Power hitter

Mike Sciacca

It’s not unusual to find Daric Barton arriving ahead of game time --

way ahead of time.

The Marina High baseball player sometimes gets to the field for

home games about 45 minutes before the arrival of his teammates,

getting in some last minute batting practices in the playing field’s

adjacent cages, anticipating the battle ahead.

“It helps me prepare for the game, get ready mentally. I try to

find my groove ahead of time,” said the senior, 17.

Barton, a third baseman who also plays catcher, is, so far, riding

that groove to a sensational season offensively: through the Vikings’

first 12 games, he has smashed eight home runs.

His prowess is well-known by opposing pitchers, who most times try

to pitch around the 6-foot, 210 pound hitter who bats third in the

Marina lineup.

Just like pregame batting practice, Barton said he has learned to

be patient when pitchers try to avoid him.

“It can be frustrating, but I think of it as earning their

respect,” he said. “You know, you look forward to getting your turn

at the plate, and then they try to pitch around you. I just try to be

patient, sit back, and wait for the pitch. That’s all I can do.”

In a March 29 home doubleheader with Moorpark, Barton, in one

game, was more than relaxed as he rocked the Musketeers’ pitching

staff for three home runs -- a career best for one game.

“That was an awesome feeling,” he said. “You hit the first, and

you feel pretty good. Then comes the second and it’s an even better

feeling. That third one, well, like I said, it was awesome.”

Barton arrived at Marina as a junior, having transferred from

Ocean View.

His powerful hitting style was evident his freshman year as he hit

seven home runs.

“He’s one of the best high school hitters I’ve ever seen,” said

Steve Barrett, the varsity head coach at Ocean View for the past 15

years. “He was our team MVP as a freshman. He has tremendous bat

speed and a swing that’s short, compact and powerful. He’s got stuff

that you can’t teach.”

Last year, his first at Marina, Barton adjusted without a problem

to his new environment. He belted seven home runs during the 2002

season and went on to earn All-Sunset League and All-CIF Southern

Section Division II honors.

Marina also made the Division II playoffs as a third-place entry

and came to life during the postseason. The Vikings, including

Barton, made a name for themselves with a playoff run that ended with

a berth in the quarterfinals.

“We gained a lot of confidence late last season and we learned

that we could play with anybody,” Barton said. “This year, I think we

have a more talented team. We’re very experienced and we can go very

far.”

Barton would like to take baseball to the professional ranks. It’s

been a dream of his to play Major League ball since he was about 3 or

4 years old, he said.

Scouts began noticing Barton last year, but really took notice

during the summer when he played on five different teams, he said.

“Having scouts at the games really picks me up,” he said. “It make

me concentrate more. I thrive in those conditions.”

Next fall, Barton will attend baseball powerhouse Cal State

Fullerton. He committed to the Titans during last October’s early

signing period.

“My life has been dedicated to baseball -- that, and school work,”

he said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the big

leagues. I’m focused and working to make that happen.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.