CHATTER: CSUN INFIELDER DECIDES IT'S TIME FOR KNEE SURGERY.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

Play regularly. But play in pain. It wasn't a difficult decision for Mark McCauley to make.

Eager to be a starting infielder for the Cal State Northridge baseball team, McCauley delayed a necessary surgery to repair a knee injury as long as his aches were tolerable.

The USC transfer who attended Crescenta Valley High of La Crescenta has decided to give up the last two weeks of the Matadors' season to have his operation. This weekend's Big West Conference games at UC Irvine could be his last of the season.

McCauley expects to have the surgery within a week. He'll walk away knowing he was a dependable contributor for the 9-34 Matadors. He's made 34 starts, hitting .304 with two home runs and 13 RBI. Last season at USC, he barely got off the bench, starting 12 games as a utility infielder.

Projected as CSUN's everyday second baseman if healthy, soreness and discomfort in his left knee ensured he wouldn't be able to play second. He first hurt himself in high school, and as the Matadors prepared for their season opener, the knee became progressively worse.

A minor procedure had placed two screws in the knee area to stabilize it.

``But the bone was dead, so now they're going to cut the piece off and (use bone ejections) and hopefully that will do the trick,'' said McCauley, who by opting for surgery early can return in time for fall practice.

``It's the type of injury where he could continue to play this year and not get any worse,'' CSUN coach Steve Rousey said. ``Not getting much playing time at SC last year, he really wanted to play. It'll be interesting to see what he'll be able to do healthy.''

Nobody is more curious about that scenario than McCauley. He's a second baseman by trade, having played there his entire high school career. But because of the injury he moved to third base this season. He plans to return to second next season.

``Second base is my home spot. I love turning the double play. And making diving plays in the hole,'' McCauley said. ``My knee is limited in motion and jumping. It's been such a drag because I get on first (base) and can't steal. I'm not playing second base. I can't wait to just be able to leg out doubles and triples. And have the freedom of going all out.'' ...

Westlake High's Kevin Hames, a linebacker at Villanova University, had surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the Wildcats' spring practice. Hames should return for fall camp as a redshirt freshman.

San Diego State senior offensive lineman Anthony Foli's career is in jeopardy after the former Newbury Park player suffered a torn knee ligament during the Aztecs' spring practice last month.

Foli will miss the 2003 season and hope the NCAA will give the fifth-year senior a redshirt year.

The Southern Section's association rule, prohibiting high school coaches from working with their players on outside teams and leagues, was affirmed Thursday at the section council meeting in Long Beach.

A proposal to overturn the rule, sponsored by the Almont League, was voted down 40-30 by the council. ...

Valley College guard Alex Cabagnot (Eagle Rock High) has signed with Hawaii-Hilo.

Staff Writer Ross Siler contributed to this report.