Starting corrective measures

Golfers are familiar with the concept of a Mulligan, a forgiving term

invoked by the par-challenged masses to replay a shot that strays

from its intended path, without consequence on the scorecard.

I’m asking for the sportswriter equivalent today, after being set

straight on the issue of split 18-hole high school golf matches by

none other than CIF Southern Section Commissioner Jim Staunton.

Staunton, the section’s ultimate luminary of the links, informed

me that, contrary to information in last week’s column (formed with

misinformation obtained from a section official), teams can divide

18-hole matches into nine-hole outings this spring. I incorrectly

reported this practice was no longer allowed.

So, as of today’s edition, we are once again reporting that school

A earned a nine-hole lead over school B, or that school B wrapped up

an 18-hole victory over school A in a match that began, say March 5.

Unless, of course, when leagues, most of which we deal with included,

consider nine-hole matches as a completed league contests.

Confused? At least they don’t use the Stableford system, not to

mention the modified Stableford system.

*

Arguably the best thing about Newport Harbor High’s 1-0 baseball

victory over Laguna Hills Friday was not that it ended a 19-game

league losing streak that extended into the spring of 2001. Better

still was how it spilled into a celebratory weekend, uninterrupted by

practice or another game.

“I told the kids they could enjoy it until the stepped onto the

practice field Monday,” Newport Coach Joel Desguin said. “After

enjoying it Saturday and Sunday, I expected them to be back to work.”

The Sailors (3-7, 1-2 in league), begin their quest to use

Friday’s win, fueled by a complete-game two-hit pitching performance

by junior right-hander Joe Cantarella, as a springboard for more Sea

View success tonight at 7 against Woodbridge at Windrow Park.

And what of the team’s attitude at Monday’s workout?

“It was a typical Monday,” Desguin reported.

*

While the fruits of Friday’s victory helped justify, Desguin said,

the approach he has maintained since taking over for Jim Kiefer

before the 2002 season, CdM baseball coach John Emme said after

Friday’s 12-4 Pacific Coast League road loss to Calvary Chapel that

his team’s disappointing performance would force him to question his

coaching methodology.

These contrasting views help reveal not only the passion prep

coaches have for their profession, but the competitive nature that

drives those involved in athletics.

And while keeping victory and defeat on the playing field in

proper perspective is admirable, especially in the context of

unfolding world events, there is still something uniquely American

about the pursuit of excellence, even in such folly as prep baseball.

*

The Costa Mesa High girls track and field team scored all but two

of the available 126 points in a Golden West League dual meet

Thursday, surrendering only two third-place finishes to the Panthers.

At least this is one sport where running up the score is not an

issue.

*

It’s a big week for the Estancia-Costa Mesa crosstown rivalry with

scheduled meetings between the two in swimming (today at Estancia),

golf (Thursday at the Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club), baseball

(Friday at Costa Mesa) and softball (Friday at Costa Mesa).