BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: CULVER JUGGLES SPORTS.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Calvin Culver is gifted, to be sure.

He proved that day in and day out this summer with the Quartz Hill High baseball team. Culver's success, however, goes beyond the diamond. He's equally as good in football.

``He's a remarkable athlete,'' Quartz Hill baseball coach Lance Pierson said. ``The sky is the limit.''

Culver, a shortstop, played excellent defense and was always a threat to steal bases in Valley Invitational Baseball League play.

``He's a five-tool type guy,'' Pierson said. ``Defensively, he has good range and an accurate arm, though he does get overzealous from time to time. He has a cannon for an arm.''

Quartz Hill football coach Pat Dengen is well aware of that fact. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Culver has done a solid job during summer league passing tournaments and is projected to be the starting quarterback in the fall. And the junior-to-be also might play in the secondary.

``He's going to be our starting quarterback unless Peyton Manning shows up,'' Dengen quipped. ``He's a natural. He might start both ways. Hopefully, we'll find someone to spell him on defense. He's our best athlete. He has to be out there.''

Culver's baseball season is after Quartz Hill was swept by Canyon in a best-of-three VIBL playoff series last weekend.

Dengen has plans for him in the meantime. The first of football practice is Aug. 23.

``It's all football now,'' Dengen said. ``I don't demand him putting all his time into football during the summer, though. I'm lenient. He's been able to bide his time well and do both.

``He's talented enough to play either sport at the next level. He's going to be able to call his own shots. He'll have the option a lot of other kids only dream about.''

--Injury update: Chase Tigert's summer ended much the same way it started - on the shelf. The Quartz Hill pitcher experienced elbow problems from the outset of VIBL play and missed a majority of the summer season.

``He never got the injury quite corrected,'' Pierson said.

Tigert, a right-hander, visited a doctor this month and was told to rest his throwing arm. According to Pierson, the injury isn't serious.

``He loves to play,'' Pierson said. ``He was disappointed when he found out he couldn't.''

Perhaps the injury was a blessing in disguise. The time off figures to benefit Tigert, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior-to-be. He's expected to be the ace of the staff in the spring, provided he fully recovers. If not, he'll likely play first base.

Either way, his presence is vital.

``We couldn't afford to take any chances and risk further injury,'' Pierson said. ``He's a big kid, an impact player. We're going to need to him. He's an important player and of our keys to success.''

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com

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Pitcher Chase Tigert's summer season was cut short by an elbow injury, but Quartz Hill coach Lance Pierson says the problem isn't serious. Tigert is expected to be the team's ace in 2005.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer