BASEBALL PREVIEW : THE PLAYERS : After Taking Beating, County’s Catchers Earn Squatters’ Rights

They have been ignored, bruised and, generally, beaten up like a boxer from the first day they strapped on the gear.

In the field, while outfielders work on batting stances and infielders kick away pebbles, they take foul tips off their fingers and dive after wild pitches.

And for what? A couple of creaky knees and a mouthful of dirt? Well, forget it. This time it’s going to be different.

This is the year for squatters’ rights.

The catchers, considered the players with the most difficult job on the field, are in abundance this season around Orange County.

So, a look at the county’s top players has to begin behind the plate, where the work gets done. CATCHERS

Kevin Bill, Ocean View--The best in the Sunset League. He was second in the league in batting with a .436 average last season. He also had three home runs and 25 runs batted in. Coach Steve Barrett said Bill handles pitchers well.

Chris Briones, Brea-Olinda--Possibly the best player in the Orange League. Briones is a three-year starter and an outstanding defensive catcher. He hit .325 a year ago with 10 doubles.

Steve Friedrich, Troy--Has great hands and was a standout receiver for the football team. Friedrich may be considered the second best catcher in the Freeway League, behind D.C. Olsen, but is a better defensive catcher. He has a strong arm and is smart. He also hit .333.

Chad Hoelker, El Toro--Great defensive skills and a good hitter. According to Baseball America, Hoelker ranks 29th out of the 100 top prospects in the United States. He hit .390 and is one of the most difficult catchers to steal against.

Matt Maffei, Laguna Hills--A good hitter with some power. Maffei hit .341 with five home runs. His strength, though, is behind the plate. Maffei has a great arm and was 3-1 as a pitcher.

Nathan Malacone, San Clemente--A two-year starter who works well with pitchers. Malacone hit better than .300 as a sophomore and junior and should improve.

Matt McCready, Los Amigos--At 6 feet 5, 195 pounds, has the size to take the punishment. McCready’s strength is at the plate, though. He hit .403 with four home runs and 22 RBIs.

Paul McDaniels, Estancia--A novelty as a left-handed catcher. He got off to a slow start, striking out in seven of his first 10 at-bats, but finished with a .374 average. He also had three home runs and 21 RBIs.

Jason Minici, Irvine--Not much is known about this transfer from Stevenson High School in suburban Chicago, but coaches are raving about what they’ve seen. Minici has a great arm, as he was the quarterback for the Vaquero football team.

D.C. Olsen, Fullerton--No one ever has had a season that compared to the one he enjoyed as a junior. All Olsen did was lead the county in hitting (.595), home runs (13), RBIs (39), runs scored (42) and hits (50). He set county single-season records in batting average and home runs.

Ryan Puskas, Canyon--A great defensive catcher who struggles sometimes at the plate. Puskas hit only .271, but finished strong. Coach Hi Lavalle said Puskas is the best catcher he has had at Canyon.

Scott Wood, Kennedy--A shade below McCready in potential. Wood hit only .280 but is a good clutch hitter. He had three home runs and 21 RBIs. BEST OF THE REST

Aaron Boone, second baseman/shortstop, Villa Park--Probably the best infielder in the county. The son of major league catcher Bob Boone hit .351 and was 13 of 15 in stolen bases. A great defensive player.

Cale Carter, outfielder, Mater Dei--The best player in the county’s best outfield. Carter hit .378 with 24 RBIs. A strong arm and good speed.

Ken Dolan, pitcher, San Clemente--A four-year letterman. Dolan is considered the best pitching prospect in the county when healthy. However, he missed most of last season with shoulder problems. Dolan has a 90-mile-per-hour fastball and a wicked knuckle-curve.

Walter Dawkins, outfielder, La Quinta--A great all-around player. He will see time in the outfield, at first base and on the mound. Dawkins hit .362 with five home runs, 20 RBIs and 11 doubles.

Tyson Dowdell, third baseman, El Dorado--A great athlete and possibly the best junior in the county. Dowdell hit .365 and was 4-2 as a pitcher. He is 6-4, 195 and has a great hitting stroke.

Cade Gaspar, shortstop, Capistrano Valley--A year ago, Gaspar was just starting to come around when he broke his arm and missed the last half of the season. He has great defensive skills and should hit better than he did last year (.273).

Shawn Green, outfielder, Tustin--For pure hitting, no one compares. Green hit .462 with 27 stolen bases. He has added power to the package this season. Green is a preseason All-American.

Rob Johnson, pitcher, El Toro--A standout in three sports, he could be his best. One of the top five pitchers in the county. He was 9-1 with a 1.58 earned-run average last season.

Ben Munoz, second baseman, Tustin--A very good fielder who is close to Green as a hitter. Munoz hit .493 and scored 36 runs. He also had 13 doubles and 27 RBIs.

Greg Tippin, outfielder, Canyon--A great hitter who will play outfield, first base and pitch. Tippin hit .354 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. He was 3-4 on the mound with a 2.54 ERA. MORE HITTERS

Dennis Briggs, third baseman, Katella--He hit .465 with 23 runs scored.

Mike Boucher, first baseman, Mission Viejo--He hit .320 but is coming off knee surgery.

Tyler Cashman, first baseman, Los Alamitos--He hit .402 with nine doubles and 25 runs scored.

Brett Coons, outfielder, Troy--He hit .333 and is a great defensive player.

Rich Crowe, outfielder, Ocean View--He hit .340 with three home runs and 10 stolen bases.

Ray Ellis, outfielder, Mater Dei--He hit .379 with 23 stolen bases.

Rich Hill, shortstop, Esperanza--He hit .368 and is a solid fielder.

Mark Huffman, outfielder, Irvine--He hit .386 with a school-record 22 stolen bases.

Chris Lugo, first baseman, Capistrano Valley--He hit .444 with three home runs.

Keith McDonald, third baseman, Esperanza--He hit .308 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.

Ken Overby, outfielder, Sunny Hills--He hit .330 with 27 runs and 13 stolen bases.

Jeff Peterson, outfielder, Orange--He hit .350 with four triples and 22 RBIs.

Jonathan Petke, outfielder, Capistrano Valley--He hit .355 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.

Rod Rosales, shortstop, Kennedy--He hit .354 and is a solid fielder.

Steve Sandoval, third baseman, Servite--He hit .332 and was 2-1 as a spot starter.

Mike Seals, outfielder, Irvine--He hit .356 and showed some power. He was 7-7 as a pitcher and tied a school single-season record with 93 strikeouts. MORE PITCHERS

Joe Aquirre, Garden Grove--He was 6-7, but had a 1.14 earned-run average.

Bill Courtney, Tustin--He was 8-0 with 48 strikeouts.

Derek Fahs, Fountain Valley--He had a so-so record, but struck out 75 batters.

Randy Karliner, Ocean View--He was only 3-0 because of arm problems, but was 8-2 as a sophomore. He also hit .300 with three home runs.

Cliff Mierendorf, Servite--He was 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA. He also hit .365 as a sophomore, but dropped off to .265 a year ago.

Rick Orr, Sunny Hills--He was 6-2 with a 2.20 ERA.

Guy Pinelli, Troy--He was 9-3 with 1.92 ERA.

Chris Reed, Katella--He had an average year, but will improve. He has a 90-mile-per-hour fastball.

Shade Summers, Esperanza--He was 7-0 with a 2.20 ERA and has the best baseball name in the county.

Greg Windle, Troy--He was only 4-3 because of arm problems, but was 6-2 as a sophomore.