Pitcher of the Year

The ball leaves his left hand and nobody is supposed to touch it but the catcher.

Matthew Merricks believes this entirely.

“I don’t believe anybody can really hit me,” he said. “I want the ball and I want the game decided through me.”

That’s his serious side.

Merricks glowers at batters, then blows them away with a 92-mph rising fastball. The senior was 6-2 with a 1.58 earned-run average and 102 strikeouts in 61 innings for Oxnard High to become The Times’ Ventura County pitcher of the year.

Off the field he supplies zingers as well. And one-liners, imitations and practical jokes. Merricks, 17, makes people laugh. He sings, dances and even pokes fun at himself.

“A sense of humor is important in life,” he said. “That’s the way everyone in my family has been raised.”

Several athletes included. Charles Merricks, Matthew’s brother, is a UCLA junior who was drafted in the 17th round by the Colorado Rockies. Alex Merricks, Matthew’s cousin, is an Oxnard sophomore who scouts believe has a bright future.

All are left-handers who pitch and play outfield.

“We are a lot alike on the field, but our personalities are different,” Merricks said. “We all love sports.”

Merricks was the quarterback on the Yellowjacket football team as a junior and was an all-county selection in basketball this year, leading the region in steals.

Although his left arm prompted the Atlanta Braves to select him in the sixth round of the amateur draft on June 5, Merricks takes pride in his overall athleticism.

He overcame a slow start to bat .481 with 39 hits, including three triples and three home runs.

Merricks’ pitching was carefully measured as well. He joined the baseball team late because basketball season overlapped, and Coach Phil White wisely allowed Merricks to build his arm strength through a string of relief appearances.

Result: Merricks set a school record with six saves before starting a game.

In his second start, he shut out powerful Camarillo in front of more than a dozen scouts. He beat Camarillo again two weeks later and led the Yellowjackets (18-8) to their best record in many years.

Merricks, 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds, made a commitment to attend Cal State Northridge, but he is seriously contemplating signing with the Braves.

“I want to play baseball,” he said. “I want to start my career as soon as possible. My parents are backing me whatever I decide.”