But the Bears and coach Tom Donald have quite the excuse: They'll play in the first Boras Baseball Classic of California -- a 32-team invitational drawing 16 of the elite programs from each of the state's North and South.

The end result will be a de-facto state championship April 13 at the University of Pacific in Stockton.

The Bears, also four-time section D-I champions since 2005, will play in the event's North bracket March 25-29 at Daniel Metcalfe Memorial Ballpark in Sacramento. They'll open against Rio Americano-Sacramento on March 26.

The SoCal bracket will be played April 2-5 at JSerra-San Juan Capistrano and Mater Dei-Santa Ana.

The participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of four games, will not pay an entry fee -- normally standard for prep tournaments -- and will receive a $1,000 donation from the Boras Corp.

"We want to provide outstanding high school teams a chance to participate in an elite competition, while at the same time giving them a world-class venue to showcase their talent in front of collegiate-level coaches and professional scouts," says Scott Boras, the iconic sports agent and Founder and CEO of the Boras Corp.

Kayajanian steps down as SJVOA president

Bob Kayajanian on Thursday announced he's resigning as president of the San Joaquin Valley Officials Association, effective March 31.

This means the longtime SJVOA, involving 628 officials in nine sports, is about to lose -- as its point guard, at least -- a qualified future Fresno Athletic Hall of Famer who's been in the game for 45 years, and for all the right reasons: kids.

"We approach our service," he says, "with the mind-set that the game is not about us; it is about the sports we oversee and those who play, coach or administer to the student-athletes who participate."

Kayajanian says he'll remain in the SJVOA as its basketball supervisor.

Central Section rankings: Baseball

1. Clovis North 9-2

2. Buchanan 9-0-1

3. Clovis West 9-2

4. Central 9-1

5. Frontier 6-2-1

6. Clovis 9-3

7. Garces 7-2

8. Stockdale 4-4

9. Clovis East 6-5

10. Bakersfield 6-3