16 Teams Begin Play in Far West Classic Today

Paramus Catholic of New Jersey is the top-seeded team in the first Far West Baseball Classic, which begins today at four fields in Orange County.

The tournament’s 16-team field has six out-of-state teams, five traditionally strong teams in California and five local teams. El Dorado and Esperanza are the co-hosts.

Pitcher Silvio Censale, a four-year starter who has signed with the University of Miami, leads Paramus. Second-seeded Westminster Christian of Miami finished second in Florida’s state championship last year and has a record of 92-19 during the past three seasons.

Third-seeded Tucson has returning pitcher Tavo Alvarez and catcher Willie Morales, regarded as two of the top players in the nation at their positions.

Fourth-seeded West Springfield, the top-ranked team in Virginia, features catcher Gary Butterworth, who batted .405 as a junior.

The semifinals are scheduled for 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday at UC Irvine, with the championship game at 8 p.m. Thursday at Anaheim’s Glover Stadium.

The first-round pairings:

At El Dorado: Paramus vs. El Dorado, 10:30 a.m.; Chatsworth vs. West Springfield, Va., 2 p.m. At Esperanza: Castro Valley vs. Esperanza, 10:30; 2-San Diego Mt. Carmel vs. Houston Waltrip, 2. At Fountain Valley: La Quinta vs. Miami Westminster, 10:30; 2--Fresno Bullard vs. Fountain Valley, 2. At Valencia: Capistrano Valley vs. Tucson, 10:30; San Francisco Sacred Heart vs. Miami Southridge, 2.