LA COSTA CANYON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

By Bill Dickens (Special to the Union-Tribune)

  "Four high school baseball teams paraded into Petco Park yesterday, emotion virtually dripping from the faces of the wide-eyed young ballplayers.  "Just getting a chance to sort of walk in the shoes where the big leaguers play is awesome,"said Granite Hills center fielder Brian Humphries, who helped the Eagles edge Grossmont 4-2. "It's always been a dream of mine to play pro ball."  Humphries is regarded by many as the region's top high school prospect heading into the June draft.  "Obviously, this is the first time I've played on or even stepped onto a pro stadium field like this," Humphries said. "I hope to someday do it every night."

  In the opening game, Palomar League rivals La Costa Canyon and Rancho Bernardo battled to a 3-3 tie in a game suspended after eight innings because of a three-hour time limit.  Pitchers from both teams praised the condition of the mound.  "The shape of it, how hard it is...everything is perfect about it," said La Costa Canyon's Garrett Hughes, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound left hander who worked 5 2/3 innings.  LCC reliever Tyler Korn wasn't afraid to say he was in awe.  "The first couple of pitches I was pretty nervous," Korn said. "Standing out there on top of the mound looking in and seeing how high the stands go up, that was a little intimidating."

  Playing under the lights was no problem for Grossmont and Granite Hills.  Neither had played after dark since each won a San Diego Section Championship last year at Tony Gwynn Stadium.  "It took some adjustment, but you could see the ball fine," Granite Hills right fielder Josh Queriones said. Grossmont center fielder Kyle Secciani went 2for4 and scored a run.  "Definitely not going to hit one out of here," he said. "Just try to shoot the gaps."

  Inviting the high school teams to play at Petco was an idea initiated by the Padres.  Revenue from the games - three more are scheduled today - will help pay costs associated with the section playoffs.  Yesterday's crowd was estimated at just under 2,000.  Most agreed that playing at the home of the Padres was a night they'll never forget "It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Grossmont senior catcher Derek Baum said.

  It was a memorable evening for the coaches, too.  The LCC parents rewarded their coaches with a dinner and a night at a nearby luxury hotel following the game.  "YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT," said Mavericks coach Justin Machado. "