All’s Not Quiet on Home Front

First things first. Joe Borchard had to discuss the novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” for a final exam in English class.

“Good book,” he said. “Tough teacher.”

Then came midday sessions with his personal quarterback coach and afternoon practices with his American Legion baseball team. This has been a hectic week for the Camarillo High senior, a week that ends with his appearance in the Bernie Milligan baseball all-star game at Cal State Northridge on Saturday.

But don’t look for his schedule to slow down after that.

Borchard must keep an eye on a critical decision looming over his future. Stanford has offered him a scholarship to play quarterback next fall. The Baltimore Orioles, having selected him in the 20th round of the amateur draft, are preparing a contract offer that might lure him away.

A grin sneaks across Borchard’s face, showing lots of teeth, giving the impression of a young man in control.

“There is no rush for me to decide,” he says coolly.

There is, however, a rush to almost every other aspect of his life these days. It begins with his effort to maintain a 4.0 grade-point average through final exams. Having survived English, he now sets his sights on physiology. Bones, nervous system, circulatory system.

“I don’t know why I took that class. I don’t plan on becoming a doctor,” he said. “It’s just giving me a bunch of headaches.”

Football training has not been much easier. This past season, Borchard led the Scorpions to a Southern Section Division III championship, throwing for 2,851 yards and 30 touchdowns along the way. But months have passed since The Times’ Ventura County player of the year has touched a football.

“I’m just trying to get back into shape,” he said.

Borchard has resumed working with Steve Clarkson, a private quarterback coach who has mentored the likes of Todd Marinovich, BYU’s Steve Sarkisian and Virginia Tech’s Jim Druckenmiller, who was recently drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.

Twice a week, Clarkson drills the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Borchard for more than an hour on footwork and a quick release. They work for two to three hours each weekend on reading defenses and checking plays at the line.

“Right now he’s got an incredibly strong arm and a great feel for the game,” Clarkson said. “If he has a weakness, it’s that he hasn’t been able to say ‘Football is my sport.’ He’s a two-sport guy.”

Which explains the jumble of paraphernalia in the back of Borchard’s car. Mixed in with football equipment are baseballs, bats and a glove. Having just finished a high-school season in which he hit .415 with 42 runs batted in and 11 home runs, the Marmonte League’s co-player of the year has moved on to Legion play.

“You get to go out there and have fun,” he said. “It’s kind of relaxing.”

It might also give Orioles scouts a chance to take a longer look at their late-round draft pick. Borchard would likely have gone higher if it weren’t for that Stanford scholarship.

“Most of the clubs may have been a little hesitant to select him,” said Gil Kubski, a Southern California scout for the Baltimore organization. “He’ll be offered a contract of more than a normal 20th-round pick would get.”

Just how much more is yet to be seen. The Orioles are well aware that it will take a significant offer to counteract a four-year scholarship to one of the nation’s most prestigious universities. “It gives Joe some leverage,” Kubski said. “He’s worked hard for that leverage.”

The process could take weeks. Kubski has already met with the Borchard family and is planning future meetings. He expects that the Orioles will send additional scouts to watch their prospect play this summer.

“Joe’s got a chance to hit with power from both sides of the plate which is a pretty special talent,” Kubski said. “And he has convinced me that he is a baseball player who just happens to be a football player, too.”

In other words, Borchard hopes for a future in professional baseball. It is his first love, the sport his father played and taught him when he was a young boy. The only question is, will he go to Stanford first?

“I just have to wait to see what [the Orioles] offer and work from there,” Borchard said. The grin disappeared for a moment: “It’s kind of nerve-racking.”

So his busy schedule may ultimately serve as a welcome distraction. There’s the all-star game this weekend, then a baseball tournament in Las Vegas late this month. There’s a senior trip to Mexico the following week.

“I might also play in a Shrine football game in July,” he said.

The grin returned.

“I guess I’ll be plenty busy this summer.”