Palo pitcher attends national camp

By Jared Harmon

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 | 4:54 p.m.

Palo Verde baseball player JC Campo got competed against some of the nation’s top athletes in his age group this summer.

Campo, 14, was one of 18 selected from roughly 500 baseball players in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico to compete in the USA Baseball 14-and-under National Team Identification Series Aug. 29 to 31 in Compton, Calif.

While Campo didn’t make the roster for the Junior Olympic team that will play in Guatemala this November, he was excited to compete on the national stage.

“It feels really good to get this opportunity,” Campo said. “I feel honored because I worked really hard to get to this spot. I’m proud of this accomplishment. It means a lot to me.”

Compton hosted 108 ball players from the West while another 108 competed in Florida for 18 spots on the team. .

Campo, a pitcher and first baseman on Las Vegas Hawks baseball club in the offseason, was joined by Hawks teammates Jo Jo Paratore, Devin Bigby and Zach Quintana in Compton.

Hawks coach Alan Goff said the four athletes had a legitimate shot at making the next cut.

“Each of the boys have specific talents over and above your average player,” Goff said. “It’s a proud moment for us and the organization we run to four players singled out like this. We always try to focus on player development rather than wins and losses. These four are examples of the types of players our team tries to produce.”

Goff said Campo and Paratore have both developed as reliable power pitchers while Quintana’s quick hands have made him a threat at the plate. He added Bigby’s speed has helped him become an accomplished outfielder which is uncommon in the 14-and-under age group.

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].