CHATSWORTH HIGH HOPES TO HIT HEIGHTS AGAIN.

Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer

CHATSWORTH - Chalk it up to the corrupting power of fame, too many slaps on the back, or the curse of the USA Today No. 1 ranking.

Chatsworth High School's baseball team was riding high last week with a top national ranking and a 19-game winning streak.

But after a brief flirtation with glory, the team has lost two games in a row and likely will fall from its position in the new USA Today rankings issued today.

```We just got a little too cocky and didn't play that well as a team,'' said Joe Guntz, the team's ace left-handed pitcher. ``After that No. 1 ranking, we just didn't play full throttle.''

Coach Tom Meusborn is trying to get his players refocused.

``Being the No. 1 team in the country was very special, but when you're playing a game almost every day, things can change at any time,'' Meusborn said.

The team vows to win today's game against Cleveland High School, which defeated Chatsworth, 4-3, on Monday. The Birmingham High team also narrowly defeated Chatsworth last Friday, 5-4. Meusborn said he prefers to learn from wins rather than losses, but conceded that the two-game losing streak might help the team refocus.

``Maybe the No. 1 ranking was a distraction,'' he said. ``I think we started to play not to lose as opposed to playing to win.''

The Chatsworth players credit Meusborn's no-nonsense coaching and rigorous practice sessions with keeping the team consistently on top.

Chatsworth High has been ranked No. 1 by USA Today twice - this year and in 1988 - and it has won four city championships.

During the team's daily three-hour practice sessions, Meusborn scrutinizes his team's every move and barks out orders from center field, keeping his team's practice sessions running like a well-oiled machine.

``Our coach is probably one of the toughest in the state,'' Guntz said. ``The coach gives 110 percent at every practice and he never takes a day off, so we're all trying to live up to his standards. None of us works as hard as he does.''

While the players said they were happy about last week's USA Today ranking, most said they remain focused on the team's primary goal - winning the city championship at Dodger Stadium this year.

``Now we know we can't let up or let our heads get too big,'' said left- fielder Brian Lee, 17. ``And our real goal is to win the championship, so we're staying focused on each game.''

As they vie to be the city champs, the players say they juggle a busy schedule of baseball practice, homework and, with the little time remaining, a social life.

Despite their frenetic pace, the players said they don't feel pressured because they love what they're doing. Meusborn also holds a weekly study hall that allows the team to catch up on schoolwork.

``Having a social life is tough, but baseball is the No. 1 priority for every single player on this team,'' said Jared Halpert, 17, who plays center field. ``We're willing to give up weekends because we love it. Our social lives are baseball.''

For most of the players, obtaining a college baseball scholarship is the biggest pressure they face. While only a few players said they aspired to play baseball professionally, most said they hoped to get financial assistance to play at the college level.

Many were already receiving letters from multiple colleges, and were trying to weigh which college offered the most money against which one had the best baseball team.

Guntz, one of a handful of players who hopes to go pro, said he had been offered scholarships from St. Mary's College of California, California State University, Northridge, and the universities of New Mexico and Hawaii.

``A lot of colleges send letters but most of them aren't serious,'' Guntz said. ``I'm just trying to figure out which one has the best deal.''

Most of the players said they had little trouble keeping their grades up.

``Schoolwork is pretty laid back this year,'' said Lee, a senior with a B average. ``It's pretty easy to practice and keep up with homework.''

Much of the players' time is also devoted to raising money. The team receives just $1,600 per year from the school - compared with the football team's $22,000 annual budget, partly generated by a $5-per-game fee.

The players therefore spend many hours fund raising, generating more than $20,000 per year for uniforms and equipment. This year, with some financial help from the school, the team raised enough money to buy a new scoreboard and clubhouse.

The biggest moneymakers for the team are the annual Christmas tree sale and Casino Night, a parent-organized evening of dinner and raffles.

By taking charge of raising money for their own equipment, Meusborn said, the players are learning such valuable life skills as responsibility and self-reliance.

``A major part of this program is teaching them things they will use in life,'' he said.

``Most of these kids won't have a career in baseball, and I want to give them skills they can use, like being responsible, being on time and doing things the right way. If they make a mistake, fine, just don't make an excuse for it. It's all part of growing.''

In teaching these life skills, Meusborn said, he tries to lead by example. He stays in shape, takes an active role in the practice sessions, and tries to be the best person he can be.

Meusborn pitches hundreds of balls every day, and calls out orders to each batter to help them fine tune their skills.

``Use the whole field, and don't be too rubber-bodied or you won't be able to judge the pitcher,'' Meusborn shouts to one batter.

``Let the ball get deep, let it get to you,'' he calls out to another.

Players say Meusborn's advice on baseball - and life - is invariably correct.

``He's the kind of guy who makes you listen to him because he always has something important to say,'' said pitcher Jason Dominguez, 16. ``The reason the team is so good and so aggressive is he gets us into his mentality for every single game.''

For many players, Meusborn's physical and mental strength was initially intimidating.

``My freshman year, I was scared to death of him, but then I got to know him better,'' said Ryan Barba, a 17-year-old shortstop. ``He's taught me a lot about respect and responsibility, and he's definitely made me a better person.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Chatsworth High teammates, from left, Brett Munster, Ryan Barba, Jose Cabrera and Keith Renno chat before a recent game.

(2) Chatsworth High baseball coach Tom Meusborn delivers a pitch during practice. Players say the coach gives 110 percent to the team, on and off the field.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer