While many high school students have been taking in some summer rays, several baseball players from La Jolla Country Day School have been fine-tuning their baseball games.
Five players from the Torreys program have been active this summer in different camps and more.
According to LJCD head baseball coach John Edman, “We have five rising seniors who were fairly active with their baseball this summer.”
John Hansbrough (outfielder/ pitcher) attended the Stanford University camp; Brandon Belew (infielder) attended the San Diego State University baseball camp; Kyle Reese (pitcher/infielder) attended the North/South Junior Showcase tryout (not selected for the team) and was invited to San Diego Junior Showcase, Area Code tryouts, and offered a spot on the Devil Rays scout league team, but he unfortunately fractured his ankle and is out for four months; Greg Wisenberg (pitcher/infielder) attended the North/South Junior Showcase tryout (not selected for the team), attended the junior showcase and the Stanford University camp; and Mike McKenna (catcher) attended the Junior Showcase and was invited to play with a Mariners scout league team.
“This is a great returning senior class for us, which also includes three other talented ballplayers in addition to these five,” Edman noted.
For all the players, this summer is a chance for them to take that next step to improving their game when spring 2008 rolls around.
“I have been lifting four to five times a week, catching about two games a week and just getting as many at-bats as possible,” McKenna said. “I learned the more intricate and unseen aspect of catching and running a game through the showcases.”
McKenna is already eyeing next season for the Torreys, noting, “With us only losing one senior, albeit a good one, I feel that we’ll have the best shot we’ve had to win CIF. We have good competition, but us eight seniors have been playing together for two to three years on the varsity level and have learned what it takes to win a CIF title.”
Belew has played both travel and summer ball, along with attending the three-day camp at SDSU with Baseball Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn.
“I have been working out, attending batting practice, helping out with La Jolla Country Day School baseball clinic and practicing drills,” Belew said. “I learned that playing baseball is not a right; it is a privilege and to always give a 100 percent effort in every game and practice.”
Belew believes the Torreys will be strong next season.
“We will make it to the championships ” definitely,” Belew said. “We have the skill, coaching and determination to make it.”
Reese noted that the Torreys had a good campaign this past season that opened up some excellent opportunities for players to improve their game with showcase events and other competitions this summer.
“We have most of our starters coming back next year and a good group moving up from the JV team and incoming freshmen,” Reese said. “The summer is a great time to improve individual skills and play against the top players in Southern California.”
Reese has been playing for the California Dawgs Connie Mack team and participated in the California Junior Showcase event in Irvine earlier this summer before fracturing his ankle.
“I fractured my ankle in a game right before three of those events and will be in a cast and rehabbing for several months,” Reese said. “During the past three years we have played against many top teams in Southern California, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon. This experience should help us to be prepared for a great season next year.”
Experiences for several LJCD players that could lead them on the road to CIF gold next season.