CANYON TO FOLLOW 2 NEW LEADS COACHES TAKE OVER STRUGGLING BASEBALL, SOFTBALL TEAMS IN NEED OF TURNAROUNDS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - After struggling through difficult seasons last year, Canyon High's baseball and softball teams have new coaches and are expecting a major turnaround.

Chuck Crim, an eight-year major-leaguer who played two seasons with the Angels in 1992 and '93, has taken over the baseball program, replacing Adam Schulhofer. Jeffrey Taylor, Canyon's fourth softball coach in the past five years, takes over for James Hanger.

Last year, the baseball and softball teams faded at the end of the season and finished near or at the bottom of the Foothill League standings. The baseball team was 11-14, 6-9 in league, an especially disappointing season considering it had won 26 games and appeared in the Southern Section Div. II final the previous year. The softball team was 9-15, including a 1-9 to finish last in league.

But Crim and Taylor are only concerned with the future as practice began this week.

``Things are going very well,'' Crim said. ``We've got some really good pitching, and I've got some outstanding new assistant coaches.''

Crim made millions of dollars during his pro career but said he wanted to dedicate himself to helping his son, Cody, a junior center fielder.

``I could probably have a pro job if I really wanted it right now,'' Crim said. ``But I'm not going to do that because I've missed enough of my son growing up while I was playing. I'm enjoying every minute of what I'm doing right now.''

Athletic director Gary Lindberg said he hand-picked Crim, and was thrilled when he accepted the job.

``I think Chuck is going to be fabulous. He's a former Major League Baseball player with nothing else to do,'' Lindberg said. ``I think he's trying to give back to the kids what baseball has given to him. He's been busy, too, out there every day upgrading the facility.''

Left-hander Chris Gschwender, one of the league's top pitchers as a junior last year returns, along with hard-throwing Matt McQueen, a 6-foot-5 right-hander.

Outfielder Drew Peterson, one of the league's top leadoff hitters, also returns. Crim said Peterson has added power.

``We've changed Drew's stance a little bit, and he's got some more juice to hit the ball up the gaps,'' Crim said.

A full-time strength coach, Dustin Funk, has signed on, along with hitting instructor Don Meinhold and Crim's longtime friend Scott Willis, who handles administrative duties because Crim is an off-campus coach.

On the softball team, Taylor is hoping new pitchers Melissa Foster and Patricia Solis work out. If they do, he believes his team can challenge annual powers Valencia, Hart and Saugus.

Solis was a varsity backup last year, and Foster has been promoted from junior varsity.

``There's a lot of good teams up here. That's never a surprise,'' Taylor said. ``But I really like the way our team is coming along, too.''

Jen French, who has pitched for Canyon the past three seasons since her freshman year, is switching to third base. As an infielder, she's believed to have the skill to develop into a Division I college prospect.

``I think Jen kind of pitched out of necessity the past few years. Third base is her natural position,'' Taylor said.

Shortstop Dani Thompson, who started as a freshman and is considered one of the league's most promising prospects, also figures to play a key role.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Canyon High's Jen French will move to third base from pitcher this year.

(2) (Outfielder Drew Peterson has added power to the leadoff spot for Canyon.)

David Crane/Staff Photographer