ALL-STAR BASEBALL; COPE'S BAT BIGGER THAN HIS STATURE : AREA BOYS DOMINATE BIG GAME.

Byline: Heather Gripp Daily News Staff Writer

Ryan Cope, who teammates described as being built like ``a typical little second baseman,'' wasn't able to surprise many Marmonte League opponents with his power. After Saturday's Bernie Milligan Daily News All Star game, there are several more people who won't be deceived by the Westlake High senior's small stature.

Cope, who pounded 14 home runs in two seasons with the Warriors, was among the contingent of little guys who helped power the West to a 12-7 victory Saturday. The 5-foot-9 Cope, who had two hits in the game, homered to center field leading off a five-run eighth inning. Camarillo's Jay Caligiuri won the home run contest and Royal's Mike Byer earned the game's MVP honors. Both stand less than six feet tall and are unlikely to intimidate those who haven't heard of them.

``That's where the power is,'' the 5-foot-11 Caligiuri said with a laugh about the game's smaller players stealing the spotlight.

Caligiuri won the inaugural pregame home run derby with more homers in the first round of the contest (six) than any other participant produced in two rounds.

``Look at him,'' Cope said as he joked with the All-Marmonte League infielder after the game, ``he's a whole two inches taller than me.''

Caligiuri, who is headed to Cal State L.A. as a third baseman, finished with seven home runs to beat out fellow Scorpion Joe Yingling and Highland's Traviss Hodge, who tied for second place with five total homers. He won a new bat, but he isn't sure how soon he'll be abandoning the old one.

``I don't know,'' said Caligiuri, who had eight home runs and batted .474 during the season. ``I'll have to try it out and get used to it.''

Byer took the MVP award after opening the game with two hitless, shutout innings on the mound and later driving in three runs with two singles.

``I just use what I have,'' said Byer, who along with all-star and Royal teammate Brett Wayne, plans to play for St. Mary's next season. ``I'm a fastball, curveball, slider type pitcher. I don't overpower guys.

``Hitting-wise, I'm not trying to hit home runs like the big guys.''

The MVP award was among the last things Byer had expected to be taking home.

``As a pitcher going into the game, you don't think you have a chance for something like that,'' the left-hander said. ``You only have two innings. I was lucky coach got me my at-bats. I was just trying to do my job on the hill first.''

The players enjoyed more than just the outcome of the game.

``It was just a whole lot of fun,'' said Simi Valley's Brandon Voorhees, who intends to play for Moorpark College. ``It was just nice to go out there playing for fun, not really worrying about winning.''

Byer expressed similar feelings.

``It was fun to be around so many good players, guys like Joe Yingling,'' Byer said. ``There's guys you don't really want to pitch to; it was nice to have them on the same team for a change.''

The West's victory also served as a reminder of the strength of area players, such as those in the Marmonte League.

``Everybody talks about the City teams and them being strong,'' Byer said. ``But I think everybody kind of knew. (The Marmonte League) is definitely the dominating league.''

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Photo

PHOTO Westlake's Ryan Cope stands only 5-foot-9, but he has belted 14 home runs in two seasons, in addition to homering again Saturday.

Terri Thuente/Daily News