OLYMPIC LEAGUE

* Brethren Christian: 11-12-1, 6-8-1 in 1998. Coach: Ken Diebold (first year). Prospects: Brethren Christian’s move from Cypress to Huntington Beach was devastating to the Warriors’ baseball team. “We lost all the players except for two seniors,” Diebold said, “and they only played junior varsity last year.” Diebold said his two best players are junior pitcher-infielder Robert Fort and junior catcher Josh England. Diebold said he will start at least one freshman every game. “We’re going out to have fun and no one will know what to expect from us,” Diebold said. “That’s the one thing on our side.”

* Calvary Chapel: 20-6, 14-1 in 1998. Coach: Joe Walters (fifth year, 102-37). Prospects: Walters thought the Eagles were a great team last year and they were--until El Segundo beat them in the second round of the Division IV playoffs. This season, Calvary Chapel has eight returning starters, including all-county second-team senior infielder Randy Blood (.542, two home runs, 14 RBIs). All-league senior pitcher Brett Young (8-2, 0.95), the county earned-run average leader, heads the staff. Senior infielder Chad Sterbins (42 steals) is back to drive opponents crazy on the bases.

* Cerritos Valley Christian: 6-11-1, 6-8-1 in 1998. Coach: Randy Vanderhook (first year). Prospects: Valley Christian presents a legitimate challenge to Calvary Chapel because the Crusaders were fortified by several former Brethren Christian players who transferred. The best pickup is all-league senior first baseman Sean Ireland (.494, five home runs, 30 RBIs). But Valley Christian, which has seven returning starters, already had excellent players, such as all-league senior third baseman Erick Streelman (.580), who has committed to Nevada. The race with Calvary Chapel for the title will be stirring.

* Ontario Christian: 3-16, 1-14 in 1998. Coach: Matthew John (first year). Prospects: Ontario Christian is moving to the Christian League after this season, which is good, because the Knights have gone 6-77 the past three seasons. John, the third coach here in three seasons, has four returning starters, led by junior pitcher Todd Butler. Things should get better for John if he can stick it out.

* Orange Lutheran: 10-15, 7-8 in 1998. Coach: John Malmquist (12th year, 204-94). Prospects: Malmquist got Lutheran back in the playoffs last season after a two-year absence. It will be harder this time. The Lancers are young. One of their four returning starters, outfielder Joe Bomgren (.425, 21 RBIs) was a second-team all-league pick as a freshman. Senior pitcher Mark Courvoisier must provide leadership. Next season, Orange Lutheran will battle for the league title. But this season, the Lancers are not on a level playing field.

* Sierra Madre Maranatha: 18-7, 7-3 in 1998. Coach: Gary French (sixth year, 78-36). Prospects: The Minutemen, second-place finishers in the Alpha League last season are the replacements for Ontario Christian. They have not won any league championships under French. But Maranatha did win the 1994 Division V championship game against Calvary Chapel, and beat Orange Lutheran in last year’s Division V first-round game. The Minutemen know the league well.

* Whittier Christian: 13-11, 10-5 in 1998. Coach: Brett Throrsteinson (third year, 23-23). Prospects: The Heralds had a terrific 1998 league season, finishing second. They will make trouble again this season, with six returning starters. Senior first baseman-pitcher John Stoa (.396, five home runs) and senior catcher Pete Eberhardt (.395, six home runs) give Whittier Christian its power. The pitching will decide Whittier Christian’s fate.