BURBANK HIGH — Lonnie Kauppila didn’t know what to expect when he first joined the Burbank High baseball team.
A standout player at Crescenta Valley, Kauppila transferred to Burbank prior to his junior year, and he didn’t know what kind of reception he would get from the Bulldogs players.
“I was really nervous when I first joined the team,” said Kauppila, a shortstop. “I only knew one guy on the team, so I really didn’t know what to expect.
“But it’s been great. The guys really helped me fit in and the coaches made it a lot easier for me.”
Not only did Kauppila fit in, but he made a name for himself during his junior campaign. A slick fielder and fine baserunner with a great deal of speed, Kauppila was arguably the most successful — and one of the most feared — players in the Pacific League.
That talent wasn’t lost on the coaches in CIF Southern Section Division II, as Kauppila was selected on the All-CIF second team.
He is the only local baseball player to earn an All-CIF award this season.
Kauppila said he wasn’t expecting the honor.
“I really didn’t think about winning anything like an All-CIF award before the season,” he said. “Being with a new team, I just wanted to fit in and do anything I could to help the team. But winning the award is a real honor.”
Kauppila, who earned All-Pacific League first-team honors, became an instant offensive juggernaut for the Bulldogs. He helped Burbank (11-11-1) place third in league and helped guide the squad to a playoff appearance after missing the postseason in 2008.
At the plate, Kauppila was a constant threat. He often helped beat opponents with his power, and other times did his share of damage as a contact hitter.
Along with a .508 (30 for 77) batting average, he also had 25 runs batted in, scored 27 runs and belted 12 home runs for a 1.169 slugging percentage. In addition, he had 15 walks and only struck out five times.
The junior said he enjoys being able to switch from a power hitter to a contact hitter when the situation arises.
“Hitting for power is nice, but what means more to me is just to make contact and put the ball in play. Making contact every at bat is what I concentrate on.”
Kauppila proved just as talented with his glove. Along with a .929 fielding percentage, he had just six errors in 85 chances and helped turn seven double plays.
Burbank Coach Bob Hart said Kauppila’s impact on the team was instantaneous.
“Lonnie was such a big boost for our team this season,” Hart said. “He is a player who just makes everyone around him better.
Kauppila also had good things to say about his coach. Hart inherited a program that had struggled for more than a decade. He has helped guide Burbank to two playoff appearances in three years and made the team competitive in the Pacific League.
“He is just a great coach,” Kauppila said of Hart. “He not only really knows the game, but he tries to make baseball enjoyable and more of a fun thing for the players. I really didn’t have that with a coach before.”
Kauppila said he will stay busy this summer playing a lot of baseball in preparation for his senior season.
