Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week, Carlos Franco: Diamond devotee

Barry Faulkner

With cherubic cheeks, a “Bambino” physique and the boundless joy

evident in those for whom the real world is still a premonition, Carlos

Franco plays regularly in a well-kept sandbox of grass and dirt, outlined

by chalk with a big bump in the middle.

He arrives early and is frequently chased from the premises by

nightfall, in clothing usually stained by all manner of the landscape.

And then there are game days.

In literal terms, Franco is a senior standout on the Costa Mesa High

baseball team.

But for those who have seen him throw himself chest first into second

base; or rotate violently off the side of the mound, as if surrendering

his body to gravitational pull could add a little pop to his fastball; or

crumple his cap onto his head in frustration when the breaks are beating

the boys, there is something figurative about Franco’s diamond presence.

Videographers focused on his play could record a commercial for the

grand ol’ game and/or for laundry detergent.

“He enjoys being on the field and everything that goes with it,” said

Costa Mesa Coach Kirk Bauermeister, whose dinner has sometimes gotten

cold due to Franco’s persistent pleas for 10 more ground balls, or one

more round of batting practice.

“He could take BP all day long and he could field ground balls

forever,” added Bauermeister, who not only indulges Franco’s obsession,

but inspires it.

“I was really bad my freshman year,” Franco recalled. “But as a

sophomore, I stayed after practice a lot with Kirk and Trox (former Mesa

assistant Paul Troxel, who died tragically during Franco’s sophomore

season) and they helped me a lot. Ruben Mancilla (a senior star on the

1998 Mustangs) also helped me a lot. He was a great role model.”

Franco is now a role model for his teammates. He plays first base with

surprising agility, is productive offensively in the cleanup spot

(hitting .306 with one homer and 17 RBIs heading into this week) and is

summoned to the mound in the late innings, whenever the game is on the

line. In 17 1/3 innings pitched through April 18, he was 4-2 with three

saves, with a sparkling 1.62 ERA and 15 strikeouts.

In three Pride of the Coast Tournament victories last week, Franco

earned two wins and a save on the mound. He fanned six in four innings

and did not allow an earned run.

He also went 4 for 10 with three RBIs, including the game-winning RBI

single April 17 against Santa Ana Valley. For his efforts, he is the

Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week.

“We wanted to use the tournament to try to get Carlos a few (pitching)

innings to keep him sharp,” Bauermeister said.

Franco, who started a handful of games the last two seasons, but works

best in relief, said he relishes taking the ball when the stakes are

extreme.

“I just rare back, try to blow people away, or at least get some

ground balls,” he said. “My arm felt good last week. Since I only throw

about an inning every game I pitch, my arm never hurts.”

Though he has average velocity, a late-breaking curveball,

above-average command, and a thirst for competition allow Franco to get

the best of most prep hitters.

“He has the mentality of a closer, which is hard to find,”

Bauermeister said. “Carlos has a lot of confidence in himself, and we

have a lot of confidence in Carlos.

“His breaking ball is hard for hitters to pick up and he can throw it

any time in the count for a strike. And when hitters are looking for that

breaking ball, it makes his fastball quicker.”

Franco, an All-Newport-Mesa District and second-team All-Pacific Coast

League performer last spring, has savored his three varsity seasons. He

believes this year’s team can rival the ’98 Mustangs’ run to the CIF

Southern Section Division IV quarterfinals.

And though mindful the clock is winding down on this special time in

his life, he said he will always pursue his diamond passion.

“I may try to play for a community college next year,” he said. “It’s

hard to imagine not being able to play baseball anymore. But when that

happens, I’ll probably play softball.”

And play and play and play.