June 18, 2007

Root to bring them home

THE obvious difference between professional ball players and amateur ones is that professionals get paid. ESPN, the all-sports cable network, estimated that New York Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens is earning $153,000 a day in his job as starting pitcher for the Bronx Bombers. A day.

From outrageous salaries to performance-enhancing drugs to lawbreaking off the field, the stench that accompanies a professional ball team can be unbearable at times. Not to mention beer fights and swearing - and that's among fans.

We're not knocking loyalty to a professional ball team. We support both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. We are even hoping for a freeway World Series, a battle of the red-and-the-blue come October.

But those few who've witnessed an amateur sporting event know that there is something pure, even innocent, about student athletes, or Little Leaguers, AYSO footballers and Pee Wee'ers playing their hearts out for pride or fun. Usually, it's about young men and women playing to win but not forgetting something called respect and sportsmanship.

However, many of us don't get to see these events because often they are played during working hours. Or the venues are usually obscure. Pre-game publicity is limited due to a school or league's lack of a marketing budget.

The last two times Monrovia High School's baseball team competed for the CIF-Southern Section Division V title, the championship game was played at UC Riverside. That's right, Riverside - a bit of a drive for the San Gabriel Valley faithful. After winning in 2006, the Wildcats succumbed to another San Gabriel Valley baseball powerhouse, Bishop Amat High School Lancers (La Puente) earlier this month. Again, the championship game was played at UC Riverside. Two San Gabriel Valley teams - high school athletes playing their hearts out - yet out of sight and out of mind for most except players' parents and a handful of faithful students.

When Whittier-based California High's softball team battled for the CIF-Southern Section Division III title earlier this month, they did so in Irvine. Maybe if they played locally more fans could have attended and cheered them on. They lost 1-0 to Beckman High.

Sure, some high school baseball championships are played at Dodger Stadium (witness Charter Oak High beating Santa Monica High on June 1) or Angel Stadium of Anaheim. And that's a terrific thrill for those young players, to stand among the shadows of their idols. Even AYSO finals end up at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

But perhaps there could be a middle-size venue where local CIF and even college baseball, softball and football teams can match-up. Having a San Gabriel Valley "field" would give more local residents a chance to see and experience amateur athletic play in a comfortable setting.

Recently, two nearby NCAA Division I baseball teams advanced to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., which began Saturday. Both UC Irvine's Anteaters and Cal State Fullerton's Titans are two of the eight teams playing for the national title. Many San Gabriel Valley and Whittier-area students attend these fine schools and thousands more are alumni. For example, Temple City High School's Class of 2007 is sending 27 students to these two universities in the fall, 17 to UCI and 10 to CSUF.

One had to travel to Orange County to see Cal State Fullerton's baseball team play UCLA's in the comfy, 4,000-seat Goodwin Field in Fullerton last weekend, site of the NCAA Division I Baseball Super Regionals. The Fullerton field sports a family crowd and an exciting, collegiate atmosphere - quite different from professional sports.

Having such a regional, outdoor field say in West Covina, La Puente or Monterey Park would provide a boost to our local amateur teams and a familial, home-town feel missing from the San Gabriel Valley. Especially when we have to travel to Riverside or Los Angeles to see our own kids play ball.