Orange County Player of the Week : Helm Gets Used to All the Notice

When Laguna Hills High School pitcher Wayne Helm looks in to get a sign from the catcher, he encounters a scene that’s enough to unnerve the calmest player.

In the stands behind the plate, professional scouts, with their portable speed guns and note pads, watch and write down every move the right-hander makes.

But then again, Helm’s making the kind of moves that get attention.

Last summer, his fastball was clocked at 87 m.p.h. in the Cal State Fullerton Superstar camp.

Last week, Helm threw his first no-hitter on any level in the opening round of the Oceanside tournament against Oceanside. He took a perfect game into the sixth inning before hitting a batter. Helm struck out 12 and did not allow a ball out of the infield.

On Thursday against Carlsbad, he hit a two-run home run as Laguna Hills won 7-3. And Helm hit a three-run home run in the second game of a doubleheader to help the Hawks sweep Saddleback on Saturday.

For all this, he’s been named the Times’ Player of the Week.

“It makes me feel pretty good to have the scouts here to watch,” Helm said. “But, I’ve had some problems with it. It’s just something I’ll have to get used to. My confidence is a lot better and I think I’ll be able to handle it.”

Last season, Helm was 10-3, with a 1.88 earned-run average in 79 innings. He had 87 strikeouts and was named to the All-CIF, third team.

Before his junior year, Helm had got some help on his delivery from Laguna Hills Coach Jack Hodges, who noticed that Helm’s arm motion was too short and he did not use his legs enough driving off the mound.

“We also had to work on his confidence more than anything else,” Hodges said. “He was wild in the past and so many people had told him he was wild that the first thing I had to do was get him to think he wasn’t wild.

“Now, he has enough control to where he can spot his fastball and he is throwing the curve better also. Last season, he got by on just throwing his fastball.”

Wayne Helm

Laguna Hills High School

Position: Pitcher/first base

Height, Class: 6-3, Sr.

Last Week: Threw a no-hitter and hit two home runs in the Hawks’ four wins.

Season: Is 3-1 with 40 strikeouts in 23 innings. He has three home runs.