Baseball Tournaments Begin Today

Tustin, with returning all-county outfielder Shawn Green and infielder Ben Munoz, is the top-seeded team in the Newport Elks baseball tournament scheduled today at seven sites throughout the county.

Tustin was the runner-up in the Southern Section 3-A Division last year but should be tested by 5-A Division powers Esperanza and Mater Dei.

Among the top players participating are shortstop Zack Elliott (Tustin), outfielder Cale Carter (Mater Dei), third baseman Keith McDonald (Esperanza) and shortstop Tim Snowden (Mission Viejo).

The championship game of the 16-team tournament is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. March 9. Teams will play today, Tuesday Thursday and Saturday. The first-round pairings, with all games beginning at 3 p.m.:

Costa Mesa at Tustin; Foothill at Santa Ana; El Modena at Estancia; Capistrano Valley at Corona del Mar; Santa Ana Valley at Mater Dei; Mission Viejo at Newport Harbor; Trabuco Hills at Orange.

The field for the 12th Loara tournament, which also begins today, is headed by Lakewood, featuring all-Southern Section pitcher David Reeser.

Reeser was 9-1 last season, when top-seeded Lakewood won the 32-team tournament for the second consecutive year. Defending 5-A Division champion Marina is seeded second, Katella is third and La Quinta fourth.

Among the top players participating are infielder Dennis Briggs (Katella), utility player Walter Dawkins (La Quinta) and pitcher Rob Johnson.

The championship game begins at 7 p.m. March 9 at Glover Stadium. Teams will play today, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The first-round pairings, all starting at 3 p.m.:

Newbury Park at Lakewood; Villa Park at J.W. North; San Clemente at Loara; Huntington Beach at El Toro; University at Santiago; Los Amigos at Ocean View; El Dorado at Laguna Hills; Sunny Hills at Dana Hills; Diamond Bar at Western; Los Alamitos at La Quinta; Irvine at Servite; Savanna at Katella; Downey at Anaheim; Magnolia at Kennedy.