All-Star Game Is the Last Chance for Prep Players to Showcase Skills

When former University High shortstop Erik Lazerus played in the Westside all-star tournament last season, he didn’t know whether he would play competitively again.

But Cal State Northridge Coach Bill Kernen, who had heard about Lazerus and had watched him play once during the high school season, was at the game. Two days after the Westside tournament, Kernen offered a scholarship and Lazerus accepted.

“I needed another opportunity to see Erik play,” Kernen said. “I wasn’t sitting there trying to make up my mind. He played well and confirmed what I had thought about him.”

This year, Kernen and USC Coach Mike Gillespe are scheduled to attended Saturday’s all-star game at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium to watch seniors from City and Southern Section schools play each other in the 7 p.m. game.

University’s Javier Mejia, the City player of the year; Venice’s Dan Pena, another All-City first-team selection, and Westchester’s Jose Flores will be the City pitchers.

Mejia was 11-1 with a 1.26 earned-run average and 82 strikeouts and 24 walks in 72 innings. Pena was 7-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. Flores was 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 51 innings.

“I think with Mejia, Pena and Flores pitching, we should be in great shape,” said Westchester Coach Ron Kasparian, who will be a co-coach for the City team.

“The (Southern Section) will have some guns too. They have more schools to choose from, but we’re not worried about that.”

Santa Monica’s Mike Miller (10-1, 2.00 ERA), St. Bernard’s Chris Steinbacher (7-1, 3.00) and Loyola’s Todd Singelyn (5-3, 2.47) will pitch for the Southern Section team.

Of the six pitchers, only Singelyn has signed a letter of intent with a four-year school, Arizona.

The Westside all-star game was started eight years ago by Crossroads Coach Chuck Ice, Beverly Hills Coach Bill Erickson and former Venice Coach Jeff Shimizu. Ice and his colleagues wanted to showcase the area’s top players but were unable to schedule a game against other all-star teams.

“We wanted to give an opportunity for the graduating seniors in our area to be seen,” Ice said. “It’s our way to honor them and bring a culmination to their high school baseball careers. The South Bay and the San Fernando Valley had their all-star games, and we wanted one too.”

Unfortunately, this year’s game is on the same weekend as the California High School North-South all-star series at Clovis West High in Fresno and the City all-star game at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Mejia, who also was picked for the City game, said he will try to pitch at least one inning in both games.

“It’s his arm; he can do whatever he wants,” University Coach Frank Cruz said.

Gillespe, who also will attend the Orange County and South Bay all-star games Friday, said he will try to attend the two games Saturday.

“These all-star games are the best place to see prospects,” Gillespe said. “You’re seeing the best players from an area playing against each other. If you go to a high school game, you’re only seeing the best players from two teams.”

Gillespe said college baseball coaches wait to give out their final scholarships until after the major leagues’ amateur draft.

“(Baseball) comes last and finishes late in the year,” Gillespe said. “You lose players because of ineligibility, they’re unhappy with the program or, more commonly, you lose kids in the draft that you didn’t anticipate losing.

“College coaches are shopping for players, and this is the best way to see them.”

City Section roster

Pitchers--Jose Flores (Westchester), Javier Mejia (University), Dan Pena (Venice). Catchers--Joey Gandara (University), Ruben Mercado (Venice). Infielders--Jeff Eisfelder (University), Mike Hayes (Westchester), Tremayne Noles (Westchester), David Schlessenger (Palisades), Justin Schulman (University), Brad Slater (University), Al Watson (Westchester), Outfielders--Justin Fassler (Westchester), Jose Fuentes (Venice), Randal Harris (University), Derek Person (Westchester).

Coaches--Ron Kasparian (Westchester), Kirk Alexander (Venice). Assistant--Bob Lopez (Venice).

Southern Section roster

Pitchers--Mike Miller (Santa Monica), Todd Singelyn (Loyola), Chris Steinbacher (St. Bernard), Dean Styne (Beverly Hills). Infielders--Paul Casillas (Santa Monica), Grant Hohman (St. Bernard), Matt Humiston (Beverly Hills), Sheldon Philip-Guide (Santa Monica). Catchers--Brian Cappell (Culver City), Travis Carrol (St. Bernard), Jesus Padilla (St. Monica). Outfielders--John Beradino (Beverly Hills), Steve Gerety (Loyola), Michael Kern (Culver City), Dan Ripoll (Crossroads), Mike Yan (Crossroads).

Coaches--Bob Yarnell (St. Bernard), Kelly Nicholson (Loyola).