Getting the chance to stand on the same field and sit in the same dugout at Windrow Community Park with players recently drafted by Major League Baseball teams was enough for Vlahakis.
“I’ve never been on any all-star team,” said Vlahakis, who began playing baseball at age 4. “Just to be recognized for hard work, it’s really a great honor.”
When Vlahakis walked off the field, all Chalmers remembered was how far his player had come.
The final score, the Sunset League lost to the Trinity League, 13-6, or Vlahakis’ small role in left field for the losing team, mattered very little.
What mattered was how Chalmers and Vlahakis started together with the Sailors program four years ago as newcomers.
Chalmers started as the varsity coach. Vlahakis was nowhere close to varsity.
Vlahakis was a freshman on the freshmen team, playing very little. He said teammates expected as much.
Through hard work, Vlahakis worked his way up, earning his first all-star nod.
The 13th annual Ryan Lemmon Foundation Senior Showcase displayed more than major-league prospects or NCAA Division I recruits.
Out of the seven local players from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District taking part in the two-day senior event, Vlahakis is a prime example of how far determination can get you.
“Vlahakis is a guy who’s taken advantage of his opportunities,” Chalmers said. “[He] pitched 40 2/3 innings, the most innings of anyone on our team this season, [finished] with a 4-2 record.
“He’s the guy [who] has the work ethic.”
Next for Vlahakis is Golden West College, where he plans to pitch.
The other Newport Harbor player at the showcase was Alex Rios. The 6-foot-6 senior said he’s going the junior college route as well, up north to Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
