District 20 All-Stars to Play Before a Captive Audience

The American Legion District 20 all-star game at 1 p.m. today at Cal State Northridge is expected to draw a lot of interest from exactly those people whom the players involved would hope to see--major league scouts.

“We should have a full house, including every scout in the area,” District Commissioner Mel Swerdling said. “This is a showcase event.”

District 20 is composed of three divisions--Northern, Western and Eastern. For purposes of the all-star game, the eight Northern Division teams are divided among the East and West all-star teams.

Tom Pedersen of Newhall-Saugus (Santa Clarita) will coach the West and Jody Breeden of Van Nuys-Notre Dame will coach the East.

Santa Clarita is defending Northern Division champion and Van Nuys-Notre Dame is defending Eastern Division champion.

Included on the West team are Santa Clarita standouts Corey Byars (.419, 14 doubles, 22 runs batted in) and Gary Morgan (.455, 19 RBIs). Woodland Hills West will send Bryce Welch (.561, 8 home runs, 35 RBIs) and Dan McAdoo (.382, 19 RBIs).

Others on the West roster include Mike Shwartzer (.452, 28 RBIs) and pitcher Steve Brody (6-0) of Reseda; Joe Cascione of Sepulveda (.481, 28 RBIs); and John Haselbusch (.413, 21 RBIs, 18 steals), David Waco (.386, 14 RBIs) and Ty Powell of Chatsworth (.436, 20 RBIs).

East standouts include pitcher Dan Carroll (8-1) and John Dempsey (.387, 22 RBIs) of Encino-Crespi; Matt McElreath (.548, 5 HRs) and Jeff Antoon (.464) of Van Nuys-Notre Dame; E. J. Pape of Burbank (.421, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs); and James Hernandez of Glendale (.414, 7 steals).