LJ baseball: Calvin, Hobie

Viking left fielder Calvin Hyytinen,
coming in from the field a short time
after his highlight-reel catch
against UCHS April 4.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

"(Calvin Hyytinen) (a surname from Finland) is one of the best pure athletes on the team," says Gary Frank, La Jolla High baseball coach, of his left fielder, who plays football in the fall and soccer in the winter.

"He made the JV team during his freshman year, but had to quit due to club soccer commitments. (Calvin) took two years off before deciding to make a comeback this year."

Hyytinen made a spectacular catch of a flyball to left center field against University City April 4, in which he had to cover a lot of ground, then "lay out", as the players term it, to glove the sinking ball just before it hit the turf. When the ball was in flight, this reporter, watching the arc of the fly and the distance Calvin needed to cover, didn't think he was going to catch it. But he did, and it was highlight-reel worthy.

As Frank affirms, "An infielder by trade, he has done a great job adapting to the outfield, and has made some spectacular plays out there." The catch against UC put a big grin on the face of Hyytinen's coach. "What are you teaching these guys, Coach?" an appreciative visitor to the dugout inquired. Frank just beamed as he went to the rosters taped to the dugout wall to note the out.

Hobie Hood "has a tremendous passion for the game," Frank says of the 6'3" junior left-hander. "Without question, one of the hardest workers in the program.

"He was late to the game, and didn't begin playing baseball until just before high school. (Hobie's) improvement over the past two-plus years in the program has been remarkable.

"He has great potential as a left-handed pitcher. He has a good fastball, sharp curve, and hides the ball well in his delivery.

"He should be a big part of our pitching success this year and next."

Regarding Hyytinen, Frank says further, "He has been working hard to shake off some of the rust and regain his offensive timing after two years away from the game.

"Not many people could perform as well as he has after such a long layoff. He has had a great attitude, and been a huge asset to our team."