Surprise Infusion of Talent Creates a Hit With Pierce’s Baseball Team

Opponents of the Pierce College baseball team take heed: Co-Coach Bob Lofrano has a ringer working out with the team.

Hubie Brooks of the New York Mets has been practicing with the Brahma baseball team for the past couple of weeks, and Lofrano is itching to give Brooks a low uniform number in an attempt to pass him off as an unknown freshman.

“We’re going to try to get him some at-bats; he knows all our plays,” Lofrano said. “I think I can get him into the game as a designated-hitter.”

Lofrano, a former Chatsworth High coach, and Brooks are friends who met when Brooks, a Valley resident and fan of local baseball, began showing up at Chatsworth practices.

Now, Brooks hones his skills for spring training and talks baseball with the Pierce players.

Brooks is not the only professional baseball player practicing with Pierce. Valley-area minor leaguers Rich Aude and Garret Anderson also have joined Pierce practices.

“I like to see the professional guys come,” Lofrano said. “I think it helps our kids if that’s the avenue they want to pursue.”