DiCosimo Making a Name For Himself at Calabasas

Shout out the name Anthony DiCosimo, and in all likelihood, the junior infielder for the Calabasas High baseball team won't respond.

Calling him "Tex" gets his attention, though.

"As the story goes, Anthony is from Texas, and once he arrived here on campus at Calabasas as a freshman, we starting calling him Tex,'' Coach Ed Edsall said.

"The name has stuck with him ever since.''

DiCosimo is, indeed, from Texas and he lived there since the age of 3 after moving from his birthplace, New York. However, he's called Calabasas home for the past three-plus years and the Coyotes welcomed him right away.

"I remember my first day of practice at Calabasas, it's hard to forget,'' DiCosimo said. "Coach Edsall told me that Anthony DiCosimo might be a tough name to remember. Once he found out I was from Texas, that was it. I've been called 'Tex' for a long time now. It's kind of cool. Even if it wasn't cool, it doesn't matter anymore because all of my friends call me that too. Honestly, I have no problems with my nickname. It fits me.''

DiCosimo has been a fixture in the lineup for Calabasas in the Valley Invitational Baseball League, spending time at all four positions on the infield. But at the plate he still is looking to be more productive, though hitting a respectable .296 with a .370 slugging percentage.

"I feel comfortable in the field, really comfortable in the field, it's one of my strengths,'' DiCosimo said. "As for my batting approach, that's been a little disappointing. I've been taking extra swings in the cages before and after our games.

"I'm not worried about it, I'll snap out of my little slump sooner or later. I'm just happy that the coaches have confidence in me. It means a lot.''

As a sophomore, he showed flashes of his potential when the Coyotes called him up to the varsity level at the midway point of the season. Cracking the lineup on a team loaded with seniors was difficult, but when given the chance, DiCosimo took advantage of the opportunity.

In five games, he made seven plate appearances, had three hits and scored two runs.

"Tex was tearing it up on the junior varsity team last year, so we figured that we had to give him a shot at moving up,'' Edsall said. "We had to find a spot for him in the lineup. It was one of those no-brainer decisions.''

Some might view his numbers during his varsity audition as relatively modest. Others see the undeniable upside that DiCosimo possesses.

"Tex is going to be a solid contributor for years to come with us,'' Coyotes assistant coach Chris Sale said. "We're lucky to have him around.''

DiCosimo and the rest of the Coyotes resume VIBL play on Monday against Burbank Burroughs. Games against North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake and Encino Crespi loom on Wednesday and Friday nights.

"We're very confident in the ability that Tex has,'' Edsall said. "He's a valuable player because he can do so many things well.

"Out on the dirt, we can put him anywhere we want and know he'll come through. In the batters box, when he's hot, he can swing it.

"Tex has a bright a future. All kidding aside, we're glad the kid from Texas, or wherever he's from, ended up here with us at Calabasas.''