HEAVY HITTERS; KIDS FEEL POWER, LURE OF BASEBALL AT CONTEST.

Byline: Brooke Olson Daily News Staff Writer

Even though they still hit the ball off a tee, these pint-size players have big-league dreams.

At the first DWP Power Hitting Competition at Hansen Dam on Friday, the talk of the dugout was of baseball's home-run derby between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, who are within strike of Roger Maris' single-season record of 61.

``I played baseball for a while, but then I stopped because it just wasn't exciting anymore,'' said Gary Garcia, 12, of Sun Valley. ``But now, I think it'd be cool to break a record just like McGwire is going to.''

Despite the hit-to-hit competition between McGwire and Sosa, many kids were rooting for a player in distant third: the Seattle Mariners Ken Griffey Jr., who trails behind with 44 home runs, compared to Sosa's 53 and McGwire's 54.

They say it has nothing to do with revelations that McGwire has used a legal performance-enhancing drug. They say it is simply because they believe Griffey is the better player and he seems more likable.

``I think Griffey is a great player. I have all of his baseball cards, and he's just great to watch,'' said Robert Pana, 12, of Sun Valley.

Pana was among the 1,000 baseball fanatics who turned out for the Friday-morning event in hopes that they would win the Power Hitter prize, a chance to hit a baseball at Dodger Stadium.

Children got three swings at a baseball on a batting tee, and hits were measured for distance and accuracy.

For shortstop Albert Diaz, 10, of the Sun Valley All-Stars, the competition was a chance to show off his new hitting skills.

``I've been practicing hitting a lot,'' he said. ``I'm really excited about this competition - I can't wait to go to bat.''

The player to hit the farthest ball in each of the three age groups would win a trip to Dodger Stadium and the chance to compete with other Power Hitter winners during a special True Blue event sponsored in conjunction with the team.

``This is a great opportunity to get the kids excited about baseball and to get them involved in extracurricular activities,'' said Manny Mota, the Dodgers coach who carved out his fame as a celebrated pinch hitter for the team in the 1970s. Mota, whose inner-city youth baseball clinic helped sponsor the event, was on hand to sign baseballs and teach batting fundamentals.

By the end of the morning, the winners were crowned.

In the 8-and-under competition, Jake Johnson, 8, of Woodland Hills took first with a 130-foot hit. Oliver Padre, 10, of Northridge won first place in the 9-11 division with his 186-foot slammer. And Keith Harbour Leduc will play at Dodger Stadium as well. The 14-year-old Canyon Country resident won for the 12- to 14-year-old division, with his hit of 291 feet.

While the children displayed their hitting prowess, parents and coaches reflected on the more serious subject of McGwire's admission he uses a performance-enhancing drug.

``I don't know how I feel about McGwire, but I think I would have a big problem with my kid wanting to be just like him,'' said Patricia Armstrong of her son Sam.

The 34-year-old Woodland Hills resident has, along with other parents and coaches, debated endlessly on how to handle a sensitive topic - the St. Louis Cardinal player's use of androstenedione.

Although legal, the over-the-counter adrenal hormone is a performance-enhancing drug whose long-term risks are unknown. Some also say that McGwire's use of the drug makes the home-run derby unfair. For that reason, parents and coaches are quietly keeping the discussion out of the game.

Woodland Hills All-Stars Coach Brian Amenta said the issue has yet to come up during practice with his 8-year-old players.

``I'd rather shield McGwire's drug use from them for now,'' Amenta said. ``I don't think steroids should be any part of baseball. The kids should just go out there and play and have fun.''

But for older kids who are more aware of the issue, McGwire remains high on their list of favorite players and role models. Several players said they do not think the use of the drug makes the home-run competition unfair.

``I don't think it affects McGwire - he's been a power hitter since he played for the Oakland A's,'' said Mike Duran, 13, a pitcher and shortstop for the Sun Valley All-Stars.

However, the Sun Valley resident said he would never consider using steroids. ``I don't need it,'' he said with a smile.

Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the L.A. Kids Sports Academy, the Manny Mota International Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the event featured an early morning batting clinic in addition to the Power Hitter Competition.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Mike Duran, 13, of Sun Valley swings away Friday during the DWP Power Hitting Competition.

(2) Autograph sessions were also held Friday for those attending the DWP Power Hitting Competition and batting clinic at Hansen Dam.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News