Crosby’s Talent Fits Into Falcons’ Plans

First impressions aren’t always accurate.

Santa Ana Valley baseball Coach Herschel Musick remembers the Rick Crosby of four years ago. That 12-year-old gofer, who was always hanging around. That kid who was trailing after his big brother, Scott, a pitcher for the Falcons.

Musick never really thought of that kid as a baseball player until the following summer.

“I was helping out with a Little League all-star team and Rick pitched against us,” Musick said. “You could tell he was a very dominant player. He beat us that day and that left a lasting impression.”

There have been many since.

Crosby, a junior, has already put in two seasons with the Santa Ana Valley varsity. In that time, he has 10 victories with more on the horizon.

If the Falcons are going to challenge for the Century League championship, it will be Crosby who will lead the way. He is being asked to carry a young pitching staff.

“The pressure makes me perform a little better,” Crosby said. “I’ve been expected to perform since I was a freshman. It’s kind of nice.”

Crosby was 5-2 with a 2.81 earned-run average as a freshman. Among those victories was a four-hit shutout against Los Amigos.

He was 5-4 with a 2.19 ERA last season.

“It was obvious he was going to be real good, even as a freshman,” Musick said. “There was no way we couldn’t move him up to the varsity.”

Crosby was already well-acquainted with the Falcon program. Scott, who is five years older, had been a pitcher for three seasons on the varsity and was named all-league twice.

He also helped tutor his younger brother.

“Scott was always working with me,” Crosby said. “Anytime I got a little too big-headed, he would set me back down. That’s what older brothers are for.”

Crosby hung around the Falcon varsity with his brother and father, Rod Crosby, who was an assistant coach.

“He was at all the games and most of the practices,” Musick said. “Anytime you needed someone to get something, Rick would be there to do it.”

Crosby would also watch and learn. He began playing baseball when he was 5, following in his brother’s footsteps. He quickly established himself as a top pitcher in the youth leagues.

When Musick crossed Crosby’s path, his future was set.

“I couldn’t wait for him to get to high school,” Musick said.

Crosby, who also plays first base, had no trouble adjusting to the higher level as a pitcher. His first victory was in relief and he followed it up with his shutout against Los Amigos.

He finished the season with two victories in his last three appearances. Both were in relief. He pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings against Canyon, the league champion, and two innings against Foothill.

“It was a very exciting year for me,” Crosby said. “I found out I could play at that higher level.”

Although Crosby was only one game over .500 last season, he was 4-2 in league play. He had victories over Canyon, which won the league, and Foothill, which finished second.

Crosby worked during the summer to improve his control. He walked 20 batters while striking out 26 last season, not the ratio a coach is looking for.

Those numbers figure to improve.

Crosby also pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays’ scout team during the fall and winter.

“That gave him a chance to pitch three or four innings a week,” Musick said. “He was able to perfect a couple new pitches he had been experimenting with. I think he’s going to be one of the top pitchers in the league and will only get better.”

Which could make for some more lasting impressions.