1995 LOS ANGELES TIMES : ALL-VALLEY BASEBALL TEAM : Coach of the Year : Calabasas Double-Teamed Opponents

Calabasas High won 25 consecutive games this season before losing to Rialto in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division IV playoffs. The Coyotes set a school record for victories, won a Frontier League title and, by season’s end, were drawing home crowds of more than 400.

Rick Nathanson and Scott Drootin, The Times’ Valley co-coaches of the year, orchestrated the team’s success.

Nathanson, 47, and Drootin, 42, co-coaches since 1993, mix hard work and humor. The Coyotes regularly practiced for nearly four hours at a stretch, resulting in impeccable defense, nearly flawless pitching and a starting lineup that batted .360.

All along, the coaches kept the group loose and relaxed with running commentaries and timely wisecracks.

“If we ever get out of coaching we can do a radio talk show,” said Drootin, who uses Nathanson as a straight man.

“We feed off each other and enjoy each other’s company. There are no egos involved. We each have our own jobs to do.”