HT: 5’8” WT: 170
Position(s): Pitcher/Third Base

What are your team goals for this season? To Win District and get into the Playoffs. To be the La Joya Team that goes the deepest ever in the play-offs like the 2002 team that lost in the Regional Semi-Finals.

What are your individual goals for this season? To be the 30-5A MVP and make the All Valley Team and All State as a Pitcher or Third Baseman.

Have any colleges contacted you and if so which ones? Cisco Jr. College, Crowder Jr. College and Blinn Jr. College

What has been your most memorable game as a player so far and why? When I played in the Colt League World Series. I still remember pitching against Puerto Rico and winning the World Series.

Which player do you recall has been the toughest to face so far? I still remember facing Joaquin Hinojosa from McHi when I was a freshman during a Regional Quarterfinals game. I faced him as a hitter and pitcher.

Do you enjoy pitching or hitting more? Why? I enjoy pitching more because I can concentrate more and dictate the pace of the game.

Who is your favorite baseball player? Josh Hamilton from Texas Rangers

Who has had the biggest influence on you on the baseball field? Why? Osiel Flores, because when I was younger, he made me believe in my abilities as pitcher. He would tell me that I had the ability of being a great pitcher.

Which is your favorite baseball movie? Angels in the Outfield

If you could look ahead 10 years where do you see yourself? I see myself in some
aspect still playing baseball.

What number do you use? Why? # 3; The reason that #3 is significant to me is because it’s the number my older brother used in high school. My brother, in his senior year, injured his knee in football and was unable to play his senior year, and now I wear it to
honor him.

HT: 6’1 WT: 165
Position(s): Outfield/First Base

What coach has had the biggest influence on you? I haven’t had the pleasure of playing for many coaches; my father has always been my main coach.

What is your favorite baseball movie? The Natural; it’s about Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters ever.

What are your team goals this season? My team goal for this year is to step up and be a team leader, just helping my team with any flaws, get on a bus and get on I 35 going to Austin.

What are your individual goals for this season? My goal for this year is to just continue hitting good and hopefully get a homerun.

Who has been the toughest pitcher or hitting you have faced? The toughest pitcher that I had faced would have to be Miguel Peña; he has got me with his pitching, but when it came down to the game on the line, we all know who won that.

How has your father (ex major league player Ted Ford please let me know if this is correct) helped you with your game? And are there any advantages to having a father being in the Major Leagues? Yes, my father has been a big inspiration to me; he’s always been there for me when my hitting was not right: helping me with little mistakes in my swing and just showing me everything that I know. I think having a father that has played major league ball can have its advantages, just having someone that knows what they are talking about and can spot little mistakes other people don’t pick up, but then again a lot more people expect more from you, something like follow in your father’s footsteps.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met? The most famous person I met was Nolan Ryan at an alumni dinner.

What is one thing you would change in baseball if you could? One thing I would change in baseball would be time limits in baseball; we should play just like the pros: 9 innings.

Who is your favorite major league baseball player? My favorite player is Manny Ramirez; his swing is just so smooth.

What has been your best game so far? And what did you do? I would have to say my best game was against Lopez my sophomore year in playoffs when we were losing in the 5th inning, and I came to the plate and hit a homerun which turned on a switch, and we came back and won that game.

What is the significance of your uniform number? I picked my number, 25, because of the Home Run King Barry Bonds; this man has been one of my idols; pitchers gave him so much respect at that plate just because of the damage he could do; he was one of those hitters that could change a game in the swing of a bat .

Head Coach: James McDaniel, 2nd season, 8th overall

Assistant Coaches: Octavio Oyervides, Ivan Luna

2009 Record: 8-16, District: 3-10

Career Record: 100-103

School’s District Titles: 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1997

Coach McDaniel has been successful while at Laredo United

South and if the Mustangs are patient he will put the program back to being a

competitive program year in and year out. Coach McDaniel is in his 2nd season

as head coach at McAllen Memorial fi nishing in 6th place in 2009 with a 3-10

district record.

“Youth is probably our biggest strength right now,” said Coach

McDaniel. “We have a good number of young players with varsity experience

coming back this year,” added Coach McDaniel.

Rene Barrera (soph.), 3B/P, returns after hitting .375 with 6 2B, 3 3B,

1 HR, 19 Runs, 5 SB, and 17 RBI as a freshman. Barrera was also 3-4 on the

mound. Alex Pinete (sr.), P/3B, is the Mustangs top returning pitcher going 4-

4 last season. Jordan Boone (jr.), OF, and Jason Boone (jr.), 2B, both gained

valuable playing time as sophomores. Jordan hit .321 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 10

Runs, 3 SB, and 11 RBI last year. While Jason hit .289 with 2 2B, 3 3B, 17 Runs,

9 SB, and 10 RBI. Jorge Garza (sr.), C, is another returning .300 hitter. Garza hit

.364 with 10 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 15 Runs, 5 SB, and 22 RBI. Garza will add power to

the Mustang lineup. Sophomore Bryant Stites, OF, had a good freshman season

hitting .250 with 2 2B, 1 HR, 8 Runs, and 6 RBI.

Two other players fi gure to play large roles for the Mustangs this

season. Diego Jorge (jr.), SS, and Cole Zieglar (jr.), P, will get plenty of playing

time this season. Tony Montenegro OF and Chris Wilson OF will also play

important roles this season.

The Mustangs projected lineup will be in order. Diego Jorge (SS),

Jason Boone (2B), Rene Barrera (3B), Jorge Garza (1B), Bryant Stites (OF),

Jordan Leslie Boone (C), Tony Montenegro (OF), Alex Pinete (P), Chris Wilson

(OF).

“We all know that pitching is a very important part of the game of

baseball. With that being said, our pitching has to come through big for us this

year,” said Coach McDaniel.

The Mustangs are assisted by Octavio Oyervides and Ivan Luna. The

Mustangs are in an uphill battle this year, but as the year progresses, they will be

a very improved ballclub and could sneak up on the rest of the district.

The Lobos came off their first season with some valuable experience. They will return several players from last year’s 7-19 team. Coach Garcia has experienced success as coach in the La Joya Coyote program, so he knows what it will take to get these players to a different level.

The Lobos will be lead by Anthony Luna (sr.), OF/P, a 2nd team all-district performer last season. Two players received honorable mention all-district. Alex Gutierrez (sr.), SS and Joey Marquez (jr.) will also be counted on by Coach Garcia in 2010.

The rest of the team will consist of both experience

and youth. Ricky Lopez (soph.), 1B/P; Dago Salinas

(sr.), INF; Abel Martinez (soph.), C; Juan Alvarez (sr.), OF;

and Ricardo Navarro (soph.) OF/P. The Lobos will have

several newcomers with the likes of Daniel Prado (sr.),

INF; Carlos Moreno (sr.), INF; Gerardo Ayala (sr.), OF;

Santiago Gutierrez (jr.) UTL; and Juan Polanco (jr.) OF/P.

Coach Garcia will have to mix and match his lineup to make his team competitive.

“We have a good young nucleus of players coming back with great leadership qualities. With God’s blessing and favor we should have a good year,” said Coach Garcia. “In order to have a successful season, we must make every routine play. This will help our pitching staff gain confidence and give us a chance to win games. Another area that we need to improve on is our clutch hitting and situational hitting,” added Coach Garcia.

The Lobos are once again in a very difficult district with the likes of McAllen, Sharyland, La Joya, and Nikki Rowe. The Lobos will be an improved program in 2010 and the near future.

Head Coach: Roland Rodriguez, 1st season

Assistant Coaches: Orlando Cruz, Zenon Guajardo, Omar Tamez

2009 Record: 2-18, District: 0-13

Coach Roland Rodriguez makes his coaching debut with the Redskin program. Rodriguez served as Coach Mark Gonzalezʼs assistant for five years at PSJA Memorial.

“We must not wait to grow up in the middle of the season,” said Coach Rodriguez. “We are young, but we have hard working kids that are hungry for an overall team success,” added Coach Rodriguez.

Three seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores make up the Redskin squad in 2010. Roque Villegas (sr.), P/OF; Alex Moreno (sr.), OF; Steven Ortiz (sr.), C; Dagoberto Garza (jr.), P/3B; Alexis Montalvo (soph.), OF; Arnold Martinez (jr.); and Adolfo Gonzalez (jr.), 2B, are those players.

Coach Rodriguez takes over for departed Don Derryberry (now at Raymondville). “What is important is for our team to have a sense of urgency to get better at their positions,” said Coach Rodriguez. “A reminder of the past two seasons should push us to improve every day,” added Coach Rodriguez.

The Redskins will get better, but patience and consistency in the program are a must if they are to continue to improve over the long haul.

Head Coach: Bart Bickerton, 11th season

Assistant Coaches: Chris Brown, Jaime Perez, Junior Martinez, Robbie White, Osiel Flores 2009 Record: 34-6, District: 13-1

Career Record: 261-58

School’s District Titles: 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009

Bi-District Champions: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Area Champions: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009

The Rattlers were one inning away from the regional finals last season before falling to San Antonio Reagan. This season the Rattlers will have to replace several starters.

“We need to fill seven spots with last year’s subs and JV kids,” said Coach Bart Bickerton. The Rattlers have been a model of consistency so expect the same in 2010. Even though the Rattlers lost a good nucleus, they return several players have varsity experience.

Casey Klein (sr.), SS, hit a very solid .486 last season. Klein was an outfielder last year but will be move to short this season. Brian Valencia (sr.), P/C, also hit very well last year with a .464 batting average. The return of Mike Medrano(jr.), P, back after a 2008 season where he was named Rio Grande Valley’s Newcomer Of The Year. Medrano was 3-3 with a 4.51 ERA in 2009. Coach son, Baylr Bickerton (sr.) had a fine season on the mound going 9-1 with an ERA of 1.40. Bickerton and Medrano will both be counted on from the mound for the Rattlers this season.

Oscar Gonzalez (jr.), OF, hit .420 last year. Gonzalez is projected as the leadoff man this season. Eric Gutierrez (1B) has been projected into the clean-up spot in the batting order. Erik Garcia (jr.), C, is yet another .400 hitter hitting .447 last year. Garcia will bat in the 5 spot. Alex Luna (sr.) will bat in the sixth spot after hitting .250. Edmundo Crespo, OF, will bat in the seventh place the order. David Lugo (sr.), 2B, has the eighth place in the line-up heading into the season. Fernie Martinez (jr.), OF, will bat in the ninth spot.

Other squad members include; Roy Ortiz (jr.), P/SS; Hunter Guzman (soph.), P/OF; Mo Valdez (jr.), 2B; and Miguel Fuentes (jr.), P/OF.

The Sharyland program has produced many good baseball player they include Tucker Oakley (09) Weatherford JC, Adam Peña (09) San Jacinto JC, Angel Ibanez (09) UTPA, Marco Rodriguez (09), Midland College, Alex Brummel Schriener College, Ismael Tijerina NY Mets, and Jaime Garica St. Louis Cardinals.

“Our team will have a good amount of team speed and will be able to play small ball this year,” said the very successful Coach Bickerton.

Sharyland will once again battle McAllen and La Joya for the district title this season.

Head Coach: Ricardo Lopez Jr., 1st Season

Assistant Coach: Jose Angel Navarro, Hiram H. Lopez, Joseph W. Seale, Freddy Alvarez, Francisco Egnia Jr.

2009 Record: 7-17, District: 6-8

School’s District Titles: 2002

Coach Lopez believes his team will get better as the season progresses. “We are young, and we are eager to win,” said Coach Lopez who is taking over for Coach Pat Saenz this season. “The mindset of RGC will need to change, and our attitude needs to improve in order for us to have a successful season,” added the 1st year coach.

The Rattlers have lost several outstanding players in the last two seasons including (2009) Vicente Rodriguez III (Huston Tillotson), (2009) Juan Zuniga (Huston Tillotson) and (2008) B.J. Valdez (Laredo).

The 2010 edition of the Rattlers will include Gabriel Garza (jr.), SS; Victor Maldonado (jr.), OF; Luis Trevino (soph.), C; Alex Olvera (soph.), 3B; Roman Salinas (soph.) INF/OF; Fidencio Guerra (sr.), INF/OF; Jesus Zuniga (soph.), OF; Victor Fuentes Jr. (fresh.), 3B; and George Sanchez (jr.), INF.

“We will probably start a very young team this year, but I believe they are good enough to compete,” said Coach Lopez. Coach Lopez is a home grown product of the Rio Grande City school system. He has been at the Rattler campus for the past 7 years after spending one year at Edinburg High. Coach Lopez has the right mindset for their program to rise to an elite level.

Last year, the Rattlers finished 5th in the district standings behind McAllen Rowe with a 6-8 record. The last playoff experience was back in 2007 when the Rattlers were defeated by Laredo United in bi-district play.

Head Coach: Reuben Farias, 9th season

Assistant Coaches: Orlando Zuniga, Alex Guajardo, Fred Holguin, Ramon Moreno,

Adrian Gutierrez

2009 Record: 28-11, District: 10-4

Career Record: 167-57-3

School’s District Titles: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008

Bi-District Champions: 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Area Champions: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009

Regional Quarter Final Champ: 2002

The La Joya Coyotes enjoyed yet another fine season last year under Coach Reuben Farias who is beginning his 9th season. The Coyotes defeated San Antonio Southwest and Brownsville Hanna in the playoffs before losing to Sharyland in the Regional Quarterfinals.

This edition of the La Joya team will include Guadalupe Lopez (sr.), 3B/P; Adrian Garza (sr.) P/SS; and Lee Ramirez (jr.) 2B. Lopez was a 1st team all-district selection as a third baseman and 2nd team as a pitcher last year. Garza was named to the 2nd team as a shortstop and Ramirez was also 2nd team as a second baseman. Lopez is one of the finest pitchers in our area, so look for him to have a great senior year on the mound.

The Coyotes lost Miguel Peña who had pitched for the Coyotes for four years. Peña was selected in the major league draft but decided to pitch for San Jacinto Junior College this season. Wally Barrera (09) UTPA, Robert Mariscal (08) UTB, and Esequiel Garza (06) UTPA all came from the very successful Coyote Program.

Other players who will lend a hand in the Coyote season are Gabriel Barrera (jr.) P/INF/OF; Jose Esparza (jr.), P/3B/DH; Edgar Flores (jr.) P/1B; Reyes Gonzalez (sr.) OF; Ramon Moreno (soph.) C; Noel Munoz (jr.) C/1B/ OF; and Jerry Rodriguez (sr.) OF.

“We have some good players returning this season, and we expect to be in the district hunt,” said Coach Farias. “Our defense must improve to help the pitcher in order for us to be successful,” added Coach Farias.

With McAllen High as odds on favorite to win the district, all the other teams in the district cannot and probably will not look

Head Coach: Eliseo Pompa, 7th season, 24th overall

Head Coach: Eliseo Pompa, 7th season, 24th overall

Assistant Coaches: Carlos Moreno, Roy Gonzalez, Rick Trevino, Javi Romeros

2009 Record: 23-6, District: 12-2

Career Record: 502-264

School’s District Titles: 1953, 1955, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1992, 1993

Coach Pompa’s McAllen Bulldogs return seven players who

gained post-season honors. The 2010 season looks very promising for the

Bulldogs. Last year their year was cut short with a loss to Eagle Pass in the

bi-district round.

“We return a good nucleus of players,” said Coach Pompa,

who picked up his 500th career win last season. “We should be strong

defensively and offensively this year. Pitching should be our strong suit, but

we still need to play good defense,” added Coach Pompa.

Alvaro Moreno (sr.), SS/P, was an All-State, All-Valley, and All-

District performer last season. Moreno hit .559 with 17 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR,

39 runs, 11 SB, and 38 RBI last year. Moreno was not on the mound last

season because of a hurt arm, but might be back on the hill this season. Alexis Garza (sr.), P/OF, was an All-Valley and All-District selection last

season. Garza is one of the better pitchers in South Texas going 9-4 last

season with an ERA of 1.21. Garza threw 66 innings with 84 strikeouts in

2009. Garza is also a very good bat hitting .458 with 14 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 38

runs, 13 SB, and 36 RBI. Both Moreno and Garza are receiving plenty of

interest and attention from colleges.

Tim Ford (sr.), OF/DH, is another big bat in the Bulldog lineup. Ford hit .425 with 12 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 34 runs, 10 SB, and 37 RBI. Ford was

also an all-district selection. Austin Griffi th (sr.), OF, all-district hit .385 with

11 doubles, 4 3B, 2 HR, 30 runs, 10 SB, and 30 RBI in 2009. Omar Pompa

(jr.), 1B, was another all-district player. Pompa hit .397 with 8 2B, 2 3B, 1

HR, 28 runs, 5 SB, and 14 RBI last season. Armando Garza (jr.), C/P, all-

district, hit .250 with 8 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 2 SB, and 19 RBI in 2009. Armando

Garza also did a fi ne season on the mound going 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 19

innings. Axel Serna (jr.), SS/P/OF, hit .335 with 5 2B, 3 3B, 18 runs, 4 SB,

and 10 RBI during his sophomore season.

Other players for the Bulldogs include: Robert Garza (sr.), 2B;

Marcos Hinojosa (jr.), P/3B; Ricky Solis (soph.), OF/2B; Jeffrey Ertter (jr.), P/

OF; and Adam Ramos (jr.), P/OF. Hinojosa was 1-0 on the mound in limited

duty. Matt Henkel will also be a factor on the mound going 1-0 last season. Marcos Hinojosa’s brother Joaquin (2007) is currently playing at Texas A&M

College Station.

Projected lineup for the Bulldogs is: Axel Serna, Alvaro Moreno,

Alexis Garza, Tim Ford, Austin Griffi th, Omar Pompa, Marco Hinojosa,

Armando Garza, and Robert Garza.

“We must improve our defense this season. It really let us down

in the fi rst round of the playoffs last year,” said Coach Pompa. McAllen will

be looking for their fi rst district title since 1993. The Bulldogs will need to

knock off Sharyland and La Joya in order to accomplish this.

HT: 6’2” WT: 160
Position: Pitcher
What is your favorite baseball movie? The RookieWhat are your team goals this season? Like every year, we set our sights on a state championship.

What our your individual goals for this season? To go undefeated and help my team win.

Who has been the toughest hitter you have faced? Casey Klein

What has it been like to play for your father (Head Coach Bart Bickerton)? It’s been great. It’s definitely been a fun and helpful luxury to have my dad as my coach.

What will you miss most about playing at Sharyland High School once you graduate? The thing I’m going to miss most about Sharyland is my teammates and coaches.

What is your most prized possession? My family

What is the significance of your uniform number? No real significance, I just picked which ever number looked good.