* BASEBALL: Rich Amaral, who played baseball at Estancia High
before his 10-year professional career in the majors, along with
former Orange Coast College players Joe Ronquillo and Bill French,
will lead two four-day sessions of a baseball camp this summer in
Costa Mesa.
The first session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. July 10, 11, 18
and 25. The second camp is scheduled Aug. 7, 8, 15 and 22.
Field sites have not been determined yet.
Price is $125 per session.
The camps will focus on specialized instruction on fundamentals
and detailed drills for hitters, pitchers and catchers.
Class sizes will be small to facilitate proper instruction.
Parents are encouraged to follow their children through each
station.
Amaral played all positions except pitcher and catcher in a career
with the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles.
Ronquillo is in his fifth year as an Orange Coast assistant and
was the head coach at both Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. French
played for Chapman University and has also coached at CdM and Laguna
Beach.
Call (714) 579-1987 for information.
Izadi keys whiffle win
* WHIFFLE BALL: Alidad Izadi went 6 for 7 with four home runs to
lead "Gone Deep" to a 14-13.5 victory over "Wall to Wall" in the
first Whiffle ball all-star game at Corona del Mar High June 3.
Freshman Zack Bonberg hit a grand slam for Wall to Wall during the
seven-inning contest held inside the school's small gym following
classes.
Blake Allred, Scott Kahkawni, Izadi, who earned player of the game
honors, Bryce Beshore and Sean Maxwell comprised "Gone Deep," while
Chris Rosen, Bonberg, Austin Elliott, Ryan Lance and Tyler Stepeki
made up Wall to Wall.
Gary Almquist, the game's organizer, said four teams of five
players each were chosen following three games of pool play earlier
this week. Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to participate.
Players pitch to their own team and batters are allowed two
pitches, but replays are allowed, Almquist said.
Lance and Beshore both made strong defensive plays, Almquist
added.
Jones, Natalizio lauded
* HONORS: Orange Coast College sophomores Ava Jones and Sara
Natalizio, who led the women's track and field and swimming teams,
respectively, each earned the highest honor in their sports Orange
Empire Conference officials this spring.
Jones was named the conference's Runner of the Year while
Natalizio earned Swimmer of the Year laurels.
Jones won state championships in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters,
helping lead Coast to a fourth-place finish. She was also named
Runner of the Year after winning the individual title, helping lead
the Pirates to the state title in cross country in the fall.
Natalizio swam a leg on the winning 800 freestyle relay and placed
second in the 50 butterfly to help lead the Pirates to an
eighth-place showing at state.
John Knox earned his third conference Coach of the Year honor this
year for guiding the women's track and field team. He also coached
the men's team and led both state champion cross country squads.
Janice Maran, who led the OCC women's tennis team to a share of
its second straight league crown, was named Coach of the Year.
