Hitting Stride Keith Osso Has Become A Two-Sport Force At EV By Carving Out Roles In Baseball, Football

He took over his brother’s spot in baseball and his best friend’s position in football.

Yet Keith Osso is almost apologetic about working his way into East Valley’s lineups.

Ken Osso started as EV’s center fielder during his senior year, which was Keith’s sophomore season. Ken’s batting average had slumped to .100, so he was shifted to left field to make way for his little brother.

Keith considers his older brother the hero in the situation, claiming that Ken could play many positions while he only knew center field.

“But it was kind of edgy around the house for a little while,” Keith said.

Both brothers finished hitting .327, as Keith’s insertion in the lineup woke up Ken’s bat.

As for Keith’s best pal, Dustin Masterson, that situation still confounds the two football receivers. Osso claims that Masterson was ahead of him on the depth charts until a play which resulted in a poor pass. Osso replaced his friend and never relinquished the position.

“It’s just luck, I guess,” Osso said. “It could have been either one of us.”

Yet Osso is the one who will represent his school at the June 30 East/West All-Star Summer Football Classic at Joe Albi Stadium. Osso was originally an alternate, but gained a spot when Central Valley’s Ian Hughes couldn’t commit. Only two other Frontier League players - none from the Valley - were selected.

Osso and Masterson thought they might play football and baseball together at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande, but Masterson’s application was turned down. Osso, whose grade-point average is lower, figures he wouldn’t be accepted either.

So the next choice is Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. Osso would strictly play baseball and make the East/West game his final football appearance.

“With my size (6-foot, 175 pounds) it’s not realistic to look at college football at most places,” Osso said.

Given Osso’s 1995 season, baseball should be a better choice. Heading into today’s doubleheader against Clarkston, Osso is hitting .590.

Osso’s efforts are a big reason that the Knights are battling West Valley and Cheney for the league title. The league champion automatically plays in a best-of-three series for the lone berth to regionals.

Osso, the No. 3 hitter in the lineup, credits first baseman Brock Rogers and new coach Kurt Krauth for the boost in his batting average. Rogers, the burly No. 4 hitter, has scared rival pitchers all spring.

“The more teams hear about him, the less chance they’re going to try to walk me,” Osso said.

Krauth, formerly at Northwest Christian, took a team of free spirits and found a perfect balance, Osso said.

“The first day of practice, we had a team meeting,” Osso said. “(Krauth) said, ‘No chewing or swearing,’ We all said, ‘How is he going to enforce that?’ But he has. I think it’s great.”

Despite his average, Osso has had a strange season. He hasn’t found his power swing or hit the ball to the opposite field. With an average of two singles per league game, however, he isn’t complaining.

Osso’s baseball season was nearly ruined last year when he separated his shoulder while wrestling. He dropped wrestling this year.

If he can find a full-time job that allows some flexibility, Osso will play American Legion ball this summer. If not, he may gravitate to an 18-andover league with games restricted to Sundays.