Adversity Has Taught Enciso of Hart to Savor Life

At 12, Nick Enciso lost his father to a heart attack. At 14, he watched as a friend was hit by a car and killed while roller blading. At 15, he broke his neck snowboarding.

“Somebody’s trying to teach me a lesson,” Enciso said.

At 17, he’s ready to become the comeback athlete of the summer.

Displaying perseverance and resiliency, Enciso is a senior catcher at Hart High working hard to earn a starting position.

His neck injury in January of 1999 forced him to give up football. He was a receiver on the freshman and sophomore teams, catching passes from quarterback Kyle Matter.

He served as backup catcher to Brandon Montemayor last season as a junior. This summer, he’s hitting close to .350 while competing with two other catchers for the starting spot.

He’s 5 feet 10, 170 pounds, with a powerful arm and a strong will to enjoy life.

While others might complain about attending early morning practices and competing in long, hot summer games, Enciso acts like a little kid with an ice cream.

“I’m having so much fun,” he said. “I can’t wait until this season.”

Tragedy and near-tragedy can bring out the best and worst in people. At a minimum, it changes lives. Enciso has tried to cope and not let life’s unpredictable experiences derail his future.

“Sometimes people don’t go through this at all,” he said. “There’s a lesson to be learned and I’m trying to learn.”

While in junior high, Enciso was roller blading with a friend. They were in the center divider when the boy decided to skate across a street. He was struck by a car and killed.

“Why is this stuff happening to me?” Enciso said. “Everybody I was getting close to was dying. I didn’t know what to do.”

He kept pushing on, supported by his mother and stepfather.

Then came his brush with paralysis. He was snowboarding at Mountain High. On his final run, he flipped off a jump awkwardly and landed on his head. He didn’t think anything was wrong and went home. The next morning, he started feeling pain and went to the hospital. X-rays revealed a broken neck. His doctor told him he was fortunate not to be paralyzed.

“It was scary,” Enciso said.

He spent the next four months in a neck brace. He played in one baseball game his sophomore season, walking in his only at-bat in the final game of the season.

As he prepares for his senior season, Enciso intends to do whatever it takes to be successful. He goes to the gym four times a week, trying to improve his strength and speed. But he no longer goes roller blading or skateboarding. His snowboarding gear was sold. Beach time doesn’t include surfing.

“I go to the beach just to get a tan,” he said.

But don’t think for one minute he’s a teenager without passion. His experiences have given him wisdom beyond his years.

“It’s made me a stronger, better person,” he said. “It’s made me realize how short life could be. I’m ready for anything. I’ve been working hard and I’m ready to keep doing it.”

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What will happen later this season if former Kennedy High pitcher Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox faces former Kennedy outfielder Garret Anderson of the Angels? Who will Coach Manny Alvarado of Kennedy cheer for?

“I’m just going to be enjoying the moment,” Alvarado said. “I hope Jon strikes out everybody except Garret.” . . .

Coach Scott Cline of Camarillo on sophomore pitcher Delmon Young: “I’ve never seen a 14-year-old throw 90 mph on two occasions. It’s pretty phenomenal.” . . .

Here’s the latest ploy to gain more money: A high school junior catcher from North Carolina, Landon Powell, passed the test for a general equivalency diploma, then wrote to baseball Commissioner Bud Selig declaring himself eligible for this year’s draft. But because so few teams knew he was available, he went undrafted, making him a free agent.

The move was made by Powell’s father, who’s being advised by agent Scott Boras. The use of a GED to enable a high school junior to become eligible for the baseball draft had never been tried.

Let’s see if any of the 30 major league teams reward Powell for his innovative idea. He hit 15 home runs last season and was listed as the nation’s No. 2 junior prospect by Baseball America. . . .

The Little League playoffs have begun, and there isn’t a better hitter than 12-year-old right fielder Gabe Cohen of Encino. . . .

Kurt Birkins, former El Camino Real High pitcher, has decided to attend Pierce College this fall rather than return to UCLA, where he pitched in 1999. He was drafted in the 33rd round by the Baltimore Orioles . . .

In the Area Code tryouts at USC, two of the most impressive local players were left-handed pitcher Chris Seddon of Canyon and outfielder Erik Johnson of Chaminade. . . .

Chris Bodaken, who attended St. Francis High and lives in Stevenson Ranch, started as a ball boy for the Lakers when he was 16. He served as an assistant basketball coach at St. Francis from 1990-93, then went to work full-time for the Lakers as director of video services and scout.

He will receive an NBA championship ring. He also serves as an assistant coach for the Sparks.

“Hopefully, I’ll keep adding to the collection,” he said. . . .

There has been much speculation over how many quality athletes Oaks Christian will attract when the new Westlake Village school begins classes Aug. 28. Football Coach Bill Redell finally got to meet some of his players Thursday when they arrived for physicals. There were 38 ninth- and 10th-graders.

Among the new Oaks Christian athletes are the Adams triplets, 6-2 Sean, 6-2 1/2 Craig and 5-10 Sean, all of whom played football and basketball as freshmen at Agoura last season.

Also enrolled is 6-5 sophomore Kyle McClure, a tight end from Oak Park, and freshman quarterback Mark Cornell and freshman running back John Giangregorio, who were starters on the Agoura Eagles’ team that reached the Pacific Youth Conference SuperBowl.

“I think it’s kind of cool we’re starting the tradition,” Cornell said.

Redell and his staff of 10 assistant coaches began holding workouts Friday. Oaks Christian opens it season Sept. 8 at home against Bell-Jeff. The team will play a junior varsity schedule.

Asked if Redell will call his favorite gadget play, the fumblerooski, on the first play in school history, offensive coordinator Mark Bates said, “Whatever it is, if it works, [Redell] called it. If it doesn’t, I called it.”

The new players were given a unique reception. After having their blood pressure checked, each player was offered a Krispy Kreme doughnut, an indication Redell is already trying to add pounds to his young players. Except the coaching staff kept eating the doughnuts, too.

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Eric Sondheimer’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.