The California Tribe in the Fayette County League is becoming a victim of its own success.

The once young and inexperienced team was not used to seeing staff aces. Teams would often take for granted the Tribe that consisted mostly of players from California High School. Things have changed though as they have proven themselves and now opposing teams are sending out their best pitchers.

"Teams aren't taking us for granted anymore," California player/manager Ryan Encapera said. "They used to think that we were a newer team with young guys and they would just throw anyone out there against us. We have hit those guys and now people are throwing their best at us. We have to bring it every night."

Midway through the 30-game schedule California held a 5-10 record. After starting the season 4-4, the team has struggled. Playing with different lineups each game has been a challenge for California. With a 30-player roster, California usually has a different lineup put together for road games. It plays its home games at California High School.

"It's kind of been an up and down year. We have been pretty inconsistent," Encapera said.

"We have played really well at times. Out of our five wins we have beaten some of the best teams in the league. Other nights we have had some tough times. All of our games are pretty close, but our biggest problem right now is that we never have the same lineup."

To open the season California split doubleheaders with Bud Murphy's and Carmichaels, two of the top teams in the league.

With the Waynesburg team folding before this season, California picked up a few players. Adam Dukate, who went to Jefferson-Morgan and California University, is playing in the outfield. A former pitcher, he is having arm problems and has mostly played in the outfield.

Brian Harewicz is another player who came over from Waynesburg. He also attended California University and is one of the top pitchers on the team.

"He is a real team player and one of the most level-headed guys on the team," Encapera said.

"He can play any position and he is a team leader. He helps out anyway he can."

Another California University player on the team is Dan Thomas. A Monessen graduate, he leads the team with three home runs. The biggest pickup for the team has been Ringgold graduate Matt Dishong, a sophomore from Allegheny College. He is 4-1 on the season and in his five starts has gone the distance in each game striking out at least eight batters a game.

Encapera coached most of the players who went to Cal U. He was a student assistant at the school in 2002 and was later a graduate assistant in 2005 and 2006. Encapera was a pitcher throughout his career and also played first base and catcher. He mostly is a designated hitter now and pitches a few innings. He has been involved in the Fayette County League for 14 years. He has managed the team for three years now.

Derek Jansante, the rookie of the year last year in the county league, is back but has not pitched because of arm trouble. Encapera expects him to be able to throw later in the season. Pitcher Matt Stay has been on the team for three years.

"We are going to have to hit better. Hitting has been our biggest weakness this year," Encapera said.

"We have been able to score a lot of runs. Some of our newer guys are having trouble making the adjustment to wooden bats."

Other three-year players for Encapera are shortstop Jason Britton, pitcher/outfielder Andy Galis and his brothers, Rob and Michael. Rob Galis is the starting catcher and Michael Galis plays in the infield.

Ryan Kabana, another California University product, is one of the top hitters on the team.

Garret Balas and Jason Dayner are outfielders.