Nevin Released by Team U.S.A.

Phil Nevin, a Baseball America freshman All-American selection, was released Monday by Team U.S.A. and will not participate in the Goodwill Games at Seattle this week or the World Championships at Edmonton in August.

Nevin, a third baseman who batted .361 with 14 home runs and 51 runs batted in to help Cal State Fullerton advance to the College World Series this year, played in 13 of 22 games for Team U.S.A. this summer, batting .229 (8 for 35). He played third and second base.

Pepperdine first baseman Danny Melendez also was cut Monday.

U.S. Baseball Federation program director Scott Bollwage said Team U.S.A., which is headquartered in Millington, Tenn., must make one more cut to get down to a roster of 20 for the Goodwill Games.

Bollwage said Arizona State outfielder Jim Austin and Loyola Marymount first baseman Joe Cicarella, both former Mater Dei High School players, had secured roster spots.

Bollwage also said Nevin, who played at El Dorado High, will be strongly considered for the 1991 Pan American team.

“Our Pan American Games coaching staff is here now, and they talked to Phil before he left,” Bollwage said. “I suspect they’ll follow him closely next spring, and he’ll probably be invited to try out for the team next summer.”

Nevin’s release will allow him to join the Titan football team for summer workouts, which begin Aug. 6. He is a kicker and punter.