It Was a Make or Break Weekend for DiPoma

Three planes rides, two rental cars, a Monday morning meeting at work and a broken window could not keep Valley North assistant coach John DiPoma from coaching first base during the American Legion state baseball tournament.

DiPoma flew in to Sacramento late Friday, helped coach games on Saturday and Sunday, flew back Sunday night so he could attend a Monday work meeting at the CBS Studio in Burbank, then returned to help coach Tuesday’s game.

During Saturday’s game, a foul ball smashed the rear window of DiPoma’s rental car, which he parked along the left-field line.

“We parked where there were 150 other cars,” DiPoma said. “I’ve been going to games for God knows how long and I’ve seen balls bounce all around parking lots. I come up here and it goes right through my window.”

When he returned to Sacramento on Monday night, DiPoma again rented a car, but he said there was a difference: “I bought the nine-dollar insurance.”

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Valley North center fielder Tim Weigand, who made his American Legion pitching debut two weeks ago in the District 20 playoffs, may have been the team’s most valuable pitcher in the state tournament.

He pitched 7 1/3 innings in the final game, holding Auburn scoreless for his final four while Valley North rallied from a 12-4 deficit and won, 16-12.

On Sunday, Stockton Karl Ross scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth against Valley North to pull to within 18-12. Weigand entered the game with the bases loaded and nobody out.

He walked in a run, but then got a groundout, a strikeout and a popout to end the game.

“I like pitching for this team,” Weigand said. “I don’t worry about throwing strikes because I know the guys will make the plays and we’re going to score runs.”

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Speaking of pitching, Valley North ace Ismael Marin threw long-toss before the Auburn game.

Marin missed much of the season after a comebacker hit his pitching hand and broke two knuckles.

Valley North Coach Matt LaCour said Marin should be ready to go by the regional tournament Aug. 15-20 in Boise, Idaho.