BASEBALL: SMALL BUT SLICK : QUIET CURTIS: GOOD HITTER, FIELDER, LEADER FOR CALABASAS.

Byline: Heather Gripp Daily News Staff Writer

People know who he is this year. They know better than to be fooled by his small stature. It hasn't helped.

No matter how well prepared opponents are for Randy Curtis, the Calabasas High junior usually finds a way to hurt them. For the second year in a row, Curtis is one of the leading hitters on the Coyotes baseball team. He's also a slick-fielding first baseman and is trying to become the type of leader who can also bring the best out of his teammates.

``He earned a lot of respect (last year),'' Calabasas coach Rick Nathanson said. ``It's made it even tougher for him this year. Everybody knows you're gonna have to pitch the guy tough and so far he's responding.''

Curtis had a nine-game hitting streak earlier this season (Calabasas has played 11 games). He is among the team's leaders with a .378 batting average and more than half of his hits have been for extra bases.

``I just go out and play hard every day,'' Curtis said.

It was that attitude that helped Curtis become an instant favorite of Nathanson's and salvage what started as a disastrous season for the Coyotes last year.

``Last year it wasn't really Randy's team,'' Nathanson said. ``He was just a sophomore and he's kind of quiet. But when the seniors weren't doing it, Randy was there. Randy just put us on his back and carried us to our third-place finish to get us in the playoffs.

``This is a young man that just loves baseball and goes all out all the time.''

Curtis hit near .600 down the stretch last season. His .465 average in Frontier League play was second only to Moorpark's Wes Rasmussen.

``He's just a pure hitter,'' Nathanson said. ``He's our offensive leader for sure.''

But don't make the mistake of thinking Curtis' value to the team is only at the plate.

``I think offense and defense are equally important,'' said Curtis, who is constantly trying to prove wrong those who say he's too short to play first base.

``We depend on him a lot for his defense,'' Nathanson said. ``He's a very deft fielder, he can dig out anything. At 5-8, he's not your typical first baseman . . . but he does real well. Randy is very nimble around the bag.

``I know the guys are very confident with Randy there.''

Senior Brian Millman concurred.

``He's a quick little guy,'' Millman said. ``He makes a lot of great plays, digging out bad throws or running down foul balls at the fence. Pretty much anytime the ball goes to him, it's an out.

``Being an outfielder, when it's a ground ball, as soon as the infielder picks it up and gets ready to throw to Randy, I'm already coming in. I know it's going to be an out, I don't even have to wait for it to get there.''

Team leadership is the next area Curtis, 16, is attempting to master. The team captain is trying to follow Nathanson's advice to be more vocal, but his teammates said Curtis inspires them even when he's quiet.

``What I like about Randy is he's a good leader,'' Millman said. ``He doesn't talk much, but his presence, everybody knows who he is and respects him. He does it with his playing. People follow his example.''

Following Curtis' lead has Calabasas in second place in the Frontier League. A win today against Nordhoff would give the Coyotes a share of first.

``I've watched him since he was a freshman,'' Millman said. ``He's got a lot of talent and he's going to go far. The real interesting thing will be to see him next year when he's a senior. He'll have seen all the pitchers and know what to expect; there won't be any surprises. It's not even much of a surprise this year.''

CURTIS FILE

Player: Randy Curtis

Team: Calabasas baseball

Position: First base

Grade: Junior

Age: 16

Notable: Curtis hit .465 in league last season to finish second behind Moorpark's Wes Rasmussen for the Frontier League batting title. He's continued his hot hitting this season and had a nine-game hitting streak.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Calabasas' Randy Curtis has proven himself to be a tough out, and he is effective playing first base, too, despite a lack of height.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News

BOX: CURTIS FILE (See text)