Former Canyon Baseball Coach Hammond Dead at 65

Wally Hammond, former Canyon High baseball coach, died Sunday in Hemet, nine days after suffering a heart attack.

He was 65.

Hammond coached at Canyon from 1980-87 and coached at rival Hart from 1970-73.

In recent years, Hammond was pitching coach at West Valley High in Hemet.

A memorial service will be held on Feb. 17 at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Newhall.

FOOTBALL

* Lord Cole, who rushed for 1,416 yards and scored 22 touchdowns last season at L.A. Baptist High, has committed to the U.S. Naval Academy.

* Lee Marks, an All-West Valley League defensive back for Taft, signed Thursday with Boise State.

Taft receiver Chris Morgan, who had committed to USC, did not sign Wednesday because he is trying to improve his academic standing.

* Dan Catalano, a linebacker for Westlake, signed with Utah State.

* Terrance Chapman and Shawn Price, defensive ends for Valley College, signed with North Carolina State.

Other Valley players who signed included defensive back Julian Battle (Tennessee), offensive lineman Larry Ram (Florida A&M;), defensive lineman Brook Emelio (Louisville) and all-purpose player Tim Starks (Missouri).

* Ray Carmel, a defensive back for Moorpark College, signed with California.

Other Moorpark players who signed include kicker Adam Holiday (Washington State) and offensive lineman Charles Bungert (Baylor).

* Joshua Brandon, a defensive back for College of the Canyons, signed with Brigham Young.

Other Canyons players who signed include defensive back Omar Stewart (Colorado) and offensive lineman Ahmad Milby (Weber State).

* D.J. Coote, a defensive back for Ventura College, signed with Oregon State. Ventura defensive lineman Travis Busse signed with Montana State.

SOCCER

* Sara Silver-Hill of Westlake will miss the rest of the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament.

The All-Marmonte League forward helped the Warriors (14-0-4, 10-0-1), ranked No. 3 in the region by The Times, capture the league title. She has committed to Washington State.

BASEBALL

* The Lancaster JetHawks will host their annual job fair from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 24-25 at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

The JetHawks, a Class A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, will conduct interviews for ushers, ticket sellers, ticket takers, souvenir vendors, program vendors and parking-lot attendants.

Interviews will be conducted in the order applications are received.

* The Lancaster Batting Range has reopened under the management of the Lancaster Parks, Recreation and Arts Dept.

The range will be open from 1-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Range prices remain the same--$1.25 for 20 pitches; $6.25 for 120 pitches. There are also discount cards available and cages may be rented at $15 for 30 minutes or $20 for 60 minutes. Old batting range cards will be honored through June.

Information: (661) 942-3848.

BASKETBALL

* The Conejo Valley Waves are seeking sixth-grade girls for an AAU travel team that will be based in Agoura Hills.

Information: Phil Strenkowski, (818) 889-3307.