READING THE EYE AND "I" CHARTS AROUND L-B-S-U

  
If you are circling around the campus sporting venues these days don’t rush out to see your eye doctor wondering if all those athletes look a bit smaller than you had hoped.

In the summer LBSU turns itself into one of the world’s best campgrounds.  For example although the swimmers, soccers, , softballers, and trackers are all done still in action is the world famous 49er camp, where kids do a little bit of everything as well as specialty sports camps for volleyball, baseball, basketball, and tennis.  Of course LBSU being the Harvard on Bellflower the Beach also has academic enrichment camps, writing, art and math camps plus Camp Nugget for 5-12 year olds with disabilities and special needs. 

I never had that many choices but I do remember summers in West Virginia at a Y camp where my folks sent me for all three sessions.  Of course each session had the same script, best cabin each night got to raid the kitchen (translated pre-poured and pre-baked  milk and cookies) you rode the horses on the trail (they go slow outbound and run like, well really fast, when the smell the barn on the way home) and of course sporting competitions like swimming. 

I can recall that the beach to the lake had a lot of rocks but by the third session I figured out that if I kept my sneakers on I would be half way to the finish line.  Boy were mom and dad surprised to see my blue ribbon—third session BR that is.

 
NAME GAME DUST—Volleyball’s Melanie Fleig has transferred leaving even more green on the court this fall. If Erika Chidester stays on the DL the only senior will be setter Jillian Mazzarella who played her fist two seasons at Baylor.  Ten of the squad are freshmen or sophomores so expect some rough edges on the usual slick Brian Gimmillaro offense.

Baseballer Adam Heether has 15 homeruns with Beloit in his minor league work,  Eddie Soto (former Fullerton star) and Wendi Whitman (former Stanford sub) have been hired as soccer assistants, and basketball signed San Diego freshman Mark Hall who will replace expected shooter Jazz Henderson and hold the fort until Onye Ibekwe gets eligible around Christmas.

Back to the bases, the high hopes for the 2005 baseball hit parade is on the broad shoulders of Don Barbara who was an original Dirtbag and as a senior in 1990 led the nation in hitting at .474. He had 102 hits that season, 69 runs and 27 doubles but history is one thing and last year’s .297 team average, modest .373 on base percentage, and a mere 39 stolen bases in 61 games needs work.  Oh yeah, three of the top four hitters are gone. 

The almost last word goes to hoop booster Dennis Pitts who writes, “Just a quick note to tell you about a fun and easy way to raise money for Long Beach State Athletics. On, Wednesday, August 4th, Joe Jost's will turn over all of the proceeds form food and beverage sales on that date to Long Beach State athletics. This should be a fun way to support Long Beach State Athletics. “ Another plus, Joe’s is marking their 80th Anniversary, a long time for a small saloon.

Finally this wrap-up report from the Summer Pro League which bounced out of town last weekend.  Too many stats and stars to report on so we consulted Vinny the Sports Card guy for his final report.  “A good summer, I know that when on opening day I have more guys around my table than watching the game!”  Oh yes, and the top seller wasn’t any one of the new super rookies, or even a job changing coach.  Nope Vinny said, “The best sellers were the old guard--Bird, Magic, Kareem.  I wish I had more of their stuff.”  The Kareem third year card fetched the biggest number but nobody shied away from jerseys of former Lakers, like that Big Aristotle character.—DR. DAN

 
your eye doctor wondering if all those athletes look a bit smaller than you had hoped.
If you are circling around the campus sporting venues these days don’t rush out to see

In the summer LBSU turns itself into one of the world’s best campgrounds.  For example although the swimmers, soccers, , softballers, and trackers are all done still in action is the world famous 49er camp, where kids do a little bit of everything as well as specialty sports camps for volleyball, baseball, basketball, and tennis.  Of course LBSU being the Harvard on Bellflower the Beach also has academic enrichment camps, writing, art and math camps plus Camp Nugget for 5-12 year olds with disabilities and special needs. 

I never had that many choices but I do remember summers in West Virginia at a Y camp where my folks sent me for all three sessions.  Of course each session had the same script, best cabin each night got to raid the kitchen (translated pre-poured and pre-baked  milk and cookies) you rode the horses on the trail (they go slow outbound and run like, well really fast, when the smell the barn on the way home) and of course sporting competitions like swimming. 

I can recall that the beach to the lake had a lot of rocks but by the third session I figured out that if I kept my sneakers on I would be half way to the finish line.  Boy were mom and dad surprised to see my blue ribbon—third session BR that is.

 
NAME GAME DUST—Volleyball’s Melanie Fleig has transferred leaving even more green on the court this fall. If Erika Chidester stays on the DL the only senior will be setter Jillian Mazzarella who played her fist two seasons at Baylor.  Ten of the squad are freshmen or sophomores so expect some rough edges on the usual slick Brian Gimmillaro offense.

Baseballer Adam Heether has 15 homeruns with Beloit in his minor league work,  Eddie Soto (former Fullerton star) and Wendi Whitman (former Stanford sub) have been hired as soccer assistants, and basketball signed San Diego freshman Mark Hall who will replace expected shooter Jazz Henderson and hold the fort until Onye Ibekwe gets eligible around Christmas.

Back to the bases, the high hopes for the 2005 baseball hit parade is on the broad shoulders of Don Barbara who was an original Dirtbag and as a senior in 1990 led the nation in hitting at .474. He had 102 hits that season, 69 runs and 27 doubles but history is one thing and last year’s .297 team average, modest .373 on base percentage, and a mere 39 stolen bases in 61 games needs work.  Oh yeah, three of the top four hitters are gone. 

The almost last word goes to hoop booster Dennis Pitts who writes, “Just a quick note to tell you about a fun and easy way to raise money for Long Beach State Athletics. On, Wednesday, August 4th, Joe Jost's will turn over all of the proceeds form food and beverage sales on that date to Long Beach State athletics. This should be a fun way to support Long Beach State Athletics. “ Another plus, Joe’s is marking their 80th Anniversary, a long time for a small saloon.

Finally this wrap-up report from the Summer Pro League which bounced out of town last weekend.  Too many stats and stars to report on so we consulted Vinny the Sports Card guy for his final report.  “A good summer, I know that when on opening day I have more guys around my table than watching the game!”  Oh yes, and the top seller wasn’t any one of the new super rookies, or even a job changing coach.  Nope Vinny said, “The best sellers were the old guard--Bird, Magic, Kareem.  I wish I had more of their stuff.”  The Kareem third year card fetched the biggest number but nobody shied away from jerseys of former Lakers, like that Big Aristotle character.—DR. DAN

 

KODAK MOMENTS, METALLICA, AND OTHER COMINGS AND GOINGS

Forgive me if I ask you to use your imagination today but we small (euphemistically speaking) sports columnists aren’t issued a camera so you will just have to take my word for it that Jered Weaver cut that mop of golden hair that taunted hitters and worried parents last spring.
            The trim came after the season ended but before the greatest Dirtbag of them all started his hardware route collecting all eight MVP trophies. In the course of his visits JW was a perfect representative of LBSU.  Most recently in Houston for the Clemens award he worked the media, celebs and joined the other finalist in a visit to the Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Care Center.   Roger of course knew of Jered as a kid brother summer vacationing in the Yankee clubhouse with older brother Jeff when both were NYY employees.
Both Jeff and Roger have switched leagues playing for the Dodgers and Yanks respectively leaving the AL and the Angels open for Jered and his soon to be inked eight million dollar deal.  After all when a college kid’s free chicken
MIXED DUST-Where is it dept.?  “It” is 410 feet from home plate (down the RF line) at Camden Yards and eagle-eyed LBSU PA guy Dan Smith spotted a handsome bronze plaque noting a home run ball hit by former 49er Jeff Liefer.  His metal is in good company next to several long balls delivered by Rafael Palmeiro.  Speaking of that stat did you know that Oakland’s Bobby Crosby has 12 dingers, just three behind the guy he replaced, Miguel Tejada?
Back in the Mid, LBSU Hall of Framer and Stanford escapee Mike Montgomery watched his Golden State NBA team play in the SPL and I asked if he had a contract clause to come back to college coaching?  Mike quickly volleyed back “too late, I already have cashed a couple of their checks.”  Lots of zeroes I assume.  
Also overhead at the SPL were a couple of agents (former players themselves) who were complaining that their clients have poor nutritional habits.  “My guy just finished a game and wants a double cheeseburger. He doesn’t even think about the trans-fatty acids.”
Back outside and on the move again is the baby brother of original Dirtbag Chris Gill.  Jason Gill. He missed on a promotion to the head job at UCI but moves back to CSUF to oversee recruiting while his former coach, George Horton, handles the pitchers.  Stay tuned on that one.  Meanwhile insiders say that the first domino to fall, John Savage, had the UCLA job in March, evidence they say is that the Anteaters never finished building their 2005 schedule.
The final group for that UCI baseball job did include the highly prized Niner assistant Troy Buckley.  After traveling Titan Dave Serrano was appointed Troy told the OC Register, “They obviously had a clear picture of who they wanted," Buckley said. "I'm happy for Dave."
Back at home the national standings for spring athletic programs are out and Fullerton, thanks to the baseball post-season, was the top Big West finisher in 76th place followed by Pacific (78), Cal Poly (82), UC Santa Barbara (87) and Long Beach State (92).
New unis ahead for Niner hooper Lucian Graham who was released to transfer to UL – Lafayette and the Best Beach Lady of the Spike, Erika Chidester.  She will stay at the Beach but unfortunately it is looks like a redshirt fall due to that slow-healing shoulder. 
Last of the Big West notes, Cal Poly’s radio voice Randy Scovil says the Mustangs now have a real football league and suggests that Mr. Shumard and staff “bring in Bruce Allen (son of George) to fire up a team again?” The league is the new Great West football only conference where SLO joins UC Davis, North Dakota State, University of Northern Colorado, Saint Mary's, South Dakota State and Southern Utah.  I guess Randy forgot that LBSU still stands for “Low Budget State University”-DR. DAN

SUMMER IS THE MOVING SEASON FOR THE SECOND BANANNA

Seeing the new Laker kindergarten cop Rudy Tomjanovich sprawled across the Pyramid’s alternate press row made me strain to check out his ankles. You see his predecessor Mr. Phil Jackson never bothered to wear socks to these summer side shows. Rudy does and while you are supposed to follow the bouncing ball in the middle it’s’ sidelines full of characters that keeps the Big Blue building buzzing.

Now they do have games and we who wear press credentials should remind one and all that there are five games a day, a mere $12, and at $2.40 per contest cheaper than a slice of pizza or a space to park your car. But back to the side show.

The famous faces generally sit and wait to be recognized. The concession guy sells Sharpie’s, the official pen of Terrell Owens, for $3. a pop so you can get your hero to sign something on paper or cotton or even skin. But the guys I like to chat with are whirling dervishes known as minor league and foreign head coaches.
One guy in that club is a former Niner hoop assistant named Maz Trakh who has plied his trade around the globe most recently as the head coach of the Yakima Kings of the CBA. He’s off that throne and this week Maz is talent-hunting for the two big Americans he can have on his next team, In Korea. “We can only have two guys from the USA but we do pay them $20,000 for the season and, well you never know.” Yep, that’s the motto for all who play or coach summer hoops. “You never know.”
A smaller floppy-haired version of the late Pete Maravich, Maz ran the EA sports traveling team before the NCAA killed that idea refusing to let D-1 teams play that mixtures of old and new pros. After a game last year he weighed in on the importance of exhibition games: "I think it benefits (Penn State) to play a team of this caliber. It's not important whether you win or lose. It's all about getting prepared for the season." Sadly the NCAA doesn’t so enjoy the forthcoming ramen and noodles learn how to say, “You never know” in Korean.

Next up on the assistant’s turntable is one Dave Serrano who has served as Cal State Fullerton's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator the past eight years. I have heard that CSUF did well last season, well enough for him to be introduced as UC Irvine's new baseball coach.

Now correct me if I missed something but I seem to recall a recent flap when the UCI broadcaster suggested something to the effect that Titan coaches had not been regulars at the salad bar. Oh well, the Anteaters can now sign some need hitters since the Titan way includes using no more than three pitchers.
During last week’s report on the traveling Dirtbags we overlooked some of the new kids coming in. One is Jordan Struble, who helped Saddleback win the State JC Championship. He is a catcher/outfielder and wear’s number 15 like the guy the Bags need to replace Brad Davis. Jordon is in Alaska playing for the Fairbanks Goldpanners with current LBs Kenny Maquis and Brett Andrade.
I don’t care what you say Ronnie Dean will not be coming back to the Pyramid as Larry Reynold’s new recruiting “car” replacing departed assistant Bill Carr. Ronnie, who always worked the basketball backwaters of the Midwest, just got hired as an assistant at Gonzaga, whoops that was last week’s mistake. Holy Henry, we goofed on our Steve Nash note, forgetting that he is a true and blue Santa Claran. Mr. Dean is now an assistant at Southeast Missouri State.
Last add hoop Rolodex. A gaggle of Niner prospect are having good summer work in the Say No college league, especially Onye Ibekwe, Sean Hawkins, Keion Kindred, Jabril Hodges, Travon Free and energizer bunny Cody Pearson. When not injured or having car trouble they score, defend, pass the ball and then come in the stands and chat with the fans.—DR. DAN

A MID SUMMER DAY'S NAME GAME--FROM HOOPSTERS TO HITTERS TO HORSES

Pull up that lawn chair and grab a shrimp off the barbie because it’s time for a mid-summer session of the name game, a mentally aerobic exercise in which we check in on the almost and almost-never famous.

Since it is vacation season let’s open with the name drop of one well-traveled floppy haired point guard named Steve Nash. He was a just a Canadian high school kid in the summer of 1990 when LBSU basketball’s most famous gypsy warrior, Seth Greenberg, asked me to organize a little booster trip to follow the 49ers on a summer exhibition tour to LA, that would be lower Alberta, in Canada.

The big, bad and urban Beach boys would play the Canadian junior national team along a trail of tiny towns ending up with the final contest in Calgary. Ever confident as a talent scout, Greenberg was pestered in every one of those five gyms by this skinny and very pale kid named Nash who was begging for a scholarship to a US university. Any university. Greenberg passed.

Fast forward to last week and the same Mr. Nash, after eventually crossing the border for college days at Gonzaga, was traded from Dallas to Phoenix where he signed a five year $65 million dollar contract. Whoops.

Our next names sound like, and acted like, a Saturday morning cartoon. That is of course refers to the latest adventures of Augie and George. Fullerton of course is always lacking in love and got none after the College World series went final and the losing Longhorns of Texas went to their locker room, passing up the normal awards ceremony. Nobody had done that in at least 25 years and in fact Texas has two number two trophies in their trophy case. “I forgot” Augie said.

George meanwhile, with some amnesia of his own, is still on the hot seat for having his top hurler throw 322 pitches in eight days. Like his mentor Augie who claimed temporary amnesia when the Horns passed up the traditional post-game singing of “The Eyes of Texas, George of the Nutwood Jungle can blame the teacher.

Also expected back this fall is one hot and cold baseball reliever, Neil Jamison. After a blistering start and 12 saves, NJ cooled but was still drafted high by the Mets (8th round) despite an ERA that zoomed from 0.0 to 4.35 with a key Super Regional meltdown. If Neil does come back credit the kid with wanting to get what broke fixed.

The 2005 D-Bags will be a mix of newcomers and returnees all now busy with summer ball. Cesar Ramos and Troy Tulowitzki are with the touring USA National Team and up in Alaska are six players, Scott Bradley, Tito Cruz, Brandon Godfrey, Brett Andrade, Kenny Maiques and of course our aptly named Scott Juneau.

The Norwood League has three D-Bags--Brian Anderson, Danny Mocny and Tom Wolf, Josh Tamba is in Illinois, Romeo Newman is in the Northwest Collegiate League and Sean Boatright and Cole Jacobsen are playing locally for the Orange County Outlaws.

Ramos by the way is a hero to the young Latino kids that get to Team USA games. The Durham Herald-Sun, gave this nice report. It was raining that night but “the 20 children from El Centro Latino barely noticed it. They were too busy getting their new bats and hats signed by Cesar Ramos, pitcher for the USA Baseball National Team. "I think it's really cool," said 11-year-old Pati Cervantes. "If I was a baseball player, I wouldn't have time to come talk to kids. I think that's really cool they did."

Also way cool are the prospects for A’s shortstop Bobby Crosby to win the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year award. He won the June award last month based on a .337 average, 3 HRs, and 12 RBI.

Final Fullerton fact. A horse named Titan Baseball recently finished fourth at Hollywood Park, beaten by a nag (or bag) named Trail Mix

Last add shameless plug. A few seats are left for my CIF grant writing workshop on July 20. Call John Costello at 562-493-9500 and squeeze in.—DR. DAN