Page 4 March 28, 2013 Joe’s Sports The Horrors of the WBC Gutierrez, Hawthorne By Adam Serrao by their teams or have simply declined theathletes have been barred from participatingThe World Baseball Classic (WBC) has Enjoy Big Week baseball. For approximately three weeks out Tampa Bay’s David Price and even LA’sinvitation outright. Detriot’s Justin Verlander,proven to be effective for the globalization of of the year, the tournament displays national Clayton Kershaw all turned down bids to By Joe Snyder three for the Olympians. baseball teams featuring professional players play for their respective countries in the Sophomore Dominic Gutierrez enjoyed On March 19, Lawndale had a hard time from the highest level leagues around the tournament. The risk of injury is obviously the a big week as Hawthorne High’s baseball containing Ocean League power Culver world, including Major League Baseball biggest cause for concern from players and team enjoyed three consecutive blowout wins City. It was the Cardinals’ second loss (MLB). The tournament not only provides coaches around the Major Leagues, although last week. At Leuzinger on March 19, the to the Centaurs. At Culver on March 15, a platform for the best players from around many, like Dodgers’ General Manager Ned Cougars scored their second rout of their Lawndale lost to the Centaurs 4-3. “In the the world to compete against one another Colletti, contend that injury could happen cross-town rival Olympians, winning 17-2. first game, we had a mental breakdown,” while representing their home nations, but it anywhere and at anytime. “Things happen In a doubleheader against St. Monica from Lawndale head coach Tony Parente said. also helps to promote the game around the all the time. Injuries happen to teams all Santa Monica last Saturday at Hawthorne, Parente, a standout player at El Segundo globe. For that reason and that reason alone, the time,” Colletti stated. “We have to play the Cougars enjoyed two 10-run mercy rule High under the late legendary head coach Bud Selig and the rest of the executives in without Ramirez for eight weeks. I think wins over the Mariners by scores of 13-3 John Stevenson (1933-2010) during the charge of MLB have become married to the our offense is still good. There’s nothing and 11-1. 1980s, is in his first season as head mentor idea of the WBC. The players who participate more we can do about it.” At the moment, In the three games combined, Gutierrez for the Cardinals. “I’m trying to bring that in the Classic may be putting themselves Colletti is correct. Come next time, however, went six for eight with 11 runs batted in same exposure I had at El Segundo to at a greater risk than most teams’ owners the GM may think twice before letting any and eight runs. He was two for two with and general managers would like, however. of his players participate in a tournament five RBIs, two runs and two doubles in With the risk of injury to key players on that concludes only two weeks before the Hawthorne’s doubleheader opener. In the contenders’ rosters, is the World Baseball season begins. nightcap, Gutierrez went two for two, drove Classic worth the three-week display of The concept of the World Baseball Classic in three runs, scored two and had a double. talent that most baseball fans don’t even simply does not seem important enough to Also in the first game of the twin bill avidly follow anyway? merit as many setbacks as it does. In addition against St. Monica, Jonathan Marquez went Though Japan has dominated the World to injury risk, players will lose time that three for three with one run scored. Winning Baseball Classic since the inception, there they need to get familiar with their teams. pitcher Mark Laffoon went four innings, is no denying that the Dominican Republic Spring training is a time for catchers to allowing one earned run and three hits. He has been and is one of the greatest teams to get used to catching pitchers, pitchers to struck out five batters and walked three. exist in the tournament’s history. Featuring get used to throwing to catchers and hitters Against Leuzinger, Gutierrez was two for some of the best baseball players from Major to get work on their mechanics. Instead of four with three RBIs, two runs and a triple. League Baseball, the Dominican Republic worrying about their teams, managers like Hawthorne (7-4) had a balanced offensive made short work of this year’s tournament Don Mattingly begin to worry if players like attack. Jose Sandoval went three for four, in beating Puerto Rico 3-0 in the final Hanley Ramirez will return to the club in drove in three runs and scored once. Moses while capping off an undefeated run at the one piece. The WBC is not the Olympics. Chavez was two for four with two RBIs championship. One of the key contributors Baseball was voted out of the Olympics and two runs scored. Javier Martinez went Lawndale High pitcher Jesse Garcia throws to a Culver City batter to the country’s success (in addition to many for the 2012 games and the WBC doesn’t two for three with two RBIs and two runs. during last week’s non-league baseball action. Photos by Joe Snyder. others) was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ very get nearly the same viewer interest as the Antonio Ramirez went two for three, drove own Hanley Ramirez. The Dodgers acquired Olympics. That being said, don’t look for the in a run and scored twice. Gutierrez was also Lawndale,” Parente added. “We’re trying Ramirez from the Miami Marlins at last tournament to disappear anytime soon. The the winning pitcher by hurling four innings. to take it to a different level. The players year’s trade deadline to fill in at third base Commissioner and other key MLB executives He allowed one hit on two hits and struck are giving it out 110 percent.” and shortstop for the club. are “1,000 percent committed” to the idea out five. Highlighting the Olympians (1-9) The Cardinals are off to a 7-3 start, their In just half a season last year, Ramirez of the tournament. “It’s a worldwide event was sophomore Angel Vital, who was two best since Lawndale High reopened in 1998 brought power from the plate that was and it’s an unqualified success,” said MLB for three with a double. (closed down from 1981-98) and had their otherwise nonexistent for the Dodgers in Executive Vice President Tim Brosnan, who Hawthorne hosts Lawndale in non-league first baseball team in 2003. “Previously, we previous years while also fitting in nicely chooses to look past all of the negatives play today at 3:30 p.m. The Cougars then lacked leadership,” Parente said. “We have with the rest of his teammates. Now, however, that the tournament may present. “People will play in the St. Paul Easter Tournament players who have played together their entire the Dodgers may be looking at spending an can talk negatives all they want. I can cite from Saturday through next Wednesday. life. A good nucleus helped.” extended period of time without Ramirez 1,000 positives for every negative.” Hawthorne begins the Ocean League at home Host Lawndale meanwhile, rolled over after he tore his right thumb ligament diving Despite the fact that potential all-stars against Santa Monica on April 9. Leuzinger cross-town rival Environmental Charter for a ball in the WBC. With a star-studded get injured and other all-stars choose to not hosts Animo Leadership from Inglewood 13-1 on March 20. The Cardinals visit roster like the one that the Dodgers display even participate, it looks as if the Classic today and Lynwood next Wednesday in Hawthorne in non-league play today at 3:30 this year, the only thing that can stop them will be around for good. The games don’t 3:15 p.m. non-league games. p.m. Lawndale opened the Pioneer League from being an elite team is having to deal come close to selling out, even with highly at North Torrance last Tuesday and host the with injury. Already worried about Zack discounted tickets. In America, only five Saxons Friday at 3:15 p.m. Greinke and Carl Crawford, the Dodgers newspapers from outside of the Bay Area MORNINGSIDE WINS now must focus their attention on getting (where the championship game was held) ONE OF THREE Ramirez back into playing shape as well. “It’s even sent reporters to cover the championship Morningside High’s baseball team won bad, it’s bad,” said Ramirez. “It’s something round. Even so, the passion that was shared its first game of the season, winning the I can’t control. It could happen anywhere. in many countries outside of the USA goes opening game of a doubleheader against Unfortunately, it happened in the WBC. It’s unequaled--and both the Dominican Republic Rolling Hills Prep of San Pedro 8-7 last very disappointing.” But would the injury and Puerto Rico this year gained a national Saturday at Morningside. The Monarchs, really still have happened if Ramirez was at identity as the two nations received the chance though, lost the nightcap 16-5. At Animo spring training in Arizona with the rest of the to celebrate as their own stars took center Leadership last Thursday, the Monarchs were club? It’s a question that will certainly never stage. So for now, Dodger fans’ cries will Lawndale High’s Ivan Argueta takes a cut at a pitch during last shut out by the Aztec-Eagles 8-0. reveal an answer, but sustaining an injury fall upon deaf ears. They will be without week’s non-league baseball action against Culver City. Morningside begins Ocean League play of that magnitude that will now have the a starting shortstop for almost half of the at home against cross-town rival Inglewood star shortstop missing opening day and the season, but that’s the way the ball rolls. The LAWNDALE ROUTS LEUZINGER on April 9 at 3:15 p.m. At Kern Valley High first two months of the season would seem World Baseball Classic will indeed be back After falling to Culver City 9-1 on March in Lake Isabella last Friday, the Sentinels very unlikely to happen in spring training. in effect again and Major League Baseball 19 at home, Lawndale High’s baseball team were shut out 7-0 as they failed to get a hit. While Ramirez even through his injury fans everywhere will have to begin their rolled over Leuzinger 12-1 last Friday at LADY COUGARS TOP LAWNDALE seems to be in favor of the WBC, many worry once more. • Lawndale. Keying the Cardinals in their Hawthorne High’s softball team used a win over the Olympians was senior Steven 12-run fifth inning to defeat host Lawndale Rudolph, who was two for three with three 15-11 on March 19. The Cougars’ balanced RBIs. Arnold Escobedo went two for five attack was led by Elisa Marin, who was and scored a run. two for four with three RBIs and two Follow Us Freshman winning pitcher Miguel Osorio runs. Savannha Donnelly went two for five, went three innings, allowing one run and drove in two runs and scored three. Diana on Twitter four hits. He had four strikeouts and only one walk. Relievers, senior Sergio Blandon and three runs. Freshman Simon Simone @heraldpubMontenegro was three for five with one RBI and freshman Luis Valencia, held Leuzinger was two for three, drove in a run and scored scoreless, giving up just one additional hit twice. Emily Banuelos went three for four over four innings. Ben Cady went three for and scored three runs for the Cardinals. •
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