Classic Tournament Opens Today

The 16 teams in the National Classic, which begins today, are typical of the strong fields that tournament officials have put together in the previous nine years.

What prep baseball enthusiasts are hoping is this will not be the last tournament.

Tournament director Iran Novick put those fears to rest immediately. “We’ve already invited teams for next year, so it will continue.”

But Novick knows the tournament cannot continue in the long run without some more financial aid. The National Classic has been without a corporate sponsor for more than a year.

“We’ve been close several times [to getting another sponsor],” Novick said. “We’re close now. But it hasn’t happened.”

Novick continues to knock on doors and make calls to solicit sponsors.

“[The tournament] is too special to stop doing,” Novick said.

Indeed, the previous nine tournaments have showcased 86 teams from 20 states as far south as Florida and as far north as Washington. Those who have played in the tournament include current major leaguers Shawn Green (Toronto), Alex Rodriguez (Seattle), and Brett Tomko (Cincinnati).

California teams have won four of the nine tournaments--Simi Valley, Rancho Bernardo and Esperanza, which has twice defeated El Dorado in the championship game.

The county teams entered this year--El Dorado, Esperanza, Mater Dei and Servite--will find plenty of obstacles in the path of reaching the title game. Eight of tournament teams were named among the nation’s top 50 in several publications. Rancho Bernardo, which won in ‘94, and Monsignor Pace (Fla.) have been ranked among the top five of the USA Today poll.

Pace is one of five Florida teams in the tournament, along with Bishop Moore, Coral Park, Crestview and Englewood. Other out-of-state teams include Dear Valley (Ariz.), Midland Valley (S.C.), Reno, Santa Fe (Okla.) and Xaverian (N.Y.)

Palm Desert joins Rancho Bernardo as the other out-of-county California entry.

“We had to say no to another half dozen good schools,” Novick said. “At first we weren’t planning on five Florida teams, but it worked out that way.

“The out-of-state teams help make the tournament strong. We don’t want to get our local teams some easy opponents and call it a ‘Classic.’ ”

Servite Coach Todd Cook said the tournament provides “a playoff atmosphere” for the teams involved.

“Most of these teams have good hitters, one through nine, in the lineup,” Cook said. “There’s no chance to relax. And it’s four games in four days, which is hard on pitching staffs. Every game gives your team a sense of urgency, just like in the playoffs.”

The Classic isn’t the only tournament going on this week. The Best of the West, Pride of the Coast and Santa Ana Elks begin second-round play today.