Baseball: The transformation of Derek Neely
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With rain predicted for most of next week, I went today to watch the winter league baseball game between defending City champion Chatsworth and defending Southern Section Division II champion Encino Crespi. Let me say that Crespi’s hitting lineup featuring six players who have signed or committed to colleges is very impressive.
Austin Walker had a two-run home run and Ryon Healy an RBI single in the first inning.
But the most stunning moment was seeing the transformation of Chatsworth senior first baseman Derek Neely. When last season ended, the all-leaguer weighed 248 pounds. He now weighs 190 pounds. It was accomplished during the summer and fall by changing his eating habits, running and working out.
‘I feel a lot better,’ said Neely, who got a first-inning double off Healy.
It had to take a lot of discipline to lose the weight and an equal amount to maintain the weight loss, so good for him.
He figures to provide the power for Chatsworth, which for the first time in more than 10 years doesn’t have a top prospect at the shortstop position. But the Chancellors still figure to be in the City title hunt with good pitching, good defense and some top young players, led by junior Aaron Brown.
As for the Celts, everything points toward them being one of the top three teams in the Southland this spring.
-- Eric Sondheimer