) because it's a new week again. Your No. 1 pitcher can almost carry you to the championship game if that's what you choose to do. Division IV hasn't played since last Thursday, so what do teams like Northview, Bishop Amat and San Dimas due on Tuesday? Do they stay with their No.1's or go to their No 2's like a normal week. Even teams that played Friday have the same decision, especially a team like Sierra Vista, who has a No. 1 in Christian Huerta that could carry them a few rounds. These are do-or-die scenarios, so expect the best to be on the hill if they're available?

It's a debatable theory, really, that if a team has a true No. 1 pitcher they can ride him all the way to the finals.

Maranatha arguably has two No. 1 pitchers in Corey Popham and junior standout Dylan Covey.

Minutemen coach Brian DeHaan, however, is not buying that theory.

"In an emergency situation Dylan would be ready to relieve," he said. "But I've never done that simply for the fact even when a kid throws 100 pitches one day and even on three days rest you have to take care of these kids.

"Even when the magnitude increases you ask him how he feels, but to start another game, again, I've never done back-to-back starts. We won't this year. I firmly believe you have to have two solid pitchers and even a three to compliment those pitchers. I think we have that."

Welcome to the second installment of "Behind the Feature," a new thread I introduced in March. Its purpose is to give you an insight look at what went into writing the feature, any hurdles that had to be jumped and any angles considered.

This installment features Josh Doud, the former San Marino High pitcher who led the Titans to its last CIF-Southern Section championship and Rio Hondo League title. He left California for Texas where a week after he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles got into a truck accident. His right (throwing) hand was completely torn off. He turned to drugs and alcohol before meeting his wife, Susan. He's going on six years of being clean and sober. He's been married seven years, has a 3-year-old daughter and recently purchased a new two-story, 4-bedroom home in Austin.

Several people, including my editor, asked how I stumbled upon this story.

There was one weekend when Monrovia and La Canada played back-to-back baseball games. Monrovia was at La Canada on a Friday and on Monday the Spartans visited the Wildcats. Usually, Mondays are pretty light for me in the office. It entails writing two stories for Tuesday's paper, updating the blog, budgets, photo assignments, etc .. On a good day, I can leave the office as early as 4 p.m. when I usually head home, work out, make dinner and enjoy CBS' comedy lineup of "Big Bang Theory", "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men" and "Rules of Engagement."

On this particular Monday, however, I decided to get all my work done by 3 p.m. so I could make the LC-Monrovia game. Our Keith Lair was covering the game, but with the Rio Hondo League heating up I thought I'd head over anyway to check out the action. I brought my notebook and pen anyway thinking I might run into a good story.

I spotted San Marino coach Mack Paciorek in the stands. He was scouting the game. I sat next to him and thought I'd pick his brain on baseball. He mentioned the last time the Titans won the league title was when they had a sick freshman who could really throw some heat. Paciorek told me how things turned bad for Doud, got into an accident that "cut off his arm" but has since been OK, turned to Christianity and is doing good.

Little by little I asked more about Doud and told Paciorek I wanted to write a column with the idea of telling Doud's life and the lessons he learned. Paciorek e-mailed Doud to ask if he'd be willing to talk with me. Much to my surprise, Doud agreed.

Turned out a lot of people knew Doud but not everyone knew his story accurately. I had heard several different versions. When Doud and I finally talked I got chills to hear the accurate version. We spent about an hour on the phone.

Like every good story, this one wrote itself.

I brainstormed on what questions to ask. I thought I would start with his high school years, moving on to the college years and his adult life. And that's exactly how I wrote the column. It had a natural flow, I thought, though I pondered with the idea of pulling the reader in with a different lead. I didn't fight myself too much on that and went with the lead that ran in the paper.

One thing I didn't mention in the story was Doud's sense of humor. Just when I thought the questions might be tough for him to answer he threw out a joke here and there. Turned out he was OK with telling his story because he wanted to help others and hope they would learn from his mistakes, exactly the purpose of my column. Took me about seven hours to write the column only because I wanted to make sure I got all the elements in place.

The editing process went great, but I did have a concern when one of my copy editors took out the part about him using heroin and meth. It was changed to "drugs." I called the desk and asked to speak with the copy editor. I told him I thought telling the readers the specific kind of drugs would have a bigger impact, and Doud was OK with my mentioning the specific drugs. The copy editor obliged with my request and inserted the original sentence.

I have to thank the page designer that day, Kim Swanson. My columns usually range from 20-25 inches in length but she gave me the space needed (30 inches) to accurately depict Doud's story.

It was our hope this story would change someone's perspective to better their life, and if someone had that impact then we had done our job.

RELATED LINKS

MELENDEZ: Josh Doud thrown a curve, but perserved

JORDAN BELL .... Behind the Feature ....

Jordan Bell's brother gone in body, not in spirit

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF SATURDAY'S CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS SHOT BY STAR-NEWS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH BIRMINGHAM

Krist Porayanee and Sam Pons were perfect. Catrina McAlister and Zibby Boyer almost were perfect, but not quite. But for those two it didn't matter.

Teammate Porayanee won the 110- meter high hurdles title in a school-record 14.17. Arcadia sophomore McAlister didn't run the most tactical 1,600 race, but emerged the winner in 4:54.14. Pasadena Poly's Boyer took the Division IV high jump on fewer misses at 5 feet, 5 inches.

Photo courtesy of Austin Christian Fellowship

MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

This column appeared on page C3 in the Star-News sports section on Saturday, May 23

FIFTEEN years ago, a freshman by the name of Josh Doud pitched the game of his life.

That season, the San Marino High School baseball team had been riding the arm of the lanky, 6-foot-3 right-hander who led them to the promised land.

Angel Stadium was site of the 1994 CIF-Southern Section Division IV championship game, the stage and scenery much too grand for young nerves.

Legendary San Marino coach Mickey MacNamee -- himself a baseball institution having served more than three decades as Titans coach -- pulled Doud to the side before sending him to the mound.

"I remember he came out and said something like, 'Are you nervous?' and I said, 'Yes, very,' " Doud recalled. "And he responded, 'Good, or else there would be something wrong with you.' "

Doud sat alone in the dugout, with his teammates -- including current Titans coach Mack Paciorek -- keeping their distance to avoid jinxing his impressive performance.

He pitched a complete game and allowed just four hits in a 4-0 win over Rialto that gave San Marino the CIF championship.

Doud finished 9-0 that season thanks to a wicked split-finger fastball he developed early and relied on for much of his success the following season.

Doud put together another strong performance as a sophomore in leading San Marino to its last Rio Hondo League title. The Titans' quest to defend their CIF crown fell short in the second round in perhaps the start of unforeseen events.

And much like the San Marino baseball program, Doud weathered a heavy storm before clear skies ensued.

He wasn't the same his junior season, with his performance on the mound having little to do with pitching mechanics.

Doud's parents divorced after his sophomore year and he moved between relatives. At one point he moved to an uncle's ranch just outside of Austin, Texas.

He returned his junior year to San Marino where he quarterbacked the Titans football team, but his focus was suspect once baseball season came around.

Doud moved back to Texas his senior year but was ruled ineligible.

His potential, however, proved too much to overlook.

Doud was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball amateur draft. The likes of Mark Prior, J.D. Drew and Adam Dunn were drafted that year, too.

In the 1998 May issue of Baseball America, a baseball analyst wrote, "A lot of mystery surrounds Josh Doud ... He was declared ineligible to play but worked out on the side for scouts and grabbed their attention with a fastball in the low- to mid-90s."

Doud wasn't so much a mystery as he was deprived of good direction, something that became reality when one bad choice altered his life forever.

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF FRIDAY'S CITRUS HILL-MARANATHA GAME SHOT BY OUR VERY OWN ACE, STAR-NEWS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH BIRMINGHAM

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
TODAY'S FIRST-ROUND RESULTS

DIVISION V: Maranatha 5, Citrus Hill 3

Well well well. Our boys at Maranatha and Alhambra took care of business today. The Citrus Hill-Maranatha game wasn't as close as the score would indicate. Dylan Covey got off to a shaky start, threw two wild pitches in the later innings but preserved the lead en route to a 5-3 win. He pitched a complete game, hit a key double in the first for an RBI and he scored a run. There was a situation in the fifth when Citrus Hill was caught batting out of order, negating Jimmy Hudson's single to right that would have put runners on first and second with just one out. After the error was brought to the attention of the umpire, Justin McCray -- who was on deck -- was called out; he was supposed to be the next batter, not Hudson. Covey struck out Hudson to end the potential threat. Covey got into a jam in the sixth when he gave up singles to Miles Burchfield, Chris Verdin and hit Jeremy Mouton in the head to load the bases (Mouton was OK; it hit his helmet much to the dismay of Marantha coach Brian DeHaan who said Mouton bent over to create the contact). With Gabriel Guilin at the plate, Covey threw a wild pitch, allowing Burchfield to score. Covey threw a second consecutive pitch that allowed Verdine to score and help Citrus Hill get to within, 5-2. Mouton scored on a fielder's choice to make it, 5-3. But that's as close as the Hawks would get. Covey got Christian Avila to fly out to center and got Julian Lopez looking for the strikeout. Maranatha jumped to a quick 2-0 lead when Dany Beckwith scored off of Covey's double to center. Mark Jebbia's double also to center brought Covey home to make it, 2-0. Covey's sacrifice RBI scored Beckwith in the second to make it, 3-0and Schafer Chulay's double in the third scored Cory Popham who drew a leadoff walk. Popham scored in the fifth on Tony Li's RBI single. Maranatha will play the winner of La Puente/Mary Star of the Sea. Lets hope it's La Puente, otherwise the Minutemen are looking at a long drive to beautiful (not!) San Pedro.

DIVISION III: Alhambra 8, Gahr 4

Over at Moor Field, well, I don't have any details. But Keith Lair tells me the Moors won, 8-4. He also mentioned that by far the best shortstop in the West San Gabriel Valley is hands down Aeric Allen. Alhambra plays the Bonita/Pacific winner. Keith is on his way to cover San Marnio volleyball in less than an hour so I won't call to bug him for details, but we'll have the story in the paper tomorrow. Time to start writing the Maranatha story ....

CLICK ON THREAD FOR A PREVIEW OF TODAY'S GAMES

That all the Rio Hondo League teams lost Tuesday (Temple City) and Thursday (everyone else) shouldn't make anyone happy nor should anyone be pointing fingers or start with the exhausting rhetoric of "I told you their league is weak ... "

Fans from the Pacific League shouldn't be jumping with joy that Monrovia got shutout or that La Cañada got routed by Anaheim.

Their success is the West San Gabriel Valley's success and their struggles become ours, too. How well anyone in the WSGV does bodes well on us and if they continue to lose, well, that doesn't bode so well, does it?

Certainly you can look at a team like Arcadia and Monrovia and think, "OK, these two teams have a good chance of making a decent playoff run" but the fact of the matter is that's not going to happy.

It was yet another first round ouster for the Apaches and an abrupt ending for the seemingly surging Wildcats.

That Maranatha -- the lone team to make a finals run last year -- is still alive isn't something Minutemen fans should be proud of, either.

But while we're on this, how does a team like Maranatha continue to make deep playoff runs? Right, right, right, they play in an easy league and a weak division.

That's the kind of answer you'll get from your average knucklehead out there, including John who posted this comment in the last baseball thread:

Nobody saw this coming? Didn't you know the Rio Hondo was terrible? No Mckiernan, No Tucker, it's a horrible league with average teams. Didn't we talk about this, parity of the poor, Arcaida was way overated too, who have they even beat.

I don't think John's ever heard of using a period to end a sentence, but we'll let it slide this time. I do, however, take issue when he says the Rio Hondo is a terrible league with average teams. Which is it, John, terrible or average?

I say neither.

As a whole, the Rio Hondo League was as exciting as it's been in quite a long time. That, however, is not the reason why all four teams were ousted in their opening rounds.

When you compare Monrovia and Barstow's lineups it's clear the Wildcats are the superior team, yet the Wildcats did not play to their potential Thursday.

Barstow's pitcher was good but not great, and Monrovia couldn't adjust and jump on his early pitches, which is where the money was.

Take away the bloop singles and what does Barstow have? Probably a scoreless ball game Monrovia could have broken loose in the middle innings. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Arcadia overrated? Uh, no. Sure, the Apaches had a few questionable losses, but they were as good as advertised, especially when Bryce Rutherford was on target.

A valley rich in talent should be sending at least two more teams to the semifinals and finals, yet that's not happening.

And the question still begs: how could some of our best WSGV teams not come away with a victory Thursday?

non pacific fan blogger may have been on to something when he posted this:

what good is being best team in the area then going into the post season and getting knocked out in the first round. that's what it seems like all the sports are like in the pacific league. its time for the pacific league teams to start comparing themselves to the best teams in cif rather than just trying to be the best in the area or in our weak league

How does a team go about finding a solution? Scheduling tougher nonleague opponents in preseason? What about slipping a tough nonleague opponent near the end of the season?

When will the rest of the WSGV step up and bring home a plaque or at least the satisfaction of reaching the finals, semis or even quarters!?!?

No one knows.

But at some point it's going to be a snore hearing that the Bishop Amats and Northviews are battling for yet another CIF championship, right?

Coaches, I leave this one up to you.

More than a thousand years later, the beach still is not any closer to the San Gabriel Valley.

In volleyball, a sport dominated by beach schools, it's tough to tell that right now to area high school players. Especially in the Rio Hondo League.

The three teams that advanced to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs from the league still are alive and will play tonight in quarterfinal action.

"It is a really tough league," San Marino coach Scott Mooney said. "There are definitely good players and it was definitely a challenge. Anybody could beat about anybody."

Gabrielino coach Kevin McClure puts some of that credit back on the CIF-SS.

"It's been a great year for us, but they've moved some of those beach schools out of our division and given some of us landlubbers a chance," he said.

In Division IV, San Marino, which finished third in league play, will get a home match tonight against top-seeded Downey. League champion Gabrielino will be at Warren and Temple City will play at No. 4 seed South Torrance. Flintridge Prep, the No. 4 seed in Division V, will also play at home tonight, facing Arrowhead Christian.

All matches, except for the Gabrielino-Warren match, have scheduled 7 p.m. starts. Gabrielino will play its game at 5 because of the school's prom tonight. The winners will advance to Wednesday's semifinals.

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

RELATED LINK: Monrovia's bats get silenced by Barstow (Star-News)

OTHER VIEW: Aztecs win on the road, redeem home loss in '08 playoffs (Desert Dispatch)

I wasn't prepared for this. Not for even a second did it cross my mind Barstow would upset Monrovia and Santa Barbara would extend Arcadia's first-round jinx, but that's exactly what unfolded; the two giants of the West San Gabriel Valley taken down early. What impact this has on all-area selections I still don't know, but right now I'm trying to grasp the thought of covering the rest of the playoffs without my No. 1 and 2 teams in the WSGV. This isn't to say the other teams ('Natha, Alhambra, Gabrielino, etc) are not going to provide some good action, but I was hoping to keep tabs on the Apaches and 'Cats through the quarterfinals or at the very least the second round. Boy, this really bums me. Time to write my story. I'll try to post scores as they become available.

UPDATE 1: Just got a text from San Marino coach Mack Paciorek. Titans lose, 6-5. He says they had bases loaded in the seventh, full count, but the batter struck out. Tough one, coach.

UPDATE 2: Gabrielino was leading, 2-1, going into the seventh. Calvin Chambers came up with two-run double in the fifth inning with two outs with runners on second and third to give Gabrielino a 2-1 lead. In the seventh, Gabrielino allowed the tying run. Gabrielino had no threat in the seventh; Matt Lok got a single in , stole second but was left stranded. In the eighth, leadoff guy gets on base on an error, next guy drew a walk. Angel Acosta recorded two strikeouts but Lompoc later scored a run on a fielder's choice with bases loaded. In the eighth, first two batters line out and pop up, Jeff Trochaez doubled to right field but the next batter popped up to the pitcher to end the game.

UPDATE 3: I put in a call to La Cañada coach Dennis Ballard to get a score. He didn't answer. I logged onto the Register's high school Website and found the LC-Anaheim box score. No word yet on Rio Hondo Prep or Pasadena Poly's results.

UPDATE 4: I've put in a call to Pas Poly to locate a score but no dice. Hopefully we get those scores and when we do we'll bring them to you here first. No word yet on Rio Hondo Prep which plays Santa Paula, located 20 miles east of Ojai ... It'll be a little unsettling if we only have two teams alive by the time the night is over.

UPDATE 5: Matt Saeta went 3-for-3 with a home run in the fifth inning to break a 3-all tie and give give the Panthers a 4-3 lead. Michael Newkirk in the same inning hit a two-run home run to extend Poly's lead, 6-3. Pasadena Poly will play the winner of Friday's Sage Hill-St. Anthony game. Still waiting on Rio Hondo Prep....

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
TODAY'S FIRST-ROUND RESULTS
DIVISION II
Santa Barbara 2, Arcadia 1
DIVISION IV
St. Bonaventure 6, San Marino 5
Barstow 5, Monrovia 0
Anaheim 14, La Cañada 3
DIVISION V
Lompoc Cabrillo 3, Gabrielino 2, 8 inn.
DIVISION VI
Rio Hondo Prep XX, Santa Paula XX
Pasadena Poly 8, Grace Brethren 4

RESULTS!!! All head coaches should call in results to 626.962.8811, Ext. 2233, 2242 or email to scores@sgvn.com, and since you're reading this, at least POST your score on this game thread so we can get scores updates ASAP, thanks!!!

RELATED LINK: San Marino now has pitching depth

RELATED LINKS:

Minutemen rally leads to victory (Star-News)

Whittier Chr. rallies to beat Temple City in playoff opener (Whittier Daily News)

Still reeling from watching five of my seven baseball teams lose today. At least you guys have some teams advancing, including La Salle and Marantha. Good win for San Gabriel Mission; watch out for this team in years to come. I'm surprised we don't have a FSHA score yet. Usually we get one right away, unless they're still playing. By the way, I talked to the organizer of the Public vs. Private schools All-Star Game and the game will be played as in years past. Practice will be on Monday, June 8 and the game will be the next day, Tuesday, June 9. The site for both days will be at Temple City's Live Oak Park. More info on rosters when we square it all out.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
TODAY'S FIRST-ROUND RESULTS
DIVISION III
Flintridge Sacred Heart XX, Oaks Christian XX
DIVISION V
San Jacinto 1, South Pasadena 0
South HIlls 14, Keppel 4
Pasadena Poly XX, Village Christian XX
Whittier Christian 4, Temple City 3
Heritage XX, Rio Hondo Prep XX
DIVISION VI
La Salle 5, Malibu 3
Mary star of the Sea at Gabrielino
San Gabriel Mission 7, 29 Palms 0
Maranatha 5, Carpinteria 4

RESULTS!!! All head coaches should call in results to 626.962.8811, Ext. 2233, 2242 or email to scores@sgvn.com, and since you're reading this, at least POST your score on this game thread so we can get score updates ASAP, thanks!!!

RELATED LINK: Keppel's late stumbles land them tough playoff matchup

Sophomore sensation September Offutt of Monrovia takes some time from her busy CIF finals preparations to talk with staff writer Keith Lair...

AT A GLANCE

CIF-Southern Section Divisional Finals
WHEN: Saturday
WHERE: Cerritos College, Norwalk
FIELD EVENTS: 11 a.m.
RUNNING EVENTS: 1 p.m.

RELATED LINK: CIF-Southern Section Divisional Finals information (DyeStatCal.com)

Saturday's CIF-Southern Section prelims results

Click here for Division I results

Click here for Division II results

Click here for Division III results

Click here for Division IV results

ARCADIA -- There should be no question who will be the tallest girl in the starting blocks for the 100 meters in Saturday's CIF-Southern Section track and field championships.

It more than likely will be Monrovia High School's September Offutt.

The junior basketball player - yes, she is a basketball player - is 6-foot-1. She's not doing the high jump or long jump, or even the 200 or 400, where taller girls typically fit when it comes to track and field specialties. She's in the 100, in Division III with the likes of more compact Kylie Price of Bishop Amat, Ashley Bush of Sonora and Sierra Brooks of Charter Oak.

"She runs more like a linebacker," Monrovia Coach Randy Hare said. "You don't want to get in her way."

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

This letter was sent to an editor at a newspaper somewhere else in the country. The letter was posted on a popular Website frequented by sports journalists that has generated countless comments and page views. At the bottom of the letter I posted a few comments from the sportswriters.

=======================================================

Sent in this week...guess the "8th Place" ribbon makers like this stuff or "Participation" trophy makers...

Because there is nothing between playing on a team and doing drugs. Don't kids have video games to fall back on lady?

***********************************
To the Editor:

It's another year of spring sports season with all the extra expense that come with that such as extra gas to and from the school for practice and games.

I have no problem with that what so ever especially in today's society where alcohol and drugs seem to be at our kid's fingertips.

I feel if you try to keep them active in something positive that they enjoy and can focus on, it will help keep them steered in the right direction, hopefully.

What is aggravating is game after game to go watch them sit on the bench when they have put as much time into it as everyone else on the team. No one is so good they shouldn't sit on the bench.

No wonder today's society is in such a mess. I feel there is no reason every kid that goes out for a sport should get to play an equal amount of time.

My definition of winning is not on the scoreboard but that you have kept kids interested in something so they do not head down the wrong path.

I now see how kids easily give up on trying something when they just get benched. They end up with too much spare time, which can be a negative thing. I do not see any of our county schools producing professional athletes, they may have missed a few that were on the bench. You cannot improve on things if you do not play.

About 70% of my property tax dollars go to the school. We have taken that money and built a lot of things built around sports programs such as a field house, a soccer field, baseball diamonds and a locker room building. It would be nice if I only had to pay tax for what my kid used that would just be a very small section of the bench in the dugout. This is great as long as every kid gets an equal opportunity.

I don't think there should be cuts in sports, what happened to everyone gets to play, they are kids. I do not know anyone getting taxed in this county that their career is a professional athlete. I do not know who the "Star Athletes" were twenty years ago in high school. Society has created some unethical standards for our youth over the years and we now are paying for it. They say "Get kids involved" which drives them to keep they're grades up to participate in that activity. This is valuable lesson and will provide them many opportunities in life however then they park them on the bench to kick them down.

I understand when you commit to coaching that you obligate a lot of free time but no one makes anyone take that position. When you do, it should be for the right reasons. Positive role model and boost the kids self esteem, which will help make them productive citizens in the future. They can't get that sitting on the bench over and over.

Life is so short and times are so tough for our kids to stay on the right path, I would think when they have kids trying to be involved in something, the athletic department would do everything in their power to keep them involved. These kids are "Our Future," and when you watch the news it seems there are more slipping through the cracks than into a professional athletic career.

Proud Parent of my child for not giving up

=======================================================

Comments:

spikechiquet: "no one" remembers the high school stars in 20 years. Yup, I'm sure no one remembers a high school aged Mikey Jordan or that good kid with a fast ball named Clemens. I heard Texas might sign him. Let's not keep score...heck, let's not report the scores in the paper. Heck, let's get rid of the sports section since if my kid can't be in it...there's no reason for it to be there. Ooops, sorry, that might happen someday. I should shut up now.

CA_journo: So having "everybody play" now will just set them up for failure later in life. What are these parents going to say when their kid eventually figures out that not everyone gets to be an astronaut or all-star baseball player later in life? Will they write letters to CEOs saying that their kids applied just as hard as the people that got the jobs?

WaylonJennings: I played baseball in high school, and was a career backup. My only reaction to that? "If you get better, you'll play." I played with those guys since we were like 7 years old. We knew who the best players were. The hierarchy established itself pretty early. I was still invested completely, and when we lost in the state tournament, I cried on the way home on the bus just like everyone else. I didn't think, "If only I'd been out there ..."

After talking about Temple City's 6-1 loss to Sonora in Tuesday's wild-card round of the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs and summarizing the season, I asked Rams coach Barry Bacon to talk about the crazy Rio Hondo League season that saw constant movement in the standings.

"It was really fun knowing any given day someone was going to get beat and we were going to move the standings. We've been playing CIF mentality since the Monrovia loss; you lose, you screw yourself, but (then) CIF decides to open their wallet and let everybody in the playoffs. In my opinion, I wouldn't do that. I don't believe in letting everybody play. We finished third, we face a third-place team which is better than most of our Valley. La Cañada finishes fourth and faces a third-place team. I don't believe in that. I don't want to dis (La Cañada) but if you finish third you have a right to go to the first round. With this division there's 12 leagues, so you have 36 to 37 teams so you have wild cards. The Rio Hondo League team is a good league and we have to travel to play Sonora, which was in first place last week? They are the class of this league, and (CIF) is going to send us down because (Sonora has) a down year? Look at the wall. I'm not disrespecting La Cañada, but I'm not an at-large guy at all."

Bacon pointed to the wall behind left field, columns and columns of years painted on the wall to signify how many years Sonora has made the playoffs, won league championships and reached quarterfinals and semifinals. This entire season, Rio Hondo League coaches were concerned one team wouldn't make the playoffs. It was quite clear that team would be La Cañada after losing in the final stretch, though the Spartans did have a chance because of the new CIF rule. Staff writer Clay Fowler wrote in his Pasadena-Redlands East Valley report that effective this season, CIF is granting playoff berths to teams with a .500 or better record that finish one place out of automatic postseason position. Monrovia finished first, San Marino second, Temple City third and La Cañada fourth, respectively. I put in a call to San Marino coach Mack Paciorek and he could understand Bacon's argument.

"The whole season you're fighting to be in the top three to make the playoffs, and I can see how Bacon feels, that if they finished in one of the top three spots guaranteed for the playoffs why are they playing in a wild card round instead of the first round. At the same time, what if the situation was flipped. If I finished fourth, yeah, I would have hoped I got an at-large berth because it was obvious all four teams deserved to be in the playoffs."

Temple City lost Tuesday while La Cañada defeated South Torrance to advance to Thursday's first round vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium. Bacon made it clear he holds no gripe over La Cañada but rather the system in which CIF now operates to select teams that get into the playoffs.

"(La Cañada) had a great season and deserved to be in the playoffs, but they didn't finish 1-2-3 in their league. I finished fourth one time in 1999 and I didn't get in the playoffs. I'm just kind of old school."

I played a little devil's advocate when interviewing Bacon. La Cañada helped make the Rio Hondo League an exciting season. They were certainly deserving of getting invited to the playoffs. After all, they won the Southern California Invitational and was in first place in the early part of league. But you can understand where Bacon is coming from, and he makes a good point: if you finish in the top three spots why are you essentially having to play in a "play-in" in the form of a wild card game to reach the first round?

On one hand, I'm glad La Cañada got in because of how exciting the Rio Hondo League turned out to be. Lets forget that it wasn't La Cañada that finished fourth. I would have rooted for Temple City and San Marino, too.

On the other hand, you have a situation where it's been the norm to only allow the top three teams in a 6-team league into the playoffs. If you didn't finish in the top three, tough. Try again next season and learn from not capitalizing key situations. Letting everyone play almost reminds me of Little League or T-Ball where everybody gets a trophy.

It doesn't matter that the Muir High School football team is rebuilding for the upcoming season, in Mustang coach Ken Howard's eyes, the Mustangs are still No. 1 in the West San Gabriel Valley. It's that kind of talk that has the Mustangs roaring through spring practice. "I'm rebuilding from the toenails up," Howard said. "But when the question comes up about who is the No. 1 team I'm going to tell them it's the Mustangs first and everyone else second. "I can't change my ways. They have to know that their coach will put them out there." Nevermind that Muir loses some of the most prolific players in the valley, including Reuben Thomas, known as Mr. Everything, and wide receiver Myles Campbell. When asked how many players Muir returns next season, Howard couldn't help but erupt in laughter. No doubt the Mustangs will be hurting. They lose 24 seniors and return only four starters. Leading the way on offense will be standout quarterback Jarron Williams. The senior-to-be earned his way to the starting lineup early in the season last year. He doesn't quite have Thomas' arm nor his elusive speed, but one thing Williams does have is better accuracy and more patience in the pocket. The responsibility doesn't just fall on Williams if the Mustangs are to succeed. The returning lineman have to stand their ground. Muir returns Cameron Palmer (6-foot-3, 280 pounds); Christian Blas (6-0, 250 pounds); and Danny Huerta (5-11, 284). "I think our linemen are going to carry us this year," Howard said. Presently, Howard hasn't found a running back to replace the departing core of running backs that included Tramel Clipper and Chris Dunlap. Junior Eddie Tripp (6-1, 175) has seen some time in the back field during spring drills, but by no means has he locked it up. Muir had 60 players come out for camp and that alone has Howard excited. "We have a lot of lineman," Howard said. "That's going to be big time. We still have some wrinkles with the skill players." That's nothing new for Howard. "Every year that we came out we were looking for kids," Howard said. "When Reuben came his sophomore year nobody knew who he was, same with all the other guys when they came up." One of the Mustangs' marquee games this season will come in Week 3 when they play at Oaks Christian which just hired Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana as an assistant coach. Montana's son is quarterback on a team that also included the sons of hockey great Wayne Gretzky and actor Will Smith. According to MaxPreps.com, the staff already includes 19-year NFL veteran Clay Matthews, Bob Richards and Bob Bates, two former California coaches of the year, and former University of Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen, the older brother of Jimmy. "Our coaching staff is second to none," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell told MaxPreps.
It used to be that Redell did not allow fathers coaching their kids. With Montana on board, that all changed. "So the new rule is, if you've been a three-time Super Bowl MVP, you can come out and coach your kid," Redell said. Howard added: "If my son was a quarterback and I was a former big time player I would want to be out there, too." Muir will take part in the same passing tournaments it was in last year and they've added the USC and UCLA camps on its list.

Word on the street is Paraclete had to move its game from Thursday to today because the school is having its graduation ceremony Thursday. So today's lone action is Paraclete at La Cañada in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs. Keith Lair has an assignment at 2 p.m. but he'll head straight over to La Cañada to cover the game.

VIDEO COURTESY OF ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

RELATED LINK: Sonora pushes past Temple City (OCVarsity.com)

Headed over to Orange County to watch Temple City. Two errors proved costly as the Rams fell, 6-1, to Sonora on a hot Tuesday afternoon in the wild card round of the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs. I'll have some more information after I file my story. Those who went to playoff games be sure to report scores here. I'll try to grab some scores as they become available. Just a quick note. While I was at the TC-Sonora game I ran into a former colleague and good friend Damian Calhoun. He was covering the game for The Register. Anyway, the Register also happened to send a videographer, so we'll have whatever video The Register puts together which should include highlights and an interview from the Sonora coach.

TODAY'S GAMES
DIVISION II
St. Francis at Buena -- St. Francis
DIVISION IV
Sonora 6, Temple City 1
La Canada at South Torrance -- La Canada
DIVISION V
Gladstone at Don Bosco Tech -- Bosco Tech
DIVISION VI
Flintridge Prep at Kern Valley -- Kern Valley

Today's schedule with predictions. We ask that you please come back and report scores here at the conclusion of your game.

TODAY'S GAMES
(All games 3:15 p.m.)
WILD-CARD
DIVISION III
Arcadia (Pacific 4) at Charter Oak (Miramonte 3) -- Arcadia wins
Arroyo Grande (Pac 7 4) vs. Flintridge Sacred Heart (Mission 3) at Glendale Sports Complex -- Flintridge Sacred Heart wins
DIVISION V
Paraclete (Olympic, at-large) vs. Mayfield (Prep 2) at Brookside -- Mayfield wins
Hamilton (Big Sky, at-large) at South Pasadena (Rio Hondo 3) -- South Pas wins
Flintridge Prep (Prep 4) at Woodcrest Christian (Big Sky 3) -- Flintridge Prep wins
Alhambra (Almont, at-large) at Granite Hills (Desert Sky 2) -- Alhambra wins

In boys volleyball, Temple City hosts San Gabriel today in the second round in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs. San Marino hosts Cathedral and Gabrielino plays at Windward. Temple City defeated Rancho Alamitos in five sets, 25-13, 27-25, 20-25, 25-27, 15-13 to advance. San Gabriel also needed five sets to oust La Salle in the first round last week, 17-25, 25-16, 27-25, 23-25, 15-13. Gabrielino won in straight sets in the first round while San Marino needed an extra set to defeat Viewpoint, the Liberty League champion. In Division V, Flintridge Prep will be at Hillcrest Christian. Both teams won in straights to advance. All matches begin at 7 p.m. tonight.

2009 CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet Swimming and Diving Championships
Where: Belmont Plaza, Long Beach
Diving warm-up: 10:30 AM, competition at noon
Swimming warm-up: 3:45 PM, competition at 5 PM

Click here for heat sheets and instant Masters Meet results

Several area swimmers could make a big splash when the CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet Swimming and Diving Championships begin today at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. The diving competition starts at noon and the swimming event begins at 5. Pasadena Poly's Andrew Saeta, fresh off a record-setting effort in the 200 free at last week's CIF finals, is seeded first while Arcadia's Karol Markowski is fifth. Saeta also is seeded fifth in the 100 backstroke. In the girls' 200 free, San Marino's Emily Adamczyk and Berklie Oscarson are the top two seeds, respectively. Adamczyk is fourth in the 100 breaststroke and Maranatha's Isabella Schamber is 15th, respectively. San Marino's Scott Farley is seeded second in the 200 free behind Yucaipa's Trevor Hoyt. Maranatha's Jonathan Masehi-Lano also is in the event. Farley won the 200 individual medley at finals in a school-record 1:50.33 and won by more than two seconds. He also won the 500 free ahead of Arcadia's Karol Markowski. Farley is seeded fifth in the 500 free and La Salle's Andrew Barmann is 15th. The La Cañada boys 400 freestyle relay team is seeded second behind Capistrano Valley. La Cañada, relying on two water polo players, won the event in 3 minutes, 6.44 seconds thanks to John Renfro, Connor Rothe, Alex Campbell and Chris Myers. Temple City's Nicole Hau is seeded 11th in the 100 butterfly and South Pasadena's Stephanie Ah-quah is 22nd. Crescenta Valley's Yumi So is the top seed. Pasadena Poly's Cosima Lenz and Felicitas Lenz are seeded seventh and eighth, respectively, in diving. La Cañada's John Geyer is seeded fifth behind four competitors, all of whom compete in Division I. Geyer holds the Masters Meet record set last year. La Cañada's Katy Campbell is fourth in the 500 freestyle. Westridge's Taylor Hotvet is seeded 16th in the 200 Freestyle and 15th in the 500 Freestyle, and teammate Elyssa Pedote is seeded 14th in the 100 Butterfly and 16th in the 100 Backstroke.

2009 Southern California Fiesta Bowl
When: Saturday, July 11th, 7 p.m.
Where: Whittier College, 13406 Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA
Tickets: Adults: $8; 6-17 yrs: $5; Under 6 Free

For the nearest location on where to purchase your pre-sale tickets:
L.A. Country Tickets please call (323) 973-9900.
For Inland Empire Tickets please call Ontario Testing Center (909) 937-3955 or
visit 402 S. Milliken Ave. Suite E2, Ontario Ca. 91761

Area athletes participating: Matt Schilz (Maranatha); Tra Sumler (Rosemead); Reuben Thomas (Muir); Myles Campbell (Muir); Marcos Villalobos (San Gabriel); J'Quan Hamilton (Pasadena); Chris Flores (Rosemead); Matt Calver (Monrovia); Josh Ouellette (Temple City); Tim Starr (Duarte); Tyree Mills (Muir); Marcus Graves (Muir); Todd Golper (Arcadia); Cesar Chavez (Rosemead); Alex Bobadilla (San Gabriel); Brian Gonzalez (Alhambra).

RELATED LINKS

ANDREW J. CAMPA: All-Star Games lack communication

Click here for L.A. County roster

Click here for Inland Empire roster

Well, will you look at that. La Cañada petitioned for an at-large berth and they got it. The Spartans, who finished fourth in the competitive Rio Hondo League this season, will hit the road tomorrow and face a tough South Torrance team.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Don't look now, but it looks like I'm covering Maranatha baseball on Friday. Anybody going to roll out the red carpet for yours truly? We covered Gabrielino last Thursday and we also sent a reporter to cover Alhambra's final game of the regular season. The pieces are falling in place and I'll get my first taste of Maranatha baseball on Friday. Since it's a Friday I'm kinda hoping it's a 7 p.m. start. I know I've said we usually hate covering 7 p.m. games, but that only applies during the week; our deadlines extend on the weekends. Anyway, I'm hoping my buddy Amused Reader makes an appearance. I could use a good laugh.

Below is the schedule for the rest of the week. I'll coordinate coverage and figure out who we cover Tuesday and Thursday. For now, I'll leave you my wild card and first round predictions. Don't be afraid to leave yours, too.

TODAY
(All games 3:15 p.m.)
WILD-CARD ROUND
DIVISION II
St. Francis (Mission 4) at Buena (Channel 2) -- St. Francis wins
DIVISION IV
Temple City (Rio Hondo 3) at Sonora (Freeway 3) -- Temple City wins
La Cañada (Rio Hondo, at-large) at South Torrance (Pioneer 3) -- LC wins
DIVISION V
Gladstone (Montview 4) at Don Bosco Tech (Camino Real 3) -- Bosco wins
DIVISION VI
Flintridge Prep (Prep 3) at Kern Valley (High Desert 3) -- Kern Valley wins

THURSDAY
DIVISION II
Wild Card "E" winner (Loyola/Santa Barbara) at Arcadia (Pacific 1) -- Arcadia wins
DIVISION IV
San Marino (Rio Hondo 2) at St. Bonaventure (Tri-Valley 1) -- San Marino wins
Barstow (Desert Sky 2) at Monrovia (Rio Hondo 1) -- Monrovia wins
DIVISION VI
Rio Hondo Prep (Prep 2) at Santa Paula (Frontier 2) -- Santa Paula wins
Wild Card "G" winner (Grace Brethren/Sierra Canyon) at Pasadena Poly (Prep 1) -- Pas Poly wins

FRIDAY
DIVISION III
Wild Card "G" winner (Gahr/Rancho Alamitos) at Alhambra (Almont 1) -- Alhambra wins
DIVISION V
Wild Card "D" winner (Azusa/Citrus Hill) at Maranatha (Alpha 1) -- Maranatha wins
Lompoc Cabrillo (Los Padres 3) at Gabrielino (Mission Valley 1) -- Gabrielino wins

Keith Lair is off today because he'll have to work Saturday when he covers CIF Track & Field Finals. Here is the schedule for the playoffs. The predictions are mine but don't be afraid to leave your own predictions, too. Later in the day I'll know exactly which teams we'll be covering Tuesday and Thursday. For now, tell us how far you think your team will go in the playoffs.

TODAY
(All games 3:15 p.m.)
WILD-CARD
DIVISION III
Arcadia (Pacific 4) at Charter Oak (Miramonte 3) -- Arcadia wins
Arroyo Grande (Pac 7 4) vs. Flintridge Sacred Heart (Mission 3) at Glendale Sports Complex -- Flintridge Sacred Heart wins
DIVISION V
Paraclete (Olympic, at-large) vs. Mayfield (Prep 2) at Brookside -- Mayfield wins
Hamilton (Big Sky, at-large) at South Pasadena (Rio Hondo 3) -- South Pas wins
Flintridge Prep (Prep 4) at Woodcrest Christian (Big Sky 3) -- Flintridge Prep wins
Alhambra (Almont, at-large) at Granite Hills (Desert Sky 2) -- Alhambra wins

THURSDAY
DIVISION V
Wild Card "C" winner (Paraclete/Mayfield) at La Canada (Rio Hondo 1) -- LC wins regardless
Keppel (Almont 2) at South Hills (San Antonio 1) -- South Hills wins
Temple City (Rio Hondo 2) at Whittier Christian (Olympic 2) -- Temple City wins
Heritage (Mountain Pass 2) at Rio Hondo Prep (Prep 1) -- Rio Hondo Prep wins
DIVISION VI
Wild Card "A" winner at La Salle (Camino Real 1) -- La Salle wins
Alverno (Horizon 2) at Campbell Hall (Alpha 2) -- Campbell Hall wins
Capistrano Valley Christian (Academy 2) at Ramona Convent (Sunshine 2) -- Ramona wins
Wild Card "D" winner at San Gabriel Mission (Horizon 1) -- SG Mission wins
Wild Card "E" winner at Maranatha (Alpha 1) -- Maranatha wins

I know, I know ... "What does this have to do with high school sports?" (Ugh!) I'm posing this question to my buddies who like to talk everything football, and that includes, of course, the mayor (Goldenarm) who is among the many and many who stay true to this blog year round (thanks for visiting, our numbers are staying up!) Yours truly was invited to join the 900-plus members of the Football Writers Association of America for the 2009 college football season. Benefits of joining includes having a voice in the FWAA awards programs, nominating and voting on the association's All-America Team and its prestigious awards including the Outland Trophy (Nation's Best Interior Lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (National Defensive Player of the Year). I know our assistant sports editor Art Wilson votes for the Heisman Trophy and our managing editor Steve Hunt is a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America. So, what do you think?

MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

This column appeared on Page C3 in the Star-News sports section on Friday, May 15

Oh, how fitting.

It was just a few months ago when the Arcadia High School baseball team took a bonding trip down to San Onofre State Beach on the grounds of Camp Pendleton.

There, the Apaches were met by Technical Sgt. Michael Muller of the Air Force, Gunnery Sgt. Brian Vargyas of the Marine Corps and Sgt. Nathan Glaw and Sgt. Brian Brimager.

Arcadia spent a weekend there.

The purpose? To bond and learn about accountability.

The Apaches left the camp with a new understanding and admiration for the men and women in the Armed Forces.

Almost as importantly, they learned a lot about themselves outside the realm of baseball.
When the Apaches host Crescenta Valley tonight at 7, Sgt. Vargyas will toss out the first pitch alongside Arcadia legendary coach John Meiers who devoted more than two decades as the Apaches coach.

Arcadia clinched at least a share of the Pacific League title for the first time in six years after Tuesday's 5-1 win over Pasadena, but can clinch outright with a win tonight.
Surely, the Apaches will draw inspiration from the men who helped them learn to bond, among other things.

"Our season concluded with a Pacific League title but it began with a team-unity trip to Camp Pendleton," Arcadia assistant coach Valentin Lopez said.

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Going on hour No. 12 for the day. Not quite running on fumes (yet) so I thought I'd bring a brief recap of Thursday's thrilling game at Downey before I leave the office.

Maranatha blew a five run lead in the sixth and came back in the eighth to win, 15-14, over Calvary Chapel to clinch a third straight Alpha League championship. Cory Popham held an, 8-5, lead in the sixth, and as Minutemen coach Brian DeHaan said, Maranatha (21-5, 10-2) tried to give it away. The Minutemen gave up eight runs in the sixth to go down, 11-8. In the top of the seventh, Dylan Covey led off with a base hit, Popham came up with a base hit, too, and Jordan Calloway's double scored Covey and Popham to make it, 11-10. In the eighth, Danny Beckwith led off with a base hit and Matt Chavez also got on base. Covey hit a three-run home run to help Maranatha retake the lead, 14-11. Calloway later scored on Schafer Chulay's base hit to make it, 15-11. But Calvary Chapel (17-6, 9-3) wouldn't go away. They scored three more runs before Covey struck out three to record the win. The bats came alive for Maranatha tonight. Chulay went 3-for-4, Covey went 3-for-5 with two home runs and Beckwith went 3-for-5 as well. "We gave them a lot of outs in the eighth," DeHaan said. It's unclear where Maranatha will finish in the final CIF-Southern Section Division V Coaches' Top 10 poll. San Jacinto likely will finish on top after finishing the season with a 23-0 record. Marantha seems to have a nemesis in every sport, from football (St. Margaret's) to baseball (San Jacinto). They beat Maranatha two seasons ago, 5-2, in the second round of the playoffs and won again last year, 3-2, in eight innings in the Division VI championship game. Despite moving up a division, DeHaan feels the Minutemen are contenders again. "I think we're peaking at the right time. You plan your season and you hope as you end the season you peak, and for us to win three games last week and to have to win two this week and to win in the fashion that we did was just amazing. We hope to ride ride that momentum in the playoffs." Maranatha ends the regular-season on a five-game winning streak that included a 12-2 drubbing over Calvary Chapel on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Maranatha will probably be seeded three but DeHaan is hoping for a No. 2 seed. If he gets his wish, the Minutemen will play against a team that will have to advance out of the wild-card round. You can bet DeHaan & Co. will be at that game.

On a related note, the Maranatha boys and girls swimming teams are bringing home CIF titles. Here's an early excerpt of what's coming in Friday's pages:

It takes more than club swimmers to win CIF-Southern Section championships.

Sure, those swimmers garner the big points in the big meets, but it's the part-time swimmers who must come through in the clutch to win CIF-SS titles.

The Maranatha High School club swimmers did what they were supposed to do in the Division IV finals on Thursday evening at Mt. SAC, but it was the Minutemen's lesser-known swimmers, providing key swims in the relay races, who provided the the program, in its fifth year, with its first CIF-SS title.

The Maranatha girls opened the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay and finished the meet with a win in the 400 freestyle relay. Club swimmer Isabella Schamber, a freshman, won the 200 individual medley in 2:11.04 and took second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.98.

Maranatha's Jonathan Masehi-Lano won the 100 breast in 59.13 and also took second in the 200 IM in 1:57.91.

RELATED LINKS

PREP SWIMMING: Maranatha swimmers come up big (Star-News)

PREP SWIMMING: La Cañada's Geyer wrapping up stellar career (Star-News)

PREP SWIMMING: La Cañada's Geyer wins fourth consecutive Div. II title (L.A. Daily News)

PREP SWIMMING: La Cañada boys seek a fast finish in Div. II (L.A. Daily News)

PREP SWIMMING: Mt. SAC fills in as host for CIF meet (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

PREP SWIMMING: Shields breaks national record (Orange County Register)

VIDEO: CIF-SS Division I Boys Finals preview (Orange County Register)

VIDEO: CIF-SS Division I Girls Finals preview (Orange County Register)

Above: Freshman Angel Acosta kept his emotions in check throughout the game, but there was no stopping him after the final out was recorded.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF THURSDAY'S S. EL MONTE-GABRIELINO GAME SHOT BY THE STAR-NEWS' VERY OWN ACE PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH BIRMINGHAM

RELATED LINK: Acosta paces Gabrielino in title clincher

Just got back from a hot day of watching some good baseball in San Gabriel for the South El Monte-Gabrielino showdown. There was a lot of hype surrounding freshman sensation Angel Acosta, and he didn't disappoint. He struck out 13 batters, allowed just one run on nine hits and went the distance to lead Gabrielino to a 5-1 win to help the Eagles win their third straight Mission Valley League title. Acosta helped his own cause in the fifth with a two-RBI double to score Rong Huang and Brendan Campbell to make it, 2-1. Acosta, the team's leading-hitter, finished the game going 2-for-3. Gabrielino coach Joe Laski in his six years at Gabrielino has never started a freshman, but this season he's starting two. Campbell is also a freshman starting at shortstop. He went 3-for-3 today. Both teams recorded nine hits but Acosta proved to be too much, getting ahead of hitters on seemingly everyone who stepped up to the plate. A wild pitch in the sixth helped Keith Clapp score from third, but it was Matt Lok who kept things alive in that inning for Gabrielino. He took seven pitches and on the eighth pitch got an RBI single that scored Huang to give the Eagles a 4-1 lead. Talking to South El Monte coach Gilbert Adame after the game and he said he's seen some great pitchers in his time, including Rey Aguilar who pitched at South El Monte and earned All-MVL honors for four seasons. Against Gabrielino his senior season, Adame struck out 35 batters and allowed one hit in two games vs. Gabrielino. Surely, they were happy to see him graduate. He went on to play in the Braves organization and retired from Triple A ball in the Angels organization. Adame also added that Acosta is as good as this kid "Carranza" who pitched for Mountain View and graduated "five or six years ago," according to Adame. Carranza, too, was a four-time All-Mission Valley League honoree.

By the way, here's what Robledo had on his blog earlier today:

Mission Valley League baseball title: What's better than a win-or-go-home championship game at the end of the season. South El Monte (11-6, 10-4) is at Gabrielino (13-11, 10-4) for all the marbles. South won the first meeting 9-4, then Gabrielino came back and won the second game 9-4, too. Anything can happen, there is no dominant pitcher, which makes this wild race to the finish even better. I bet the South takes it, 8-6.

No dominant pitcher? I think Robledo has been drinking too much Kool-Aid. I gotta stop spotting him drinks ...

After the game I got on Huntington Drive and cruised on over to San Marino High since it was on my way back to the office. Almost everyone was gone and ran into a few parents. The entire team was still there hanging out in the dugout. Chris Warren allowed two runs in the first but settled down, pitching a complete game to lead the Titans to an 8-2 win over La Cañada. The game was tied, 2-2, through five innings before San Marino erupted for six runs in the sixth. San Marino finishes in second place after learning that Monrovia scored nine runs in the first en route to a 12-1 win over South Pasadena. The Wildcats clinched their fourth straight Rio Hondo League title. And so after the dust settles we still don't know if La Cañada will get into the playoffs. Not sure what the loss means for the Spartans but this one was tough because they end the season on a losing note, and who knows how CIF will look upon that. Too bad if La Cañada doesn't get invited to the Big Show.

RELATED LINK: South Pasadena stumbles, loses 12-1

Time to start writing my gamer and finish my column. If you have any questions I'll be here at the office a couple more hours. Feel free to drop a line.

Note: Writing in today's paper that Temple City dropped La Salle from its schedule was a typo on my part. I must have had La Salle on my mind yesterday (baseball, calling coach Peterson, etc.) and it just slipped. Temple City dropped San Gabriel, not La Salle. Thanks to those who pointed it out to me and left comments and messages on my inbox and voicemail. On another note, I had no idea how much I missed covering high school football. It surprised the heck out of me. With baseball/softball playoffs underway (along with swimming, tennis and track) it's almost impossible to write 2-3 stories a day plus cover the blog AND be on top of spring ball. Bare with me a little and I'll bring you guys some more football news as I get to talking with more coaches. I put in a call to Monrovia, La Salle, Muir and Pasadena. The Arcadia-TC story hopefully got the ball rolling

They're calling it the "Brawl for The Mall."

It doesn't exactly scream crosstown rivalry per se, but for now it'll suffice.

Temple City High School dropped San Gabriel from its football schedule this season and will instead play Arcadia in Week 3.

This series is not new, though its seemingly long absence sure makes it feel that way.

"I've been here 14 years now, so when I was here that was always a big rivalry game," Apaches coach Jon Dimalante said. "It took a little rest because it got out of hand."

Dimalante will stick to his true colors as an Apache but still will be somewhat at a crossroads being that he lives in Temple City.

"It'll be exciting for both programs," he said. "When we're not playing against them I wish them success."

On one end of the field will be Dimalante, a veteran in the coaching ranks, well-known and highly respected by his colleagues.

On the other side of the field will be Rams coach Anthony White, who is in his first job as a head coach.

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Due to continuing problems at the Belmont Plaza pool's pump system, the remaining CIF-Southern Section prelims and finals have been moved to Mt. SAC.

Event and race times are still the same and are as follows:

Division III Prelims - Today, competition starting at 10 a.m.
Division IV Finals - Today, competition starting at 6 p.m.
Division II Prelims - Friday, competition starting at 10 a.m.
Division I Finals - Friday, competition starting at 6 p.m.
Division III Finals - Saturday, competition starting at 10 a.m.
Division II Finals - Saturday, competition starting at 4 p.m.

RELATED LINKS

PREP SWIMMING: Maranatha favorites in D4 swimming finals

PREP SWIMMING: Pasadena Poly's Saeta not feeling the pressure

The Ventura County Star is reporting that the powerhouse Oxnard High baseball team, in charge of the Pacific View League race just 10 days ago, now apparently will miss the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs. According to league officials, as many as four Yellowjackets players have been playing in an adult league on Sundays, which has caused Oxnard to forfeit five league victories. Following Oxnard's 7-5 loss to Rio Mesa on Tuesday, the Yellowjackets fall to fourth place in league at 6-8 (14-11 overall) with only one league game remaining today. "Only the top three teams in our league go to the playoffs," said Tony Diaz, athletic director for the Pacific View League. "So Oxnard would be out. The CIF-SS has no spot for wild-card teams in Division I." Diaz said Oxnard High officials made the discovery about the illegal participation this week, and revealed the infraction to the league. "They self-reported it," said Diaz.

There's been some confusion as to whether La Cañada will be awarded an at-large berth into the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs. The Spartans finished fourth in the tough Rio Hondo League this season. The only thing up in the air is whether Monrovia will clinch the title outright today, but they need to beat a pesky South Pasadena team. If the Wildcats win, they're outright champions, if the Wildcats lose and San Marino wins, they clinch a share of the league title but Monrovia moves ahead as the league's No. 1 team because they own the season-series. Back to La Cañada ... Spartans coach Dennis Ballard sent paper work Wednesday to the CIF-Southern Section office and now patiently waits. Ballard said it is their incentive to win today to boost La Cañada's record and show it belongs in the playoffs. But the debate lies whether a team from a new league that just moved up to Division IV would be awarded an at-large berth, if the Division IV is awarded an at-large berth at all. The brackets are released Monday. "I think it's going to happen but CIF is very unpredictable," Ballard said. "We're going forward with playing as if our season will continue." La Cañada is 16-6 and also won the Southern California Invitational early in the season. "We put that on our sheet," said Ballard with a chuckle. It'll be too bad if the Spartans don't get an at-large berth considering the tight race in the RHL race this season. They turned it around this season after finishing 11-10 last year. "Truly, as far as baseball, it's been a three-team situation in the past years and now with San Marino it's four. When you put four teams that can knock each other off it can be crazy. It's fun and exciting to watch but not that fun to coach to be able to go from first to fourth. It's been kind of crazy." Ballard talked about last week's tough test, facing Monrovia and Temple City on the same week, losing twice. "We just didn't hit the ball well," Ballard said. "These teams just stepped up and played some great games. We played some excellent competition but it was difficult day-to-day because the pressure was on and that's all we talked about. We got a little disheartened but we got back together, had fun and relaxed, and that's how you have to go at it; you can't put too much pressure on yourself."

Lets hope CIF does the right thing.

Bishop Amat coach Andy Nieto and the rest of his team showed its support for La Salle baseball coach Harry Agajanian who was suspended Monday for what's left of the the regular-season in what La Salle officials are calling a violation of school policy. Without going into all the details, school officials can confirm that Agajanian's suspension stems from a players refusal not to play in a game against Cantwell Sacred Heart. Agajanian sent that player to the bus after his refusal to play, and words were later exchanged. School officials met, and felt a suspension was warranted. The Lancers played Bishop Amat yesterday and the coaches taped Agajanian's number on their hats. It was a gesture that surely meant a lot for Agajanian. How classy of your opponent to show support. It shows how well-liked Agajanian is among his colleagues. Agajanian had a meeting today with the principal to discuss his future with the baseball program. We'll have more as it becomes available.

Arcadia native Mirai Nagasu appears on this month's Sports Illustrated Kids cover in newsstands now. The 16-year-old won the 2008 national championships in figure skating and looks forward to competing in the 2010 Olympics. Says her coach Charlene Wong: "I think she's more comfortable as a school girl who skates than as a skater who goes to school." This month's issue introduces 20 superstar athletes under the age of 20 for 2009 as part of the magazine's 20th birthday celebration. Matt Barkley also graces the cover in recognition of his stellar performance as a four-year starting quarterback at Mater Dei. In 2007, he became the first junior to win the Gatorade Male High School National Athlete of the Year award.

We received an interesting memo from Media News Group executives outlining future plans that will likely end free access to our newspaper websites. Robledo posted this on his blog so I'm going to piggy back what he wrote and let you guys discuss it.

What do you think about possibly having to pay a subscription free or register to gain online access? How this affects the blog, I do not know.

Here is an important part of the memo that reads, in part:

"We will begin to move away from putting all of our newspaper content online for free. Instead, we will explore a variety of premium offerings that apply real value to our print content. We are not trying to invent new premium products, but instead tell our existing print readers that what they are buying has real value, and to our online audience (who don't buy the print edition), that if you want access to all online content, you are going to have to register, and/or pay. If a non-subscriber wants the newspaper content in its entirety online, they will be directed to some sort of registration or pay vehicle (and if they are a print subscriber, they will have full access at no charge). To be clear, the brand value proposition to the consumer is that the newspaper is a product, whether in print or online, which must be paid for."

In other words, you can help yourself and help us all out by going back to the old days of home delivery, it's cheap, and will give you access to everything else for free. You can read the memo by clicking here to learn more. There is no set date when this will all begin, but I'm curious, how do you feel about these changes?

Just got back to the office here. I know TomS is going to be upset that I couldn't make it to the Calvary Chapel-Maranatha baseball game, but believe me when I say that I tried. In fact, I was really looking forward to watching Dylan Covey pitch. It's 8:03 p.m. as I'm writing this and I haven't even gotten started on my Pasadena-Arcadia baseball story. Anyway, Arcadia clinched at least a share of the Pacific League title after beating Pasadena, 5-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Arcadia High. It is the Apaches' first league title since 2003 when Mike Parisi was coaching Arcadia. It was a stale game for the most part, but there were some good moments. Case in point was Arcadia's Garret Tuck. He pitched five strong innings and allowed one run on four hits to earn the victory. A.J. Smouse pitched two scoreless innings to record the save. Then there was the amazing catch in right center by Pat Carroll. Chris Klein came to the plate with Nathan Bernstein at third and Ives Brown at first. On a 2-1 pitch Klein sent a shot to near center field. Carroll raced from left and extended his arm out to make the catch that had it been dropped surely would have cleared the bases to give Pasadena a 2-1 lead with just one out. Then in the sixth, Huntzinger made a diving catch to steal Bernstein of a double. "They tie the game with that," said Arcadia coach Nick Lemas of Klein's hit that was caught by Carroll. "Then they can take the lead and still be hitting and that changes the momentum. That was a phenomenal catch. (Carroll) had to run back ... It was just amazing; I've seen Jim Edmonds make that play. That was a high-class play and Huntzinger has been doing that all year long." Pirisi knew how big that catch was for Arcadia. "Carroll made a great catch and that could have put us right there and put a lot of pressure on Arcadia. This is a game of inches and it didn't quite work out." Arcadia can clinch the title outright with a win over Crescenta Valley. If CV beats Arcadia and Burroughs beats Burbank, that would put both teams with the same amount of losses but the Apaches get the first seed from the Pacific League because they own the tiebreaker over Burroughs. Still, there's no way Arcadia wants to share the league title.

Temple City now holds the No. 3 spot in the Rio Hondo League after beating La Canada, 4-0. San Marino beat South Pasadena as well. The Rams have a favorable schedule since they close the season vs. Blair while the Spartans have to play a tough San Marino team. I don't think a team from the Rio Hondo League will be awarded an at-large berth, so whoever loses on Thursday will be out of the playoffs.

La Salle baseball coach Harry Agajanian has been suspended for the rest of the season for what La Salle High is calling a violation of school policy.

"Coach Harry (Agajanian) is suspended as head coach of La Salle's varsity baseball team until further notice for violation of school policy," La Salle athletic director John Matheus said.

"Unfortunately, the administration just felt that we had to take action and we will discuss it further at the end of the season regarding next year."

Without going into all the details, school officials can confirm that Agajanian's suspension stems from a players refusal not to play in a game against Cantwell Sacred Heart. Agajanian sent that player to the bus after his refusal to play, and words were later exchanged. School officials met, and felt a suspension was warranted.

La Salle has two games left beginning today at home vs. Bishop Amat. They finish Friday at Bishop Amat. Assistant coach Junior Montes will take over as coach for what's left of the rest of the season. Agajanian, who has coached the Lancers the last four seasons, could not be reached for comment. He's expected to have a meeting with the principal today to discuss his future at La Salle.

Note: Please do not leave comments detailing what unfolded or which player was involved, those comments will be removed.

MaxPreps.com is reporting Joe Montana is joining the Oaks Christian football coaching staff. The staff already includes 19-year NFL veteran Clay Matthews, Bob Richards and Bob Bates, two former California coaches of the year, and former University of Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen, the older brother of Jimmy. "Our coaching staff is second to none," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said. "It is a very experienced staff and the average age of our staff is 65. Nobody cares who gets the credit because by the time the game ends, none of us can remember who should get the credit." Montana, who, according to Redell, will be in the press box. The move has brought about a change in the head coach's philosophy. "We have a policy where we don't want fathers coaching their kids," Redell said. "But we made an exception. So the new rule is, if you've been a three-time Super Bowl MVP, you can come out and coach your kid."

Must be nice.

Funny line from our Eastside brother, Joe Amat: Coach Redelll used to have a rule that fathers couldn't coach their sons... but had to amend it to "... unless you've made a Pro Bowl, Hall of Fame or Super Bowl MVP!"

Muir and Oaks Christian play in Week 3. How you likin' that, Stang Fan?

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The CIF Southern Section Division IV preliminary swimming heats scheduled for Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach on Tuesday have been moved. The meet will now take place Tuesday at Mt. SAC. Event and race times are still the same with the first race scheduled to get underway at noon. The change in venue was necessitated by a failure of the Belmont Plaza pools pump system. The repair of that pump system may require that additional days beyond tomorrow also move to Mt. SAC. The CIF-SS swimming office will make that determination Tuesday after consulting with management at Belmont Plaza Pool and a release will be sent out once that decision has been made. We'll keep you posted. Click here for heat sheets and all other CIF Prelims/Finals information.

The Alpha League, the Almont League and the Rio Hondo League titles area all up for grabs. Maranatha will host Calvary Chapel on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Alhambra is at Montebello on Tuesday and needs to win. Monrovia is at Blair on Tuesday, and that should be a win for the Wildcats but I don't think they can clinch if San Marino beats South Pasadena which also play on Tuesday at SPHS. Monrovia, I think, can clinch with a win at South Pasadena on Thursday. Temple City and La Canada are battling for the league's final playoff spot. The Rams need to win to keep their hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Pacific League's fourth spot is up for grabs. Assuming Arcadia beats Pasadena on Tuesday, the Bulldogs need to beat Muir on Friday and hope the Apaches beat CV on Friday night at 7. All indications point to my being at both games. Anyone else missing?

Quite a few big games this week. I know Flintridge Sacred Heart hosts Alemany today at Glendale Sports Complex at 3. This is a re-play from the last game when Sacred Heart won after scoring int he bottom of the seventh to win, 4-3. It was Sacred Heart's first win ever over Alemany. The game was protested before the start of the game because Alemany coaches said the pitcher's circle was at 43 feet instead of the regulated 40 feet. The game was played under protest. I wonder if you go to any given softball field and measure the pitcher's circle how many are exactly 40 feet. I think not. In the Rio Hondo League, Temple City visits La Canada on Tuesday. If the Spartans win that clinches the league championship. Also on Tuesday, Keppel plays at Montebello for the Almont League crown. In the Prep League, Mayfield's season is done and clinched at least a share of the league title, a first in the school's history. Rio Hondo Prep could garner the same honors; its big game comes at Pasadena Poly on Friday at 3:45 p.m. Any other games we're missing that deserve mention?

Avid readers of this blog know how special I think my mom is. As a single mother through most of my childhood she did everything she could to make sure I'd make something of my life, and she set the example by working hard. As a kid, I witnessed her courage during a seemingly-bleak period of our life. It didn't matter that we were homeless or that she almost died after a truck ran her down and dragged her a few blocks. She was never one to let us feel bad for ourselves and insisted on surrounding ourselves by strong, smart and positive people. Her advice, I feel, has paid dividends. I'm lucky enough to still have her around and strong as ever. She's 42-years young and anxiously waits for her first grandchild. I'll let my brother and sisters handle that. As I type this my heart goes out to Karen Bell, mother of St. Francis goalkeeper Jordan Bell, whose son died in his sleep last August. I'm also reminded of Pasadena basketball coach Tim Tucker whose mother abruptly died last Thanksgiving after losing her short battle with pancreatic canter. Today happens to be Tucker's birthday, too. On this special day I bid everyone a happy Mother's Day. I leave you with a column I wrote last Mother's Day while working as a reporter at The Orange County Register. Some of you have read it but for those who haven't will have a better understanding of where I come from and why I hold all mothers, especially single mothers, in high regard. Enjoy.

=============================================

By MIGUEL A. MELENDEZ
The Orange County Register

Mother's Day has come and gone.

I've become more appreciative of my mother, Cristina, who through my childhood raised me and my older brother and younger sister as a single parent.

She raised us the best she could. She doesn't know it, and neither did I until recently, but she's the reason I became a sportswriter.

For a while I didn't know how it was I became a sports fan.

Before my father left when I was 3, I didn't remember him being into sports, and my brother didn't really get into sports until Michael Jordan started winning a few rings.

I claim to have become a Dodgers fan at age 5 but I don't really remember following them until eighth grade. My mother said she, like all Latinos at the time, followed Fernandomania, but I don't remember.

(Apologies to Fernando Valenzuela, with whom I've had the pleasure to have lunch while on assignment with the Dodgers.)

We were poor and at one point even homeless. I vividly remember the day we all got dressed up and went to McDonald's for the first time. We even took a picture, posing with the drive-thru sign. I get emotional when I pass by the McDonald's on Alvarado and Olympic.

As a poor kid living in a gang-infested neighborhood (just a block away from where Staples Center now is), the opportunity to play organized sports was not there.

So I relished playing and being good at kick ball, especially when I learned how to catch.

I spent a lot of time running away from bullies, climbing fences or riding my bike as fast as I could to avoid confrontations with the neighborhood hooligans who had nothing better to do than torture me and my brother.

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MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

This column appeared on page C3 in the Star-News sports section on Saturday, May 9

It was in these pages nearly two months ago when we brought you the story of Kyle Joseph Bell, 22, who died in his sleep after an apparent heart failure last August.

He was an endearing and beloved son, brother, friend and confidant to those lucky enough that knew him.

Kyle's loss was especially tough on Jordan Bell, the senior goalkeeper of the St. Francis High boys soccer team.

Jordan was getting ready to start the season last year when the unthinkable happened.

A season seemingly in despair was sparked by a great run in the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs that ultimately led to a magical season accentuated by the clinching of a CIF Southern California Championship in March.

Though Kyle's presence was gone in body, his spirit was kept alive by small but meaningful tributes from Jordan.

"I did this for him," Jordan said at the time. "We both got our redemption."

It's been nearly nine months since his passing but the Bell family is making a collective effort to keep his spirit alive.

Every first Monday of each month, "Team Kyle Bell" - one of about 100 groups made up of families and church groups that also volunteer - get together to serve dinner at the Union Station Homeless Services' Family Center.

The San Gabriel Valley's largest social services agency assisting homeless men, women and children is celebrating its 35th anniversary today at the California club in downtown Los Angeles.

The Family Center is a 50-bed shelter for homeless families, from single fathers and mothers to grandparents with children.

"All of the families who live at the Family Center make a commitment to stability and work with a case manager to follow a plan to move them from their current situation to self-efficiency," said Dana Bean, communications specialist and grant writer for Union Station Homeless Services. "We've had great success. Year to date 93 percent of families who exited have moved on to stable housing."

Perhaps by design, the Bell family made sure their time served the homeless well.

While working as a runner for the "Dr. Phil Show" at Paramount Studios, Kyle befriended a homeless man with whom he later shared lunches.

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So what do you think of this poll? Here's Robledo's take:

By the way, I was looking at the Star-News baseball poll, and figured I would do an all encompassing baseball poll between our two area's. A top 20 would look like this based on games through Thursday.

1. Bishop Amat (20-5, Tribune)
2. Northview (18-4, Tribune)
3. Glendora (16-7, Tribune)
4. Arcadia (18-4, Star-News)
5. San Dimas (17-5, Tribune)
6. Damien (18-6, Tribune)
7. Bonita (16-5, Tribune)
8. Monrovia (15-7-1, Star-News)
9. South Hills (16-7, Tribune)
10. Charter Oak (15-7, Tribune)
11. Alhambra (15-7, Star-News)
12. San Marino (15-7, Star-News)
13. La Cañada (15-5, Star-News)
14. Temple City (14-9, Star-News)
15. Nogales (19-7-1, Tribune)
16. Diamond Bar (12-11, Tribune)
17. Maranatha (18-5-1, Star-News)
18. Pasadena (13-10-1, Star-News)
19. St. Francis (15-12, Star-News)
20. Bosco Tech (14-6, Star-News)

I know this isn't high school-related but since the Star-News first broke the story I thought I'd post it here and let our soccer freaks read it so they can start making plans. See yall at the Rose Bowl.

This story appeared on page C2 in the Star-News sports section on Friday, May 8

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

The Galaxy will announce today that they will host world-renowned soccer power FC Barcelona in an international friendly on Aug. 1 at the Rose Bowl, the Star-News has learned.

It will be the Galaxy's second high-profile game against an international team -- they will play AC Milan on July 19 at The Home Depot Center.

Galaxy star David Beckham, currently on loan to AC Milan, will play. He's expected to return to Los Angeles when the international transfer window opens July 15. Beckham's first game will come against New York on July 16.

The Home Depot Center was the Galaxy's first choice for the Barcelona game, but the venue is unavailable because of the X-Games.

The high-profile match, slated for an 8 p.m. start, will mark the Galaxy's first trip to the Rose Bowl since hosting an MLS Cup playoff game in October 2002. They went on to win the MLS Cup at New England that season.

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF THURSDAY'S SAN MARINO-MONROVIA GAME SHOT BY STAR-NEWS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH BIRMINGHAM

I'm going to stop making predictions. I was right on the money for Monday's game but after that I've been as accurate as CNN's coverage of the Swine Flu. Behind two home runs and six RBIs from junior center fielder Justin De La Nunez, Monrovia High took control of the Rio Hondo League race with a 12-7 win over San Marino on a hot Thursday afternoon at Monrovia High. Monrovia holds a one-game lead over San Marino as we head into the final week of league play. The Wildcats now control their own destiny with games against Blair on Tuesday and South Pasadena on Thursday. Monrovia knows how important it's going to be to not overlook any teams since Blair and South Pas will be looking to play the role of spoilers (i.e. La Canada). Temple City and the Spartans will be fighting out for third place. It's too bad one of these teams won't get into the playoffs. San Marino can still win first but some things have to happen. The bats came alive today for the Titans but unfortunately for them so did Monrovia's. De La Nunez, after hitting his sixth, seventh and eighth home runs this week, is really pushing for player of the year status. I'll be back with more after I file a couple stories. Look out for a photo gallery, too. Chime in with other results and tell me who YOU think will finally win this thing. God I love this kind of baseball!!!!!

Arcadia lost to Burbank earlier this week for the second time this season. Not sure how that bodes on the Apaches but what we do know is that Pasadena wasn't counting on Arcadia losing. The Pacific League looks like this right now. I have added games remaining for each team as well.

1. Arcadia (18-4, 9-2): vs. Glendale (Friday); vs. Pasadena (May 12) vs. Crescenta Valley (May 15).

T2. Burroughs (17-7, 8-3): at Muir (Friday); vs. Hoover (May 12); vs. Burbank (May 15).

T2. Burbank (10-8-1, 8-3): vs. CV at Stengel (Saturday); vs. Muir (May 12); at Burroughs (May 15).

4. Crescenta Valley (12-7, 7-4): vs. Burbank (Saturday); vs. Glendale (May 12); at Arcadia (May 15).

5. Pasadena (13-10-1, 6-5): vs. Hoover (Friday); at Arcadia (May 12); vs. Muir (May 15).

6. Hoover (7-9, 4-7): at Pasadena (Friday); at Burroughs (May 12); vs. Glendale (May 15).

Pasadena is one game behind Crescenta Valley and two games behind Burbank. Pasadena's eyes will be all over the Burbank-CV game on Saturday at Stengel Field. Game starts at 6 p.m. Pasadena will be rooting for Burbank to beat CV. If Pasadena beats Hoover on Friday they'll be tied with CV at 7-5 and tied for the final playoff spot. The Bulldogs, however, hold the tiebreaker over CV. If Pasadena goes 2-1 in its final three games of the regular season as does CV, both teams would finish tied at 8-5. This scenario is more likely to happen, meaning if such is the case both CV and Pasadena will play in a playoff game Saturday at Arcadia at 11 a.m. for the league's fourth playoff spot. The winner moves on to the playoffs. Arcadia has proven to be the best team in the Pacific League but to lose to Burbank twice in the same season is big. You gotta be thinking Burbank is kicking itself in the butt after losing twice to Pasadena and losing once to Burroughs. An Arcadia win earlier this week would have increased Pasadena's chances, putting Burbank with four losses. If Pasadena would have been tied with Burbank the Bulldogs would have won that tiebreaker as well. The dust has not settled just yet in the Pacific.

Well, so much for the feel good story that is the Dodgers winning its first 13 home games this season, a new Major League record. The buzz now will surround good 'ol Manny Ramirez who was suspended 50 games for violation of MLB Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, The Times' Bill Shakin and Dylan Hernandez reports.

The suspension will cost Ramirez $7.7 million, or roughly 31% of his $25-million salary. Players in violation of baseball's drug policy are not paid during suspensions.

The Times first reported this early this morning.

Ramirez is expected to attribute the test results to medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue, according to a source familiar with matter but not authorized to speak publicly.

The Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles.

With the suspension taking effect with tonight's game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium, Ramirez will not be eligible to return to the team until July 3.

Ramirez would become the biggest star suspended under an oft-criticized major league testing program that started in 2003. He had been a model citizen since arriving in Los Angeles last August, following a stormy tenure with the Boston Red Sox.

This is the second drug scandal to rock baseball within four months. In a year in which baseball officials hoped their greatest concern would be the slumping economy, the two highest-paid players in the game have been revealed to have failed a drug test.

Alex Rodriguez, the game's highest-paid player, acknowledged during a February news conference that he used steroids from 2001 to 2003. The admission followed a Sports Illustrated report that he failed a drug test in 2003, when players were not subject to suspension.

Temple City mounted a comeback to tie the game in the fifth but it wasn't enough as Monrovia got a key hit to drop in the seventh, scoring Robert Nakamura in the bottom of the seventh to afford the Wildcats a thrilling 4-3 win on a hot Wednesday afternoon in Rio Hondo League action at Monrovia High. Richard Kilbury pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed just one run for Monrovia. Uriel Velasco came in relief to allow two runs and Aaron Murphree pitched a scoreless seventh to record the victory. Temple City's hopes for a playoff spot is still very well alive, and they can thank South Pasadena for beating La Cañada. They can breath a little easier, especially after the Rams were negated a run in the seventh that would have given them a 4-3 lead. With one out in the seventh, Dusty Sanderson singled to left. Kyle Wilkinson hit a single over the shortstop to put two on and just one out. At the plate was Branden Pultz but his grounder took Wilkinson out at second, which would have been just two outs. Instead, Wilkinson was called on interference as he slid to second, negating Sanderson's score. The double play ended the threat. Initially, the umpire did not motion the out, but as Monrovia coach Brad Blackmore said, the umpires don't motion out on a double play, only when the batter interferes the catcher. Nevertheless, Temple City made it interesting when Christian Cano threw out Nick Bueno at home to record the second out. Unfortunately, Conrad Council came to the plate and sent what looked to be a fly ball to center. The ball dropped and Nakamura scored in dramatic fashion to end the game. You have to feel bad for Wilkinson. First he gets the interference call and then he doesn't make the play at center. It was nice to some of his teammates console him as Wilkinson slowly walked from center to join the rest of his teammates. Monrovia hosts San Marino in what could be a pitcher's duel with Garrett Simpson going to the mound for the Wildcats and Andrew Sloan doing the same for the Titans.

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Miguel A. Melendez

1. Arcadia (18-3)
Close to cementing Pacific

2. San Marino (14-6)
Sorry 'Cats, title goes through Titans

3. Monrovia (13-7-1)
Wildcats not going down without fight

4. La Cañada (15-4)
Spartans fighting for third with TC

5. Alhambra (14-7)
Closer to clinching Almont

6. Temple City (13-8)
Rams fighting for final playoff spot

7. Pasadena (13-9-1)
Parisi has Bulldogs competing again

8. Maranatha (16-5-1)
Fighting for second

9. St. Francis (15-11)
Trying to keep playoff hopes alive

10. Bosco Tech (13-6)
Three-way tie for first in Camino Real

BASEBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS

CLICK HERE FOR ALMONT LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR ALPHA LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR CAMINO REAL LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR DEL REY LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR DELPHIC LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR MISSION LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR MISSION VALLEY LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR MONTVIEW LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR PACIFIC LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR PREP LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR RIO HONDO LEAGUE

<a href="http://www.maxpreps.com">MaxPreps High School Sports</a>

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Keith Lair

1. Flintridge Sacred Heart (14-3)
School-record winning streak ends

2. La Salle (17-5)
Defeated Arcadia, 2-1

3. Keppel (16-3)
Eight consecutive victories

4. Maranatha (15-6)
Sommers batting .460 with 25 runs

5. La Cañada (14-6)
Two-game lead in Rio Hondo League

6. Temple City (14-7)
Will need help for league repeat

7. Rio Hondo Prep (10-5)
Will play at San Marino today

8. South Pasadena (11-10)
Can solidify third vs. La Cañada

9. Ramona Convent (10-1)
Seeks revenge vs. Marymount on Thursday

10. Mayfield (13-7)
Can share Prep League title

SOFTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS

CLICK HERE FOR ALMONT LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR ALPHA LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR CAMINO REAL LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR HORIZON LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR MISSION LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR MISSION VALLEY LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR MONTVIEW LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR PACIFIC LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR PREP LEAGUE

CLICK HERE FOR RIO HONDO LEAGUE

La Cañada High School's Dan Yoder was having fun coaching a group of players without having to deal with the spotlight. But that all changed when Rich Wheeler, the school's longest-serving coach, resigned after 12 years as the Spartans football coach. Enter Yoder. He was the junior varsity coach the last four years. He's also been a history teacher at La Cañada the last five years. "I really didn't expect to see it happen this fast," Yoder said. "It's always something I thought about but I really enjoyed my (junior varsity) experience, both as the head coach who got to call the shots and also that you're the JV guy; it's a little less of scrutiny coming down on you." As head coach Yoder understands he'll be the head figure of the football program. The task can be daunting but it's a challenge he'll take head on. "It's going to be a bigger challenge," he said. "You're in the spotlight now and people will criticize your every move, but I'm looking forward to it. "The guys have faith in me and I have faith in them." Wheeler's resignation moved Yoder's plans ahead of schedule in becoming a head coach. "I wouldn't say I planned on this right away, it's just sort of the way it played out." Yoder's hiring gives the Spartans program a sense of continuity. Working alongside Wheeler meant he understood what was needed to move the program forward. "The administration knew I had a good rapport with the kids," Yoder said. Yoder will be taking over a program that was minutes away from making the playoffs last season. The Spartans are in a deep Rio Hondo League that boasts two teams (Temple City, Monrovia) that reached at least the quarterfinals. La Cañada returns talented quarterback Rocky Moore, but aside from him the Spartans will be thin. Still, Yoder has lofty expectations, even if it means they could turn into long-term goals. "We don't want to just try to succeed in league," Yoder said. "We want to get past the second round of the playoffs so we started in the weight room and doing more with our offseason program, adding more structure and go in the direction we set out." That means elevating the spring ball schedule and being more involved with the program. That can become challenging because of the multi-sport athletes at La Cañada, which Yoder is a fan of. "I'm really a big advocate of multi-sport athletes," he said. "I'm not a fan of specialization; it's good for them to be out there and competing." Mike Williams, who used to coach at La Cañada, will coach the junior varsity and he'll be assisted by his son, Gavin, a teacher on campus. The freshman staff is the same with Steve Zimmerman and Casey Mullet.
Brent Pattison will be the defensive coordinator on varsity and Yoder will call the shots on offense. Jerry Regan, who will coach the quarterbacks and defensive backs, John May and Brian Rodriguez, new to La Cañada, will make up the rest of the varsity staff. Yoder still is looking to fill the offensive line position. "We have interviewed a couple of guys," he said, "and we'll finalize that soon."

Above: Monrovia's Justin De La Nuez (13) celebrates his home run.

Click here for a photo gallery of Monday's LC-Monrovia baseball game shot by Star-News staff photographer Sarah Reingewirtz

All eyes will be on La Cañada-Monrovia Part III. It's the final installment in the rivalry whose result could impact the rest of the Rio Hondo League. La Cañada (15-3, 7-3) will try to take the season-series by beating Monrovia (12-7-1, 7-3). Both teams are tied for second place. The winner will have a share for first place with league-leading San Marino. Should the Wildcats win it'll set up a huge game against the Titans on Thursday at Monrovia. And as you all know the Wildcats are the back-to-back-to-back Rio Hondo League champions, so you know they won't go down without a fight. The Spartans return Eric Smith. He missed Friday's game for being tossed from Wednesday's game. Monrovia won the first game of the series, 12-0, and the La Cañada came right back last week with a 9-5 victory. In that game, the Spartans sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs to take control in the fourth inning. "If La Cañada and Monrovia want to win this thing they're going to have to go through (San Marino)," Temple City coach Barry Bacon said, "and they're going to determine who gets in the playoffs. It's San Marino's game to win; they're playing the best baseball." We're sending a photographer to this game. Keith Lair will cover this game and yours truly will try to make it and watch as a fan like the rest of you. Anybody care for a prediction? I'm going with Monrovia, 6-4. The Wildcats can't and won't go down without a fight.

Click here for a photo gallery of Friday's Temple City-San Marino game shot by Star-News staff photographer Keith Birmingham

Behind a solid performance by Andrew Sloan on the mound and Michael Thompson's clutch hitting, San Marino defeated Temple City, 8-6, in a three-hour marathon Friday evening in Rio Hondo League action at San Marino High. Coupled by the Titans' (14-6, 8-3) win and La Cañada's 9-5 win over Monrovia earlier in the day, San Marino holds a half a game lead over the rest of the pack for first in the Rio Hondo League standings. Temple City (13-8, 7-4) now sits in fourth place. San Marino scored two runs in the first and Temple City came right back in the second to tie the game at 2 on a bases-clearing single from Julian Jarrard, sending Branden Pultz and Alec Vigil home. Temple City's Dusty Sanderson hit a three-run home run in the fourth that pulled the Rams to within 6-5, but that's as close as they would get. Thompson went 3-for-4, including a line drive down the third base line for a double that scored Jonathan Merhaut and Steven Wright to give the Titans an 8-5 lead in the fourth. San Marino's Chris Warren picked up his second straight save. Temple City's Jordan Halladay didn't last two innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits, but that wasn't the primary reason he was pulled out of the game. Temple City pitching coach Nick Gomez yanked Halladay because -- according to Temple City caoch Barry Bacon -- Halladay broke down discipline wise. "That's coach's choice," Bacon said. "We broke down discipline wise. When you break discipline you're not mentally ready to go. So you get out and get someone else ready to go. I'll just say mentally he broke down discipline, we put Jimmy (Britt) in the game and Jimmy did great."Halladay gave up a single, balked, and gave up a triple in the second before he was taken out. "It's a combination of things where we need to stay mentally disciplined and not let our emotions take the best of us and when it does we're going to get someone else in there to take over," Bacon said. "That's why Gomez does such a great job; we have guys on the bench that can come in and throw strikes. That's the beauty of my assistant coaches, they do a fantastic job (where) we have a great pitching staff that can get anybody to pitch."

La Cañada (15-3, 7-3) visits Monrovia (12-7-1, 7-3) in another showdown Monday.

Wildcats ace Ricahrd Kilbury made his first start since a 12-0 win over the Spartans to open Rio Hondo League play. He threw 40 pitches, had two unearned runs, two strikeouts, one hit and one walk for the no decision. Luis Carrasquero had two base hits to lead La Cañada, which finished the game with 10 hits. The Spartans finally took control in the fourth inning when they sent 11 batters to the plate that resulted in six runs. While San Marino has stolen the spotlight in the Rio Hondo League, you can bet all eyes will be on Monday's La Cañada-Monrovia Part III. "If La Cañada and Monrovia want to win this thing they're going to have to go through (San Marino)," Bacon said, "and they're going to determine who gets in the playoffs. It's San Marino's game to win; they're playing the best baseball." We'll be there with a photographer. Keith Lair will be covering the game while yours truly enjoys the ball game with the rest of you. Deadline is approaching, time to file my story....

MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

This column appeared on page 3B of the Star-News sports section on Friday, May 1

OK, so this season's Rio Hondo League slate isn't the strongest and deepest ever.

But who said it was?

Read carefully:

"This is as strong and deep I've seen as a whole," Monrovia baseball co-head coach Brad Blackmore said earlier this week.

"It's not everybody's best team, but it's evenly matched, and you can throw South Pasadena in there too."

We'll get to South Pasadena in a bit.

But first let us dissect the second portion of Blackmore's statement: It's not everybody's best team, but it's evenly match.

That's the point Rio Hondo League veterans seem to be missing, including an anonymous poster who had this to say on our "From The Sidelines" blog at www.insidesocal.com/paspreps:

"Strongest and deepest? That comes from a reporter who hasn't been around that long. It's not the strongest and deepest by any stretch, rather the weakest and by weak I mean all teams are average so (there) is parity. ... Do some homework before you make silly statements like that. ... How can you ask if this is the deepest (Rio Hondo League) ever? The question alone is utterly ridiculous."

Obviously he/she is a big fan of yours truly, but by no stretch did your favorite sportswriter ever say or write the former.

The question was posed and readers answered with an emphatic "No."

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