BACK WHERE HE BELONGS SHIELDS COMES THROUGH AT RIGHT TIME.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer The back injury was painful for Jamie Shields, but not nearly as painful as having to watch his Hart High teammates during the first two-thirds of the baseball season. ``That was definitely the toughest part,'' said Shields, one of the top pitchers and hitters in the area, who has accepted a scholarship to Louisiana State. ``I knew I belonged out there, and it was tough because I wanted to play my whole senior season. ``But it's good to be back for the playoffs, and hopefully I can still make something good out of the season.'' The Indians, the defending champions defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre in Division II, are seeded second in the playoffs and took on Centennial of Corona Corona, city, United States Corona (kərō`nə), city (1990 pop. 76,095), Riverside co., S Calif.; inc. 1896. The city developed as a primary citrus fruit producer and shipping center. There is also light manufacturing. in Friday's quarterfinals. Shields is rounding into form since returning April 19 from a back strain he suffered in February. The injury cost Hart not only its top pitcher, but also the player who set a school single-season home run record last year. But while Shields went through rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. , Hart continued to win without him. ``We never used (Shields' injury) as an excuse,'' coach Jim Ozella said. ``A lot of guys stepped up, because we didn't want to have to answer the questions, like `What could you have done if Jamie was there?' ``But you might say Jamie completes our team. He loves the game, and he loves to compete.'' And that's what Ozella had to be careful of. Shields didn't need a doctor's clearance to return, he could come back whenever he felt healthy, but the coach was concerned that Shields would come back too soon and injure To interfere with the legally protected interest of another or to inflict harm on someone, for which an action may be brought. To damage or impair. The term injure is comprehensive and can apply to an injury to a person or property. Cross-references Tort Law. himself again. ``We had to be very careful,'' Ozella said. ``He did a lot of rehab to get back, and I didn't want it to backfire. ``As a coach, you kind of have to balance the short-term and the long-term. We wanted him back, but we didn't want to hurt him for the future.'' Fortunately, Shields shared the same opinion. He waited two months to return to action, sometimes not-so-patiently. ``From the day I was injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. , I wanted to get back out there,'' Shields said. ``I had some tests and everything came back negative. I wanted to jump right back in, because I can't stand not playing in a baseball game Noun 1. baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League . ``But I knew it was more beneficial to wait until I was 100 percent.'' Shields returned in a April 19 Foothill League game against Canyon, and hit a home run. He started slowly, pitching just an inning or two per outing, but is now back as the Indians' No. 1 pitcher and cleanup hitter In baseball, the cleanup hitter is the hitter who bats fourth in the lineup. Strategy Cleanup hitters often have the most power on the team and are typically the team's best all-around hitter; their job is to "clean up the bases", hence the name. . ``It's been a slow process,'' Ozella said. ``I've told him to stay in communication, and if something goes wrong, to tell me. I'm not looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. heroes, and there are some things that are more important than wins and losses. ``But everything has been fine for the past two weeks, and now he just started to swing the bat well in the last series (of the regular season). We put him back in the cleanup spot Noun 1. cleanup spot - (baseball) the fourth position in the batting order (usually filled by the best batter on the team) cleanup position, cleanup , and he's getting it going.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Jamie Shields of Hart High has returned from an early-season back injury and has played a key role in leading the team into the playoffs. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer (2) Jamie Shields waited two months to return to action, sometimes not-so-patiently.Gene Blevins/Staff Photographer |
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