He Takes a Healthy Cut

If Joe Tillmon were playing in the major leagues, this summer would serve as his injury rehabilitation assignment in the minors.

A year removed from a standout senior season at Chatsworth High that led to his being drafted by the Chicago Cubs, Tillmon didn’t even play baseball this past season.

He’s playing his way back into shape with the Valley North American Legion team following a trying year at Pierce College.

After a slow start, Tillmon is finally finding the hitting stroke that made him an All-City Section selection in 1996.

It has come just in time for Valley North--which advanced to the Area 6 championship game last year--to make another playoff run.

Valley North was seeded seventh in the District 20 playoffs last week, but swept through the double-elimination tournament with a 5-0 record to win the district title for the first time since 1991.

Valley North will play West Covina in the first round of the Area 6 playoffs today at about 3 p.m. at Birmingham High.

The double-elimination tournament moves to Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday.

Tillmon, 18, a two-year starter, led the Chancellors with a .424 batting average with 34 runs batted in and 12 stolen bases as Chatsworth advanced to the City semifinals in 1996.

He was drafted in the 47th round by the Cubs, but never seriously considered signing.

“I don’t think I could have gone,” Tillmon said. “I wasn’t ready to be away from home. They weren’t offering me any money anyway.”

Tillmon considered playing at UC Santa Barbara, but ultimately decided to play at Pierce, where he figured to be a cornerstone player for the Brahmas, and build his draft stock.

Everything went as planned, with Tillmon slated to start at third base, until early January. Two weeks before the season, he felt pain in his right arm whenever he tried to throw.

“It was the worst pain I ever experienced, nothing came close,” Tillmon said. “It was even worse than when I chipped my ankle.”

Tillmon consulted a doctor, who diagnosed a damaged muscle near his rotator cuff. Tillmon was ordered not to throw for three months. He decided to take the season off and informed Pierce Coach Bob Lofrano.

Tillmon was dismayed when a local publication reported that he quit the team.

“I didn’t quit,” Tillmon said. “I was injured. There’s a difference.”

“The only thing I was disappointed about is I felt his decision was a bit premature,” Lofrano said. “To say in January that he wasn’t going to play the whole season is pretty severe. I would have liked him to take a couple of weeks off, then see how it felt.”

Tillmon could still hit in a batting cage while he rested the arm, but he found even watching baseball difficult. He attended only one Chatsworth game before the playoffs, because he couldn’t bear to watch.

Although Lofrano tried to contact him several times, Tillmon decided to play at Valley next year.

“[Pierce] just wasn’t a good experience for me,” Tillmon said. “I felt bad vibes. It’s time for a new start.”

As the summer approached, Tillmon opted to begin his comeback with Valley North.

Several schools use the Legion season as a developmental program for younger players. Valley North blends young players--like freshmen Matt Fisher and Matt Cassel--with older veterans--like Tillmon and catcher Micah Berger--who return to the school team after a year of playing college baseball.

But trying to excel after the 10-month layoff proved to be difficult. Playing second base, third base and shortstop, Tillmon finally brought his average over .300 last week. And he survived an early scare when he again felt pain in his shoulder.

After serving as a designated hitter for two weeks, Tillmon returned to the field pain-free.

“I was really really surprised when I came back and found out Joe Tillmon didn’t play baseball last year,” said Valley North Coach Matt LaCour.

“It’s not good to miss a whole season, it’s been a little slow for him to come back. But at times, you can see he’s got more ability than anyone else on the field.”

Even now, Tillmon bats seventh or eighth in the order instead of his accustomed No. 2 or 3 spot. But the turnaround has begun.

In the opening game of the District 20 playoffs against Palmdale, Tillmon had three hits, including a double.

“He starting to look like the old Joe Tillmon again,” LaCour said.