Padres, prep partnership

Some things just make sense from the start. Such is the Padres' new partnership with the California Interscholastic Federation-San Diego Section. The Padres will host five official CIF baseball games from April 11-12 at PETCO Park.

They aren't the title games, and it isn't a tournament. But they are games that count, and a chance for young players to live the big-league dream for a day.

"Break out those aluminum bats and see what you can do," Padres pitcher Mark Prior exhorted a collection of high school players gathered Thursday afternoon at PETCO Park when the series of games was announced.

Prior is evidence that the high school players don't have to assume their first venture onto a big-league field will be their last. He recalled playing a section championship game for University of San Diego High School at Qualcomm Stadium.

In fact, the Padres' spring roster is littered with former CIF-San Diego Section players: Prior (USDHS); first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and his brother, second baseman Edgar Gonzalez (Eastlake); infielder Oscar Robles (Montgomery); and, of course, outfielder Brian Giles (Granite Hills).

Let's not forget Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley, who was the starting pitcher for two championships at Mt. Carmel High School, 1981 and '82. The local baseball circle is tight, as Balsley's high school coach, Sam Blalock, was at the press conference. Blalock (pictured) is now at Rancho Bernardo High School and will lead his team against La Costa Canyon High School in one of the games at PETCO Park.

"The thing I remember most about Sam is he was organized with his practices, same as a big-league club," Balsley said. "We had the same routine every days. Everything was structured. Our bunt plays, pickoff plays - it became routine for us. When I got into professional ball, I felt I had a head start."

Balsley thinks it's no coincidence that another Blalock pupil, Mt. Carmel graduate Billy Beane, has found success as an executive. And if the name is familiar, yes, Blalock is related to Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock. He's his uncle - and former coach.

Balsley recalled his first CIF title game, played at the University of San Diego. A junior, Balsley was pitted against David Wells of Point Loma. Decades away from coaching Wells, Balsley beat him 1-0.

Not that he outpitched him.

"I remember Boomer gave up one hit, and I gave up like eight," Balsley said. "But we won it. What really stands out is that I gave up a double to the first batter, and I'm thinking, 'Here we go.' But I picked the runner off second base, and it was one of those plays we practiced over and over. It was routine even in a big game."

Balsley beat Helix as a senior, and showed his all-around skills after a brawl between the teams led to several ejections. Short-handed, Blalock moved Balsley from the mound to first base to the outfield and even to shortstop.

"He always thought he could play anywhere," Blalock recalled. "He really could hit, too."

Friar John has no doubt that somewhere among the 10 teams that get to play at PETCO Park are a couple big-leaguers who will have stories to share in a quarter-century.

Check them out, and you'll be able to tell a few stories, too.

Tickets are $5. Parking is only $3. The schedule follows:

Friday, April 11

La Costa Canyon vs. Rancho Bernardo, 4 p.m.

Granite Hills vs. Grossmont, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 12

Montgomery vs. Eastlake, 10 a.m.

Calexico vs. Brawley, 1 p.m.

Mission Bay vs. University City, 4 p.m.

See you there,

FJ