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• Notebook: Astros high school clinic was an instant Classic
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Event was an instant Classic

The crowds may have been somewhat disappointing, but everything else about the inaugural Houston Astros High School Classic at Minute Maid Park was nearly perfect.

The first high school baseball tournament at the five-year old facility ran smoothly. Exceptional baseball was on display and the weather -- especially on March 6 -- was fantastic. With the roof open, playing conditions were ideal. And the Astros organization handed out first-class treatment.

"I thought the Astros could not have been more hospitable," Tomball coach Rick Lynch said. "It was a great experience for our team. Twenty years from now when (the players) get together for their reunion, that will definitely come up."

The Woodlands coach Ron Eastman concurred: "The Astros were wonderful. They treated us first-rate from the moment we got there until we walked off the field."

There were memorable moments aplenty. Both Tomball and The Woodlands suffered their only losses that weekend, with the Highlanders falling to Tomball and the Cougars to Kingwood in extra innings. Tomball outfielder Byron Wiley hit a 420-foot homer to the upper deck in right off The Woodlands' Cory Fowler in the Cougars' 6-5 win.

"For a young guy to be able to hit it like that, I was a little shocked," Lynch said. "Byron is an extremely strong kid. The kids (playfully) rode him for hitting it that far."

Two of the leading candidates for Player of the Year honors -- The Woodlands righthander Jordan Dodson and Tomball southpaw Troy Patton -- were on display, although Patton didn't take the mound. Dodson (3-0, 0.00 ERA) hurled a four-hit shutout at Katy, an effort that rivaled a 17-strikeout game the Rice signee tossed earlier this season.

"He really is on a mission," Eastman said. "He is one of our leaders and a lot of that came from being a quarterback on a great football team, too. He's doing a great job for us."

While Patton already has a pair of no-hitters, Tomball showed it could win without him.

"For Troy not to pitcher in any of those games and for us to play as well as we did was a big boost for our team," Lynch said. "We're not one-dimensional. It is a team concept and we continue to work towards that."

Low-key Lamar

"It gives us confidence going into spring break," Garza said, "(but) the stakes are higher in a district game. I know things are going to be different in district."

Bellaire and Lamar were playing their fifth game in three days when they clashed, meaning both the Cardinals and Redskins were stretching their pitching depth. When the teams resume their grudge match during district action, both will have their rotations in order, which will challenge opposing lineups to produce

Not to detract from the effort of Lamar pitcher Miles Burham (2-0), though, who kept the Cards in check long enough for the Redskins to rally for three runs in the fifth. Burham is developing a reputation as a big-game pitcher, having already topped Elkins this season.

"He came out and threw strikes," Garza said. "He got the job done."

Mitchell recovering

Pitching against Fort Bend Austin, Mitchell was struck just above the left eye and suffered a fracture of the outer wall of his sinus cavity. He was rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital where, on March 8, he underwent a three-plus hour surgical procedure where fatty tissue from his lower abdomen was used to fill the indentation in his skull. As part of the reconstructive surgery, a protective plate was placed over the point of impact.

Mitchell was released from the hospital last Wednesday. He may return to school as early as March 22.

`Yard' in great shape

The $2 million renovation includes stadium seating for 475 spectators, a brick wall enclosing the outfield, and locker rooms and dugouts fashioned after Minute Maid Park. Former Astros pitcher and manager Larry Dierker threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"It's more like a minor league park than a high school field," Houston Christian coach Ron Mathis said. "Obviously (the players) love the park. They have adjusted well."

With dimensions of 317 feet down the foul lines, 385 and 400 feet to right- and left-center field respectively, and 402 feet to dead center, plus the availability of expanded seating, "The Yard" would appear to be an attractive alternative for postseason contests.