Coach's Corner: Bears look for golden baseball season

    (Editor’s note—Larry Gold was a three-sport letterman at Summerville High School. He played baseball, basketball and earned first-team all-Mother Lode League honors for his play at tight end in 1980. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports medicine and athletic training at the University of the Pacific in 1985. The following year there he received his teaching credentials and now teaches at Twain Harte Elementary. This spring he was named head coach of Summerville’s varsity baseball team. He recently talked to sports reporter Allan Mandell.)

UD: What were the circumstances that led to you being named head coach?

LG: Last year I helped as an assistant to the head coach, Ryan Latronico. Our hopes were to both do the same thing again this season. But Ryan found a job outside of town and he asked me if I’d step in. One thing led to another, I applied for the job and that was it.

UD: How have practices been so far?

LG: Wet, (laughing) wet.

UD: Makes things kind of difficult.

LG: Fortunately we had a batting cage somewhat finished last year that Korey Larsson (class of ‘07) built. Last year, we had the flooring put in so we can take some batting practice. And, when it’s available, we use the gym. Then we throw the ball around on the field when we can.
 

UD: Can you tell us about some of your preseason opponents?

LG: Well, we were supposed to play Escalon today (Monday) and we got on the bus and then I got a phone call that they had a storm over there.
    We have the Walker Vick Tournament in Manteca and Escalon which would run this week and finish on Saturday. With the bad weather they’re still trying to shift that around. We play Manteca on Friday as part of that tournament and Saturday is a seeded finale.

UD: With limited practice, how is the team looking so far?

LG: It’s really hard to tell. We haven’t had a chance to take infield-outfield practice yet. With the help of many volunteers, we’ve been able to rebuild the mound, regrade our infield. But we haven’t had a chance to have a full practice. That’s why we need a game — to see where we’re at.
    We’re young. We have two returning seniors from last year, six juniors, three sophomores and a freshman.
    That’s 12 people total and I would consider us a little thin. I’d like to add two more. I’d like to carry 14 players.

UD: So tell us about your seniors.

LG: Zach Clapper has been an infielder all four years. This year he’ll have his opportunity to be our shortstop and our leadoff hitter. The other senior, Johnny Kellogg, has been a four-year baseball player. He’s been a third baseman and now he’ll move over and play second base.

UD: Six juniors returning ... Are you keeping Dustin Perkins at first base?

LG: Yes. Dustin has become a real strong defensive first baseman and swings a big bat. When he’s on, that ball will travel a great distance.

UD: And how about some of your other juniors?

LG: Dylan Day returns as one of our starting pitchers and centerfield.

UD: He covers a lot of ground out there in center.

LG: Yep. Good athletic ability, very quick and a great arm.

UD: What other juniors have most impressed you so far?

LG: Jordan Sooter will be one of our outfielders and a relief pitcher, too. Garrett Burns also plays outfield and has a very strong bat.

UD: Last year, as freshmen, Zach Roberson pitched and Taylor Gold caught for the varsity. Ryan Latronico said he was so impressed with their leadership abilities. Do you expect them to be the leaders of this team?

LG: Yeah, I do believe so. They just love the competition. They strive to be better competitors and I think they will help lead this team. They are both returning All-Area and All-MLL players from last year.

UD: Where will Roberson play when he’s not pitching?

LG: Third base.

UD: Guess it’s safe to say that Zach Roberson won’t have too much problem making that throw over to first base.

LG: No, (laughs) no.

UD: Taylor really seemed to take to catching last year.

LG: Yeah, it was a new position for him. The varsity needed a catcher. He enjoyed playing behind the dish, he’s improved and we expect bigger things from him this year.

UD: We should point out that Taylor Gold is your son. What do you think it will be like coaching your son at the varsity level?

LG: Probably no different than when I’ve coached him in the past. I’ve worked with other coaches on traveling teams with about six of our players, including Taylor. I treat him no different than any of the others. He likes it that way and I like it that way.

UD: You mentioned you’re bringing up one freshman to the varsity.

LG: Curtis Kellogg. He’s played a lot of travel ball. We see him on the field as a utility infielder and he has a great knowledge and understanding of the game.

UD: What are your goals for this team?

LG: That’s a tough question ... Our goal is to greatly improve from last year and have a chance at the Mother Lode League title. As a JV team last year, this same group with a few exceptions, was playing for the JV championship right down to the last game. We want to get over that hump and make that happen now.

UD: You sound excited.

LG: I am. About six years ago I was coaching about six of our guys with some other coaches, and we had the goal in mind that those kids would be together on a high school varsity team. Our expectations were that they were getting ready to bring back some glory to the Summerville High baseball program.