Howard Grows Into Answer Man : Westlake Sophomore Living Up to Early Predictions of Potential

THOUSAND OAKS — They have answers now, those questions which a year ago hung around Westlake High baseball player Kevin Howard like bothersome gnats.

Could he handle varsity pitching? Learn a new position? Live up to his billing as Ventura County’s best young player?

The verdict last spring was out.

But no longer is the answer in doubt.

Howard is batting .513 with five home runs and 34 runs batted in. He needs four hits to break the school single-season record of 44. He also has played outstanding defense at third base and is considered one of the best--perhaps the best--players in the Marmonte League.

Months away from getting his driver’s license, the 15-year old sophomore has helped propel Westlake into the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Warriors play Tuesday at Redondo Union in a Southern Section Division III second-round game.

“Kevin’s the most valuable player on our team,” Westlake Coach Chuck Berrington said. “He’s been phenomenal all year. Even when he makes outs he hits the ball hard.”

And he is not alone. Westlake (17-7-1), which finished third in league play, has a fearsome batting order.

Howard, who bats third, is nestled between No. 2 hitter Scott Dragicevich (.367) and No. 4 hitter Ryan Cope (.463, 30 RBIs). Troy Soukup (.351), Chris Parker (.342) and Dave Williamson (.412) follow.

But it’s Howard, 6 feet 2 and 160 pounds, who most frequently gives opposing pitchers sweaty palms. His fluid swing, patience and power are mesmerizing.

“Whether it’s the first pitch or the last pitch [of an at-bat], Kevin fights,” Cope said. “He’ll make you throw him a pitch he wants.”

Berrington shakes his head when recalling the balls Howard has launched into a wooded area above Westlake’s inclined right-field slope.

“You make a mistake to him and he’ll bury you,” Berrington said. “He’ll put balls over the hill and into the oak trees.”

There were times last season when Howard felt like using those trees for cover.

He attended Crespi for his first semester of high school, before transferring to Westlake to be back around his friends. . Former Warrior Coach Dave Wilder quickly made him the starting left fielder and No. 4 hitter.

Howard, a lifelong infielder, struggled. He said he also was the target of caustic comments by the parents of seniors whose playing time had been reduced.

“I was always paranoid about the parents and whether they’d complain about a freshman playing,” Howard said. “It seemed like every time I got up I was expected to perform and I put a lot of pressure on myself because of that. I was uncomfortable the whole season.”

Kevin’s father, Larry Howard, said his son had his belongings stolen and vandalized during the baseball season. But he also received support from several players and their parents.

“He should have been embraced but he wasn’t,” Larry Howard said. “What happened last season is what’s always happened all through youth baseball; some parents would rather lose with their kids than win with yours.

“Kevin’s enemies had to go back into the closet once his abilities became clear.”

A push by Westlake parents led to the firing of Wilder last April. Berrington, who had been the program’s junior varsity coach, was promoted.

Howard was demoted--to the role of reserve shortstop and pinch-hitter.

“I don’t think he was ready to play varsity last year, but I think it helped him mature a lot,” Berrington said. “He got the idea of what it takes.”

This season, Howard has been relaxed and has impressed fans, opposing coaches and professional scouts.

As a hitter, his success is unparalleled by any other player his age. His fielding and arm strength also draw rave reviews. The only complaint is that Howard lacks speed.

“I wish he ran a little bit better, but he’s got a beautiful swing and his speed could improve, you never know,” one local scout said. “I can’t wait for him to fill out and develop. He’s definitely a player to follow.”

Agoura Coach Bruce Beck is a Howard fan.

“He reacts to the ball offensively and defensively like a college freshman,” Beck said. “You know he’s thinking and taking advantage of his talent. If not for [Camarillo’s] Joe Borchard, my vote for [Marmonte League] player of the year would have gone to him hands down.”

Howard’s older brother, Sean, was an outfielder on the last Westlake team to earn a postseason berth. Those Warriors finished 28-2, were ranked second in a national poll at one time and won the program’s only Marmonte League title.

Following his sibling, Kevin became a nationally known youth baseball player before attending Westlake. He played on a Thousand Oaks team that won the 13-year old Junior League World Series in 1994 and on a 15-year old team that lost in the Senior League World Series final last August.

This year, Howard will try out for USA Baseball’s Junior Olympic program, as well as participate in national tournaments with the California Yankees, a traveling all-star team of high school players.

Howard plays football and basketball, but baseball is his passion.

“The other sports are fun but I love baseball,” he said. “It’s my favorite thing to do in life and it’s what I want to do after high school.”