Granada Hills Left Unarmed in Playoffs

A teenager should not have to face the moral dilemma pitcher Kameron Loe of Granada Hills High assumed on Tuesday in the opening round of the City Section baseball playoffs.

Loe told Coach Steve Thompson on Monday night he would not be able to pitch against Grant because of a sore right arm.

Loe and his teammates had fought hard all season for the right to earn a chance to make it to Dodger Stadium. Now, on the eve of the most crucial part of the season, Loe was benching himself.

He didn’t consult a doctor. He didn’t seek advice from Thompson. He didn’t ask his teammates. He made the decision based on knowledge of his body and concern for the future.

“As important as the playoffs and Dodger Stadium are, ruining my career is not worth it,” he said.

Good for Loe. He’s right. If he feels his arm is hurting, he should not pitch. But the real bad decision was made two weeks ago when he foolishly agreed to a private Sunday workout with a major league scout and might have injured his arm.

Loe was the dominant pitcher in the section this season, with a region-high 11 complete games, a 10-1 record and 1.94 earned-run average. Every time he took the mound, the Highlanders were convinced they’d win.

He’s 6 feet 7 and 215 pounds, and signed with Cal State Northridge. But his value as a professional prospect has risen considerably since the season began, and he is almost certain to be selected in the draft next week.

He had not pitched since May 11 against Kennedy. He said he started to feel an energy drain because of a bout with strep throat. But in a decision that will be debated for years, he chose to work out for a scout at Downey High five days later.

Thompson gave his approval for Loe to make 25 pitches, just as if Loe were throwing between starts. Loe said he does not believe he hurt himself at the workout, but his arm was tired the next day and he was scratched from a scheduled regular-season start against Cleveland.

In hindsight, he wishes he had skipped the workout.

“If I could take it back, it was definitely not worth it,” he said.

Thompson has learned a painful lesson.

“If this is the cause of his problem, then I’m going to be reluctant [to allow private workouts],” Thompson said.

No high school player still involved in season play should be permitted to participate in private workouts for scouts, whether they’re throwing one pitch or 25.

And what’s the value of a scout needing to see Loe make 25 pitches considering he had pitched 75 2/3 innings?

Loe’s high school career ended on Tuesday when Granada Hills was beaten by Grant, 7-6. He was stuck cheering on the bench, feeling helpless. He was ready to try to pitch on Thursday in the quarterfinals, but he won’t get the chance.

“It’s real tough to accept,” he said. “It’s so hard to sit there and watch your [team] go down and not do anything about it.”

Loe might be a senior, but he’s inexperienced in terms of success as a pitcher. He experienced a growth spurt after his freshman season, and gained coordination. He has been thrust into the spotlight and forced to make tough snap judgments.

“I pitched a heck of a lot this year, more than I have in my life,” he said.

“I was throwing 10 mph faster. All that put a strain on my arm. I thought I needed a break. [My arm] is just feeling fatigued.”

Thompson faced his own moral dilemma. As a coach, his job is to bring out the best in his players, to challenge them and inspire them.

But how hard should he push when a player’s health is in question?

“I don’t want to be the guy to blow his future,” Thompson said. “I have to trust his body.”

There are issues far more important than who won a playoff game that need to be resolved.

Loe should be admired for his courage and maturity in shutting down himself despite so much at stake for his school.

But the influence of professional scouts in the middle of the high school season needs to be discussed, examined and scrutinized.

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422.