CHATTER: LEE DENIES HE VERBALLY ABUSES, DISCRIMINATES.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Newbury Park baseball coach Mike Lee denied accusations of verbal abuse and discrimination of multisport athletes made by Rudy Carpenter.

The quarterback listed the alleged transgressions as the reasons he transferred to Westlake.

Lee projects that, among 56 players on this year's baseball team, 28 play at least two sports and nine play three sports. Lee said Carpenter was slated to be a varsity outfielder and pitcher for the upcoming season.

Lee, entering his second year as coach, said there has not been verbal abuse in the program.

``I do run a structured and disciplined program,'' he said. ``Sometimes I feel high school athletes have a difficult time discerning between what is coaching and what is verbal abuse.''

Lee said he is perplexed Carpenter, one of the top quarterbacks in the area, blames him for his transfer.

``I was really looking forward to working with him this year,'' Lee said. ``I am sorry Rudy is no longer a Panther. He is an outstanding athlete, one of the best in the school, and a fine young man. I wish him the best at Westlake and beyond.'' ...

Three USC and two UCLA football players will play in the Hula Bowl today (ESPN2, 6 p.m.) in Maui in the final college all-star game of the season.

USC safety DeShawn Hill and defensive tackle Bernard Riley will suit up for the Kai team. Linebackers Michael Pollard (USC) and Marcus Reese (UCLA) and UCLA cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. will play for the Aina team. ...

Lancaster High is waiting for the go-ahead from school district officials to post its open football coaching position. Vice principal Eric Riegert said interest in the Golden League job, vacated by Troy Jackson last month after three losing seasons, has been high.

``Considering it's still unofficial, we've gotten a lot of calls,'' Riegert said. ``I think we're going to have a pool of good candidates.''

Riegert hopes to have a coach in place by the start of spring practice in May. Until then, junior varsity coach David Hood has supervised the Eagles' offseason weight-lifting program.

The school also finalized its schedule last week, adding a game in Week 2 against San Fernando. ...

The state Commission on Athletics has yet to conclude its investigation of the College of the Canyons football program nearly two months after players and fans brawled on the field at the end of the California Community College Championship. COA spokesman David Eadie said the governing body had nothing new to announce. ...

Cal State Northridge honored former baseball players Adam Kennedy and Robert Fick before the school's annual alumni game last Saturday. Kennedy helped the Angels win their first World Series in October and was named MVP of the American League Championship Series.

The Big West Conference-champion Matadors opened their season Friday with a victory in the first of a three-game series against UCLA. Game 3 is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Matador Field.

Staff writers Lauren Gustus and Ross Siler contributed to this report.