From Field of Dreams to Nightmare : Jurisprudence: Former Banning baseball player tries to maintain stability after being charged with a murder that he denies committing.

It is difficult for Armando Velasquez to concentrate on what used to seem like the simple things in life--schoolwork, baseball practice. The 18-year-old recent high school graduate finds his mind wandering. He cries frequently, and his sleepless nights are sometimes interrupted by stress-induced nosebleeds.

In the last two months, Velasquez has gone from a self-described “normal kid” to an alleged murderer, having been charged in the Dec. 4 slaying of 24-year-old Martin Cuebas. Velasquez was arrested April 21 and spent two weeks in three jails.

The former Wilmington Banning High student was released on his own recognizance May 6 and went from Long Beach Superior Court’s juvenile division to the dugout at Banning. He watched that day as the Pilots beat archrival Carson, 6-2.

A week later, Velasquez had worked his way back into the starting lineup as the team’s first baseman. He played in the season finale, a 5-0 defeat to El Camino Real of Woodland Hills in the City quarterfinals.

With aspirations of continuing the sport at Harbor Junior College, he hopes it was not his last game.

“The police came to my house, took me in for questioning and then told me I was being charged with murder,” Velasquez said. “I was shocked. I had never been in trouble with the law before, and I kept asking myself, ‘Why me?’ ”

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Velasquez said he will never forget the night of April 21.

He and his older brother, George Jr., had returned from the open-casket viewing of their grandmother, Josefina Medina, who had died two days earlier. Their mother, Irma, and another brother, Jose, stayed at the church.

Shortly after the brothers had arrived at their three-bedroom house in Wilmington, two police officers knocked on the door and told Velasquez he would have to go to the station for questioning.

For nearly an hour, detectives questioned him about Cuebas, who had been shot in the stomach less than a block from Velasquez’s house.

Police say the suspect fled on foot, according to witnesses. They say they do not know if the killing was gang related.

“We know the victim was talking with a group of people when someone fired shots,” South Bureau Homicide Lt. Victor Guzman said. “We have had very few leads.”

Hank Salcido, Velasquez’s attorney, said a young woman who witnessed the shooting identified his client from a group of snapshots. But he said Velasquez has a solid alibi, and he will try to keep the case from going to trial.

Police say they arrested Velasquez because several things he said during questioning made them believe he was a suspect.

“We know the killer was left-handed,” said Mike Mallano, the deputy district attorney prosecuting the case. “And Armando is left-handed. We also know the suspect lives in the neighborhood, and Armando fits the general description given by several eyewitnesses.

“We’ve been investigating this case, and we’re continuing to investigate.”

Four months after the incident, Velasquez was able to remember exact details about his whereabouts on Dec. 4 because it was the day before his 18th birthday. He said he spent the evening at the house of George’s girlfriend in Lomita. The three of them watched television and prepared for a birthday party the next day, he recalled.

When Velasquez returned home two days later, his mother told him about the shooting.

“To be honest, I didn’t give it a lot of thought,” said Velasquez, who claims he had never been arrested or involved with a gang. “There are shootings around here all the time. There’s a park just down the street, and I am often waken up in the middle of the night by the sound of gunfire.

“Some of the kids in the neighborhood speculated about the shooting my mother told me about,” he said. “I didn’t know the guy who died or anything else. All I knew was what I had heard on the street.”

Velasquez was 18 when he was arrested, so police put him in the Los Angeles County jail. When they discovered the murder had occurred 30 minutes before his 18th birthday, Velasquez was moved to Eastlake Juvenile Center.

A fitness hearing is scheduled for July 22 to determine whether he will be tried as an adult or juvenile.

Bail was initially set at $1 million, but because Velasquez is a juvenile, the judge released him on a house arrest. He was allowed to go to school and took part in graduation ceremonies last Tuesday.

He was also able to finish the baseball season, which he said gave him the inspiration to keep going.

Velasquez wears an electronic ankle bracelet that alerts authorities if he goes anywhere else.

“I am a prisoner in my own home,” Velasquez said. “But I am thankful to be out of jail. That was the worst two weeks of my life. My first day there, I saw someone get stabbed right in front of me. I did a lot of crying and calling home. I just wanted to get out so bad.”

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Velasquez has been playing baseball since he was 5. His family used to live near Dodger Stadium, and he frequently went to games.

The family moved to Wilmington when he was 8, and he grew up dreaming of playing on the Banning varsity.

That dream was realized his sophomore season when Coach Syl Saavedra promoted Velasquez from the junior varsity during spring break. He was the Pilots’ starting first baseman the next year.

When his father, George Sr., died two years ago, the family moved to San Pedro for a short time. Velasquez said he could not bear being away from his teammates, and the family moved back to Wilmington before his junior season.

Baseball is a year-round commitment for him, with American Legion play in the summer, winter league and the spring season. Velasquez said most of his close friends are on the team. They often spend weekends together at the beach, body surfing.

Velasquez missed five games while he was in jail, but followed the team by reading the scores in the newspaper.

He batted .225 in 40 at-bats as the Pilots reached the quarterfinals. Banning (15-9) tied Carson for the Pacific League title.

“Armando is a very good-natured kid whom I’ve never had trouble with,” said Saavedra, who recently announced his resignation. “After this happened, I just sat down with him and talked things out. I believe him when he said he didn’t do it. I’ve just told him he has to go on with his life as best he can. I’m trying to give him the support to do that.”

Saavedra said Velasquez returned to classes the day after he was released from jail. The coach met with the assistant principal and athletic director, who offered their support.

Velasquez said it is difficult at times, though, trying to go through his normal routine with a murder charge hanging over his head.

“I do feel anger, and I am mad,” Velasquez said. “I have no idea how this happened. I just know I didn’t do it.

“No matter what happens in the future, the things I’ve seen and heard . . . will always be on my mind. I don’t think I’ll ever get completely over this.”