Playing through pain
Conejo Valley Little League Juniors All-Stars rise up during a dark moment
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers WHAT A GREAT GAME- Conejo Valley catcher Michael Shaw searches for answers during Tuesday's 7-7 tie against Hueneme.

With heavy hearts, the Conejo Valley Little League Juniors AllStar team took to the field this past week and competed like champions.

These young men, their coaches, parents and fans, were coping with the death of a close friend and teammate, 13-year-old James Street of Thousand Oaks. Street died following a skateboarding accident on July 4. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of his fall.

Street was a member of CVLL and was scheduled to join the AllStar team if they advanced past the District 13 Tournament in Moorpark.

According to Jeff Francis, a Street family friend and coach at CVLL, not only was Street an outstanding baseball player, he was also a straight-A student and a positive influence on his 13yearold son, Dylan.

"The one thing about James was that he gave 100 percent effort all the time," Francis said. "At such a young age, he had so much going for him."

Last Thursday, a day after Street's death, the CVLL All-Stars opted to play against Hueneme rather than postpone the game to a later date. The Conejo Valley players dedicated the game to Street and gathered to chant his name before each inning.

Following a sluggish start, Conejo Valley battled back from a 7-1 deficit in the sixth inning to win 87. The comeback was so intense that many in the large crowd were brought to tears.

"I've watched World Series games and I've watched Muhammad Ali fight," said CVLL All-Star coach Brian Steagall. "But I'll tell you something, that was the most emotional sporting event I've ever seen."

Francis said last week's thriller topped anything that happened in 2004, when Conejo Valley's 11and 12-year-old All-Stars won the United States championship in Williamsport, Pa.

"My other son played in the Little League World Series with that Conejo team, and that was a great experience," Francis said. "But Thursday's game was on another level, totally unbelievable."

CVLL president Rob McAfee said the outpouring of support from the Conejo Valley families has been exceptional in the days following the tragedy. He also thanked the many communities and leagues that make up District 13 for their ongoing support of the Street family.

"District 13 covers the entire county, but we're still a small family," McAfee said. "It's a small baseball community and everybody has stepped up. It just shows how great this baseball community can be."

Before each game at Moorpark Little League since July 4, there has been a moment of silence in Street's honor. The Conejo Valley team has "JS#2" stitched into the back of its hats. Street, a shortstop, idolized New York Yankees star Derek Jeter, who wears No. 2.

On Tuesday, Conejo Valley played a rematch against Hueneme, but this time they were on the receiving end of an improbable comeback.

Following a brilliant pitching performance by Lucas Steagall, Conejo Valley was unable to make a 7-0 lead hold up late in the game. Trailing 7-2 in the top of the seventh, Hueneme rallied for five runs to send the game into extra innings.

With darkness looming, the finish of Tuesday's game was postponed until Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday's score was not available prior to press time. Hueneme needed to beat Conejo Valley twice to win the District 13 title.

Regardless of the outcome, Coach Steagall said the Conejo Valley players have made the community proud with their actions both on and off the field.

"I've learned a lot from these kids," he said. "They are strong, they are tough, and they are resilient. It's a wonderful group to be around."

Street's funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo.

A memorial fund has also been established. Address donations to: The James David Street Memorial Fund, care of California Oaks State Bank, P.O. Box 5038, Thousand Oaks, CA 91359.