1995 LOS ANGELES TIMES : All-Ventura Softball Team : Coach of the Year : Seasoned Veteran Knows How to Win

Eight times, Coach Don Hyatt has led the La Reina High softball team as far as the Southern Section quarterfinals.

Five times, he has led the Regents to the semifinals and three times to the final--including this season, when La Reina fell to Cerritos Valley Christian, 1-0, in 10 innings in the Division V championship game.

What’s the secret to his success?

“Attention to detail,” said Hyatt, 42, who has coached at La Reina since 1986. “We don’t let anything seem unimportant. We don’t let the little things go unnoticed.

“We always feel there is something to do next,” Hyatt said. “We’re always looking for the next out.”

Those close to Hyatt credit the affable, former Cal Lutheran center fielder with bringing a classroom-like approach to coaching and instilling a work ethic on the practice field that is contagious.

“He teaches you,” said senior shortstop Shane Anderson, the Regents’ cleanup hitter who will attend Stanford. “I think he’s really knowledgeable about the game.”