BASEBALL: GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES : TEAMS REV UP FOR GOLDEN LEAGUE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer Palmdale is the favorite to win the championship of the Golden League, in which league play begins Friday. However, several other teams are close behind. Here's how the teams in the league have fared so far and what they bring to the table going into league play: Palmdale, which hosts Lancaster on Friday, returns just three starters from last year's Division I semifinalist but all of them are exceptional players. Sure enough, the Falcons have won four of their first five. Fastball pitchers Matt Harrington Matt Harrington (born February 1, 1982) is a baseball player who holds the record for the most times being chosen in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Between 2000 and 2004, Harrington, a top prospect coming out of high school, was chosen in all five drafts, but never signed and Mark Hendricks Mark Phillip Hendrick (born November 2, 1958) British politician and is the Labour Co-operative Member of Parliament for Preston. Mark Hendrick, who is half-Somali, was born in Salford, Lancashire and was educated at the Salford Grammar School and the Liverpool Polytechnic might be the best right-armed tandem in the region. Harrington, a junior, missed most of last season with a neck injury but is already being billed as a major-league prospect. He has a legitimate upper-80s fastball and good control. Hendricks, a converted linebacker who won nine games as a junior on raw ability, is a year smarter and considerably more polished. Outfielder Chris Testa has home-run power and has signed early with Cal State Northridge. Highland, which hosts Littlerock, features a lineup filled with free-swingers, notably Jason Kubel Jason James "the Future" Kubel (born May 25, 1982 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota) is a professional baseball player who plays in the outfield for the Minnesota Twins. He bats left and throws right. and John Santor. The Bulldogs (4-1) boast two new noteworthy pitchers, North Hollywood High
prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. coach Mike Van Cheri, and junior Tommy Gonzales, brother of school softball/soccer standout Katy Gonzales. Lancaster (3-2) features seniors for the first time, including Eric Sundberg (five home runs last year) and dependable pitchers Steve Payte and Alan Squyres. But the Eagles lost slugger Frankie Rosado (academic ineligibility), who might have been the best hitter in the league. Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley (2-3) starts a lot of new faces but has a good returner in athletic outfielder Michael Place. The Antelopes, who host Quartz Hill, always seem to overachieve o·ver·a·chieve intr.v. o·ver·a·chieved, o·ver·a·chiev·ing, o·ver·a·chieves To perform better or achieve more success than expected. o so it is hard to count them out. Littlerock junior Delwyn Young Delwyn Rudy Young (born June 30, 1982 in Los Angeles, California) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. High School Years is the best shortstop in the league. He hit seven home runs last year with no one around him. The Lobos (3-2) finished last in 1998 but appear better under new coach Dennis Henderson. Quartz Hill's Travis Allen is an impressive fastball pitcher, but under new coach Maury Cauchon the team has started 0-5. GOLDEN LEAGUE PREVIEW League play starts Friday 1. Palmdale 2. Highland 3. Lancaster 4. Antelope Valley 5. Littlerock 6. Quartz Hill CAPTION(S): Box BOX: GOLDEN LEAGUE (See text) |
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