A teenage Alex Rodriguez played in the National Classic. So did major leaguers Pat Burrell, J.P. Howell and Jon Garland.
It has been 20 years since the National Classic was created by Placentia El Dorado Coach Steve Gullotti and Anaheim Esperanza Coach Mike Curran, and it's still going strong, with 16 of the best baseball programs in the nation ready to begin play in the four-day high school tournament starting today in Orange County.
"It's a lot of work but a lot of fun," Gullotti said of running a tournament that ends Thursday at 7 p.m. with the championship game at Cal State Fullerton.
Last season, Encino Crespi defeated Orange Lutheran in the final, and these are the words of wisdom from Crespi Coach Scott Muckey: "The key is a lot of luck."
And pitching. Crespi brought up a junior varsity pitcher and used six pitchers in the tournament.
"Everybody has the same problem," Muckey said. "Everybody is going to run out of pitching."
Well, everybody except Santa Ana Mater Dei, which has 11 pitchers and begins play against Aptos in a 10 a.m. game at Esperanza.
Four of the 16 teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally by Baseball America.
Among the out-of-town teams entered are Concord De La Salle, San Jose Archbishop Mitty, Carmichael Jesuit, Palm Beach (Fla.) Central, Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Notre Dame Prep, Mamaroneck (N.Y.) and Spanish Fork (Utah).
"Probably the neatest thing is the different styles of baseball from different parts of the country," Gullotti said. "It's been a cool thing to be part of. The idea was to create a high school national championship College World Series atmosphere."
Upper Deck, Dole, Toyo Tires and former major league player Phil Nevin have been sponsors in the past.
Anderson Bat is the title sponsor in the second year of a three-year deal.
There are some standout players in this year's tournament, including pitchers Matt Hobgood of Norco and Chad Thompson of Lake Forest El Toro.
Esperanza, El Dorado and Fullerton will be the sites for games.
Who will win the championship? As Muckey said, pitching matters, and I like Mater Dei or El Toro to finish 4-0.
Paging Dr. Phil
The two top baseball teams in the City Section meet this week in West Valley League play, with Reseda Cleveland (13-3, 4-0) playing host to Chatsworth (17-1, 4-0) on Tuesday and then Chatsworth hosting Cleveland on Thursday.
