As we roll into June we have replaced our familiar Notes on My Napkin for Notes on My Calculator. Sort of a play on the numbers that seem to rule the life and times of Long Beach State.

Indeed some of the numbers, especially from the Blair Field box office, were nice as the Niners hit the finish line. Sunday’s crowd was a lively 2,825, and built on a big turnout the weekend before (with 1500 bobble heads last Saturday) and 2012 in the house for the following Sunday. This past weekend the lure of a BWC title tango with the Titans, saw crowd counts rise steadily from a Friday of 2024, to 2412 on Saturday and a robust 2825 on Sunday.

In the past any season ending surge has lured owners of various semi-pro teams to city hall and an attempt to rent Blair for a summer league. (This time the landlord is LBSU and getting stiffed by another wood bat bunch isn’t likely to happen.)

Another number of note relates to the Niner line-up will have a new look next season. Four starters Shawn Stuart, Kellen Hoime, Brennan Metzger, and Matt Johnson have (or almost have) graduated. Two pinch hitters, Jonathan Kim and Juan Favela, use completed their eligibility. Problematical are three talented juniors who will be drafted and may be signed by MLB. That list would include shortstop Matt Duffy, utility guy Juan Avila and pitcher Matt Anderson.

Meanwhile there are good recruits in the pipeline but sometimes the lure of a half pick-up truck or similar lure these guys from fall college orientation to hitting the road to the minor leagues. The best of these early signees is Ryan McNeil, the younger (high school senior) but bigger (6-4, 220) brother of current Dirtbag Jeff McNeil. Jeff has just finished his sophomore season but is a more modest 6-1, 160.

For the Niner skipper in his second year as the HC, it was a puzzling year. The final record improved slightly from last year to just over .500 at 28-27. True there was that dismal start (6-14) but much better finish (22-13). In his post game press conference Buckley said his team “…had every reason to hold their heads high…they overcame a lot and should be proud. They did justice to the program, their teammates and themselves. Are we disappointed? No question. But this team really competed after such a horrible start.”

For Buck and his staff next up is lots of messaging to the incoming recruits, taking a first hand look at some promising sophomores and juniors, and the task of scattering his returnees to various summer leagues from California to Cape Cod.

More Number Notes

There are ten members on the NCAA baseball championship selection committee that gave but one lonely bid to the Big West, even with the BWC commissioner in (or near) the “room.” The ruling elders this year were led by Kyle Kallander – Big South Conference Commissioner (Chair) with members Gary Overton – East Carolina Assistant Athletic Director, David Heeke – Central Michigan Athletic Director, John Hardt – Bucknell Athletic Director, Larry Gallo – North Carolina Associate Athletic Director, Dennis Farrell – Big West Conference Commissioner, Chris Monasch – St.John’s Athletic Director, Mark LaBarbera – Valparaiso Athletic Director, Eric Hyman – South Carolina Athletic Director, and Randy Buhr – Washington State Associate Athletic Director.

With our USA men’s volleyball team (complete with three alums and Coach Alan Knipe) heading to the Olympics we are not overlooking the ladies. The wife of the suddenly slugging Dodger Catcher, Matt Treanor (married to some local lady named Misty May) has a ticket to Merry Old London. Misty and her partner Kerri Walsh are the two time defending gold medallists. They have already qualified so the next couple of months are prep time and the chance to get some gold to go with the gold medal. Misty and Kerri are NOT entered in the upcoming Berlin or Klagenfurt tourneys but that still leaves Moscow, Rome, Stavanger, and Gstaad events. Insiders guess that both ladies will shut it down after they take off the USA uniforms. Both players have a number of corporate sponsors and for Misty; she is promoting a shot at the All Star Edition of TV’s Dancing with the Stars. The Golden Girls have picked up $25,100 in prize money this spring for one 5th and two 9th place finishes.

The last of the Niner names still working this summer are golfer Phillip Chian (at the NCAAs played this week at Riveria) and NCAA track stars Ben Woodruff (men’s javelin) and Katrina Graves-Johnson (women’s high jump) who are competing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, June 6-9.

Last Sad Add

It is almost ironic that just before Memorial Day veteran and civic stalwart Sam Dimas passed away. He was a legend at Long Beach Poly teaching, coaching and administering all things Jackrabbit. He played football with distinction at Poly in 1940 and later at LBCC and UCSB. As good as he was playing and coaching, the kids that talked with Mr. Dimas would more likely get a story about World War II but almost no mention by Sam of his military honors, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. His services will be held Thursday, May 31st at 10:30am at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on PCH and Colorado.