Local Teams to Participate in The 2011 Hard 9 National Classic Baseball Tournament April 18-21
By: Maggie Mayall
Three San Fernando Valley high schools are set to participate in The 2011 Hard 9 National Classic Baseball Tournament April 18-21 in Anaheim, CA. They are: Chaminade College Prep in West Hills, Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth and Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills.
My husband and I will be in attendance watching our 10th grade left fielder. This is our very first year attending and we are very excited to participate in watching this new level of play for our big guy.
The fun begins for the players on Saturday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m., with the annual Home Run Derby taking place at El Dorado High School field.
The 32-game tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 18, at the home fields of the tournament co-hosts, Esperanza and El Dorado high schools. This High School Tournament features the #1 team in the country, Saint Francis High School from Mountain View, CA. Sixteen Teams from Arizona, California, Florida, Tennessee and Utah are set to compete, including 32 players who have committed to NCAA Division 1 programs.
All the teams will compete on the campuses of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Esperanza High School and El Dorado High School. The semi-final and championship games will be played at Goodwin Field at CSUF.
Here’s a look at our three local schools in the San Fernando Valley that will be participating:
- Chaminade College Prep West Hills, CA (go Eagles!)
Head Coach Frank Mutz coaches Chaminade College Prep, ranked 13th in Southern California as of 4/11/2011, for his third-year. Chaminade is currently 6-1 in the tough Mission League. Included in these six wins is a sweep against another National Classic team, Bishop Alemany. The Eagles will enter the 2011 season with eight returning starters and 14 seniors. They have 7 players committed to NCAA Division 1 programs: RHP/C Mathew Troupe (U of Arizona), RHP Michael Dingilian (Cal Poly SLO), RHP Dalton Brown (Duke University), OF Brandon Rapoport (U of Washington), INF Dylan Delaney (U of Michigan), C/OF Jason D’Andrea (UCLA), and INF Tanner Reibenspies (San Diego State Univ). The Eagles were 27-7 overall in 2010, and advanced to the CIF-SS Division II Quarter Finals. They return most of last year’s starting line-up. Pitching and defense is their strength and they plan on manufacturing the runs to remain competitive in 2011.
- Chatsworth High School Chatsworth, CA
The Chatsworth Chancellors, ranked 4th in Southern California as of 4/11/2011, have won 3 CIF City Championships in the past 4 years. The Chancellors return 5 All–League players, and are led by Seniors Aaron Brown (Pepperdine .368 BA, 5HR, 29 RBI), Steven Karkenny (.425 BA, 2 HR, 22 RBI), Brady Conlan (.349 BA, 1 HR, 22 RBI), Christian Lopez (7-1, 2.58 ERA), and Angel Rodriguez (6-2, 2.55 ERA). Chatsworth is making its second appearance in the National Classic.
- Bishop Alemany High School Mission Hills, CA
Bishop Alemany, not ranked in the top 25 as of 4/11/2011, is coming off a 19-8 season in 2010, and a second place finish in the tough Mission League (one game behind Crespi – the 2010 National Classic Champion). The Warriors, under Head Coach Randy Thompson, return almost their entire pitching staff from 2010. Junior Ryan Paramo, the Mission League Pitcher of the Year, returns after going 7-2 last season. Junior Cody Thompson posted a 2.14 era in 6 league starts last year, earning 1st team All-Mission League honors. The offense will look to Seniors Edgar Montes (CF) and Anthony Esparza (C), as well as Junior Peter Van Gansen (SS) to provide some spark. Van Gansen was an All-CIF selection last year, and Montes and Esparza are 3-year Varsity starters.
In a press release at pr.com, The National Classic quotes tournament director Marcus Jones: “The 2011 Hard 9 National Classic will showcase some of the best baseball talent in the country, including the top team in America. Since 1990, the National Classic has been recognized across the United States as the #1 high school baseball tournament in the nation, and that continues with this year’s field.”
Also reported is that more than 250 schools from 24 states have participated in the National Classic over the years. National Classic Alumni include Major League Baseball players Alex Rodriguez, Shawn Green, Brett Tomko, Shannon Stewart, AJ Hinch, Hank Blalock and Pat Burrell, just to name a few. In its’ history, more than 300 players that participated in the National Classic have been drafted and 42 players have played in the Big Leagues.
Our first game is at 10 a.m. Monday morning against Valley Christian from San Jose, CA. They are currently 10-6 and recently beat #1 ranked St. Francis on March 22. But we have a great team and anything can happen. This “Baseball Mom” will be wearing our team colors and shouting “Way to stay alive!” “Great wheels, kid!” and “You got this!”
If we win that, we might go on to play IMG Academy, which, my son says, “is basically a school that breeds baseball players. No joke, mom.”
Whatever happens, it’s all good. I’m a baseball lover and I can’t wait for the fun to begin! I love watching those kids play. We are expecting great weather, too. Put on the sunscreen! Wear a cap!
And let’s play ball!
For ticket and schedule information, visit: www.national-classic.com.
A complete list of teams participating:
- El Dorado High School Placentia, Ca
- Esperanza High School Anaheim, CA
- IMG Pendleton Academy Bradenton, FL
- Chaminade College Prep West Hills, CA
- Christian Brothers High School Memphis, TN
- Valley Christian High School San Jose, CA
- Bishop Amat High School La Puente, CA
- Sunrise Mountain High School Peoria, AZ
- Chatsworth High School Chatsworth, CA
- Bingham High School South Jordan, UT
- Notre Dame Prep Scottsdale, AZ
- Saint Francis High School Mountain View, CA
- Cypress High School Cypress, CA
- Clovis West High School Clovis, CA
- Bishop Alemany High School Mission Hills, CA
- El Capitan High School Lakeside, CA
For a list of Southern California High School Baseball rankings, go to http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0411-high-school-baseball-20110411,0,1337099.story. Updates every Monday.
EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.
Maggie Mayall, Realtor Associate at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing residential properties in the West San Fernando Valley. A diligent Realtor and seasoned business owner, Maggie treats her clients with steadfast compassion and care.
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