CCSN looks to keep team intact for ‘04

Thursday, June 5, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

The windfall of a national baseball championship will keep the Community College of Southern Nevada a powerful player in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

With a superb combination of returnees and newcomers, Coyotes coach Tim Chambers hopes for a return trip to Grand Junction, Colo., too.

"I think so," he said. "It's pretty neat. We're just waiting to see what guys do."

Chambers has more than an inkling about what most will do, staring with Green Valley High graduate Jordan Parraz.

A right-handed pitcher who was drafted by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the first-year draft Tuesday, Parraz could be one of the new jewels of CCSN's rotation in 2004.

Chambers said there is a "50-50" chance that Parraz will turn down the Phillies and play for the Coyotes.

Parraz said he is scheduled to being negotiating with Philadelphia officials this afternoon, and he said Wednesday night that Chambers's assessment of his situation is accurate.

"Yeah, I think so," Parraz said. "It depends on the signing process and how much money is offered. But, yeah, 50-50 is pretty much true."

On Tuesday, Parraz told the Sun that he would not sign for less than $100,000.

Chambers also confirmed that Jeff Jacobsen, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound pitcher, will not be wooed by the New York Yankees, who picked him in the 32nd round Wednesday.

Jacobsen spent time in CCSN's rotation this season, going 4-0 with a 3.93 earned-run average, striking out 30 and walking 17 in 36 2/3 innings. His fastball was clocked at 94 mph.

"Then he lost his location for us," Chambers said. "We knew he would be drafted, but he's not going (to the Yankees)."

Chambers said he is certain that pitcher Tyler Coon, outfielder Calvin Beamon and shortstop Sean Kazmar, all members of the CCSN title team, will return next season.

Beamon was drafted by St. Louis in the 12th round Tuesday, Coon by San Francisco (26th round) and Kazmar by Oakland (37th round).

Texas coach Augie Garrido called Chambers frequently, on Sunday and Monday, about Kazmar, but Kazmar declined Garrido's offer to become a Longhorn, Chambers said.

Catcher C.J. Ebarb has signed with UNLV, but he is giving serious consideration to remain at CCSN for his sophomore season. If and when he becomes a Rebel, he said he will try to coax other Coyotes to follow him.

"If I were to leave, I'm hoping that, after my first year there, that I could get some of these guys to go over there," he said. "We have some great freshmen here, and I'd like to see them help us try to win a national championship at UNLV, if I were to go that route.

"We've all talked about staying at CCSN for another year and giving it another go-around which, I think, would be great."

Chambers expects Cimarron-Memorial outfielder/pitcher Mike Dunn (Astros, 14th round), Foothill catcher Spud Low (Cubs, 41st round) and Silverado third baseman Ryan Castellanos (Cardinals, 41st round) to be Coyotes next season.

In addition, Chambers said half a dozen of his out-of-state prep signees were drafted over the last two days.