Coach Performs Juggling Act With Bcc Lineup Card

When it's time to make out his lineup card, Mike Kanzaki often thinks about relying on a coin flip.

Actually, the Bellevue Community College baseball coach, in the interest of fairness, is alternating between two players at several positions this season.

At shortstop, for example, both Corky Franklin, an Eastside Catholic High School graduate, and Mark Forrest, from Hazen High, have been overpowering at the plate.

Forrest, who had two hits Saturday in the Bellevue CC preseason tournament, is hitting .526.

Franklin played in Sunday's 6-4 championship victory over Green River CC, rapping out three hits in four trips to the plate. He is batting .394, and has collected two grand-slams among his 13 hits.

``It's a neck-and-neck race. They're alternating games. It's that close,'' Kanzaki said. He feels fortunate to have two high-caliber players competing with each other.

Although defense is the primary consideration for shortstops, he added, ``One's going to have to play the other one out. Whoever wants that starting position is going to have to hit better.''

Franklin is getting more playing time, Forrest said. He is being used in easier games, such as Saturday's 17-0 victory over Western Washington.

``It feels pretty depressing, but I'm not going to give up. I can't hit a thousand,'' he said.

``I feel there's room for me somewhere. I can't see how they can keep me out of the lineup.''

Both are competitive and aren't enjoying the adversarial relationship thrust upon them.

``I knew he was going to give me a tough time this year,'' Franklin said. ``After the state tournament last year, he told me,`Great tournament, but next year I'm going to beat you out.'

``It's made me work harder. I know Forrest can play good.''

Franklin said he doesn't mind classes, but baseball is the best part of the day for him.

Last spring Franklin hit .285, then got hot in the NWAACC tournament. He had nine hits in 19 at-bats, raising his season average to .300.

Barring an offer from a four-year school, he plans to walk on at Washington State University in September.

Forrest said if nobody wants him, he may start his planned career. He wants to be a pilot.

Kanzaki is facing similarly difficultlineup decisions in the outfield.

In left field, it's a duel between Todd Newhouse, a left-handed hitter from Inglemoor High, and Corey Regan, a right-handed hitter from Kentwood batting close to .400.

``That's a platoon situation right now. Defensively, they're both very good,'' the coach said.

In right field, Brian Townley, Newport High graduate, and Shawn Dills have been trading. Townley had five hits in nine at bats over the weekend.

Newhouse and Townley also are pitchers, part of BCC's 14-man mound staff. Both are freshmen, and both are likely to be used mainly in backup roles.

Steve Gajkowky, who threw seven innings of one-hit ball Saturday, is the No. 1 starting pitcher for the Helmsmen.

Bellevue's team batting average is .315, but Kanzaki thinks his team can do better. Last spring, the Helmsmen averaged .360 and took third in the Northwest playoffs.

Freshman catcher Jeff Gyselman from Inglemoor has been a surprise in the hitting department.

Gyselman, who was drafted last year by the Texas Rangers, is an excellent defensive catcher, Kanzaki said.

``The rap on him was he couldn't hit. I don't know what's gotten into him,'' Kanzaki said. Sunday, Gyselman went 3 for 5, raising his average to .476.

Gyselman is protected until the Helmsmen complete their schedule. The Rangers could sign him in late May or allow him to go back into the June professional draft.