LOCAL BASEBALL: HE COULD GO BATTY OUTFIELDER JOHNSON TO JUGGLE LEGION, AREA CODE DUTIES.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer One of the greatest honors for a high school baseball player is an invitation to play in the Area Code games each summer, a showcase event in which the best players from across the nation perform in front of college and pro scouts over four days. Chaminade High of West Hills outfielder Erik Johnson
Erik Johnson (born March 21, 1988 in Bloomington, Minnesota) is an American ice hockey player. fulfilled a lifelong dream when he earned a spot on the Area Code team comprised of players from Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . Johnson and his mates play at the area code games Saturday through Tuesday in Long Beach. Only now Johnson faces a potential dilemma. The hard-hitting, speedy outfielder also plays on the Chaminade/West Hills American Legion American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. team, which qualified for the 17-under State Playoffs beginning Saturday in Yountville. Johnson, West Hills/Chaminade's top player, is torn between his commitment to his Legion team and the individual importance of the area code games. ``It's not every day you get to play for a state championship,'' Johnson said. ``Then again it's not every day you get a chance to go to the area code games. If it came down to it I'd have to chose the area code games, but if there's a way to compromise and do both, I will do it.'' If he does, it will take some hustle. Johnson plans to drive to Yountville to play Saturday and Sunday with his Legion team, than hop on Verb 1. hop on - get up on the back of; "mount a horse" bestride, climb on, jump on, mount up, get on, mount move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right" a plane for the one-hour flight to Long Beach to play with his area code team Monday. If West Hills/Chaminade advances to the finals Tuesday, he hopes to play for both teams, schedule permitting. ``Right now we're going to check on flights and see if we can get done,'' Johnson said. ``It's a matter of making the schedule work. It's crazy, but you only get a chance to do something like this once in your life.'' In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , West Hills/Chaminade is prepared to play with or without its star. ``We definitely want him there if it can be done,'' West Hills/Chaminade coach Scott Drootin said. ``But this is a close-knit team and they understand Erik needs to do what's best for him. They support him either way and they'll be ready to play no matter what happens.'' West Hills/Chaminade advanced to the state playoffs thanks to a deep pitching staff and a solid defense. Pitchers Bobby Paschal, Sean Clark Sean P. Clark is a game designer, director and programmer who worked on a number of notable LucasArts adventure games from early 1990 through to 2002. Game development history
Defensively, a stingy stin·gy adj. stin·gi·er, stin·gi·est 1. Giving or spending reluctantly. 2. Scanty or meager: a stingy meal; stingy with details about the past. defense is anchored by Cody Haerther (third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker ) D.J. Milonas (shortstop), Andrew Yaffe (second baseman second baseman n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker ) and catcher Jimmy Milkovich. ``Jimmy's sort of been the glue that holds us together,'' Chaminade coach Scott Drootin said. ``This is a young team, and he's provided hitting and leadership and solid catching.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Members of the West Hills/Chaminade American Legion team practice for the state playoffs. (2) Somehow, Eric Johnson plans to play in the American Legion playoffs as well as the Area Code games. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News |
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