MARCH 4, 2016 Contact us at sports@coastnewsgroup.com with story ideas, photos or suggestions
The time is right for Padres baseball sports talk jay paris
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pring is here and what took it so long? The never-ending saga of a new Chargers stadium is just that. It’s a process that sucks the oxygen from any room in which San Diego sports live. But starting this week the sound of a ball meeting a bat has arrived, as the Padres start playing for real. Or is it for fake? Not sure it matters but they are keeping score in the Arizona exhibition games and that’s always a plus. Will it play in Peoria takes on a fresh meaning when Padres knock the cobwebs off their gear. An offseason, which didn’t rival the last one for creating a buzz, has morphed into spring training. The annual process in the desert comes with these staples: an optimism that this year might be the one and the reality that there’s much work to be done. Before the first pitch was heaved, it appeared the Padres were 1-0. New manager Andy Green, by all accounts, smacked a home run when addressing the team for the first time. That’s hard to see in the standings, but each journey has an initial step and at least he didn’t stub his toe. Green comes from Arizona, so he knows the landscape. He resided in the Diamondbacks’ third-base coaching box last year and just maybe that’s a sign of good things to come. His gung-ho demeanor is all-positive and that’s seldom a negative. But he’s a realist, as well, when eyeing a Padres lineup with potentially more holes than those overpriced designer jeans. A baseball game can’t begin until the starter delivers a pitch. And the Padres, if to break their streak of five straight losing seasons, will lean on the guys expected to take the ball some 30 times this season. Tyson Ross has been named the opening-day starter over James Shields. If comparing those two to a steak sauce, we would have “A-1” and “A-1a.” Each can be called the staff’s ace, with Ross showing his nasty slider and Rancho Santa Fe’s Shields the curled lip any hard-nosed competitor reveals. Next up is Andrew Cashner and with the Chargers’ Eric Weddle gone, Cashner has the most impressive beard of any area pro athlete. But what the Padres are seeking, in what
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could be his walk year, is more fortitude to go with his fastball. Cashner was the victim of a shaky defense in 2015, but sometimes you make your own breaks. Cashner rebounding is a must for San Diego. Then it gets tricky as the Padres fill out the rotation. In among the spring’s most spirited battles, look for Colin Rea, Brandon Maurer, Brandon Morrow, Drew Pomeranz and Robbie Erlin to get shots. Among the position players, pencil in Matt Kemp in right, Wil Myers at first, Alexi Ramirez at shortstop, Derek Norris at catcher and Yangervis Solarte at third. Corey Spangenberg is likely your second baseman. So left and center are up for grabs and no matter how it plays out, the defense should be improved. The Padres lost Kemp’s lineup protection when left fielder Justin Upton exited for Detroit. He’ll probably be replaced by John Jay as the Padres hope he shows his former skills after hitting .210 last year for the Cardinals. There’s still an Upton on board, and it’s Justin’s brother, Melvin. After being chased out of Atlanta, Melvin showed a tad of a spark toward the end last year. His legs aren’t the issue as he’s among the fastest Friars. But among Green’s jobs is make sure Melvin’s heart is in the right place. The bullpen was rebuilt with Craig Kimbrel and Joaquin Benoit sent packing. Fernando Rodney is the new closer and if you see Green’s fingers crossed, you’ll know why. How will this all turn out? One never knows. What’s clear is baseball is back, which hopefully pushes chatter about environmental impact reports, citizen’s initiatives and twothird majority votes in the background. It’s time, finally, to play ball instead of playing politics.
Sports Bouldering gym set to open on South Coast Highway By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — A pair of young entrepreneurs are set to open Vital Climbing Gym in the former K5 Boardshop building on 525 South Coast Highway this summer. The gym will feature bouldering, which entails climbing under 20 feet, a crash pad and no ropes. This allows the sport to be done solo or by any size group. “In rope climbing you have to have a partner,” David Sacher, gym co-owner said. “For bouldering you can go by yourself or with as many friends as you want. There is not a rope, so multiple groups can be working on a climb at the same time.” Bouldering encourages social climbing, and usually attracts a sports minded age 30 and under crowd. The sport also lends itself to team building. “We like to keep the facility open to anybody to use,” Sacher said. Sacher and Nam Pham, both 28 years old, are co-owners of the gym. They also have three oth-
David Sacher, Vital Climbing Gym co-owner, in the 8,100 square space that will be a bouldering gym. The sport of bouldering can be done solo or in any size group. Photo by Promise Yee
er climbing gyms in Carlsbad, Murrietta and Bellingham, Wash. The gym in Carlsbad was their first facility. It has been open for five years. Sacher did not share annual earnings, but said the businesses are “healthy.” All gyms follow the same operations plan that allows nonmembers to participate from 11 a.m. to 9
p.m. with staff present, and gives members unlimited keycard access. The gyms offer bouldering clinics and outdoor climbing trips. “A lot of people start climbing for the first time,” Sacher said. “It’s really cool to see that.” The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use and coast-
al permit for the gym on Feb. 22. Commissioners shared their support. “I look forward to your type of use,” Commissioner Claudia Troisi said. “It’s a sports oriented, healthy alternative to other uses. We need more uses like yours.” Prior to approval commissioners questioned sufTURN TO GYM ON A14
Soccer club awards players; president honored By Bianca Kaplanek
SOLANA BEACH — As a recreational organization the Solana Beach Soccer Club avoids putting an emphasis on the final score of the games. “That doesn’t mean we don’t want to win,” Jeff Lyle, club president, said during the annual board of directors meeting March 1 at Solana Vista Elementary School. “But how you play in terms of sportsmanship can affect the end result. “And the character part is something that will stay with these athletes forever,” he added. With that introduction five young players were honored with the Peter Schmid Sportsmanship Award, established by Anthony and Amanda Schmid in honor of their son to continue to foster his love of soccer following his un-
The 2015 Solana Beach Soccer Club Peter Schmid Sportsmanship Award recipients are, from left, Sophie Williams, Olivia Grimstad, Vivian Kowieski, Milo Rikos and, not pictured, Juliet Quinney. President Jeff Lyle was honored with the Scott Billington Memorial Award. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
ship, helpfulness, attitude season went to Olivia Grimtimely death. Coaches are encour- and loyalty on and off the stad, Vivian Kowieski, Juaged to nominate players field. TURN TO AWARDS ON A14 Awards for the 2015 who demonstrate good sportsmanship. Recipients are chosen by the board of directors for their citizen-
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Contact Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter at jparis_sports.
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