PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE
Corona del Mar
Coach: John Emme
1999 record: 20-8
League record: 10-5
The Sea Kings will be young, with only two returning starters, but that hasn’t kept Coach John Emme from predicting that his team will be competitive in its first season in the league after a move from the Sea View League. Third baseman David Beser, who hit .354 last season with two home runs and 20 RBIs, is the top returner. Center fielder Billy Eagle hit only .227 as a freshman but is expected to emerge as one of the top outfielders in the county. Junior pitchers J.D. Martinez and Cavan Cuylen will lead a young staff that features no seniors and is bolstered by the promotion of Dave Knecht from the junior varsity.
Costa Mesa
Coach: Kirk Bauermeister
1999 record: 16-10-1
League record: 10-4-1
Coach Kirk Bauermeister calls his team “pretty average all the way around” with one major exception: outfielder/pitcher Josh Little. Little had a .437 batting average last season with 38 RBIs. Bauermeister hopes his other three returning starters--utilityman Carlos Franko, pitcher/outfielder Nick Cabico and catcher Galel Fajardo--help the Mustangs capture third place in league. If nothing else, Costa Mesa will be able to politically outmaneuver opponents; Fajardo is the school’s student body president.
Estancia
Coach: Doug Deats
1999 record: 3-21
League record: 3-12
First-year Coach Doug Deats has a firm grasp of the rebuilding task ahead, but whether the Eagles can turn his teachings into victories is another matter. “Our young kids need to develop ASAP,” Deats said. “Our pitchers need to throw strikes and we need to play good defense.” Estancia returns five starters, four of whom pitch: first baseman/pitcher David Akiva, shortstop/pitcher C.K. Green, shortstop/pitcher Armando Ortiz and catcher/pitcher Brent Davis. The other returning starter is outfielder Matt Mueller. Additional returning players include third baseman A.J. Perkins and second baseman Kasey Gates.
Laguna Beach
Coach: Mike Schubert
1999 record: 2-19
League record: 1-14
The long-suffering Artists could take a major step forward this season--if they slipped new assistant coach Damon Berryhill, a former major league catcher, into the lineup. They need all the help they can get, considering Laguna Beach has failed to qualify for the playoffs for the last 37 years. Still, the Artists have as many players back as anyone in the league: eight returning starters and 11 returning lettermen. And with Berryhill, a Laguna Beach graduate, and new coach Mike Schubert at the helm, it is safe to say the Artists will undergo an attitude makeover. Catcher Ryan Gagnet, outfielder/pitcher John Verdugo and first baseman/pitcher Kirk Ziggler are expected to lead the charge as Laguna Beach attempts to transform itself from spoiler to contender.
University
Coach: Chris Conlin
1999 record: 16-12-1
League record: 12-2-1
The defending league champions should be the team to beat once again with three starting pitchers back as well as two all-league infielders. Staff ace Erik Foxman and starters Matt Gamble and Jarro Ochoa were a combined 16-9 last season. First-team all-league infielder Kevin Conlin is coming off a season in which he batted .454, while second-team infielder Jordan Cumsky hit .320. The Trojans’ biggest improvement needs to come in nonleague competition; nine of their 12 losses last season were in nonleague games. Making the task more difficult this time around will be a schedule that includes games against traditional powers Fontana and West Torrance.