HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEW : TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE : Indispensable Multi-Sport Athletes Keep Moorpark, Oak Park Afloat

Being the quarterback on the football team, a starter on the basketball team and a pitcher on the baseball team isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Just ask Moorpark High’s Keith Orford.

“It’s a lot of work,” Orford said. “You never really get a chance to do anything. You get one week off between sports, but that’s nothing. I’d just like a couple days off now and then to come home and watch ‘Donahue.’ ”

Despite his lack of day-time television viewing, Orford enjoys the opportunities at Moorpark.

“I wouldn’t want to go to a big school because I wouldn’t get the same amount of playing time,” he said. “It’s fun just to go out there and play and get the recognition.”

Having outstanding athletes play more than one sport is not uncommon. But at smaller schools, like the Tri-Valley League’s Moorpark (enrollment 725) and Oak Park (enrollment 360), multi-sport athletes are essential for the school to field competitive teams.

Nine of 11 members on the Moorpark baseball team play at least two sports, and Orford, Jaime Kohls and Robert Hernandez play three--football, basketball and baseball. At Oak Park, Ron Veres’ squad has seven multiple-sport players.

“I think at a small school it’s imperative that they play more than one sport, hopefully all three,” Veres said. “It never really makes a difference. Even if a team goes into the playoffs and players miss practice of another sport, it’s just something that’s accepted.

“I think it’s important to the athletes and to the school that the wealth of athletic ability be shared to get more exposure to college recruiters. When you get to college, that’s different. There I think you should specialize.”

With so few players, the athletic community at each school is close-knit. The same coaches instruct the same players from season to season, but the relationships change, according to Moorpark Coach Mario Porto, who is the baseball coach and an assistant football coach.

“The kids know who I am, but I’m a different person when I’m an assistant coach on the football team then when I’m the head baseball coach,” Porto said. “I’m more serious with the baseball team, that’s my forte. You have different responsibilities, so I’m more relaxed with the kids on the football team. On the baseball team the kids have learned it’s my way or no way at all.

“After a while the kids caught on. They tell kids, ‘Wait until baseball comes around, you’ll see what’s coming.”

Moorpark

COACH: Mario Porto, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: Tie for 4th in league at 6-6; 8-8

THIS SEASON: Despite the uphill struggle facing him in an attempt to capture a league title--the Musketeers’ only returning starters are 2 juniors and 2 sophomores and there are just 4 seniors on the roster-- Porto is enjoying himself. “It’s fun coaching a young team. They’re like little sponges out there soaking up everything,” Porto said. Leading Moorpark is junior pitcher Keith Orford (6-2, 170), a quarterback on the football team and a forward on the basketball team. “Keith’s grown about four inches over the summer and he’s worked on his curveball. He moves the ball around a lot,” Porto said. Backing up Orford on the mound will be sophomore Robert Hernandez, who will also play third base, and senior Kelly Kira (6-2, 155). Leading Moorpark’s offense will be sophomore shortstop Frank Fernandez (5-9, 155), who hit .328 and stole 27 bases last season. Porto also expects offensive leadership from junior catcher Jaime Kohls and Phillip Spizlai, a transfer from Louisiana. Oak Park’s starting outfielders will be Kira (when he’s not pitching), senior Rich Vincioni and junior Scott Semer.

OUTLOOK: With the loss of Dave Romero, who batted .491 last season, the Musketeers do not figure to have as much offensive punch. If Hernandez comes through on the mound to support Orford, Moorpark should stay competitive. “The key for us is to play good defense and get good pitching,” Porto said. “Overall, we won’t have the hitting we did last year, but we’ll have good team speed.”

Oak Park

COACH: Ron Veres, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: Tie for 4th in league at 6-6; 8-8

THIS SEASON: With 7 returning starters, the Eagles figure to be contenders for the league title. “We’re an up and coming team,” Coach Ron Veres said. “The size of the school hinders us a little bit. The question is our pitching staff.” Leading the team’s offense is a returning all-league selection, Scott Veres (6-1, 160). Veres, who is the coach’s son, batted .371 last season and will play second base. Returning seniors Scott Ziegler (6-4, 225) and John Baley figure to be the core of the pitching staff, which got a boost two weeks ago when Dave Stephens was added to the team. Junior Mark Karr (5-10, 155) has been promoted from the junior varsity and also will pitch. Two outfield positions are set with seniors Chris Frane (5-10, 145) and T. J. Humphreys. Senior Joe Gerty (5-10, 160) has been moved from outfield to catcher. Veres hasn’t decided where to play juniors Gary Silverman (5-10, 165) and Todd Creson (5-10, 160), who have been rotating between third base and shortstop.

OUTLOOK: With the number of returners, Oak Park should be competitive. Separating the Eagles from a league title will be their pitching. If Stephens or Karr develop, Oak Park--with Ziegler and Baley--might have one of the better staffs in the league. Veres, Frane and Humphreys are potential all-league selections. “We’re going to be pretty competitive with seven returning starters,” Veres said. “We expect to do very well.”