Hart’s Shields Didn’t Throw Summer Away

Every summer, in sudden and sometimes unexplainable fashion, a select group of teenage athletes dazzle sportswriters and thrill recruiters by acquiring physical skills that transform them from ordinary to extraordinary.

Jamie Shields, a lanky 16-year-old junior pitcher from Hart High with a shaved head and braces on his teeth, is this summer’s athletic success story.

“He’s the next Bret Saberhagen,” a local baseball coach excitedly insisted last week.

It’s not as if Shields was unknown when the summer began. He compiled an 8-2 record and 1.79 earned-run average as a sophomore starter last season at Hart. He was the No. 2 pitcher behind Cal State Northridge-bound Andy Davidson.

Then, in the last three months, Shields’ fastball and curveball became so powerful and nasty that opponents started treating him as if he were Kerry Wood. Getting a hit off Shields became an achievement; avoiding a strikeout became a goal.

“He has a chance to be one of those kids [drafted] in the first round,” said former Cal State Northridge assistant coach P.C. Shaw, who helped coach Notre Dame’s American Legion team. “If he was a senior, he’d be the hottest recruit around.”

As one of the youngest players at the senior-dominated Area Code tournament in Long Beach this month, Shields pitched three shutout innings, striking out four. There were more than 200 professional scouts and 80 college scouts watching the games.

“Shields was a kid many, many scouts talked about,” said Bob Williams, the tournament coordinator.

Shields’ fastball was clocked at a reported 91 mph during his Area Code tryout in July at Fresno. But it’s not only velocity that sent Shields’ reputation soaring.

At 6 feet 2 1/2 and 180 pounds, with a fluid throwing motion and calm demeanor, Shields performs like an elite pitcher. He struck out 76 batters in 50 innings in Legion ball. Even when he gave up a home run, it hardly deterred his effort.

“What I tried to do was prove I could be a good pitcher,” Shields said. “During the regular season, I was just the guy learning. I was the newcomer. It was my first year on varsity and I didn’t want to be above anybody. I took in whatever Coach [Bud] Murray taught me and it clicked in.”

Shields comes from a baseball family. His brothers Jason and Jeremy played at Hart. Jeremy was an all-conference pitcher as a freshman last season at College of the Canyons.

Jeremy is left-handed, which doesn’t go over well with Jamie, a right-hander.

“Sometimes I despise lefties because I’m not a lefty,” he said. “I mean, when I was little, I used to play catch with my brothers and threw left-handed because I was told you could make it to the pros easier.”

Shields will have many options in the coming years if he continues to improve.

“This was the key summer for me,” he said. “I’m just trying to make the scouts say, ‘Oh, that’s Jamie Shields. Yeah, we know this kid.’ ”

Nine other athletes who improved greatly this summer:

Chad Redfern, Chatsworth, Sr.--After putting on 15 pounds, the 6-3, 170-pound Redfern batted .431 with 24 runs batted in during Legion ball. He possesses a strong arm and threw out three runners at home plate. “I felt I really got comfortable this summer,” he said.

Brian Horwitz, Crespi, Jr.--The center fielder batted .481 in helping the U.S. team win the World Youth championship in Fairview Heights, Ill. He demonstrated he’s ready to become one of the top hitters in the Mission League next season. “It just gives me a lot of confidence that I can play with the best,” Horwitz said. “I think I’m starting to play to my potential.”

Wes Rasmussen, Moorpark, Sr.--This versatile infielder has become one of the most sought-after middle infielders in the region after his performance in the Area Code tournament and in helping Conejo Valley win the Big League World Series championship. His fielding has improved and he’s starting to display power in his hitting.

Brendan Ryan, Notre Dame, Jr.--Ryan has gone from a part-time starter at second base to future all-star. He batted .416 and looked smoother making the pivot on double plays than some major leaguers.

Chris Dickerson, Notre Dame, Jr.--After playing on the junior varsity last season, Dickerson showed signs late in the summer of having big-time skills. He batted only .259 in Legion ball, but at 6-3 and 185 pounds, with speed and improving strength, he’s a player to watch. He finished with four home runs, hitting one against Hart’s Shields in the district championship game.

Nyasha Bralock, Alemany, So.--A starter last season as a freshman on Alemany’s state runner-up girls’ basketball team, the 5-8 Bralock was just learning how to use her skills. This summer, she began to assert herself as a rebounder and scorer. “She’s starting to understand the game,” Alemany Coach Melissa Hearlihy said.

Michael Goldman, Calabasas, Sr.--This 6-1 1/2 point guard was right behind Shields as a summer phenom. Whether scoring, rebounding, passing or playing defense, Goldman let everyone know he’s ready to make an impact in Valley basketball next season.

He played in only six varsity games as a junior.

“He really is coming on,” Calabasas Coach Bill Bellatty said. “The kid can really jump. He has Jerry West arms. He just got into playing basketball all the time and has really improved.”

Anthony Foli, Newbury Park, Sr.--The 6-4, 235-pound linebacker hung out at the weight room. During summer drills, he volunteered to play wide receiver and did anything to help his team. Unselfish and dependable, he could be a key player in Newbury Park’s quest to repeat as Marmonte League football champion.

Gregg Guenther, Crespi, Jr.--He’s a young Paul Bunyan, closing in on 6-8 and weighing 240 pounds. He’d lift weights at 6 a.m., then play basketball at night. A defensive end-tight end, Guenther is improving daily. In 2000, there will be schools lining up with scholarships.

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422.