NEWHALL — After officially securing a share of the Foothill League title Tuesday, Hart baseball coach Jim Ozella gathered his team to discuss some uncharacteristic mistakes it made in the win over Canyon.
“You play at a certain standard,” said Ozella. “You make three errors in a game, throw balls away and that’s not what we’re asking for. It’s that time of the year you can’t mess around like that.”
The Indians responded with a 13-0 win over the Coyotes in their regular-season finale Thursday.
It was also the final Foothill League game for Ozella, who will retire after this season, his 25th as the team’s coach.
Hart (21-5, 9-2 Foothill) won the league title outright by beating Canyon twice this week. It is the 36th league crown for the program overall and its 12th under Ozella.
Ozella followed coaching legend Buddy Murray and his 516 wins, and Frank Sanchez, who went 100-47-1 in 10 season before before coaching at USC and Pepperdine. Ozella has racked up a record of 468-242.
Hart baseball coach Jim Ozella looks on against West Ranch April 19, 2024. Hart won the game, 5-3.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
“Hart baseball has a proud tradition,” said Ozella. “And all I am is the keepsaker of it. I’m just trying to maintain the tradition.”
In addition to team success, Hart has seen its players go on to thrive at the highest level. Eight of Ozella’s former players have gone on to Major League careers, including Tyler Glasnow, Mike Montgomery, James Shields and Trevor Bauer. That group has combined for a pair of World Series titles, multiple All-Star appearances and a Cy Young award.
“We’ve had a lot of success,” said Ozella. “And it’s just a matter of those kids were dedicated to the process. They were determined to get there. They had great family, great parents.”
Hart’s storied tradition is exactly why he told his team it needed to eliminate the mistakes it made Tuesday.
“I don’t like to do that, but, you know, at the same time, it’s a reality check, this is how things go,” said Ozella. “And you don’t just turn it on and turn it off.”
Hart’s players said they realize Ozella’s “reality checks” are meant to help them stay focused.
“He’s really kept us accountable,” said senior Troy Cooper, who is a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo commit. “Doesn’t let it get to our heads even if we’re doing great and everything. Jobs still got to get done.”
Added Ozella: “You gotta be ready to go. I don’t know who we’re playing in the playoffs, but we’re Hart High School and somebody gets to play us in the first round. And they’re gonna go ‘hey, man, we’re gonna knock you out.’ “
Thursday’s win secured the Foothill League title outright, and that pleased Ozzela.
“I’m very, very proud of this group of players at Hart,” said Ozella. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them and now it’s the seniors’ year.”
The preparation the Hart players went through included an offseason commitment to workouts at 6:30 in the morning.
“It’s tiring, no doubt,” said senior Ryan De La Maza. “But I mean, look at us right now. We’re beating West Ranch, we’re doing everything we can that’s possible. And it just pays off. We’re all tired in the morning, but at the end of the day, we’re like, ‘wow, this is amazing.’”
De La Maza, a standout catcher who is known for his defense, homered twice in Tuesday’s win. He plans to play in college but is undecided on where.
He credits his coach for getting him ready for the next level.
“He’s one of the best coaches out there,” said De La Maza. “He knows the game of baseball and it’s always good to learn what he has to say. And for four years, I’ve always just looked up to him and he always gives me the right ideas of how to play baseball. And it’s what made me the good player I am today.”
After 25 years Ozella is moving on but he hopes Hart baseball continues its winning ways.
“It’s a tradition here at Hart baseball,” said Ozella. “And for us to, you know, continue on, I don’t know who’s gonna follow my steps. But, you know, that’s what I would hope that the next guy does as well.”
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