Marine Vies for Several Awards : West Slugger Posts Best Offensive Numbers of Regional, Series

Lightning and rain delayed the start of Woodland Hills West’s American Legion game against Gonzales, La., on Friday night, but there has been no mistaking who has supplied the thunder in West’s two World Series victories.

Third baseman-catcher Del Marine, a 1989 graduate of El Camino Real High, is a front-runner for at least three awards after regional play and two series games. Legion awards are given annually in several categories to players with the highest aggregate totals in combined regional and series play.

Marine (6-foot, 185-pounds) is batting .516 (16 for 31), making him the leading candidate for the Louisville Slugger Batting Award. Jason Williams, a 15-year-old outfielder for Gonzales, is second at .371 (13 for 35).

Marine also leads in total bases with 23, three more than Rick Helling of Fargo, N. D. The total-base trophy, dubbed the Big Stick Award, is sponsored by Rawlings.

Marine is second only to teammate Carl McFadden, an outfielder, in runs batted in. McFadden, who has 12, recorded eight on two swings in the Northwest Regional tournament last week in Lewiston, Ida., where he belted a pair of grand slams. The winner earns the Irving L. (Click) Cowger Award.

Woodland Hills right-hander Lance Gibson (13-2), who struck out 12 in a 3-1 victory over Janesville, Wis., on Thursday night, is second in the running for the Bob Feller Pitching Award, given to the player with the most strikeouts. Gibson has 29 strikeouts and right-hander Jeff Thelen (14-1) of Janesville, whom Gibson outdueled Thursday, has 31. Past winners of the Feller Award include current major league pitchers Sid Fernandez of the New York Mets (1980) and Gregg Olson of the Baltimore Orioles (1985).

Marine is also among the favorites for the James F. Daniel Jr. Sportsmanship Award, given annually to the player who best embodies the Legion ideal. Past winners of the sportsmanship award include current major leaguers Mike Boddicker of the Red Sox (1976) and Bob Melvin of the Orioles (1980).

The remaining honor is the George Rulon Player of the Year Award, based on playing ability and sportsmanship. Rollie Fingers won the award in 1964.