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Angels Notes: No rest for Martin Maldonado behind the plate

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SEATTLE — Martin Maldonado caught his 100th game of the season on Saturday night, most in the major leagues and an ongoing career high.

And on Sunday, a day game after a night game, he was in the Angels lineup again, for No. 101.

While Manager Mike Scioscia, a former catcher, is sensitive to protecting his catchers from an excessive workload, he seems comfortable that Maldonado can handle it.

“He’s still locked in to every pitch behind the plate, calling a great game,” Scioscia said. “He’s still doing a great job with the running game. There’s a little sacrifice with the bat. When there’s a little sacrifice with the bat, the biggest piece of the puzzle that Martin brings for us is what he does behind the plate, and he’s been as good as any catcher in baseball.”

Maldonado conceded that catching so much leads to “some days you feel your bat is slow.” His average has dropped steadily. Even with back-to-back two-hit games on Friday and Saturday, he’s hitting .173 in the second half.

He is still getting defensive praise from Scioscia and his pitchers, and he’s still throwing out runners at a 41-percent clip, including one on Saturday night.

“The only reason I’m here is to catch,” Maldonado said, “so that’s what I’m worried about.”

PLAN FOR HEANEY

A day after Andrew Heaney gave up one run in seven innings over 94 pitches at Triple-A, Scioscia said they’ll take a couple days to determine his next step.

“He pitched really well,” Scioscia said on Sunday.

It is likely that Heaney’s next outing will be in the majors. He has pitched six times in the minors, including three at Triple-A, with a combined 2.60 ERA. The next game that Heaney could pitch for the Angels would be Friday, in Baltimore.

When Heaney returns, it would be a boost for the Angels. He was not expected to pitch in the majors at all in 2017, after undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 1, 2016.

ALSO

Cliff Pennington got the start at second over Kaleb Cowart on Sunday. Cowart has started 13 of 18 games since he was recalled last month, although it’s been only six of the last 11. Scioscia still said he expects Cowart to get “the lion’s share” of the starts at second. Cowart also had one hit in his previous 19 at-bats…

Scioscia said Albert Pujols will play one of the two games at first base in Washington, where the Angels will not be able to use the DH…

Angels players were set to wear NBA jerseys for their postgame flight to Washington, the second straight flight they have gone with that theme.


Where to attend ‘Stand with Charlottesville’ events

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Multiple events have popped up throughout Southern California to help people deal with the emotions of the events that happened Saturday when a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. turned violent — resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to many more.

Here’s a look at some of the “Stand with Charlottesville” events in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties Sunday:

Los Angeles County

Refuse Fascism and Bros4America solidarity rallies will both be held at 2 p.m. outside of LA City Hall, 200 N Spring Street. Find out more about the event here.

• A prayer vigil will be held at 6 p.m. at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles. Find out more about this event here.

Indivisible Connected Long Beach will host a vigil at 7:30 p.m. at Harvey Milk Park, 195 E 3rd Street in Long Beach. View details on this event here.

Orange County

• A gathering will be held at 4 p.m. at Plaza Square Park in Orange followed discussion at nearby Wahoo’s Fish Taco, 234 W Chapman Avenue. More information about this event can be viewed here.

• Another solidarity gathering will be held at 4 p.m. at Main Beach in Laguna Beach. Details here.

Riverside County

• A candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. outside of Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main Street. A Facebook event page can be found here.

Democrats of Southwest Riverside County will host a peaceful stand at 11 a.m. at the Temecula Duck Pond, 28250 Ynez Road.

San Bernardino County

• A “stand against hate” will be held at 6 p.m. outside the Barstow Union Bank, 239 E Main Street. View details about this event here.

• In Redlands, an interfaith group organized by the United Church of Christ’s Racial Justice Team planned to gather at 3 p.m. in front of the Stater Bros. at Colton Avenue and Orange Street.

More events across California can be found here.

White House scrambles to explain Trump’s response to clashes

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BEDMINSTER, N.J. — The White House scrambled Sunday to elaborate on President Donald Trump’s response to deadly, race-fueled clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, as he came under bipartisan scolding for not clearly condemning white supremacists and other hate groups immediately after the altercations.

As the chorus of criticism grew, White Houses aides were dispatched to the morning news shows, yet they struggled at times to explain the president’s position. A new White House statement on Sunday explicitly denounced the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups.

Trump himself remained out of sight and silent, save for a retweet about two Virginia state policemen killed in a helicopter crash while monitoring the Charlottesville protests.

In the hours after a car plowed into a group of anti-racist counter-protesters on Saturday, Trump addressed the violence in broad strokes, saying that he condemns “in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides.”

See also: Suspected driver ID’d in crash that left 1 dead, 26 injured at white nationalist rally in Virginia

Speaking slowly from his New Jersey golf club while on a 17-day working vacation, Trump added: “It’s been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump. Not Barack Obama. It’s been going on for a long, long time.”

The White House statement Sunday went further. “The president said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry and hatred and of course that includes white Supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all extremist groups.” It added: “He called for national unity and bringing all Americans together.”

The White House did not attach a name to the statement. Usually, a statement would be signed by the press secretary or another staffer; not putting a name to one eliminates an individual’s responsibility for its truthfulness and often undercuts its significance.

Trump’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said Sunday that he considered the attack to be terrorism. On Saturday, Trump had not responded to reporters’ shouted questions about terrorism.

“I certainly think anytime that you commit an attack against people to incite fear, it is terrorism,” McMaster told ABC’s “This Week.” ″It meets the definition of terrorism. But what this is, what you see here, is you see someone who is a criminal, who is committing a criminal act against fellow Americans.”

The president’s homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, defended the president’s initial statement by suggesting that some of the counter-protesters were violent, too. When pressed during a contentious interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” he specifically condemned the racist groups.

The president’s daughter and White House aide, Ivanka Trump, tweeted Sunday morning: “There should be no place in society for racism, white supremacy and neo-nazis.”

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, said he spoke to Trump in the hours after the clashes and that he twice told the president “we have to stop this hateful speech, this rhetoric.” He said he urged Trump “to come out stronger” against the actions of white supremacists.

On Saturday, Republicans joined Democrats in criticizing the president for not specifically calling out white nationalists. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., tweeted: “Mr. President – we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism.” Added Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.: “Nothing patriotic about #Nazis,the #KKK or #WhiteSupremacists It’s the direct opposite of what #America seeks to be.”

The president did not have any public events on Sunday. White House staff did not share any information on his activities except that he and his staff were monitoring the aftermath of the violence in Virginia.

White nationalists had assembled in Charlottesville to vent their frustration against the city’s plans to take down a statue of Confederal Gen. Robert E. Lee. Counter-protesters massed in opposition.

Alt-right leader Richard Spencer and former Ku Klux Klan member David Duke attended the demonstrations. Duke told reporters that the white nationalists were working to “fulfill the promises of Donald Trump.”

Trump’s initial comments drew praise from the neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer, which wrote: “Trump comments were good. He didn’t attack us. He just said the nation should come together. Nothing specific against us. … No condemnation at all.” The website had been promoting the Charlottesville demonstration as part of its “Summer of Hate” edition.

Charlottesville Mayor Michael Singer, a Democrat, slammed Trump’s stance toward hate groups, saying on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he hopes Trump “looks himself in the mirror and thinks very deeply about who he consorted with.”

“Old saying: when you dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change, the devil changes you,” Signer said.

Trump, as a presidential candidate, frequently came under scrutiny for being slow to offer his condemnation of white supremacists. His strongest denunciation of the movement has not come voluntarily, only when asked, and he occasionally trafficked in retweets of racist social media posts during his campaign. His chief strategist, Steve Bannon, once declared that his former news site, Breitbart, was “the platform for the alt-right.”

 

Highly-recruited Orange Lutheran tight end Ethan Rae suffers knee injury

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Orange Lutheran rising junior tight end Ethan Rae suffered a knee injury last week in practice, Lancers football coach JP Presley confirmed Monday.

“It’s an unfortunate deal,” Presley said of injury to Rae (6-5, 240), who was playing tight end and defensive line. “He is a beast.”

The coach said Rae’s status for the upcoming season is unknown. Rae, a transfer from Servite, has been offered scholarships by seven Pac-12 schools, including USC and UCLA, along with Georgia and Notre Dame among others.

His injury places more importance on Lancers’ tight end Elijah Mojarro (6-3, 225), also a junior.

Servite was among those to wish Rae a quick recovery.

Getting a chance again, C.J. Cron looks to show Angels he deserves to play every day

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  • The Angels’ C.J. Cron, right, gets a high-five from Kole Calhoun after Cron hit a two-run home run during a game against the Baltimore Orioles last week at Angel Stadium. Calhoun scored on the home run. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The Angels’ C.J. Cron, right, gets a high-five from Kole Calhoun after Cron hit a two-run home run during a game against the Baltimore Orioles last week at Angel Stadium. Calhoun scored on the home run. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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WASHINGTON — C.J. Cron is 27 years old and has stepped into a major league batter’s box 1,310 times over parts of four seasons.

Yet, his story still seems to be a mystery.

Is there something else there? Is there another player just waiting to be revealed, if he could get 500 at-bats in a season?

So far Cron’s career with the Angels has been one of hot streaks, cold streaks, injuries and competition for at-bats.

Currently in the midst of one of those hot streaks, Cron spoke about how he’s still believes he has a higher level to achieve, and he’s trying to prove himself to the Angels.

“Hopefully I can get an extended look here and show them what I can do again,” Cron said.

His latest opportunity has been provided by Yunel Escobar’s oblique injury. That’s prompted the Angels to move Luis Valbuena to third against right-handed pitchers, clearing a spot for Cron to start every day at first.

Escobar has played just three games since he first felt a twinge in his back on Aug. 1. Since then, Cron has started 11 of 12 games. He’s 16 for 43 (.373) with four homers in that span.

“I feel good,” he said. “The confidence is there. Being in there every day has helped. The comfort level in the box has helped.”

He’s comfortable because he’s playing, which has helped him perform.

Of course, therein lies one of the reasons that playing in the major leagues is so hard. No one gets to play regularly if he doesn’t perform. But for some players, and Cron seems to be one of them, performing is difficult without regular playing time.

Ask Cron or hitting coach Dave Hansen about what’s going right when he’s doing well, and they use words like “timing” and “rhythm.”

How do you maintain timing?

“Just getting those at-bats,” Cron said.

The Angels have been through this for a few years with Cron, trying to get him hot and then riding out his streaks. Unfortunately for them, one of those streaks was interrupted last summer when he was hit in the hand by a pitch, requiring surgery.

When the season was over, Cron had hit .278 with 16 homers and a .792 OPS. The Angels then signed Luis Valbuena, which was partly a backup plan in case the then-rehabbing Albert Pujols started the season on the disabled list and partly a lack of faith in Cron.

Valbuena, however, was the one who started the season on the disabled list, which gave Cron an opportunity to play every day.

He hit .233 with no homers and three RBI in April.

“Early on, I guess I didn’t do too well in the role I was given,” Cron said.

Added Manager Mike Scioscia: “I think at times it seems he’s just searching for some things and goes quiet for a while.”

Cron fouled a ball off his foot and went on the disabled list. Then he came back and played for a couple weeks before being optioned to Triple-A. It was the first of two times this season that Cron would be sent back to the minors, a couple years after it seemed he should have graduated.

Sulking in Triple-A, however understandable that might have been, was not an option for Cron, whose father Chris played in the majors and managed in the minors.

“That wouldn’t be fair to your teammates,” Cron said. “They are down there trying to achieve the same goal you are. No one likes a guy who goes down and acts like that. I laugh with the guys. It’s the same as any locker room. We’re all trying to get back to the big leagues. No one feels bad for anyone down there.”

Cron returned to the majors just before the All-Star break, and began to get hot, accelerating with everyday at-bats after Escobar’s injury.

“It’s obviously noticeable,” Scioscia said. “His at-bats have gotten better. He’s driving the ball. All the things he needs to do, he’s picked it up his last 50 at-bats.”

It remains to be seen what will happen when Escobar comes off the disabled list in a couple weeks. Scioscia’s faith in Valbuena showed some cracks late in July, when he started Cron over him against a right-hander once. Valbuena does have six homers since the break, although he still isn’t getting many other hits to fall.

The Angels have Valbuena signed for next year too, which begs all sorts of questions about the combination. Would they trade one of them? Would they play Valbuena every day at third?

In the meantime, Cron is trying to prove he deserves to play every day, and not have to worry that a few cold games will cost him playing time.

“Hopefully I can do some things here,” Cron said. “Hopefully I can get in every day and show them what I’ve got again.”

Angels at Nationals: Tuesday game time, TV channel, starting pitchers

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ANGELS at NATIONALS

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Nationals Park

TV: Fox Sports West

THE PITCHERS

ANGELS LHP TYLER SKAGGS (1-2, 3.63)

vs. Nationals: 1-0, 2.57

At Nationals Park: 1-0, 2.57

Hates to face: None

Loves to face: None

NATIONALS LHP GIO GONZALEZ (10-5, 2.59)

vs. Angels: 7-3, 2.92

At Nationals Park: 35-22, 3.10

Hates to face: Ben Revere, 10 for 27 (.370)

Loves to face: Mike Trout, 1 for 13 (.077)

UPCOMING GAME

Wednesday: Angels (RHP Ricky Nolasco, 5-12, 5.24) vs. Nationals (RHP Tanner Roark, 9-7, 4.74), 10 a.m., Fox Sports West

Walt Disney’s Barn honors Disneyland’s Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland attraction

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One of Disneyland’s long-gone attractions was celebrated by Disney fans during a barbecue at Walt’s Barn.

The barn, which sits on land at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park, used to house the miniature live-steam railroad that Walt Disney built at his home in Holmby Hills. It was moved to this location in 1999, when the Disney family sold the home. It has on display many items related to Disney’s railroad and his love affair with trains.

  • A model of Disneyland’s Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland, built by Sam Towler of Fullerton, is now on permanent display inside Walt Disney’s Barn at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. The model features two trains running on the rails, along with a variety of triggered motion such as the tumbling rocks as seen on the original attraction at Disneyland that closed in 1977. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    A model of Disneyland’s Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland, built by Sam Towler of Fullerton, is now on permanent display inside Walt Disney’s Barn at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. The model features two trains running on the rails, along with a variety of triggered motion such as the tumbling rocks as seen on the original attraction at Disneyland that closed in 1977. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Walt Disney’s Barn used to house his miniature live steam train at his house in Holmby Hills. It is now a permanent fixture on display at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. The barn is operated by the Carolwood Foundation. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Walt Disney’s Barn used to house his miniature live steam train at his house in Holmby Hills. It is now a permanent fixture on display at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. The barn is operated by the Carolwood Foundation. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Former Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter (left) stands next to Tina Elliott of Orinda, who made a costume that represents the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland, which Baxter was the lead designer for when it opened in 1979. The costume weighs approximately 25 pounds, and features a working train on its tracks. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Former Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter (left) stands next to Tina Elliott of Orinda, who made a costume that represents the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland, which Baxter was the lead designer for when it opened in 1979. The costume weighs approximately 25 pounds, and features a working train on its tracks. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Bill Farmer, the official voice of Disney’s cartoon character Goofy, emcees the barbecue event at Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. The event is an annual fundraiser put on by the Carolwood Foundation to raise funds to maintain the barn, which used to house Walt Disney’s miniature steam engine. Also on display are several other Disney train related artifacts. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Bill Farmer, the official voice of Disney’s cartoon character Goofy, emcees the barbecue event at Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. The event is an annual fundraiser put on by the Carolwood Foundation to raise funds to maintain the barn, which used to house Walt Disney’s miniature steam engine. Also on display are several other Disney train related artifacts. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A small engine chugs into the load station on a costume worn by Tina Elliott of Orinda, CA, to represent Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Elliott wore the costume to a fundraiser held at Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    A small engine chugs into the load station on a costume worn by Tina Elliott of Orinda, CA, to represent Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Elliott wore the costume to a fundraiser held at Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A small engine chugs around the town of Rainbow Ridge on a costume worn by Tina Elliott of Orinda, CA, to represent Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Elliott wore the costume to a fundraiser held at Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    A small engine chugs around the town of Rainbow Ridge on a costume worn by Tina Elliott of Orinda, CA, to represent Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Elliott wore the costume to a fundraiser held at Walt Disney’s Barn in Griffith Park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Robert Ratinoff shows off his 1952 Silver Wraith Rolls Royce on display at Walt Disney’s Barn during its annual barbecue fundraiser. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Robert Ratinoff shows off his 1952 Silver Wraith Rolls Royce on display at Walt Disney’s Barn during its annual barbecue fundraiser. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Emcee Bill Farmer (left) introduces former Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter (center) and Doug Marsh, board member for the Carolwood Foundation, during its annual barbecue fundraiser that provides funds to maintain Walt Disney’s Barn and other items on display at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum at Griffith Park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Emcee Bill Farmer (left) introduces former Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter (center) and Doug Marsh, board member for the Carolwood Foundation, during its annual barbecue fundraiser that provides funds to maintain Walt Disney’s Barn and other items on display at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum at Griffith Park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Patrons of Walt Disney’s Barn (the red building on the right) listen to a presentation by Tony Baxter during a barbecue at the Barn to help fund the maintenance of its displays. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Patrons of Walt Disney’s Barn (the red building on the right) listen to a presentation by Tony Baxter during a barbecue at the Barn to help fund the maintenance of its displays. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Visitors to Walt Disney’s Barn check out a costume made to look like Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Tina Elliott wears the costume and also created it. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Visitors to Walt Disney’s Barn check out a costume made to look like Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Tina Elliott wears the costume and also created it. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The barbecue was a fundraiser for the Carolwood Foundation which operates and maintains the barn and its associated displays. The foundation also used the event to announce that it now had on permanent display a working model of Disneyland’s Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland attraction that ran at the park in various forms from 1956 to 1977.

“It’s a wonderful depiction of that attraction,” said foundation board member Larry Boone.

Boone said the model was created over several years by Fullerton resident Sam Towler. Towler started on the model while in high school.

“He was a real enthusiast of the Mine Train, even though he never rode it as he’s too young,” Boone said.

Now an Imagineer, Towler was looking for a way to have it on permanent display somewhere when some foundation members saw it on display at Fullerton Railroad Days. They approached Towler and now it has a permanent home at Walt’s Barn.

“We think it’s a perfect fit,” said Boone adding that the foundation is working on another display related to the same attraction, restoring one of the original mine train engines and cars.

“We want to restore it so it looks like it did in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said.

As part of the fundraiser, two Disney legends were there as part of a panel discussion about the mine train, Tony Baxter, a former Disney Imagineer and one- time ride operator on the attraction, and Ron Dominguez, a former vice president of the park who helped open the original version of the ride in 1956.

“Walt Disney loved trains, so it was one of the first things he added to Disneyland,” Dominguez said.

Baxter agreed saying, “Walt was a big train fanatic.”

Baxter oversaw the design of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the park, which is now on land where the mine train once chugged. Big Thunder forced the closure of the mine train ride in 1977, but Baxter fondly remembered working the ride.

“I loved working the Mine Train because once you started the train you got to ride through this beautiful scenery for 9 minutes and they paid us for that,” he told the 150 patrons of the barn gathered for the event Saturday evening, Aug. 12.

While the theme for the fundraiser barbecue was the Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland, it had another purpose.

“It keeps Walt’s legacy alive,” said Sheila Taylor, a philanthropist from Las Vegas.

Taylor purchased several pieces of art from the silent auction, but said she’s a big train enthusiast and thinks the barn holds a special meaning.

“I see a very loving family here and it pays homage back to a person that changed the world in ways that others can only imagine.”

Music stirs San Clemente street festival, with still more summer events to come

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The San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival ran the gamut of modern popular music, from David Cassidy and Bob Seger tributes to the high-energy and highly original local bands Tunnel Vision and Raw Blake.

Attendees of the Sunday, Aug. 13 event could dance in the street, take the Marine Corps’ challenge on a pull-up bar, careen down a water slide or buy a “San Clemente Summer of Sharks” t-shirt.

  • The three-piece local band Raw Blake, consisting of bass player/vocalist John Fullwood, emcee Raw Blake and drummer Scott Stewart, clearly had fun while entertaining fans at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The three-piece local band Raw Blake, consisting of bass player/vocalist John Fullwood, emcee Raw Blake and drummer Scott Stewart, clearly had fun while entertaining fans at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A streetful of Bob Seger music fans sways to the music of the tribute band Turn the Page toward the conclusion of the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    A streetful of Bob Seger music fans sways to the music of the tribute band Turn the Page toward the conclusion of the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Alex Zewiski of San Clemente gives it her all at a U.S. Marine Corps pull-up bar that invited all comers at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Alex Zewiski of San Clemente gives it her all at a U.S. Marine Corps pull-up bar that invited all comers at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Sometimes it’s nice to rise high above the sea of activity, San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival, 2017. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Sometimes it’s nice to rise high above the sea of activity, San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival, 2017. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Kay and Jerry Bussjaeger distribute salsa from Rose’s Sugar Shack in San Clemente during the Salsa Challenge at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Kay and Jerry Bussjaeger distribute salsa from Rose’s Sugar Shack in San Clemente during the Salsa Challenge at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Erin Creek, left, sneaks a peek at what her rival Madison Moser is doing as they battle it out for first place in the San Clemente Fiesta’s hula hoop contest. Erin was declared the champion. (Photo by Fred Swegles; Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Erin Creek, left, sneaks a peek at what her rival Madison Moser is doing as they battle it out for first place in the San Clemente Fiesta’s hula hoop contest. Erin was declared the champion. (Photo by Fred Swegles; Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • State lifeguard Frank Harwood was selling “San Clemente Summer of the Sharks” t-shirts at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival as a fundraiser for the San Clemente State Lifeguard Association. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    State lifeguard Frank Harwood was selling “San Clemente Summer of the Sharks” t-shirts at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival as a fundraiser for the San Clemente State Lifeguard Association. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Paul Baker, defending champion of the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival’s pie-eating contest, pauses to see how his rival Rory Burns is doing. Burns emerged as this year’s champ. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Paul Baker, defending champion of the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival’s pie-eating contest, pauses to see how his rival Rory Burns is doing. Burns emerged as this year’s champ. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Rory Burns of San Clemente scoops up the pie en route to a pie-eating victory at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Rory Burns of San Clemente scoops up the pie en route to a pie-eating victory at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Seth Romano, lead vocalist for the high-energy cover band The Trip, delivers on Center Stage at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Seth Romano, lead vocalist for the high-energy cover band The Trip, delivers on Center Stage at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Looks like someone wasn’t quite sure about taking on that giant water slide at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Looks like someone wasn’t quite sure about taking on that giant water slide at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Francesca Jule presented a musical tribute to David Cassidy and Barry Manilow at San Clemente’s Aug. 13 Fiesta music festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles; Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Francesca Jule presented a musical tribute to David Cassidy and Barry Manilow at San Clemente’s Aug. 13 Fiesta music festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles; Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Caricature artist Thor Becker from Lake Elsinore sketches Michelle Poirier of Coto de Caza as she smiles in anticipation of how she’s apt to turn out. Indeed, she was pleased with the result, a souvenir from the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival, 2017. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Caricature artist Thor Becker from Lake Elsinore sketches Michelle Poirier of Coto de Caza as she smiles in anticipation of how she’s apt to turn out. Indeed, she was pleased with the result, a souvenir from the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival, 2017. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Jacob Hernandez, left, and Hayden Hanson deliver vocals on center stage as part of the local band Tunnel Vision at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Jacob Hernandez, left, and Hayden Hanson deliver vocals on center stage as part of the local band Tunnel Vision at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A dancing balloon alien was among the crowd at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    A dancing balloon alien was among the crowd at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • From Stage 1 at the top of Avenida Del Mar, the band Boxcar Chief could survey the action up and down the street at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    From Stage 1 at the top of Avenida Del Mar, the band Boxcar Chief could survey the action up and down the street at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Visitors to the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival could take home souvenirs or home decor from any number of vendor booths. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Visitors to the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival could take home souvenirs or home decor from any number of vendor booths. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Fans of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band revel to the music of the Seger tribute band Turn the Page at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Fans of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band revel to the music of the Seger tribute band Turn the Page at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Cameron Berube adds a little style with his arms during the San Clemente F‪iesta’s hula hoop contest. (Photo by Fred Swegles; Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Cameron Berube adds a little style with his arms during the San Clemente F‪iesta’s hula hoop contest. (Photo by Fred Swegles; Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • There are smiles all around as fans cheer on the local band Tunnel Vision at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Avenida Del Mar. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    There are smiles all around as fans cheer on the local band Tunnel Vision at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Avenida Del Mar. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • People passing by a motorcycle exhibit at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival could admire the bikes and stand close to check out details, including a cautionary sign on this bike. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    People passing by a motorcycle exhibit at the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival could admire the bikes and stand close to check out details, including a cautionary sign on this bike. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Fans like what they hear as the Bob Seger tribute band Turn the Page reels off hit after hit Aug. 13 as the final act on Center Stage at the 2017 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Fans like what they hear as the Bob Seger tribute band Turn the Page reels off hit after hit Aug. 13 as the final act on Center Stage at the 2017 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Sam Morrison, leadman for the Bob Seger tribute band Turn the Page, addresses a rapt audience on Center Stage during the grand finale of the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Sam Morrison, leadman for the Bob Seger tribute band Turn the Page, addresses a rapt audience on Center Stage during the grand finale of the Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Born with an enlarged kidney, three holes in his heart and defective eyes, Rory Burns of San Clemente has faced a lifetime of challenges but revels in sharing his passion for the drums, as he did at Sunday’s Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Born with an enlarged kidney, three holes in his heart and defective eyes, Rory Burns of San Clemente has faced a lifetime of challenges but revels in sharing his passion for the drums, as he did at Sunday’s Aug. 13 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Fans of the local band Raw Blake react to the band’s nonstop-energy performance at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Fans of the local band Raw Blake react to the band’s nonstop-energy performance at the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. (Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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At the Salsa Challenge, a judging panel and the People’s Choice vote agreed on all four of the top-placing restaurant salsas. La Siesta took the top two prizes for its pico de gallo and its salsa picante salsas. Café Mimosa’s salsa was third and Rose’s Sugar Shack’s salsa fourth.

Among non-restaurant salsas, the People’s Choice was “Do I Make you Randy Salsa,” while the judges liked Caliber Collision’s “Salsa Ritmo.” Judges’ runners-up were two varieties of Hanson’s Market au-natural salsas and Big Kahuna Salsa Company. People’s Choice runners-up were Czech-Mex Salsa Mango, one of Hanson’s Market au-natural salsas and Patriot Point Salsa.

Best décor awards went to Café Mimosa (restaurants) and “Got Salsa” (non-restaurant).

Whether or not you missed the music festival and its 17 bands, check out these other shows filling out the summer calendar through the end of August:

The Hula Girls, a hulabilly band that blends rockabilly with tiki, performs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, tickets $25 at casaromantica.org.

“Elvis and Friends” is the theme for an evening of tribute artists emulating music icons including Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Doris Day at Cabrillo Playhouse, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18-19 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. Tickets are $20 at cabrilloplayhouse.org.

“Broadway Yesterday and Today” is the following weekend’s offering at Cabrillo, a musical revue featuring Orange County vocalists, 8 p.m. Aug. 25-26 and 2 p.m. Aug. 27. Tickets $20 at cabrilloplayouse.org.

Josh Nelson and his band perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 as part of the landmark Casino San Clemente’s Summer Nights Jazz Series, tickets $10 and $25 at brownpapertickets.com.


Little League World Series leaves Santa Margarita league parents scrambling for airfare, hotels

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  • Santa Margarita players and coaches celebrate their victory over Utah. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Santa Margarita players and coaches celebrate their victory over Utah. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Santa Margarita catcher Garrett Stenger caught a pop fly to end the championship game. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Santa Margarita catcher Garrett Stenger caught a pop fly to end the championship game. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Suspended Santa Margarita manager C.J. Ankrum ran onto the field after the game to hug his son Tyler Ankrum . Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Suspended Santa Margarita manager C.J. Ankrum ran onto the field after the game to hug his son Tyler Ankrum . Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Santa Margarita players salute their fans after the game. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Santa Margarita players salute their fans after the game. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Santa Margarita’s Drew Rutter celebrates one of his two home runs with his teammates during their victory over Utah. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Santa Margarita’s Drew Rutter celebrates one of his two home runs with his teammates during their victory over Utah. Santa Margarita’s Little League team was playing Utah in the championship game of the West Regional Little League Baseball Championships in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Santa Margarita Little League manager C.J. Ankrum acknowledged he was hesitant when he told his players they would have to pack their bags for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., before they played their West Regional final against Utah on Saturday.

You see, baseball players – even ex-players such as Ankrum – tend to be a bit superstitious.

“I never put the cart before the horse and we were forced to do that,” Ankrum said Monday in a phone interview from Williamsport. “We didn’t know where we were going.”

Less than 12 hours after winning the Little League West Regional with an 11-7 victory over Utah, Santa Margarita Little League was on a bus heading to Los Angeles International Airport.

At 6 a.m., 13 players — bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, as SMLL President Paul Persiani described them — Ankrum and two coaches boarded the bus. Their plane departed Los Angeles at 11 a.m. and landed in Philadelphia at 7 p.m. EDT, Ankrum said.

It wasn’t until about midnight Monday that the boys finally made it to Williamsport, where they are staying in dormitories and hanging out at The Grove, which Ankrum likened to the Olympic Village, a spot where players from all teams can meet and get to know one another.

Funding for the trip is provided by Little League International, allowing teams to bypass the stress of having to book emergency tickets, Persiani said. Little League International books the tickets with American Airlines and prints the tickets once they have the names of the players and coaches, Persiani said.

“The only thing now is that parents have to scramble to book the flights and hotels,” Persiani said. “I believe most of them are leaving on Wednesday because they have a meeting on Thursday.”

Ankrum said that issue hasn’t been as much of a problem. The team had already planned on playing a club tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. – a plan that was changed because the date of the club tournament conflicted with the date of the West Regional.

Instead, those who purchased tickets with insurance are now transferring those tickets to instead travel to Philadelphia or Newark, N.J., Ankrum said.

“Some are renting a house, others are staying in hotels … and flights don’t seem to be a problem,” Ankrum said. “We were supposed to be across the country anyway.”

But for families who are scrambling, the league has set up a donation page on its website to allow individuals and companies to help. Those donations are tax deductible.

Robert Cortinas, owner of South County Plumbing, Inc. in Lake Forest, donated $2,500 toward the cause. Islands Restaurant in Mission Viejo donated $2,000, Persiani said.

“At the last minute, when you have to make travel arrangements, it’s not easy,” said Caprice Cortinas, Robert’s wife. “We have (two daughters) who are athletes, so he understands what it takes to travel at great lengths. He knows what the cost can be and he wanted to help if he could.”

For other interested individuals or businesses wanting to help, additional donations will be accepted at the league’s website.

Santa Margarita’s first game in the World Series will be Friday at 1 p.m. (PDT) against Walla Walla Valley of Washington, the Northwest Regional champion.

Santa Margarita enters play 15-0 after capturing district, sectional, divisional and regional championships. The trip to Williamsport marks the first time a Santa Margarita team has qualified for the World Series, and it is the first Orange County team to advance since Ocean View won the title in 2011.

Whicker: Angels’ season was over, but they kept playing

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  • The Los Angeles Angels’ Alex Meyer celebrates with catcher Martin Maldonado after a double play to end the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The Los Angeles Angels’ Alex Meyer celebrates with catcher Martin Maldonado after a double play to end the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • The Los Angeles Angels’ Martin Maldonado hits an RBI single in the sixth inning during the Angels’ game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The Los Angeles Angels’ Martin Maldonado hits an RBI single in the sixth inning during the Angels’ game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Angels’ Andrelton Simmons, left appeals for a safe call after sliding into home plate past the Rays’ Jesus Sucre on a squeeze bunt in the sixth inning during a game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Sunday, July 16, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Angels’ Andrelton Simmons, left appeals for a safe call after sliding into home plate past the Rays’ Jesus Sucre on a squeeze bunt in the sixth inning during a game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Sunday, July 16, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons helped keep the team from falling out of the American League wild-card race while Mike Trout missed six weeks with a thumb injury. Along with his Gold Glove-caliber defense, Simmons is having a career year at the plate too. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons helped keep the team from falling out of the American League wild-card race while Mike Trout missed six weeks with a thumb injury. Along with his Gold Glove-caliber defense, Simmons is having a career year at the plate too. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Angels bench greet Andrelton Simmons after he scores during a game against the Orioles at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Angels bench greet Andrelton Simmons after he scores during a game against the Orioles at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The season did not end Monday morning. The Angels are not the American League’s second wild-card team, at least not yet.

Occupancy is not the law. One-fourth of the schedule lies before them.

“All I know is that the standings are pretty crowded,” said Billy Eppler, the Angels’ general manager. “We’ve got our heads down. All we want to do is win the game we’re playing.”

But somehow the games are worth playing and the scoreboards worth watching. The Angels’ season supposedly ended May 28. Purgatory has been kind.

May 28 was the Sunday in which the Angels got blown out at Miami and got written off by a baseball world that had never written them in.

Mike Trout tore ligaments in his thumb that day, head-firsting himself into second base. The Angels were 26-27, stuck in the middle of the road with the dead armadillos.

Trout would not play again until July 14. But the stadium was still standing when he returned. The Angels had gone 19-20. Trout must have felt like the teacher who had to leave unexpectedly and returned to find the class had done its homework and dusted the erasers. They were dirty but not buried.

“Cameron Maybin stepped up,” Eppler said. “‘Andrelton Simmons, Kole Calhoun … Eric Young Jr. came up and made a massive contribution. And then our starters and bullpen kept keeping us in games, like they had been doing.

“It wasn’t about one person. But even in 2015, the year before I came, this team’s competitiveness had been very apparent. It’s part of their DNA.”

But you don’t win by treading water. Could the Angels actually put a couple of hot weeks together?

First they had to resist more discouragement. In the last week of July they suffered a 2-4 trip and lost twice on ninth-inning grand slams.

They took a standing 8-count, then won 10 of their next 13, including three late-inning comebacks in a four-game sweep at Seattle last weekend. That’s all it took to get into position as the No. 2 wild card, a half-game ahead of Minnesota as of Monday.

Many are responsible for this, including former commissioner Bud Selig, who invented the wild card and then the second wild card. This creates the illusion that contending teams are actually good ones. But sometimes illusion becomes reality.  Five teams were within 2½ games of the Angels Monday. All had given up more runs than they’ve scored.

Steve Mantone, the assistant GM, gets a gold star, too, as does scout Brendan Harris. Mantone, scavenging other minor league systems while the Angels get theirs running, found Orioles right-hander Parker Bridwell, who was being turned into a reliever. Harris gave Bridwell a positive write-up, and Bridwell is 7-1 with eight quality starts out of 11, and a 1.168 WHIP.

Reliever Blake Parker, another yard-sale pickup, has an 0.911 WHIP with 66 strikeouts in 52 innings. Yusmeiro Petit has an 0.971 WHIP.

The Angels have the worst offense in the league, at least by OPS. But they’ve gotten some late-game rhythm. Those comeback wins have a way of repeating.

They also have mastered detail. They are ranked second in defensive efficiency by MLB.com. They have 57 errors, second-fewest in the league. Their bullpen WHIP is 1.20, fourth in the league. They’ve given up the second-fewest walks.

And while they have stolen 104 bases in 140 attempts, their opponents only have a 60.7 success rate. Catcher Martin Maldonado is the proximate cause.

“His impact has been tremendous,” Eppler said. “When we got him last winter, we sent him an iPad with all our pitchers’ tendencies. Martin sat down and wrote up scouting reports on each one and sent them back to us. He hadn’t caught any of them, but he was 90 percent right on everything they did. We gave him an A-minus. We had a pretty good feeling after that.”

The Angels might or might not make the playoffs. They should improve. Their injured pitchers are pitching. Andrew Heaney is in Triple-A. Garrett Richards is moving toward September appearances. Andrew Bailey, one of three closer candidates who was hurt, is also making his way.

And there’s Simmons, the team’s MVP so far, and Trout, the reigning league MVP and a tipping point in any game.

And there’s Manager Mike Scioscia, who creates the day-to-day workplace, and now Eppler has given him the speed, defense and pitching he prefers.

Suddenly the Trade Trout and Fire Scioscia factions, who make up the alt-wrong wing of the Angels’ fanbase, have receded into the basement.

The moral: The season will end when it wants. But it’s long enough for your wildest dreams, even the ones you never had.

OCVarsity Video: Orange County football preseason top 10

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The Register reveals its Orange County football preseason top 10 for the 2017 season.

The video by the Register’s Jonathan Khamis takes a look at each of the 10 teams.

PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the No. 1-ranked Mater Dei Monarchs

 

 

 

Laguna Hills first-half homebuying: Prices up; sales down

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In 2017’s first six months, the Laguna Hills housing market looked mixed.

CoreLogic statistics for the first half of 2017, compared with the same period a year earlier, show these trends for Laguna Hills …

1. 218 homes sold this year vs. 229 a year ago.

2. That’s a sales decline of 4.8 percent vs. a homebuying gain of 2.2 percent countywide.

3. Median selling price this year of $714,500 vs. $690,000 in 2016.

4. That’s a price gain of 3.6 percent. Countywide median was $675,000, up 3.1 percent vs. first-half 2016.

Here are six countywide trends to ponder, first half 2017 vs. first half 2016 …

1. Prices rose in 70 of 83 Orange County ZIPs. Sales rose in 50 of the 83.

2. In the 27 least expensive ZIPs — median price at $597,500 and below -– 5,258 homes sold. That’s up 0.8 percent.

3. In the 27 priciest ZIPs — median price of $755,000-plus -– 6,431 homes sold. That’s up 5.7 percent.

4. In nine ZIPs with medians above $1 million, sales totaled 1,256 homes, up 7.8 percent.

5. In 16 beach-close ZIPs, 3,158 homes sold, up 3.27 percent.

6. There were 10 ZIPs with median prices under $500,000 with total sales of 1,799 homes. A year ago, 18 ZIPs had medians under $500,000 with 2,793 sales.

DID YOU SEE? It’s been 10 years since Orange County’s housing bubble … or … Half of us rent: L.A.-Orange County homeownership rate 2nd lowest in U.S.

Anaheim students head back to school ready to learn

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Some 800 students showed up Monday, Aug. 14, quickly replacing the summer silence in Sunkist Elementary School’s 39 classrooms with laughter and chatter.

Students across the Anaheim Elementary School District headed back to school, bidding a fond farewell to summer. Last week, representatives of the district headed into neighborhoods on Start Smart attendance walks with door hangers reminding families the school year was about to begin.

  • Teacher Kristin Castleman goes over the rules of being a good student for her kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Sunkist, built in 1958, will be reconstructed next year and among the planned improvements is a centralized cooling system Ð rather than the room-by room air conditioning the school currently has. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Teacher Kristin Castleman goes over the rules of being a good student for her kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Sunkist, built in 1958, will be reconstructed next year and among the planned improvements is a centralized cooling system Ð rather than the room-by room air conditioning the school currently has. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Melissa Cortines reads a book called First Day Jitters to her first grade class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Melissa Cortines reads a book called First Day Jitters to her first grade class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Elizabeth Denkers, left, and Ronnie Espinoza, both 7, get acquainted with each other on the first day of second grade class at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Elizabeth Denkers, left, and Ronnie Espinoza, both 7, get acquainted with each other on the first day of second grade class at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Five-year-old Jonathan Preciado raises his hand to answer a question while in kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Five-year-old Jonathan Preciado raises his hand to answer a question while in kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Six-year-old Adrian Rangel, left, participates in class on the first day of first grade at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Six-year-old Adrian Rangel, left, participates in class on the first day of first grade at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Penelope Zambrano’s transitional kindergarten class, including Joseph Marin, 4, left, and Angel Sanchez, 4, right, gets ready to walk to the playground on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Penelope Zambrano’s transitional kindergarten class, including Joseph Marin, 4, left, and Angel Sanchez, 4, right, gets ready to walk to the playground on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Nathan Fuentes, 7, joins the rest of his second grade class in a morning stretch to start the first day at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Nathan Fuentes, 7, joins the rest of his second grade class in a morning stretch to start the first day at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Five-year-old Maleak Wilson gives a big smile in kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Five-year-old Maleak Wilson gives a big smile in kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Five-year-old Maya Mota raises her hand for her turn to speak in kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Five-year-old Maya Mota raises her hand for her turn to speak in kindergarten class on the first day back at school at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Christine Hodges has her second grade class stretch at the start of the first day of class at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Christine Hodges has her second grade class stretch at the start of the first day of class at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

  • Isaac Garcia, left, and Megan Bui, both 7, practice greeting each other on the first day of second grade class at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

    Isaac Garcia, left, and Megan Bui, both 7, practice greeting each other on the first day of second grade class at Sunkist Elementary in Anaheim. Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

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This was the 59th year the Sunkist campus welcomed students for the first day of school. After this school year, the campus will be shuttered for an overhaul. Next year’s first day of school will happen at a temporary campus while Sunkist is renovated.

The reconstruction is expected to be completed in mid to late 2018-19 and will expand the campus to serve 900 students.

La Palma’ 2017 homebuying: 10 things to know

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In 2017’s first six months, the La Palma housing market looked strong.

CoreLogic statistics for the first half of 2017, compared with the same period a year earlier, show these trends for La Palma …

1. 62 homes sold this year vs. 56 a year ago.

2. That’s a sales gain of 10.7 percent vs. a homebuying gain of 2.2 percent countywide.

3. Median selling price this year of $646,000 vs. $617,000 in 2016.

4. That’s a price gain of 4.7 percent. Countywide median was $675,000, up 3.1 percent vs. first-half 2016.

Here are six countywide trends to ponder, first half 2017 vs. first half 2016 …

1. Prices rose in 70 of 83 Orange County ZIPs. Sales rose in 50 of the 83.

2. In the 27 least expensive ZIPs — median price at $597,500 and below -– 5,258 homes sold. That’s up 0.8 percent.

3. In the 27 priciest ZIPs — median price of $755,000-plus -– 6,431 homes sold. That’s up 5.7 percent.

4. In nine ZIPs with medians above $1 million, sales totaled 1,256 homes, up 7.8 percent.

5. In 16 beach-close ZIPs, 3,158 homes sold, up 3.27 percent.

6. There were 10 ZIPs with median prices under $500,000 with total sales of 1,799 homes. A year ago, 18 ZIPs had medians under $500,000 with 2,793 sales.

DID YOU SEE? It’s been 10 years since Orange County’s housing bubble … or … Half of us rent: L.A.-Orange County homeownership rate 2nd lowest in U.S.

Gray whale swimming around shallow water of Newport Beach Back Bay

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NEWPORT BEACH — Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are optimistic that a juvenile gray whale that has been swimming in shallow water in Newport Back Bay will leave the harbor.

“It’s a challenging situation,” said Justin Viezbicke, marine mammal stranding coordinator with NOAA. “We are concerned and monitoring it. We don’t have many options to remove the whale.”

The 20-foot whale — which drew attention after showing up in a lagoon near Carlsbad, then in Dana Point Harbor on Aug. 8 and in Newport Beach Harbor on Aug. 10 — spent the weekend in Newport Beach.

Harbor Patrol officials have been in contact with NOAA and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach about their concerns for the whale. They have also stepped up patrols to see if more intervention by NOAA and the marine mammal center are needed.

  • A gray whale was spotted inside of the Newport Harbor on Thursday, two days after it was seen in Dana Point Harbor.

    A gray whale was spotted inside of the Newport Harbor on Thursday, two days after it was seen in Dana Point Harbor.

  • OC Sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Ketcham searches for a lost juvenile whale in Newport Harbor on Tuesday, Aug.15, 2017. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    OC Sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Ketcham searches for a lost juvenile whale in Newport Harbor on Tuesday, Aug.15, 2017. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A gray whale was spotted inside Newport Harbor on Aug. 10, two days after it was seen in Dana Point Harbor.

    A gray whale was spotted inside Newport Harbor on Aug. 10, two days after it was seen in Dana Point Harbor.

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Sgt. Paul Ketcham patrolled the far end of the Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area near the Jamboree Road bridge early Tuesday, Aug. 15, after the whale was sighted there late Monday. The area is a shallow marshland, with sandbars and depths varying from five feet even during high tide to a 15-foot center channel. The area is about 2.5 nautical miles from the mouth of the harbor.

By 10 a.m. Tuesday, Ketcham had received reports that the whale was sighted by a homeowner near the Balboa Yacht Club. From there it traveled east toward the harbor jetty, made a U-turn and swam about a half-mile west before being spotted near the American Legion building at the west end of the marina.

Ketcham spoke with Viezbicke on Monday about the possibility of increasing intervention if the whale doesn’t leave the harbor on its own.

“Someone could get hurt or the whale could be hurt if people get too close,” Viezbicke said. “There are not a lot of outward signs that the whale is struggling but there could be a problem.”

Herding the whale out of the harbor is not Viezbicke’s first choice. In the past, similar efforts have stressed out the animal and in some cases, while the whale might be driven out of the harbor, it could just as easily swim back in.

“We would try to put noise in areas we don’t want the whale to be,” he said. “We’ve tried that and it’s not as easy as it seems. It’s already in a confined space and herding it out can add to its anxiety.”


President retweets Newport Beach woman’s depiction of ‘Trump train’ and a CNN reporter trying to stop it

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President Donald Trump retweeted a cartoon Tuesday that depicts a CNN reporter trying to hold back a moving “Trump train,” an image that drew criticism in some quarters and support from others. The tweet, which appears to have been created by a woman from Corona del Mar, was deleted off Trump’s account minutes after it appeared there.

The original Tweet, posted at 4:01 a.m. PST on Aug. 15, was described by many as insensitive because it portrays a train striking someone opposed to Trump just three days after a woman was killed when a car slammed into protesters opposed to a white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Va.

Others disagreed, saying the tweet simply depicts a news person trying to stop the Trump agenda.

The tweet quickly gained national attention, as tweets that receive presidential interaction often do. It was posted as part of a string of other memes — simple, often humorous graphics created to go viral on the internet — in response to a tweet by the morning news show “Fox & Friends,” which Trump is known to watch regularly. Trump also is known to despise other media organizations and has targeted CNN in the days following the Charlottesville incidents.

The Twitter user, “SL,” who listed her location as the Corona del Mar neighborhood of Newport Beach, appears to be very active on the social media site and has posted strings of pro-Trump tweets and political illustrations. “SL” did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The meme is an altered version of a cartoon that originated at The Indianapolis Star. Published Jan. 13, a week before Trump’s inauguration, it characterizes Trump’s presidency as a locomotive and a Democrat donkey’s failure to stop it.

“My cartoon in question was drawn in January and has been altered without my permission, which changed the message of my original work,” cartoonist Gary Varvel said to The Washington Post.

How the lenses in solar eclipse glasses protect your eyes from the sun

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People across the United States get the chance to watch a solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. However, it is not safe to view the eclipse without using special, filtered glasses or a solar telescope.

Related: Want to watch the solar eclipse at a viewing party? Here is where you can go in Orange County

Looking at the sun with substandard glasses may cause permanent damage to your eyes.  If you haven’t purchased eclipse viewers yet, we suggest you purchase from manufacturers or vendors that have been approved by the American Astronomical Society or International Organization for Standardization.

Here’s how the rays of the sun might damage your eyes:

(1) Visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can see.

(2) UVB rays can destroy the outer cells of the cornea – the eye’s protective surface – causing pain and blurred vision.

(3) UVA rays damage the eye’s lens and can harm the sensitive retina at the back of the eye and the macula, causing macular degeneration and permanent blindness.

HOW SOLAR ECLIPSE LENSES WORK

Typical sunglasses: Are made of glass, plastic or polycarbonate material that blocks out only 10 percent to 20 percent of daylight and most UV rays. Visible light can still pass though.

Solar eclipse glasses: Are typically 100,000 times darker than sunglasses and are made of black polymer, a flexible resin infused with carbon particles. This blocks out all UV rays and nearly all visible light.

Source: Dr. Baruch Kuppermann, UCI; Space.com; NASA and National Park Service

Amazon debuts Instant Pickup at UCLA, UC Berkeley: Order and get goods in minutes

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Retail giant Amazon is introducing Instant Pickup, a free service offering items in minutes, the company said Tuesday, Aug. 15.

The free service is being offered to Prime and Prime Student members and includes daily essentials like snacks and electronics.

According to Amazon, items would be available in less than two minutes at five pickup locations, including one in Westwood Village, just south of UCLA’s campus, and at UC Berkeley. The other Instant Pickup locations are in Atlanta, Columbus, Ohio, and College Park, Md.

  • Amazon has an order online pick up office at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. (Nancy Luna, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Amazon has an order online pick up office at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. (Nancy Luna, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Amazon’s Prime Wardrobe, allows members to pick pieces of apparel that they can order, try on and return for free.

    Amazon’s Prime Wardrobe, allows members to pick pieces of apparel that they can order, try on and return for free.

  • Retail giant Amazon will have its third annual Prime Day Tuesday, July 11. The day will feature sales on everything from televisions to toys. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

    Retail giant Amazon will have its third annual Prime Day Tuesday, July 11. The day will feature sales on everything from televisions to toys. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

  • Amazon on Tuesday debuted Instant Pickup, a service aimed at college students who need basic items fast. A Prime member can order select items online and have it in two minutes, the online retailer said. Amazon is using same-day delivery locations on campuses, including this one at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. (Nancy Luna, Orange County Register)

    Amazon on Tuesday debuted Instant Pickup, a service aimed at college students who need basic items fast. A Prime member can order select items online and have it in two minutes, the online retailer said. Amazon is using same-day delivery locations on campuses, including this one at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. (Nancy Luna, Orange County Register)

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The online retailer operates 22 pickup locations centered around college campuses and could use them for the Instant Pickup service, Reuters reported.

“Instant Pickup is another way Amazon is making life more convenient for Prime members,” Ripley MacDonald, director of student programs at Amazon, said in a statement. “As shopping behaviors continue to evolve, customers consistently tell us that they want items even faster. Whether it’s a snack on-the-go, replacing a lost phone charger in the middle of a hectic day or adding Alexa to your life with an Echo, Instant Pickup saves Prime members time.”

College students get a 50-percent discount on the $99 annual Prime membership. Tip alert: College students who use Sprint can get a free, six-month Prime trial.

Amazon has a same-day pickup location at California State University Long Beach, but it was unclear if the campus would include an Instant Pickup.

The Instant program isn’t Amazon’s first attempt to infiltrate college campuses.

Many universities are adding Amazon Lockers, including the commuter campus of Cal State Fullerton. The university has a set of Amazon Lockers outside the college’s student union. The self-serve lockers allow students to pick up or return parcels.

With the volume of Internet-driven deliveries increasing dramatically over the years, CSUF said it is considering adding a second set of Amazon Lockers to one of its dorm facilities.

Larry Martin, CSUF’s director of housing, said students buy an overwhelming amount of merchandise online — from books to clothes to linens from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

“At Valentine’s Day, the mailroom smells like a florist,” Martin.

To help manage the influx, Martin said the school is “pursuing” adding another set of Amazon Lockers at the dorms to ease the gridlock in the mailroom. Roughly 2,000 students live on campus while another 38,000 live off-campus.

Internet sales are not slowing down. In 2015, e-commerce sales reached $294.45 billion and are projected to surpass $485 billion in 2021, according to statistical research firm Statista.

FedEx is also taking advantage of the surge in Internet-driven mail delivery on college campuses.

The company opened a “Fed Ex Office” at USC this month and one at Stanford University last year.

FedEx said working with universities make sense as more students make purchases online. In a student survey conducted last year by the company, FedEx found that 58 percent of college students make the majority of their purchases online. Roughly 65 percent of students buy most of their textbooks online, the FedEx survey said.

FedEx said the “influx of packages” has put a “strain” on campus resources on the back end.

The FedEx offices also offer computer rentals, shipping lockers and notary and fingerprinting services.

Little League World Series 2017 schedule, TV listings

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Santa Margarita Little League has made it to Williamsport, Pa. Here’s a viewer’s guide to the 2017 Little League World Series, with a complete schedule and TV times:

United States teams

West: Santa Margarita Little League, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca.

Great Lakes: Grosse Point Woods-Shores LL, Grosse Point, Mich.

Mid Atlantic: Holbrook LL, Jackson, N.J.

New England: Fairfield American LL, Fairfield, Conn.

Northwest: Walla Walla Valley LL, Walla Walla Wash.

Southeast: North State LL, Greenville, N.C.

Southwest: Lufkin LL, Lufkin, Texas

International teams

Asia-Pacific: West Seoul LL, Seoul, South Korea

Australia: Hills LL, Sydney, Australia

Canada: White Rock-South Surrey LL, White Rock, British Columbia

Caribbean: Los Bravos de Pontezuella LL, Santiago, Dominican Republic

Europe-Africa: Emilia LL, Emilia, Italy

Japan: Tokyo Kitasuna LL, Tokyo, Japan

Latin America: Luz-Maracaibo LL, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Mexico: Guadalupe Trevino Kelly LL, Reynosa, Mexico


Schedule, TV listings (All times are Pacific Standard Time. Two fields in use.)

Thursday, Aug. 17

Game 1: Latin America vs. Mexico, 10 a.m., ESPN

Game 2: Mid-Atlantic vs. New England, Noon, ESPN

Game 3: Canada vs. Europe-Africa, 2 p.m., ESPN

Game 4: Southwest vs. Great Lakes, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Friday, Aug. 18

Game 5: Japan vs. Australia, 11 a.m., ESPN

Game 6: Northwest (Walla Walla Valley, Wash.) vs. West (Santa Margarita), 1 p.m., ESPN

Game 7: Caribbean vs. Asia-Pacific, 3 p.m., ESPN

Game 8: Midwest vs. Southeast, 5 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Aug. 19 (Elimination)

Game 9: Loser 1 vs. Loser 3, 10 a.m., ESPN

Game 10: Loser 2 vs. Loser 4, Noon, ABC

Game 11: Loser 5 vs. Loser 7, 3 p.m., ESPN

Game 12: Loser 6 vs. Loser 8, 5 p.m., ESPN

Sunday, Aug. 20 (Double elimination)

Game 13: Winner 1 vs. Winner 3, 7 a.m., ESPN2

Game 14: Winner 2 vs. Winner 4, 8 a.m., ESPN

Game 15: Winner 5 vs. Winner 7, 10 a.m., ABC

Game 16: Winner 6 vs. Winner 8, 11 a.m., ESPN

Monday, Aug. 21 (Elimination)

A: Loser 9 vs. Loser 10, 8 a.m., ESPM

Game 17: Loser 15 vs. Winner 9, 10 a.m., ESPN

Game 18: Loser 16 vs. Winner 10, noon, ESPN

Game 19:  Loser 13 vs. Winner 11, 3 p.m., ESPN2

Game 20: Loser 14 vs. Winner 12, 5 p.m., ESPN2

Tuesday, Aug. 22 (Elimination)

B: Loser 11 vs. Loser 12, 11 a.m., ESPN

Game 21: Winner 17 vs. Winner 19, Noon, ESPN

Game 22: Winner 18 vs. Winner 20, 4:30 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Aug. 23 (Double elimination)

Game 23: Winner 13 vs. Winner 15

Game 24: Winner 14 vs. Winner 16

Thursday, Aug. 24 (Elimination)

Game 25: Winner 21 vs. Loser 23, Noon, ESPN

Game 26: Winner 22 vs. Loser 24, 4:30 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Aug. 26 (Championships)

Game 27: Winner 23 vs. Winner 24, International final, 9:30 p.m., ABC

Game 28: Winner 24 vs. Winner 26, U.S. final, 12:30 p.m., ABC

Sunday, Aug. 25 (Championships)

Game 29: Loser 27 vs. Loser 28, 7 a.m., ESPN

Game 30: Winner 27 vs. Winner 28, LLBWS Final, Noon, ABC

Note: Return to this page for scores and more coverage once games begin. Complete Little League World Series bracket here.

Games also available on Watch ESPN.

Santa Margarita Little League team members hold up their West Championship flag.(Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Santa Margarita Little League team members hold up their West Championship flag. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Corona del Mar water polo player Chloe Harbilas commits to Stanford

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Stanford’s women’s water polo program is cleaning up in Orange County recruiting.

Corona del Mar All-County senior Chloe Harbilas is the latest standout to commit to the reigning NCAA champion, the Sea Queens announced Tuesday.

Harbilas, a rising attacker, netted 83 goals this past season and added 22 assists and 38 steals.

She joins recent commit Thea Walsh, a first-team All-County goalie from Laguna Beach, in Stanford’s haul from the class of 2018 in Orange County.

In the past few recruiting cycles, Stanford also signed Olympic gold medalists Aria and Makenzie Fischer from Laguna Beach, Breakers’ All-County left-hander Bella Baldridge and Mater Dei attacker Kayla Constandse.

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