Stars of the diamond

Mike Sciacca

Stationed throughout various sections of Riddle Field on Wednesday

were 13 members of the the Laguna Beach Little League 9/10 All-Star team.

As they continued preparation for their opening game of the 2002

District 62 Little League All-Star Tournament of Champions, they got

instruction in hitting and fielding from the coaching staff.

As they went about their nearly three-hour practice, the mood was

upbeat and lively in anticipation of taking on Trabuco Canyon National

Little League in a noon, first-round game on Saturday.

“I really think this team is ready,” said Manager Steve Contursi, who

plans on walking his team through a light practice again today, less than

24 hours before their tournament debut.

No Laguna Beach Little League 9/10 has ever won a District 55 title.

These 13 youngsters are hoping to be the first.

“I think we have a great team on our hands,” Contursi said. “We have

good pitching, good hitting, and solid fielding . . . the basics.”

The 9/10 All-Star team originally selected 15 players from the

league’s AAA Division and three more 10-year-olds from the Majors

Division, each with a chance to compete for a spot on the official

13-player roster.

That roster finally was whittled down late last week.

“All of these kids did a great job during the regular season, and

managing an All-Star team certainly is a lot different than managing a

regular season team,” Contursi said. “We feel that we have the best 9/10

players in the city of Laguna Beach.”

Contursi is in his first year as an All-Star manager. He was offered

the position after having guided Team Nolan to the AAA Division

championship.

“All of the 18 kids selected to compete for a spot on the team knew

from the get-go that there had to be cuts,” he explained. “I give credit

to all of them, because they came out with their game faces on and give

it their best shot.”

The final 13-player roster is made up of several players who played

catcher during the regular season, and a pitching corps of at least six.

All squad members, however, are capable of playing numerous positions.

Here’s what Contursi had to say about each of the 13 players

constituting Laguna Beach Little League’s 9/10 All-Star team:

Will Bonsey (Rotary): “A great all-around player who plays a variety

of positions.

Alek Burk (Courtesy Auto): “He’s a very good infielder.”

Steve Contursi (Team Nolan): “A good defensive player and a good

hitter. He caught for us all year long.”

Ian Greene (SG Roofing): “Another catcher. He can hit with power and

might also play in the outfield.”

Garrett Hartwell (Team Nolan): “One of our left-handed pitchers. He

won two playoff games for Team Nolan in the Tournament of Champions. Also

plays first base and is a good hitter.”

Michael Maxsenti (Courtesy Auto): “A strong player who probably will

do some pitching, play outfield and third base for us.”

Brennan Mulvaney (FireFighters): “He probably is our pitching ace. He

probably will start our first tournament game.”

Michael Opera (Team Nolan): “One of our top pitchers who also plays

third base and shortstop. He was the only AAA player this past season to

hit two home runs at Riddle Field.”

Tyler Pierce (Coldwell Banker): “He caught the entire season for

Coldwell Banker. A good contact hitter and a smart player.”

Michael Rubel (Coldwell Banker): “Probably our best fielding infielder

and a smart player, too.”

Adam Selevan (Laguna Batting Cages): “Another left-handed pitcher who

will also plays well at first base. Perhaps the smartest player on the

team.”

Eli Vizolay (Hobie): “A very quick player who has a great bat.”

Travis Woloson (Courtesy Auto): “One of our best hitters. He play a

variety of positions.”