Oversight May Cost Camarillo Title

Camarillo High violated a new state rule that limits a pitcher to 30 outs in a calendar week during the Scorpions’ 4-2 win over Chatsworth last Saturday in the Blue Division championship of the Westside tournament at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Camarillo’s Eric Raba pitched 14 innings, or 42 outs, last week. He pitched seven innings in an 8-2 win over Notre Dame last Tuesday, then pitched a second complete game in the victory over Chatsworth. The rule, which went into effect this season, limits a pitcher to 30 outs from Monday through Saturday.

According to state rules, violation of the new rule results in a forfeit. But Chuck Ice, the tournament director, said Monday that a decision regarding the championship game will not be made until he contacts the Southern Section office today.

Camarillo received commemorative T-shirts and a first-place trophy last Saturday.

“The game stands until we verify that it (a violation) happened,” Ice said. Ice was a member of the baseball advisory committee that developed the new rule.

Camarillo Coach Jack Willard said it was an embarrassing oversight.

“I knew the rule, but my thinking was that Raba pitched Tuesday, had three days rest, and was coming back on Saturday,” said Willard, a first-year coach. “I wasn’t trying to be sneaky and trick somebody. I just didn’t pay attention.”

Chatsworth Coach Tom Meusborn, also in his first year, said he, too, was unaware of the violation. Raba, a senior right-hander who would have been limited to three innings in Saturday’s game, silenced Chatsworth rallies in the fifth and sixth innings.

Raba allowed six hits, three walks, and struck out seven. He also contributed a run-scoring triple.

“I’m shocked, but they still executed and we didn’t,” Meusborn said. “They came to play and deserved to win.”

Willard said his players were understandably disappointed with Monday’s news.

“It’s their job to play, and my job to know those rules,” Willard said. “It was my mistake, and I take full credit for it.”