Nobody batted an eye at Kevin Kouzmanoff when the Evergreen High School graduate was tearing up the junior-college level at Cochise (Ariz.). The Padres third baseman ended up becoming the third player in the history of the major leagues to hit a grand slam in his first at-bat.
Nobody thought twice about Russell Martin when he broke through with small-school Chipola (Fla.) College. The Dodgers catcher eventually became an NL all-star and winner of the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.
Nobody outside a few small circles can recite much about Ryan Chaffee, the 20-year-old sophomore at Chipola who last week struck out 18 batters for a four-hit, complete-game shutout of Manatee CC to win the Florida state championship.
Who knows where he will end up.
But Chaffee, who committed to play for LSU next season, will lead Chipola this weekend into Grand Junction for the 51st edition of the Junior College World Series, where the Indians will try to defend their junior-college title in a 10-team national field.
Chaffee last year earned best-pitcher plaudits in leading Chipola to the title. His four-hit effort helped top New Mexico JC in the championship game.
This season, as is usually the case in Grand Junction, the bracket is filled with potential national champs. Walters State (Tenn.), the 2006 title winner, is back. Grayson County (Texas), a two-time champ, is back again — for its sixth trip to the Western Slope in the past 12 years.
And there will be a new entrant in the bracket. Alvin (Texas) will play in its first Series after it beat out nearby San Jacinto, a five-time champ.
The tradition-rich tournament runs every day beginning Saturday and going through May 31 at Suplizio Field. Updates, box scores and live scoring can be found at .
AROUND TOWN
Kicking around quest in the West.
Their 12 points in the MLS standings make the Rapids the fifth-best team in the league. But the Rapids are atop the Western Conference — precariously so. They are one point ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy and two ahead of the defending champion Houston Dynamo. So Saturday’s Rapids matchup in Commerce City against CD Chivas USA is no small affair. Goals are coming at a encouraging clip recently for Colorado, as the Rapids (4-4-0) have outscored opponents 5-2 in their last three games, winning two. Chivas USA, coached by Preki, are coming off an impressive 3-1 win over D.C. United in which Chivas rallied for three late goals in a 10-minute span. Christian Gomez, left, has two goals and four assists to pace the Rapids this season. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and airs on ALT.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Crush’s late-season rush.
A down year, to be certain, for the Colorado Crush. But at 4-7, the Crush is in playoff contention in the Arena Football League. With five games remaining, the Crush will see a team Saturday that could very well be its first-round playoff opponent — the San Jose SaberCats. San Jose (7-5) leads the Western Division and would face the Crush to open the playoffs if the season ended now. The Crush is coming off consecutive losses in which it has been outscored 121-82. San Jose, conversely, has won two straight. The teams face off Saturday at 8:30 p.m., airing on FSN.
GET OFF THE COUCH
No horsin’ around.
Named in honor of the hard-working locomotive that travels between Durango and Silverton, Saturday’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, its 37th edition, will take riders through more scenic terrain than any cyclist should be expected to handle. The 47-mile elite road race and 50-mile citizen’s tour go from, appropriately, Durango to Silverton. There’s also a criterium, and 10-mile and 5K narrow-gauge foot races through downtown Durango. Check for more information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Easy to get revved up about this.
All the pieces are in place for what could be a thrilling Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
The lineup includes IRL standings leader and ballroom dancing wannabe Helio Castroneves.
And there’s breakthrough superstar Danica Patrick, above, who won her first series race earlier this season.
Also in are 19-year-old rookie Graham Rahal, son of 1986 winner Bobby Rahal, and Marco Andretti, son and grandson of racing legends Michael and Mario, respectively.
There’s also poll-winner Scott Dixon. To top it off, look for rookie and all-name team member Will Power.
The 92nd running of the historic race will make 200 laps around the Brickyard track starting at 11 a.m. MDT, airing on ABC (KMGH-7).
