SOFTBALL A.V. ALL-STARS BATTLE WEATHER, TOO MICHIGAN HIT BY HIGH HEAT, HUMIDITY.

Byline: Lee Lamberts Special to the Daily News

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The players and coaches had long since left when the midsummer night's haze began to settle over Vanderberg Park. But the effects of the humidity in Michigan in the summer had taken their toll on the Antelope Valley District 51 All-Stars a few hours earlier.

``We talked about that before the game,'' Antelope Valley coach Lester Ball said Monday evening of West Michigan's sometimes sauna-like conditions. ``All the girls were doing warming up before the game was whining and complaining how uncomfortable they are.''

Uncomfortable?

At the game, conditions back home in the Los Angeles area were 99 degrees with 15 percent humidity. In Kalamazoo, the corresponding numbers were 78 degrees and 72 percent humidity.

It's likely to get worse as the week goes on. Forecasts call for continued temperatures in the mid-80s with escalating humidity levels, sometimes resulting in early evening or late-night thunderstorms.

``We told them twice that everybody has to play in these same conditions, and they can't change it,'' Ball said. ``No, we're not used to it, but the mental part of the game is that we have to be ready for that. Everybody who is here is a champion, and it's who is going to be able to battle the mental stress is the team that is going to come out on top.

``Everybody was in in the dugout drinking water and cooling off with wet rags. We're used to heat, but it's dry heat. We've never played in anything even close to this.''

--Yer out, part 1: In Monday's 1-0 win over District 2 from Kalamazoo, each time the host team put the ball into play is was an important test for the Antelope Valley defense.

The District 51 girls came through almost every time.

Center fielder Sayoko Rutledge started the trend of outstanding defensive plays in the outfield when she ran seemingly forever to her right - and deep - to flag down a long fly ball off the bat of Sara Uroegindewey.

--Yer out, part 2: With Antelope Valley clinging to a 1-0 lead after Amanda Wachusmuth's run-scoring single in the third inning, the local team had runners on first and second following a single and a rare AV error on a sacrifice bunt.

But Rachel Dyksterhouse's liner to Monique Saldana at third turned into a double play when Saldana fired to Keri Pulcifer at first to double up Jen Goldschmeding.

``We stress our defense so much that plays like these are normal for us,'' Saldana said of the of the double play, the team's ninth in the last six tournament games. ``If we get a chance for a double play, great, we'll turn it. It's a routine play for us now. Now all we're doing is striving to make ourselves awesome instead of good.''

--Yer out, part 3: With runners on first and third in the seventh inning and no outs, Kalamazoo seemed primed to not only break up Antelope Valley's shutout bid, but win the game. Dyksterhouse's fly to right-center was chased down by Vanessa Gallegos, who turned and fired the ball back into the infield in an attempt to cut down the potential tying run at the plate.

It turned out to be unnecessary because the District 2 runner at third failed to tag and score.

``I didn't want to let her score, that's all I was thinking,'' Gallegos said. ``I just ran as hard as I could to try to catch the ball.''

--Yer out, part 4: For those wondering why there are umpires on each base and one down each of the foul lines in the outfield, a play in the fourth inning of Monday's game should provide the answer.

Keliah Williams of District 2 hit a slicing fly ball toward right field that Gallegos chased down, but bobbled as she lost her balance making the catch.

She finally made the putout official as she hit the ground, but about the only person who saw the ball into the glove was the right-field umpire. He was in the perfect position to make the call.

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(color) Keri Pulcifer has been a standout at first base for the Antelope Valley District 51 All-Stars.

Gerry Gittelson/Special to the Daily News