Coaches Strive for Offense Without Being Offensive : Prep softball: In Valley all-star game, winning will take a back seat to pleasing the players.

Sylmar High softball Coach Chuck Miller has the enviable task of leading the Valley’s East team in the high school all-star game at Cal State Northridge today at 2:15 p.m. But selecting the team and its lineup was something Miller could have done without.

“You don’t want to offend anyone,” he said.

As for selecting the lineup?

“It’s more or less you throw the names up in the air and whichever one lands first bats first,” he said.

Actually, Miller and co-Coach Dudley Rooney of Alemany chose Jennifer Ferriera of Crescenta Valley as the leadoff hitter because, Miller said, “It’s always nice to have a switch-hitter leading off.”

Three other players on the East squad led off for their teams this season: Regina Hernandez of Sylmar, Cara Campbell of Crescenta Valley and Corinne Ochoa of Saugus.

The West team, coached by Chaminade’s Ken Zak and Moorpark’s Larry McDermott, is led by third baseman Valerie Serpico of La Reina, the Southern Section 1-A Division champion.

Simi Valley, a 5-A Division finalist, is represented by pitcher Michelle Castonguay.

Miller also coached this game four years ago.

“It’s a lot of fun. I look at it as a chance to reward the girls,” he said. “They get to have a good time, and they will be seen by some college scouts. We try to get everybody as many innings as possible.”