SENIOR WATCHING, LEARNING FREDERICKS PAYING BIG DIVIDENDS FOR NO. 1 CHATSWORTH.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer Chris Fredericks had plenty of time to learn. He saw first-hand what it took to be the top-ranked high school baseball team in the country, and how such a team could be beat. Technically, he was member of that team, but this year he really wanted to be a part of it. Fredericks received only a handful of at-bats last season with the Chatsworth High baseball team. He batted .250. Unsatisfied with a reserve role, Fredericks took the knowledge he absorbed as a bystander by·stand·er n. A person who is present at an event without participating in it. bystander Noun a person present but not involved; onlooker; spectator Noun 1. last season to become a main contributor for a Chatsworth team that is again ranked No. 1 in the nation. The senior's .385 average ranks third on the team as the Chancellors enter today's City Section semifinal against Banning of Wilmington looking to play for a second City title in three years. ``He's made a big difference,'' Chatsworth coach Tom Meusborn said. ``He only had five or six at-bats last year, but he's worked hard to be in there his senior year and has done a good job for us.'' On a team as deep as the Chancellors (31-1), Fredericks often is limited to designated-hitter duties. However, he also is a capable outfielder and showed promise as a pitcher. The right-hander was the West Valley League's junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. Pitcher of the Year in 2001 when he posted a 10-0 record and 0.65 ERA in addition to leading the team in RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in . Fredericks was given a choice last year between returning to the JV with a prominent role or being on varsity, where there was an outfield and pitching staff full of All-City players. ``I looked at it as an opportunity to learn,'' Fredericks said. ``You learn from being on the varsity level, what it takes to play at this level. I wanted to get the most out of my time. You can learn a lot just by watching and seeing things Seeing Things may refer to:
``I couldn't get discouraged dis·cour·age tr.v. dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing, dis·cour·ag·es 1. To deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit. 2. To hamper by discouraging; deter. 3. . You've got to make the best of To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage. To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain. - Bacon. See also: Best Best the opportunities you get, and I've done that.'' His postseason contributions include a two-run double in a first-round victory over Fremont of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , and a walk against Kennedy of Granada Hills' 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. pitchers in the second round Wednesday. He now will do his best to ensure the Chancellors don't endure a repeat of last season's upset in the semifinals. ``We're proud of being No. 1,'' Fredericks said. ``But our main goal is being City champions.'' Heather Gripp, (818) 713-3607 heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com CITY BASEBALL SEMIFINALS Who: No. 1 Chatsworth (31-1) vs. No. 5 Banning (23-11) When: Today, 3 p.m. Where: Birmingham High What's at stake: The winner faces the winner of today's Roosevelt-Carson matchup in Tuesday's championship game at Dodger Stadium • • [ . CAPTION(S): box Box: CITY BASEBALL SEMIFINALS (see text) |
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