One final emotional night for Casa's champions

June 14, 2006

By JOHN JACKSON
ARGUS-COURIER SPORTS EDITOR

The baseball awards dinner at Casa Grande High School was special this season. Not only did it honor the Gauchos' third straight North Coast Section championship team, but it also gave the team and coaches a chance to say an emotional good-bye to assistant coach Tom Byrne, who has been an intregal part of the Casa diamond program for the last eight years.

Eight years ago when Paul Maytorena became head coach, following the death of coach Bob Leslie, he was in need of assistants. Byrne, just finishing his own playing career, was recommended. As Maytorena explained at the awards dinner, he met Byrne for the first time at Tubby's Restaurant in Cotati and, during the course of an hour's interview was quickly convinced that he was the man he needed.

Although Byrne lacked coaching experience, Maytorena quickly discerned two things about the young man -- he loves the game and he knows the game.

Byrne loves the game so much that he got married on the Casa Grande High School baseball diamond with the ceremony performed at home plate.

The young coach quickly found a home at Casa Grande. He discovered that the head coach allowed him to do what he loves to do -- coach. "The best thing about coach Mayo is that he delegates," Byrne said immediately following the Gauchos' NCS championship game win over Analy. "He lets us do our thing. He lets the coaches be coaches."

While much of the attention in the season's latter stages was given to Byrne because he is leaving the program, Maytorena and the Gauchos also benefited from two other valuable coaches.

Dan Miller, in his third year working with the Gauchos, brought a special perspective to the team. Everyone at Casa Grande knows Miller. He is the campus police officer for the Petaluma Police Department. His official position warrants respect, but he also earns the respect by being open and fair with the students.

He, like Byrne, earns the respect of the players by knowing what he is talking about. Miller was a big reason the Gauchos were able to get their best bats into the lineup by remaking the entire outfield defense midway through the season when D.J. Gentile moved to center field, Robert Morales switched from left field to right and sophomore Anthony Biasi borrowed a glove from Maytorena and became the left fielder.

Then there is Dom Wirtz. He has been around Casa Grande baseball for 17 years. He keeps the scorebook and keeps everyone on their toes. His most important job, and the one he does extremely well, is make everyone comfortable. He is the first to greet new players and the first to offer words of encouragement to those who are struggling.

Maytorena has the final voice, but there are three others that blend their voices with the head coach. The result is three straight North Coast Section championships.

There may be many more in the Casa Grande future.

While the varsity team was 16-8 this season, the junior varsity was 16-3, and first in the Sonoma County League with a 13-2 record, and the freshmen were 12-2 and first in the SCL with an 8-1 mark.

Freshmen awards were given to Scott Harken (Co-Most Valuable Player), Curtis Beaudrey (Co-Most Valuable Player), Ben Luther (Most Improved), Dino Cristiani (Outstanding Pitcher), Spencer Finkbohner (Oustanding Pitcher) and Matt Gallo (Coach's Award).

Junior varsity awards were presented to Taylor Powers (Most Inspirational), Joey Homen (Most Outstanding Pitcher) and Paul Kent (Most Valuable Player).

Varsity awards went to Tarrik Kassis (Bob Leslie Memorial Award), Joe Bouchard (Most Improved) and D.J. Gentile (Most Valuable Player).

Things are also looking bright for the Casa Grande baseball diamond. Assistant principal Dennis Harrington assured players and parents at the awards dinner that the arson-destroyed field house will be rebuilt.

Donations to help restore the building keep pouring in. Harrington announced that among the latest contributions was a $3,000 donation from the Oakland Athletics.

Good things happen to good people and good things are happening to the people running the Casa Grande High School baseball program.

(Contact John Jackson at acsports@arguscourier.com)