BASEBALL BEAT : PLAYER SPOTLIGHT.

Fore: In junior high, Brian Fatur decided he was finished with baseball. ``I got kind of sick of it and went to golf,'' he said.

As a freshman at Calabasas High School, he was one of the golf team's top players. As a sophomore, he decided he wanted to try baseball again. ``I missed it and wanted to come back,'' he said.

The golf coach gave him an ultimatum - choose golf or baseball. Baseball became his No. 1 sport again and he couldn't be happier.

This season as a junior, Fatur is hitting .555 (12 for 22) as a starting right fielder. ``I've been practicing a lot, going to the cage and hitting off the tee,'' he said.

As for what ball he hits better off a tee, Fatur said, ``I hit the ball farther in golf, but in baseball I hope I just make contact. I don't care where it goes.''

Now, if anyone is shouting ``Fore!'' around Fatur, it's probably because the balls he's hitting are getting sprayed all over the baseball field.

TREND WATCH The adventures of Junior Brignac: At least two dozen scouts were out trying to catch a glimpse of the speed of Cleveland High shortstop Junior Brignac on Monday at Chatsworth. Finally, in the seventh inning, Brignac grounded to third and beat out a single.

``That's way over major-league average,'' one scout said about Brignac's speed. ``He can really run when he wants to.''

Next, Vince Kolbe laced a double to right and 20 watches were ready to clock Brignac's speed from first to home. Not quite. Third-base coach Dave Landress held Brignac at third and he stopped in full stride.

``Geez,'' one frustrated scout said.

The unknown pitcher: Brian Bishop, a 6-foot-3 transfer from L.A. Lutheran, is gaining attention at Crescenta Valley. Two weeks ago, in his pitching debut against Pasadena, he struck out four and allowed no runs in 1-2/3 innings. Then last week against Arcadia, he allowed one run in 4-2/3 innings of a 4-1 Crescenta Valley victory.

``I was very impressed,'' Falcons coach Tony Zarrillo said.

Bishop's debut had been postponed several times because of bursitis in his shoulder.

Home-run barrage, part I: The two home runs Jon Garland hit in the fifth inning Monday over the left-field fence at Kennedy were something to see, according to those in attendance.

``That's quite a feat,'' Taft coach Rich McKeon said.

The 6-5 Kennedy junior, known more for his pitching talent, has been on a hitting tear lately after a slow start. His average has gone from .238 to .379.

``They're pitching the ball in his zone,'' Kennedy coach Manny Alvarado said. ``He flew out in his first at-bat and it was a towering fly ball to the fence, so he could have had three home runs. He's hit the ball hard every at-bat in the last four games.''

Home-run barrage, part II: When Crespi's John Campanella belted a home run over the center-field fence at Valley College Monday, it was a rare sight indeed. High school players simply don't hit home runs at Valley over the center-field fence, some 400 feet away.

``I've never seen it cleared by a high school kid,'' said coach Scott Muckey, in his 10th season at Crespi.

Marmonte showdown: First, Camarillo (9-1) and Royal (9-0) must get past opponents today, but then they can get excited about Friday's Marmonte League showdown at Camarillo. It figures to be one of the best games this season.

The matchups are terrific: Camarillo infielder Nathan Kaup vs. Royal infielder Brent Egan; Camarillo outfielder Joe Borchard vs. Royal outfielder Kevin Mellinger; Camarillo pitcher Mike Corral vs. Royal pitcher Adrian Mendoza.

Best unheard of player: Quietly, Eagle Rock is 9-1 thanks to the pitching of Marco Hernandez, a 6-0, 225-pounder who is being recruited for football. The senior is 4-0 on the mound and is hitting over .500.

``He's not really being recruited for baseball,'' Eagle Rock coach Rick Zuber said. ``But he will be.''

Okamuras are OK: If an opposing pitcher is facing the top of the St. Genevieve batting order, chances are he's pitching to a batter named Okamura.

Brothers Josh, Sam and Vince Okamura make up one third of the Valiants' starting lineup and usually bat second, third and fourth in the order.

``They're really kind of the heart of the lineup right now,'' said St. Genevieve coach John Yakel.

Josh, a second baseman, and Sam, an outfielder, are twins and juniors.

``I don't know if they're identical twins,'' said Yakel. ``But they look alike to me.''

Vince, a senior outfielder and three-year varsity starter, is the twins' big brother.

The brothers are best friends, Yakel said. And it shows in the way they play the game.

``They kind of coach each other,'' Yakel said. ``I don't think any of them would be as good as they are without the others.''

Missing from action: It was a first for veteran Bell-Jeff baseball coach Doug MacKenzie - and one he could do without.

``It was very, very embarrassing,'' said MacKenzie who had to forfeit a game to an opponent March 16 for the first time in his 41-year career. ``We had six boys show up. . . . They had other things to do that were more important than baseball.''

The forfeit was just one of MacKenzie's problems.

His best hitter, Mark Dodd, needs knee surgery. And none of his 13 players has ever pitched before.

``(The forfeit) was our best pitching game,'' MacKenzie said. ``The official score was 9-0. All the other games, we've given up at least 11.''

The Guards' league opener was a good example of their problems. Bell-Jeff pitchers allowed just three hits in the 11-1 loss. Unfortunately, they walked 18 and hit a batter.

``None of them has any pitching experience,'' MacKenzie said.

KEEPING TABS Hitting in Pennsylvania: Former Harvard-Westlake catcher Kevin O'Malley is 3 for 9 with four RBI for the University of Pennsylvania.

Kennedy connection: Former Kennedy second baseman John Toven is starting for Cal State Hayward. He's hitting .314 with eight stolen bases.

Sophomores to watch Andy Campanella, Crespi, outfield

Scott Dragicevich, Westlake, second base

Woody Cliffords, El Camino Real, first base

Chris Wright, Hart, outfield

Peter Dirksen, L.A. Baptist, shortstop

Jake Farrel, Newbury Park, outfield

Chris Martinez, Chaminade, second base

Ryan McCann, Agoura, outfield

Tommy Perez, Burroughs, third base

Gabby Velazquez, St. Francis, catcher

Kevin Jerkens, Notre Dame, pitcher

Brandon Voorhees, Simi Valley, first base

Alex Esqueda, San Fernando, catcher

SOURCE: Eric Sondheimer, Gary Washburn and Bill Schlotter

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Photo: BRIGNAC