In The Pipeline:

Congrats to the Ocean View Little League 9-and-10-year-old All-Star team for getting to the Little League Sub-Division III South championship game.

It’s probably a safe bet that in many of the young players’ hearts lives the dream of walking out on the field at Anaheim Stadium someday as a major leaguer. Because of that they, and any other local athlete with similar aspirations, should take note of David Huff, a young left-hander for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched here against the Angels recently, which was a big thrill for many of the hometown fans — especially his parents, coaches and close friends.

See, it was not too long ago that David himself was a Little Leaguer right here in Huntington Beach. The Edison High School graduate then went to UCLA before being drafted by the Indians in 2006.

After minor league stints pitching for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Kinston Indians, Akron Aeros, Buffalo Bisons and Columbus Clippers, Huff made his Major League debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 17. The southpaw has been compared to Tom Glavine, Barry Zito and Jeremy Sowers — pretty good company to be measured against so early in a career.

I had a chance to talk with David the other day about his experience in Anaheim, baseball in general and his time here in Huntington Beach.

Though he was born in San Diego, his family moved here when he was a little boy, and he loves Surf City (he lives here in the off-season). He attended a fair number of Angels games while growing up here, and he said the recent experience of pitching at the Big A was one for the books.

“I got my dad really good seats for the game,” he laughed. “Those dugout seats, which my dad liked. I wanted him to have a good time at the game, and it was a fantastic feeling to have him watching me from so close. I think he was pretty proud watching me out there.”

Huff has a lot of favorite hangouts in town, but like so many others, he mentions the Sugar Shack on Main Street as a favorite haunt.

He says, “How can you not love that place?”

Another thing Huff notices in Huntington Beach is how much baseball kids now play over the course of a year. His advice? Mix it up.

“My parents made sure I played a lot of sports that I enjoyed,” he says. “Soccer, basketball, even golf, in addition to baseball. That allowed me to stay active without burning out on any one sport. Today, I see all these travel ball teams and stuff that play most of the year and I’d just caution kids, don’t burn out too early on baseball, especially if it’s something you want to play later in life. You can play pretty much whatever sports you want through high school; in college of course you have to focus on the most important one, but before that I suggest young athletes play different sports to help develop lots of different skills and keep from getting bored or burned out.”

As for his entry in the bigs, David said he’s enjoying the experience immensely.

“It’s a whole different level,” he explains. The travel, the pressures, but I wouldn’t trade a second of it. This is everything you work for and I’m just focused on making the most of every opportunity.”

David strikes me as a genuinely good guy whose enthusiasm and solid work ethic makes him an excellent player for local youngsters to follow, and I hope they do.

After talking with Yankee pitcher (and fellow Huntington Beach Little Leaguer made good) Ian Kennedy last season, it’s clear our city can produce some good players.

In a few years I hope I’m writing about an Ocean View player or two as they prepare for their major league debuts.

You can now follow Chris Epting on Twitter at www.twitter.com/chrisepting. Also, his syndicated “The Pop Culture Road Trip” radio show can be heard at webtalkradio.net.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at [email protected] .