Coach Ozella begins his 9th season as the skipper of the Hart Baseball Program, and the veteran head coach expects the Indians to play at a championship level during this 2008 year.  Coach Ozella, begins his 27th year of coaching, believes the Hart players are reaching their goals of playing championship level baseball, achieving to their academic potential in the classroom, and moving into the college and professional ranks. 
   
“I am really proud of our current players, especially the group of 13 seniors, who are excellent role models to our younger players and true Hart student-athletes.  They are leaders in the truest sense in our program by being excellent in the classroom and outstanding on the field.  They are following the tradition established by past players, and I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by this level of success, “ said Coach Ozella.

Coach Ozella is extremely proud of the continual progression of Hart baseball players into the college and professional ranks.  Five seniors from the 2007 class moved into the baseball college ranks this fall, which swells the number of Hart players in the college game to 39 players in the last eight years.  Past Hart players are currently playing for Fresno State, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly Pomona, Pt. Loma, Renneslear Poly, Occidental, Cuesta, Mission, and College of the Canyons.  Also, Hart graduates are gracing the professional fields with John Curtis (White Sox), Jeff Icenogle (Astros) and Chris Valaika (Reds) in the minor leagues, while Jerry Owens (White Sox) and Jaime Shields (Devil Rays) are competing in Major League Baseball.

Coach Keown, a 1969 Hart graduate, returned to his alma mater 18 years ago to coach, and the Indians have been fortunate for his dedication and knowledge in the Hart dugout.  Coach Keown, serves as bench coach and pitching coach for Coach Ozella, joined the Hart staff in 1989 to work with outfielders, and took over the pitching staff in 1992.  Coach Keown’s knowledge of the game, demand for excellence and his insight into coaching strategy are invaluable to Coach Ozella.

“Coach Keown truly desires the best for our players, and asks our players to achieve at their highest level.  I am amazed at his knowledge of the game, his insights on the players and his evaluations.  His love for the game and Hart HS establish the standard for us, and I cherish his service to the program”, said Coach Ozella.

Coach Hernandez begins his 12th season in the Hart dugout, and Coach Ozella truly appreciates the constant efforts of the Saugus resident.  Coach Hernandez serves as the Indians’ hitting and catching coach, and in 2003 became Hart’s first base coach.  Coach Hernandez has been a coaching fixture in the Santa Clarita Valley for the past 25 years, and serves as a major motivator for the current Indians.  Coach Hernandez appreciates hard work and dedication, and his demands to excellence serve to encourage Hart players to reach their goals.

“Coach Hernandez expects the players to set high standards, and then he pushes the players to accomplish their goals.  He does not expect them to get satisfied, but to keep striving, and that determination becomes a staple of our program due to Coach Hernandez.  His guidance is extremely valuable,” said Coach Ozella.

Coach Hernandez, who usually resides in the batting cages during daily practices, coached the 1993 Hart Pony 14-year old to the World Series and also assisted in the playing careers of his two sons, Brandon and Brian.  Brian pitched for the Indians in 1996 and 1997, while Brandon played at rival Saugus.  Coach Hernandez is married to Gracie, and resides in Saugus.

Coach Miller, who led the freshmen team last year to a Foothill League championship, moves to the varsity staff for 2008.  Coach Miller, who will assist with the hitters and team conditioning, proved to be a valuable asset to the program last year, and Coach Ozella expects the former four-sport star at Hart to bring added experience to the team this year.

“Coach Miller was an outstanding addition to our coaching staff last year, and now he adds another voice to the message of determination and achievement to our players.  The varsity players respect his message, and he serves as an excellent role model to our players.  I am extremely excited to work with Coach Miller this spring,” said Coach Ozella,

Coach Escobar returns to the Hart coaching staff for a second tour of duty, and Coach Ozella is excited the former Masters College star is back in the red-and-black Indians’ uniform.  Coach Escobar was a valuable member of the Hart staff from 2001-2006 while serving as the head coach of the JV team and then moved up to the varsity as the pitching coach for his final two years.  Coach Escobar’s dedication and knowledge of the pitching game will certainly help propel the Indians to championship levels.

“I am very happy to have Coach Escobar’s knowledge and experience back in the program, and many of the veteran pitchers have worked with him in the past.  We are truly blessed to have his dedication to excellence, and the pitchers will grow from his instruction.  I expect this staff will blossom from Coach Escobar’s guidance,” said Coach Ozella.

Coach Villalovos begins his second season o the Hart coaching staff, and the former Valencia catcher will take the reins of the JV team.  Coach Villalovos, assisted last year on the JV team, assisted Coach Ozella in the summer with the incoming freshmen and coached Team Two through its summer JV VIBL schedule.  Coach Villalovos, who is finishing his schooling at COC, has worked primarily with the program’s catchers and now will coordinate the JV squad.

“Coach Villalovos dedicated himself to the program this summer, spending countless hours with the younger players in the program.  Ryan has shown a true dedication to these younger players, and that speaks highly of his character.  I believe he will be a quality head coach for the JV,” said Coach Ozella.

Coach Villalovos graduated from Valencia after a two-year varsity career.  Coach Villalovos, whose favorite teacher at Valencia was history teacher Larry Muir, desires to be a social studies teacher and is in the process of achieving his degree.

Coach Reyes starts his seventh season in the Hart program, and the former St. Genevieve athlete returns to the JV level to assist Coach Villalovos.  Coach Reyes has been an assistant coach on the JV in the past for Coach Jim Plante, and most recently worked on the Frosh level for Coach Miller last year.  Coach Reyes, a 21-year veteran of the LA City Fire Department, inspires the young players to achieve their goals and maintain the Hart Baseball tradition.

“Coach Reyes has been a true role model for our players.  He is dedicated to the program, and assists in numerous ways to the program.  Our players are indebted to his service,” said Coach Ozella.

Coach Dragaloski begins his first season in the Hart Baseball Program and the former Cal State San Bernardino pitching star is excited to be part of the Indians’ freshmen coaching staff.  Coach Dragaloski, pitched in two NCAA Division III World Series, has been a coaching fixture in the youth leagues in the Santa Clarita Valley and is excited to be working with Indians.

“Coach Dragaloski’s abilities as a coach and role model come highly recommended by Coach Miller, and I am really happy with his addition to the program.  His background as a collegiate pitcher will guide the frosh pitching staff in their development, and pitching should be one of the team’s strengths,” said Coach Ozella.

Coach Dragaloski has been married to Lara for 11 years, and the Dragaloski family has three children.  Tyler, 10, Meghan, 8, and Brooke, 6, are the proud members of the Dragaloski family.  Coach Dragaloski owns American Air Control. 

Coach Wingenroth begins his second year on the Indians’ coaching staff after assisting Coach Miller in 2007 during the frosh championship season.  Coach Wingenroth is excited at the prospects of this year’s freshmen team, and the freshmen squad should be appreciate his dedication and love for Hart High School.  Coach Wingenroth’s philosophy centers on “giving 110% always” and “never giving up”, and Coach Wingenroth hopes his team will follow up these beliefs in their play.

“Coach Wingenroth was a major asset for the frosh team last year, and his excitement and passion for the players was revealing.  I know Coach Wingenroth’s goal is to provide a positive experience for the players, and our frosh players will be greatly rewarded by their year,” said Coach Ozella.

Coach Wingenroth, who has coached baseball, football and basketball in the Santa Clarita Valley for the past 15 years, has been married to Patricia for the past 22 years.  Coach Wingenroth, the Southwestern Regional Sales Manager for a packaging manufacturer for the past 13 years, has three boys in the Wingenroth family.  Kevin, 19, and Ryan, 18, are Hart High School graduates, and Connor, 12, is a 6th grader at Meadows Elementary.

Dr. Bowne begins his fifth season in the Hart Baseball Program as the team doctor, and the Indians are blessed for his services, dedication and commitment to all the players.  Dr. Bowne is a constant supporter of the program with his weekly visits to practices, his continual updates on the player’s rehabilitation from injuries and watches the games as one of the program’s major fans.  Countless players have received treatment on injuries from Dr. Bowne, and Dr. Bowne’s smiling disposition serves as a mentor to our players regarding their health and various life experiences.

Dr. Bowne and his wife Carol began their family this fall with the birth of Francesca Isabelle.  Dr. Bowne, co-owner of the Valencia Medical Group, is a frequent lecturer on health, nutrition, chiropractic and back care and is highly respected by his peers. 

Dr. Bowne, who lives in Leona Valley with his growing family, is a proud supporter of Gonzaga University.  Dr. Bowne graduated from Gonzaga in 1997 with a degree in exercise science after a stellar two-year baseball career for the Bulldogs.  Dr. Bowne, a speedy outfielder-second baseman in his playing days, was an All-Foothill Conference performer at Antelope Valley JC before moving to Spokane to attend Gonzaga.  Dr. Bowne played minor league independent baseball from 1998-2001 before moving into his career in chiropractic and sports medicine.

The Hart Baseball Program and statistician Mike Gaber have been proud partners for the past 25 years in writing baseball history, and the coaching staff is indebted to Mike’s dedication and efforts in maintaining our records.  Mike’s memories, record-keeping and travels serves as a history book that details the lives of hundreds of players, and maintains the past traditions with the current crop of players.  Mike’s stories are priceless and his efforts are famous among the Southern California baseball community with coaches, scouts and opponents often requesting the latest update from Mike’s web site.  Mike’s longtime dedication to the program was honored in 2003 with his selection to the Hart Baseball Wall of Fame.  Mike has also served as a good luck charm for the Indians, since Hart has been a CIF playoff participant every year Mike has served as team statistician.  Mike lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife Nancy.       

Pat Bailey begins his second season as the computer technician for the Palm Scout program.  Pat assisted the program last year by compiling up-dated scouting information on each opponent, and will continue to provide important help to the coaches on game day preparation.  Pat, a senior twin brother of catcher Garrett, played his first two years for the Indians.  Pat’s efforts and dedication are greatly appreciated by the coaching staff.