La Quinta, Linck Get Their Second Chance : Baseball: Catcher has stepped in for graduated all-league player Granger to lead Aztecs back to Division III title game.

Joe Linck stood motionless on the field at Anaheim Stadium last June as he watched the pile of exuberant players grow.

Tustin’s baseball team had just defeated La Quinta, 3-2, in the Southern Section Division III championship game and Linck, La Quinta’s junior designated hitter, was in denial. Emotions swirled within him while Tustin’s celebration on the field continued.

His pain and disappointment turned quickly to anger as Tustin’s players smiled and embraced; moments, he thought, that belonged to La Quinta.

And although he could do nothing else about the outcome of that title game, Linck promised himself there would be a next time--and things would be different.

His chance comes tonight.

Now the Aztecs’ starting catcher, Linck has helped lead La Quinta to its second consecutive championship game. The senior and his teammates play West Torrance for the Division III title at 7:30 tonight at Cal State Fullerton. Linck’s solid work behind the plate is a big reason the Aztecs are back in the game despite losing their team leader of three seasons to graduation, catcher Kenny Granger.

“Getting back to the final game has been on everyone’s mind,” Linck said. “I’m not saying that’s all we thought about all the time, but it was always there in the back of our minds.

“That was a new experience for us last season. Now we know what it’s like and we’re ready.”

No Aztec is more prepared than Linck.

An understudy to Granger--a three-time All-Garden Grove League selection--the last two seasons, Linck has excelled in the leading role. On offense and defense, Linck has been a steadying force for La Quinta.

Linck, 18, enters the championship game batting .305 with three home runs and 26 runs batted in. While starting at designated hitter and receiving spot duty at catcher last season, Linck batted .303 with one homer and 22 RBIs. Linck’s offensive numbers this season are especially impressive because opponents have walked him a team-leading 34 times.

Moreover, Linck’s work with his gear on has been even better, La Quinta Coach Dave Demarest said. Linck provides a good target for the Aztecs’ pitching staff and has prevented more than a few runners from scoring by blocking would-be wild pitches.

Blocking the plate is another of his skills. At 6 feet 2 and 195 pounds, Linck usually provides the bulk of punishment in collisions.

Nailing would-be base stealers is Linck’s favorite part of the job, although he doesn’t get many chances to test his arm because opponents seldom test him. Demarest does not keep stats on stolen bases by the opposition, but he’ll bet his catcher has caught more than he has missed.

“It’s amazing the job Joe has done,” Demarest said. “The two things you need to win in high school baseball are pitching and catching, and Joe gives us a guy behind the plate who our pitchers are comfortable throwing to.”

A key to Linck’s performance, Demarest said, is his understanding that he cannot be the type of catcher Granger was for La Quinta.

“He hasn’t tried to do things that he’s physically not capable of doing,” the Aztec coach said. “He’s learned to anticipate things really well and that’s helped him.

“He knows he doesn’t have the great arm like Kenny, but he gets rid of the ball real quick. He knows what he can do.”

He was selected all-league in the coaches’ voting, receiving one of the highest vote counts of all players picked, Demarest said. What’s more, Linck has been chosen to play for the South squad in the Kiwanis Orange County high school all-star game Tuesday at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.

“With Kenny being so good, I just wanted to kind of try and fill in as best as I could,” Linck said. “I never expected anything like this to happen.”

Linck credits Granger with much of his success. Instead of brooding about being a backup last season, Linck used the time to watch Granger’s every move--and learn.

“I had been a catcher since Little League, and I was anxious to get in there last season, but I knew I wouldn’t with Kenny being here,” Linck said. “But looking at what Kenny did really helped me.

“He helped me with my mental approach to the game and with technique, things like moving my feet and getting rid of the ball quicker. That meant a lot.”

Granger is glad he could lend a hand. A freshman catcher for State community college champion Cypress, Granger said he expected nothing less from Linck.

“I’m very happy for him,” Granger said. “Joe and I did drills together my senior year and I saw the potential he had. I knew he had the tools to get it done.”

As great as the accolades are, Linck longs for one thing only.

“I’ve met my personal goals and then some,” Linck said. “But my biggest goal is a team goal and we still have to get that.”

WEST TORRANCE VS. LA QUINTA

Division III

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Titan Field, Cal State Fullerton

Records: West Torrance (25-6);

La Quinta (27-3)

Starting pitchers: Kirk Bolling (10-2); Jim Livernois (14-3)

Noteworthy: La Quinta lost last season’s title game to Tustin, 3-2. Livernois’ availability at the plate is uncertain. The right-hander injured his left wrist while stealing second base in the semifinals. Joe Garcia (7-0) and Steve Combs (4-0, two saves) give the Aztecs the edge in pitching. West Torrance has a deep, powerful lineup led by Jim Yates (.506, seven homers, 41 runs batted in, 41 runs) and Bolling (.478, seven homers, 37 RBIs).