KIDS to WATCH : KERRY CORDERO

Baseball Cypress Age 12

For years, Kerry Cordero viewed baseball as nothing more than a way to spend some time with his father and brother.

The three would go to the park in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., to play catch. It was fun, but Cordero never thought about organized ball.

“It was too cold back there in the spring,” Cordero said. “I played basketball instead. The gym was always warm.”

A change of scenery changed all that. When his family moved to Cypress, Cordero found the weather to his liking, and baseball became more than a friendly game of catch.

In just two years, Cordero has become one of the top pitchers in Southern California in his age group. Last summer, he helped the Cypress All-Stars make it to the Little League World Series. Cypress reached the semifinals before losing to Shippensburg, Pa.

Cordero had a record of 10-1 during the run to the Series and was 21-2 for the season.

“The thing that is phenomenal is that Kerry consistently throws strikes,” said Gary Shelton, coach of the Cypress all-stars. “Not only with his fastball, but with his curve.”

Shelton said Cordero averaged 12 to 14 strikeouts per six-inning game.

Cordero’s mental approach to the game matches his ability. He said he can block things out on the mound, which keeps him from getting rattled.

In the first game of the World Series, he had a a no-hitter until one of his outfielders misplayed a fly ball. Shelton said Cordero shrugged and struck out the next six batters.