BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: HE'S FAR FROM TOO YOUNG.

Byline: Staff Writer

Delmon Young looks old for his age. And the way he plays baseball, it keeps getting harder to believe he is only 14.

The incoming sophomore from Camarillo High has dominated every level of competition he's faced lately and this week he is doing the same at the USA Youth National Team trials in Houston.

Young, who was named the state Freshman of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, went 3 for 4, including a double, with four RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base Sunday to lead his team to an 18-0 win in an opening-round game. He had two hits and two RBI the next day.

Before leaving for Houston, Young went 4 for 4 with two doubles to lead the Camarillo American Legion team to a berth in last week's District 16 final, which Camarillo won.

The USA Youth National Team trials feature two teams consisting of 35 candidates for the 16-and-under team as well as two club teams from Texas. The 18 players selected to the national team travel to Monterrey, Mexico, for a tournament Aug. 4-13.

A spot on the team would mean Young would miss next month's Area Code Games. But he'll have two more chances to attend the prestigious showcase intended primarily for incoming seniors. Last year, Young became the first incoming freshman to participate in the Area Code Games.

--Problem solved: At least Westlake's Tyler Adamczyk won't have to worry about missing the Area Code Games. The pitcher was invited to try out for the USA Junior National team, which would have required his commitment until after the Area Code Games. But Adamczyk failed to make the final cut, as did teammate Mike Nickeas, who had three hits and two RBI in five games at last week's trials.

--Finished: The last local representative was eliminated from the American Legion playoffs Sunday. Camarillo, which won the District 16 17-and-under title by beating Simi-Royal 16-7 on Thursday, lost the first two games of a best-of-three Area 6 series against West Hills Chaminade.

--Unlikely leader: Davey Kamatsu did not hit a home run this spring as a junior at Camarillo High, but on an American Legion team lacking power hitters, Kamatsu was the home run leader. The 5-foot-6, 135-pound second baseman hit four of Camarillo's 19 homers during the regular season.

--Curtis commits: Randy Curtis of Calabasas recently committed to Nevada-Las Vegas. The All-Southern Section first baseman batted .444 this spring and graduated as the Coyotes' all-time hits leader and had a .438 career average.

--College leagues: Camarillo graduate Jay Caligiuri entered the week batting .340 with 16 RBI and three home runs for the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League. In addition to having his team's second-highest batting average, the Cal State L.A. junior-to-be is showing his versatility in the field. He was a shortstop at Camarillo and usually plays third base in college but often plays outfield for the Honkers. . . .

Someone has finally found a way to slow Kevin Howard. The former high school All-American from Westlake, who earned Freshman All-American honors this year at Miami, entered the week batting just .231 for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color in Conejo edition only) Camarillo sophomore-to-be Delmon Young is only 14, but he's excelling at the higher levels of baseball.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News