Normans Prepare for '06 Season

Beverly HIlls Opens at Home Against Uni

The Normans host University at 3 p.m. Friday, March 3 at La Cienega Park to open their 2006 baseball season.

Beverly Hills will be trying to rebound from last year's 7-14 campaign when the Normans finished tied for last with an 2-8 record in Ocean League play.

The Normans return nine players from last year's varsity roster, led by juniors John Skura and Joey Axelrod. Axelrod, however, is coming off a serious knee injury from last fall's football season.

Coach Vonzie Paysinger will likely lean toward Skura around whom to build his pitching, hoping to get Axelrod in the mix by the middle of the season and also possibly counting on lanky southpaw senior Michael Harris.

Offensively, the early load is likely to fall on the shoulders of Skura, who hit .384 last season, and on sophomore shortstop Justin Schwartz, who battled .308 as a freshman varsity starter.

Booster Club Forming

Priority Is To  Replace Stolen Batting Machine

Jack Schwartz has taken charge of forming a parents booster club to assist the team with additional expenses.

Of top priority, Schwartz said at Tuesday (Feb. 7) night's parents meeting with the coaches, is buying a pitching machine and constructing a batting cage. The school had two pitching machines stolen last year that were never returned by authorities who found them.

Jack can be reached by e-mail at haloguy@aol.com.

Important Team Phone Numbers

Head Coach: Vonzie Paysinger (310) 551-5000, Ext. 8604

JV Coach: Greg Riesenberg (310) 551-5000, Ext. 8107

Trainer: Colleen Davenport (310) 551-5000, Ext. 8618

Athletic Department Secretary: (310) 551-5000, Ext. 8680

Coach Paysinger's e-mail: vpaysinger@bhusd.k12.ca.us