Correspondent John Honell is a longtime contributor to the Tribune, and well-known throughout the San Gabriel Valley. He knows the area’s history, coaches, and always seems to have insider information. He will share some of it with his “Touching Base” pieces that will run from time to time.
Honell said: Dmitri De La Fuente, former South Hills football and baseball star has signed with Cal State Fullerton. He originally, signed with Pepperdine then tore his ACL. Following surgery he enrolled at Cypress Community College. An outstanding hitter, a third baseman and closer for the Huskies, he has been converted to catcher and will play that position for the Titans. He will probably lead the NCAA in stolen bases by a catcher.
When the best place to watch a ball game is in center field, there is
something wrong with the South Hills ball park. Jason Giambi was very
involved with the dedication of the Big League Dreams on Giambi Way but
he, and the rest of his family were all involved in athletics for the
Huskies. I’ve often wondered why the guys that have gone on to play
major league baseball have not built some stands and dugouts befitting
all the championshp banners.
Maz 3 for 3!!!
Art Mazmanian, the former coach at Mt. Sac coach where he won more
than 700 games, is currently assisting South Hills coach Kevin Smith.
The first time I ever saw him play, in 1948, Maz went 3 for 3 and had a
sacrifice to help USC win its first NCAA baseball championship in
Kalamazoo, Micihigan. I grew up in the area and got some free tickets
and was just happy to see USC. Had no idea who Maz was but, in spite of
the three hits, I would have given a scouting report of good field, no
hit. Showing I not only had no clue about Maz, I also had no clue that
the first baseman for Yale would turn out to be a future President of
the United States. Maz also spent 17 years managing minor league clubs
and was an assistant coach on the 1984 Olympic team. Listening to his
conversations with the Huskies coaching staff and players is like
getting a Ph.D in baseball.
Speaking of “good field, no hit,” that seems to be the problem with the
current Huskies team. They might have the best defensive lineup I have
seen at the high school level. However, the day I saw them they had
been struggling to score runs so they had tinkered with their lineup,
moving Jake Shirley to the lead off spot. Shirley is hitting over .450
and catcher Cody Doyle is over .400. The rest of the Huskies have been
struggling at the plate. According to several of the ooaches, and a few
parents, the Huskies have some young players on the bench that are
better hitters than the kids in the starting lineup. Scoring two runs
against Walnut and getting only one run in each of their first two
games in the National Classic baseball tournament.
They used wooden bats in the Classic but that didn’t seem to help. Look
for some fresh faces in the lineup when they return from Spring break.
