Where were you on the night of February 22, 2008?
I̢۪m not putting anyone on trial, but just think about it for a second.
It’s probably hard to remember that far back, but I would bet that less than 1 percent of the Fresno State student population would say, “At the 2008 season opener for Fresno State baseball.â€Â
For those who weren’t there I’ll lay out the scene – there was buckets of rain coming down, the Bulldogs only scored two runs and Fresno State lost to a team in its first year of Division I baseball (UC Davis).
To quote Fatboy Slim, “we’ve come a long way, baby.â€Â
Forty-seven wins and a national title later, the Bulldogs are right back to square one – opening night at Pete Beiden Field. Except opening night this season should be a little different.
Tonight’s season opener is sold out with 3,575 Bulldog fans expected to be in attendance. But, where were all these so-called “Bulldog baseball fansâ€Â last season?
Where was all the media coverage?
I remember last season when there was me, a Fresno Bee reporter and a scoreboard operator in the press box and that was it.
Tonight I̢۪ll be lucky to snag a piece of licorice and a scorecard.
At times last season it seemed you could see more red seats at Beiden Field than fans. It was so quiet at games last season, I think players on the field could hear Paul Loeffler calling play-by-play.
But, after winning a few nationally-televised games, the following started to grow. See what a little airtime on ESPN2 can do for you?
Next thing you know, Fresno State wins a national title and fans are lining the streets and singing the praises of Fresno State̢۪s Wonderdogs.
That’s when you go up to them and ask, “How many games did you go to during the regular season?â€Â
I̢۪m proud to say I was there through thick and thin. I remember the 8-12 start, the Todd Sandell drama and that rain-soaked series against UC Davis.
Real fans were there for those Saturday doubleheaders in April, every game of the Pepsi-Johnny Quick Classic and the scrimmages in early February.
I’m talking about people like Inman Perkins, “Sugar Bearâ€Â and the Diamond Dog fans who have had season tickets for more than 20 years.
If your first time watching a Fresno State baseball game was on ESPN then you need to look in the mirror and really question that fanhood.
I was up at 7 in the morning to listen to the WAC Tournament games last May on KMJ because the tourney was held in Ruston, Lou.
I heard every pitch of the Regional held in Long Beach and even have the scorecards to prove it.
Don̢۪t get me wrong, I think it̢۪s great that Fresno State baseball has a bigger following now, but it̢۪s not just the 2008 team that deserves recognition.
Real fans remember names like Bob Bennett, Pete Beiden, Mark Gardner, Tom Goodwin, Jeff Weaver, Dick Ruthven, Bobby Jones, Terry Pendleton and Auggie Garrido.
My favorite Bulldog was Roger Circo, who was the first and only graduate from my high school to play for Fresno State. He played high school baseball for my dad and gave me my first Bulldog baseball hat at age 10.
These are the men who made this program what it is today.
Fresno State baseball history is not just limited to Tom Mendonca and Steve Detwiler.
And if you claim to be a Bulldog fan, please try to do some research before engaging in a conversation about the sport.
I was sitting in class the other day and I heard someone behind me say, “Oh my god! I can’t believe baseball starts this Friday! When do we play Boise? We need payback for football!â€Â
I’ll borrow a phrase from one of my best friends, “Are you serious?â€Â
For those of you thinking of going to a game this season, I̢۪ll give you some basics.
Baseball is unique in the fact that not all teams in the WAC field a baseball program.
Idaho, Utah State and Boise State do not field baseball programs and Sacramento State is a member of the WAC for baseball.
This isn̢۪t football, but I guarantee you̢۪ll leave Beiden Field happier than you ever left Bulldog Stadium or the Save Mart Center.
Just remember, you can always defend yourself against insults from rival schools with the baseball team̢۪s accolades. Trust me, I shut up some Hawaii fans last football season.
So if you̢۪ve been going to Bulldog baseball games since you could walk or are just getting into the sport there̢۪s always enough room on the bandwagon.
But if the Bulldogs lose a game, try to attend more than one game this season. Maybe after tonight you’ll be able to say, “I was there when the Bulldogs began their national title defense.â€Â
I know I̢۪ll be there, cramped in the press box, fighting for the last piece of licorice.
Baseball tickets
Very few tickets are available for Friday̢۪s game, but both Saturday and Sunday tickets are available.
̢ۢ Less than 100 student tickets are available for Friday̢۪s game. Tickets can be picked up at the USU or the stadium box office.
̢ۢ 125 standing room tickets will also be sold day of game for $8.