Bell to toll versus Japan

Charles Rich

In Trevor Bell’s eyes, Long Beach appealed more than Santa

Barbara.

The 15-year-old Bell offered a valid explanation, something that

pertained to playing baseball on an international stage.

Bell, who had originally been slated to play with his

Chatsworth-based Valley Heat travel team in a tournament in Santa

Barbara this weekend, will instead compete with the American team in

the Goodwill Series Games against Japan.

The Crescenta Valley High sophomore, who shared Pacific League

co-Most Valuable Player honors in 2002, will make his inaugural

international appearance Saturday in a three-game series with the

Japan National High School Team. The first two games will be played

at Blair Field In Long Beach and the final contest will take place

Monday at UC Irvine.

“The Valley Heat team was more than understandable about me

playing in the Goodwill Series,” said Bell, who will play in his

second August tournament at Blair Field. “I never thought I’d be

picked to play in this tournament and I can’t begin to describe it.”

The Goodwill Games, geared to showcase the top high school talent

at the worldwide level, began in 1983.

Former players who have participated in the event include major

leaguers Matt Williams, Jim Edmonds, Fernando Vina, Tyler Houston,

Nomar Garciaparra, Mike Lieberthal, Jason Kendall, Torii Hunter and

Dmitri Young.

The 6-foot-1 Bell, who competed in early August at the Area Code

Games for the Milwaukee Brewers, will be teamed with Delmon Young, a

Camarillo High senior and Dmitri’s brother.

“The Area Code Games were one thing,” Bell said. “I’m hoping this

will help my career. I’ve never seen Japan’s style of play. I hear

it’s precise and their pitchers are accurate.”

Bell’s performances in CIF and national competition have been

precise.

He’ll also have a chance to swing a wood bat in Friday’s

exhibition game. The regular contests will be played with standard

aluminum bats.

“I’d prefer playing with a wood bat,” said Bell, who batted .337

with six home runs and 24 runs batted in for CV.

“It feels more natural than an aluminum bat. You are born to swing

a wood bat and there’s something about it when you hit the ball.”