YOUTH BASEBALL: FOR MADSEN, EARLY LESSONS PAYING OFF : LITTLE LEAGUE PITCHER SHINES AFTER LEARNING THE ROPES FROM HIS GRANDFATHER.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Jason Madsen remembers being in awe of the high school players. His grandfather coached the Newbury Park High baseball team and Madsen tagged along, trying to fit in during workouts even though he was only 10 years old.

``I went to his practices and caught some of those guys,'' Madsen said. ``I was like, `man.' They threw hard.''

These days Madsen is the one drawing such reactions.

``My (older) brother tries to catch me, but it burns his hand,'' Madsen said.

The early exposure to a high level of baseball helped Madsen elevate his play and become one of the area's top all-around players at his age level. The 14-year-old, who enters Moorpark High in the fall, is a starting pitcher and constant offensive threat for the Moorpark Little League Junior League All-Star team.

He gave up only two earned runs, but lost in Saturday's opening game of the District 13 tournament that continues this week at Simi Valley. He also doubled for one of Moorpark's three hits against Sunset. During the regular season, Madsen pitched a 16-strikeout no-hitter for the league-champion Reds.

``Jason has really good mechanics,'' Moorpark coach Ron Schnieber said. ``His grandfather taught him how to throw, so he knows what he's doing. He's a gamer.

``He knows how to pitch, he doesn't just throw.''

Shortstop and catcher are among the various positions the lanky 6-foot-2 Madsen could play today when Moorpark tries to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.

Madsen started pitching at the Farm level. He said he volunteered when his coach needed a pitcher and liked the position well enough to stick with it. At times, his ability tempted coaches to overwork Madsen - he said he threw 140-150 pitches in a game last year and experienced arm problems a few times - but his time on the mound has been closely watched by his family and coach this year in an effort to preserve his arm.

Madsen credits his grandfather, Jim Douglas, for teaching him most of what he knows about pitching. Although he throws hard - he's never been clocked, so he doesn't know exactly how fast - Madsen's best pitch is what he calls ``the Sandy Koufax curve.''

``That gets a lot of guys out,'' Madsen said.

``If a big hitter goes up, I just battle, try to get it by him. If he can hit the fastball, I throw a curve. I mix it up - fast, slow, fast, inside, outside. You just mess him up and blow it by him.''

Learning to wait on his back foot and step quickly makes it hard for opposing pitchers to blow much past Madsen.

``He's real good, but he's not arrogant,'' Schnieber said. ``He's a total team player. He's got a great attitude. He could hit a grounder back to the pitcher and be thrown out at first, then the next guy up hits a long fly to center and the outfielder makes a nice play. The guy goes back to the dugout throwing his helmet and Jason'll be, `Hey, dude, you hit it five times further than me. What are you complaining about?' He tries to keep everyone positive. He's a great guy to have on the team.''

MADSEN FILE

Name: Jason Madsen

Team: Moorpark Little League Junior All-Stars

Age: 14

Notable: The versatile player, who had a no-hitter during the regular season, is one of Moorpark's top pitchers and hitters. . . . He was selected to the 1998 All-Star team but declined the invitation. . . . He also plays basketball.

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: MADSEN FILE (See text)