Ganajian Hopes Past Luck Will Return

Like his Cal Lutheran baseball teammates, Jake Ganajian waits for the word.

But unlike many of the other Kingsmen, Ganajian knows first-hand the prize they stand to gain. Or lose.

The Kingsmen (24-12) will learn Sunday whether a selection committee made room for them at the four-team NCAA Division III West Regional on May 14-16 at a site to be determined.

Ganajian, a senior first baseman-designated hitter and former La Canada High standout, is a veteran of the regional. . . with other teams.

Now concluding his only season at Cal Lutheran, his fourth team in four years, Ganajian played on La Verne’s national championship squad in 1995 and last year reached the regional with Chapman.

Marty Slimak, Cal Lutheran’s coach, is banking on the Ganajian Factor.

“We are hoping he’s still living a charmed life and we can get this bid,” Slimak said.

The Kingsmen might need the help.

An apparent shoo-in for the regional several days ago after cruising to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title with a 19-2 record, the Kingsmen dropped their final five games and plunged from a No. 5 ranking to No. 22.

Two of the setbacks came against Chapman, ranked No. 16, and two against Division I Cal State Northridge.

Ganajian is confident Cal Lutheran’s strong tradition and solid schedule this season will generate an invitation to the revamped regional that now includes teams from Texas. And his track record can’t hurt.

“I’ve had wonderful luck in Division III,” he said. “I’m hoping I’ll bring us luck, too.”

Ganajian is college baseball’s answer to free agency.

“A lot of people are curious as to why I’ve moved around so much,” Ganajian said.

His reasons, Ganajian said, were varied. He hopped from La Verne to Pasadena City to Chapman to Cal Lutheran, usually looking to satisfy a void and always with baseball on his mind.

There was nothing holding him back, either. The NCAA, iron-fisted with Division I basketball and Division I-A football transfers, doesn’t restrain baseball players at any level.

So, if a guy wants to make his college baseball career a whistle-stop tour, he’s free to do it. All he needs is a whistle.

“At La Verne, I wasn’t happy with the academic environment,” said Ganajian, who played third base in high school and sparingly with the Leopards. “I just decided to explore other opportunities.”

He left the school with a national championship gold watch and fond baseball memories.

“[The national title] was truly amazing,” Ganajian said. “You don’t realize how lucky you are to be a part of that, especially when you are a freshman. It takes a little bit of time to sink in.”

Ganajian transferred to Pasadena and stayed for one season. Slimak recruited him but Ganajian chose Chapman because of the financial package the school offered.

The playing package, well, that was another deal.

The Panthers, who play as independents, were loaded. They eliminated Cal Lutheran in the best-of-five West Regional, 3-2, and advanced to the national tournament. But Ganajian had only 52 at-bats in 22 games, batted .250 with one home run and six runs batted in, and was told by Coach Rex Peters not to expect a whole lot more in 1998.

“I was quite honest with him that his best opportunity was going to be as a DH and I couldn’t guarantee him playing time,” Peters said.

Ganajian believes his days became numbered at Chapman after being accused of playing for a team in a park league during the college season, a violation of NCAA rules. The NCAA investigated the charges and Ganajian was cleared, but he said his relationship with Peters deteriorated.

“I think he held a grudge against me,” Ganajian said.

Peters offers a different take on the unfriendly breakup.

“I went to bat for Jake [on the NCAA probe]. That didn’t have any bearing on him leaving,” Peters said. “It’s a sign of the times with kids in the ‘90s. Kids are impatient and they want immediate gratification.”

For a ballplayer, that means playing time. Ganajian, a political science major, saw the opportunity at Cal Lutheran.

“He came here with a great [grade-point average] and on track to graduate, so who wouldn’t want a kid like that?” Slimak said. “He has a 3.99 GPA. He’s on the dean’s list. We are very happy to have him.”

Especially after Ganajian helped kick-start the Kingsmen to 15 victories in their first 17 games. He started at first base then, but gave way recently to converted second baseman Clint Britt, who is batting .353 with seven home runs. Ganajian is batting .313 with five homers and 18 RBIs.

“As a baseball player, of course I want to be in there and contribute as much as I can,” Ganajian said.

He might get a few more chances if the selection committee sends the word.