As playoff time rolls around the corner, Chaffey College shortstop Omar Villasenor knows that this will be his last chance to win a ring. After being apart of one of the greatest offenses in Chaffey College history last season, Villasenor went home empty handed. His team had all the power in the world to hit but the pitching just wasn’t sharp enough. The Panthers, who won the Foothill Conference last season, played just two playoffs games and were sent home. This season is a little different for Villasenor. Both the offense and the pitching rank among the best in the state and the team chemistry is at an all-time high. Villasenor says that his team is like a family. “Last season we just weren’t the complete team as we are now,” Villasenor said. “This season, everything is different. Its more of a team thing. Everybody picks each other up and its exactly like family.” After graduating from Riverside Norte Vista High School, where he was named Sunkist League MVP his senior year, Villasenor made a choice that he soon regreted. Instead of choosing Chaffey College like his father insisted, he chose Riverside Community College instead and recalled fielding one ground ball in the program. He red-shirted that season and made what he thought at the time, the most crucial decision. The situation upsetted Villasenor, who quit the RCC baseball team and picked up a job at Stater Brothers working 48 hours a week. “It killed me everyday when I didn’t play,” Villasenor recalled. “My whole dream was to do something with baseball. When I wasn’t playing, I was always thinking about it.” After discussing financial and schooling situations with his parents, Villasenor decided to take his fathers advice and attend Chaffey College. When he first arrived there, Villasenor was in for the shock of his life. “Coach (Chuck) Deagle gave me every chance in the world to play,” Villasenor said. “When I came here, he made me feel like I was at home. He didn’t stress me at all, he just let me play and that helped a lot.” Villasenor recalled that his parents were key players in his arrival at Chaffey mainly because they picked up some of the financial load and gave him all the support he needed to continue his career. On the opening game of the 2001 season, Villasenor had reconstructed his baseball career. He admitted that he was indeed a tad bit rusty that season because of the year off, but noted that the time off helped the maturing process. “Being away for a year gave me more appreciation for the game,” Villasenor said. “I matured a lot over that year and it felt so good to come back.” Villasenor’ love for the game quickly showed in his personality. Chaffey head coach Chuck Deagle called Villasenor “Mr. Chaffey” who played with as much heart and leadership than anybody he has ever seen. “We go by the way Omar plays,” said coach Deagle. “He is the kind of kid that you dream about to lead your club. Omar is everything I look for in each and every player.” Villasenor’ life off the field also helped him excel in baseball. He took up a job at Big League Dreams in Mira Loma, where he works with Daryl Miller, a former major league baseball player and the brother of Indiana Pacers three-point king Reggie Miller. Villasenor recalled that Miller gave him tips on his swing and that it carried on with his success during the 2002 campaign. “Daryl showed me some pointers on my swing and I used what he taught me,” Villasenor said. “It also helped too that while I was working I was able to take swings in the batting cages to work on my game.” Villasenor stays well connected with baseball as often as he can from umpiring little league games to watching games on television. One player of thought would be his idol, Cleveland Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel. Both Vizquel and Villasenor share one thing in common this season: the pop in the bat. Villasenor will carry a .415 batting average into the Southern California Regional and has an eye like a hawk considering he drew a Foothill Conference leading 34 walks. Villasenor carries a quick jump on the base paths as he has stolen 15 bases in 15 attempts and has scored 43 runs this season while compiling a .542 on base percentage. Villasenor is 35th overall in the state in hitting and his on base percentage lands him seventh overall in the state also. After his season along with his career ends at Chaffey College, Villasenor hopes that he continues to play baseball until “he’s no longer useful.” He noted that his life has to do something with baseball and plans to coach or play in the future. In the end, Villasenor was happy with the second choice he made. “I love playing baseball up here. I’ll always remember this,” Villasenor said. “My teammates and the coaches have been the greatest to me. It’s been an honor to play for coach Deagle.”
Villasenor happy with second choice
Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2002
Updated: Monday, July 20, 2009 01:07
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