Rubanowitz's Impact Went Well Beyond Statistics

The Valley Invitational Baseball League was designed primarily to give less experienced players an opportunity to compete on an everyday basis and show their coaches what they we're capable of doing.

But Calabasas High's Alex Rubanowitz was in the lineup from start to finish during VIBL play, despite the fact he already been penciled in as the Coyotes' starting shortstop and leadoff hitter.

It was his intangible impact that was far more important to the Coyotes this summer.

'"You can't measure the type of impact Alex made on the youngsters we have here in our program the past two months,'' Coach Ed Edsall said. ''He's truly a leader and makes a difference. Everyone looks up to him.''

Rubanowitz definitely led by example. He finished sixth in the VIBL with a .491 average and was in a tight battle through the summer with eventual batting champion A.J. Balta of Valencia, who hit .568.

In addition, he ranked among the top ten in slugging percentage (.649), hits (28), singles (21), runs (17) doubles (6) and RBI (14).

''Alex mashed this summer, but what most people don't know by looking at his stats is that he brought a lot more to the table than just great numbers up at the plate,'' Coyotes' junior Jacob Camhi said. 

"He showed all of us young guys many different things, especially on defense. We all learned a lot from him. He was like having another coach. Thing is, he was out on the field with us. If I had a question, I went to him first because he's been through it all. It was nice having him around. We counted on him a lot.''

Rubanowitz's contributions the past two months shouldn't come as a major surprise when considering how well he played as a junior.

His .341 batting average was second best on the Coyotes last season, not far behind front-runner Kevin Khalili, who hit .370. Rubanowitz started all 28 games and finished with 31 hits, 26 runs, eight doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI and was selected second-team All-Marmonte League.

"I don't care what I've done in the past, there's always room for improvement in my book,'' Rubanowitz said. "Honestly, that's one of the reasons I was out there playing this summer. Plus, I was a young guy once. It was tough. I wanted to pass along some of the things that I know to my teammates.''

He learned plenty as a sophomore when he was given the opportunity to play. And, not surprisingly, Rubanowitz made the most of his chances. On a senior-laden team, he earned some playing time and finished with 14 hits, 12 RBI and a .438 batting average in 12 games.

It was sign of good things to come. And the Coyotes had to like what they saw from Rubanowitz during VIBL play.

"What more can you say about Alex, he's just one of those guys that gets the game of baseball,'' Edsall said. "It will be tough to replace him. But, hey, that doesn't mean that we're not going to take advantage of him and his knowledge while he's here and it doesn't matter if that's during the regular season or in the summer.''