I've got it bad

Yep, I was absolutely stoked today when I heard the 'Dogs won the WAC women's golf tourney at Sunnyside Country Club in Fresno. And simultaneously, Laura Leuthke took the individual title by two strokes in her final year with the 'Dogs.

After hearing the breaking news update on the George Takata Show today I couldn't help but get pumped up and go tell a coworker. He responded with something like, "man, you need football to start."

But hey, let's just hope this is the first of many WAC titles to come down the pipeline in the next few months -- softball, baseball, tennis and then football!

Interesting Bark Board question posed...

Over on the Bark Board there's talk of who are the "best high school products from the Valley"...?

Well, let's spin it a little differently over here. Since this is about Fresno State sports, let's talk who are the best Valley high school athletes who went on to play for Fresno State?

Chime in with your thoughts on your alma mater and we'll keep a running list as we go...

Fresno State Dream Team: Linebackers

Let's open up the voting at linebacker -- but make sure to look beyond just this past season. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think. Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours.

We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is linebacker, and the nominees are:
--Bobby Brooks
--Ron Cox
--A.J. Gass
--David Grayson
--Orlando Huff
--Bryce McGill
--Ron Papazian
--Marcus Riley
--Maurice Rodriguez
--Tracy Rogers
--Tim Skipper
--Sam Williams

In a vote where five guys were right in the mix for just three spots, The Bulldog Bounce selects Ron Cox, Marcus Riley and Tim Skipper as Fresno State's greatest all-time linebackers. Cox was the only unanimous first-team selection, while Skipper received three first-team votes and one second-team and Riley had two first-team and two second-team. Bryce McGill and Orlando Huff each got one first-team vote and three second-team, while Tracy Rogers was the only other alum with a first-team vote. A.J. Gass had two second-team votes and Ron Papazian had one.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.

A college basketball trade

Well, not really, but sort of.

Word is 6-foot-7 Paul George will join the 'Dogs incoming recruiting class, and 6-7 (he's not really 6-8) James Tchana might be transferring.

LA Times on George
The Bee on George
Fox Sports on Tchana

Seems like quite an upgrade in on-the-floor ability, but we've gotta wish Tchana the best -- he's always seemed like a real good guy, but just got lost in the shuffle for minutes. Rumor a while back was a transfer to UC-Riverside with former 'Dogs assistant Vonn Webb (we shall see).

George was possibly Pepperdine's best recruit, but decided against his choice to go there when Vance Walberg (former Clovis West HS/Fresno City College coach) resigned as Pepperdine coach.

Along with Rainier Beach-Seattle's Reggie Moore and Mychal Ladd and Newark Memorial's Chris Jones, George should give the 'Dogs a great foundation for the next several years.

Top 10 reasons you should go to the Spring Game

Fresno State's final football scrimmage of spring camp is Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. Why should you go?

10. Be one of the first to see a Bulldogs team that is likely to start the '08 season ranked in the top 25
9. If a 350-pound true freshman (who I'm pretty sure would never get carded at a bar) such as Devan Cunningham can practice in 90-plus degrees, then you better show up to watch him
8. Analyze the Chris Carter-Michael Stuart-Chris Lewis race to replace Tyler Clutts at defensive end
7. Somebody needs to help Pat Hill figure out how to use all these wide receivers
6. If you're Tim Lang or Porter Hill, we want you to put a uniform on and play...at least by the fall
5. This might be your only chance all year to see Pat Hill sporting a non-faded 'Dogs cap
4. Simply to see LB Nico Herron's new hairdo (think Kid 'N' Play)...and he hits mighty hard too
3. Judging by attendance at the first two spring scrimmages, this could be a record-breaking Spring Game if we all show up
2. If you don't show up, Ryan Mathews will run by and stiff arm you to the ground
1. Because we all have the privilege of saying "Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, I'll be a Bulldog 'til the day I'm dead"

Fresno State Dream Team: Defensive Line

Time to open up the voting at defensive line -- where the 'Dogs always seem to have that one standout guy who draws the double teams. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think. Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours.

We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is defensive line, and the nominees are:
--Brad Bell
--Nick Burley
--Tyler Clutts
--Jethro Franklin
--Alan Harper
--Garrett McIntyre
--Brian Morris
--Greg Ramsey
--Zack Rix
--Bryan Robinson
--Nick Ruggeroli
--Jason Stewart

In a vote where five guys were right in the mix for just four spots, The Bulldog Bounce selects Jethro Franklin, Zack Rix, Alan Harper and Nick Burley as Fresno State's greatest all-time defensive linemen. Franklin and Harper were unanimous first-team selections, while Rix and Burley had three first-team votes and one second-team. Garrett McIntyre just missed first-team honors, finishing with two first-team votes and two second-team votes.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.

What's the deal Sand Man?

So it was reported in The Bee today that SS Todd Sandell quit the baseball team -- not the best news considering he's a veteran and has shown a good bat in the past.

Now, I haven't heard from Sandell, but I've just gotta wonder what the deal is? Does Sandell expect to start over freshman Danny Muno just because he's been around longer? If so, I hate to say it, but that's how this whole Division I upper echelon of baseball works Sand Man...and it's only gonna get more competitive from here.

Muno is batting .337, Sandell is at .221. There is no argument that can overcome that disparity. Muno's got more RBIs, more doubles, more triples and a higher slugging percentage. Oh yeah, and Sandell has 28 strikeouts in 77 at-bats, while Muno has 21 in 92. And let us not forget Sandell's team-high 7 errors, compared with 3 by Muno.

So yeah, if there's a reason you deserve to start Sandy, I'd like to hear it. I think we all would. Here's to hoping you ask Coach Batesole for your roster spot back and just go about it the old fashioned way -- earning it.

Hooray Grizz fans showin' the 'Dogs love!

One small slice of the Grizzlies-Giants game last night in Fresno stood out to me. Not that multi-millionaire Barry Zito was done in by the Grizzlies, not that the Grizz signed a two-year development extension with the Giants and not that Barry Bonds' enormous head was not in left field for the first time in years.

Nope, it was the ol' applause-O-meter. OK, so Chukchansi Park wasn't really equipped with a tool to measure applauses, but my human ears detected that for Fresno City College and Fresno State pitcher Mark Gardner (also a former major leaguer and current Giants assistant) got by far the loudest ovation when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

I've gotta admit, it made me feel proud that the fans were knowledgeable enough to recognize Gardner for his great success story and his Fresno/Clovis roots. (It's just too bad for the Giants he didn't take the mound.)

I was sad to miss the Diamond 'Dogs 13-11 win over Cal Poly last night, but I couldn't pass up a chance to see a overflowing crowd in downtown Fresno. And while I don't plan to miss many more Fresno State baseball games for it, I do plan to make plenty more Grizz outings this year. With the new lateupdate.com promotion to win some free tickets, maybe I'll luck out and not have to shell out so much cash next time? (It was $20 a pop for the cheap seats.) But I guess I'll do what it takes...

As good a guy who's ever worn Bulldog Red

Trent Dilfer. If he's not your favorite 'Dog of all-time, he should be. Or at least one of them. Just a flat-out good guy. The kind of dude you'd look up to even if he'd never quarterbacked the 'Dogs or the Bucs/Seahawks/Browns/Niners or won a Super Bowl for the Ravens.

Trent spoke at Fresno's Northside church today. He talked about finding God while he was in college, his influence in NFL locker rooms, what's next in his football career and losing his then 5-year-old son Trevin. The thing about Trent is he's this nationally famous millionaire sitting up in front of you and it seems like he's just another guy you've known your whole life.

You might be starstruck, but at the same time you're comfortable to just walk right up to him and start a conversation. Because you know he'll converse right back. He'll pause to take a photo with you and your buddy, he'll shake your hand three times before you part ways, he'll compliment you and thank you for telling him he's your favorite 'Dog of all-time. He's thankful for his roots, for Fresno, for his past -- even his "failures." That's what the sermon was about tonight, letting go of the failures in one's life and looking to the future.

That was the true message tonight as Dilfer gave his testimony. And it will be Sunday too (you can check him out at two Easter morning services; it's definitely worth it). Yes, he talks about his plans for next season (let's just say the silver & black and a few notable TV stations might come up), but if ever there were a guy who could put all that superstardom into perspective, it's Trent Dilfer.

Not even close to "Comcastic"

Comcast is not "Comcastic." Don't believe the lies. Don't believe the hype.

I rush home to catch Fresno State's first-ever women's NCAA Tournament game on ESPN2 -- you know, the one that's been advertised on ESPN2 all week during men's games and was written about in The Fresno Bee with quotes from Jimmy Dykes about how this is the network's No. 1 game.

And what do I get when I power up my Comcast box and turn on ESPN2 (in HD)...? I get freaking Auburn and George Washington. Two teams who most of western civilization couldn't even locate on a map. How many people in California do you think can even name what state those colleges are in? No matter the answer, there sure as heck aren't many Californians all amped up about watching those two schools play women's basketball.

So I wait 'til halftime, after hearing on the radio the 'Dogs make a late first-half run. Then the ESPN2 network switches games. "Finally!" I exclaim out loud. And what pops up on screen...? Hartford-Syracuse. What in tarnation!? NO ONE IN FRESNO CARES!

I called Comcast. "It's a national telecast and ESPN switches back and forth," I'm told. "It's up to ESPN, I can give you their number." Well it turns out the Comcast liar of an employee gives me a BOGUS ESPN number. It's been disconnected. Doesn't even work. What a bunch of bogus garbage...

DirectTV here I come...and I encourage others to join me.

What's wrong with the Diamond 'Dogs?

Remember the last time the Fresno State baseball team got off to a hot start? If you do, you'll agree it's been a while. If you don't, it's been a while. So most of the Diamond 'Dog fans likely expected it once again this season, or at least knew not to panic when it happened, again.

Those of you still waiting to panic, you can start now. Fresno State has eight wins, with the only one of significance coming against San Diego State, because they were ranked at the time. Now, we're into the WAC season now and getting complete-gamed shutout by a sub-.500 team. With one-third of the season gone and a win/loss S-curve that rivals the 1906 San Francisco earthquake on the Richter scale (sorry, I've been studying for a California Earth Science exam and it's fresh in the mind), there could not be a better time to put a lot of Ws on the board, unless we go back in time.

I don't like to focus on the negative, but there are so many people confused as to why this has happened, that I'm going to focus on it. So far this year, I've attended every home game and followed every road game via radio or gametracker:

• Tom Mendonca is striking out in nearly half of his at-bats, a number that is in the 30s. He's also batting under .200. Reason number one for this is that he has been a complete guess hitter all year, not good considering he's only been right 17 times in more than 70 at-bats. Couple that with him trying to be a leader by example on the field and feeling like he needs to carry the team out of the gutter, and poof, you get his current stat line. That's all there is to it on his end, but it's nothing that is easy to fix at this point.

• Mendonca hasn't been the only one struggling to make contact. The Bulldogs as a team have struck out more than twice the amount they have taken a walk this year. In college baseball, contact is a must. I don't think I need to get too deep into this, but you then have no chance for sac bunts, hit and runs, steals, a pitcher working out of the stretch, pitchers on the mound from mostly weak bullpens, it goes on and on. Last night against Hawaii: four hits and 10 strikeouts. They never had a chance.

• On-field leadership: Danny Grubb is your main leader on this club, but it's hard to have that role when the catching job is split three ways and when he himself is struggling terribly at the plate. Coach Batesole is a tough, hard-nosed guy, but at the same time, he trusts his players to take care of their business and get their work in, therefore keeping his distance at times. I will never say that this team doesn't go out and play hard, because I think they go all out on the field, but the demeanor of this team and apparent (apparent being the key word) lack of visual competitiveness (if that makes sense), is noticeably different from the Bob Bennett teams of the past. That goes for every Batesole team since he arrived.
  

• Lineup juggling: Even this deep into the season, there is no everyday lineup. You would think this is a small deal, but it's not, because each spot in the lineup has a different role. It has a bigger impact than you would think.
  

• Preseason expectations: This team made no secrets before the season that it was Omaha or bust. The slow start only adds to this pressure. For all we know, maybe our guys just don't handle that pressure too well. It's entirely possible.

These are just five reasons for the early struggles, and there are plenty more, maybe even ones that are more telling. There is no quick fix, although I know this team responds to personal challenges. When they are called out, they respond. Problem is, it shouldn't get to that point. Baseball should no doubt be fun for these guys, but they'll agree that it's never fun when you are losing.

Maybe it's time to bear down a little bit more and show some visible intensity and focus. That kind of emotion can change things in a hurry. Or maybe this team can't play that way.

But, for me at least, as long as they continue to play all out and represent Fresno State with pride, I'll be out there supporting them.

But I just get the feeling that they need to support themselves too.

Go DOGS!

Fresno State Dream Team: Offensive Line

Time to open up the voting at offensive line -- the big nasties. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think.

Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours. We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is offensive line, and the nominees are:
--Ron Collins
--Chris Conrad
--Chris Denman
--Mike Foust
--Rob Gatrell
--Jesse Hardwick
--Melvin Johnson
--Logan Mankins
--Len McNeil
--Rodney Michael
--Tom Neville
--Joe Schey
--Ryan Wendell
--Mike Withycombe
--Kyle Young

In what was by far the most heavily contested vote yet, The Bulldog Bounce selects Logan Mankins, Chris Conrad, Kyle Young, Rodney Michael and Chris Denman as Fresno State's greatest all-time offensive linemen. Mankins and Conrad were unanimous first-team selections, while Young had three first-team votes and one second-team.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.

Not dazed, but definitely confused...

The good news is if you're a Red Waver, you'll have something to do Thursday evening. The bad news is...you might have too much to do for your own good.

After racking my brain for the past four days, mining for a solution in the depths of my cranium, I came up with -- a big, fat nothing.

I mean, it's March Madness, and the 'Dogs men's b-ball team gets under way against Nevada at 5 p.m. Thursday. It's a game I fully expect the 'Dogs to win (hey, Kevin Bell is a first-team All-WAC point guard) and it's hard to beat a team three times in one year. Heck, I'm ready to turn on the tube and watch this game right now!

But wait, what about the softball game at Bulldog Diamond pitting our 20-somethingth ranked Lady 'Dogs against top 10 Oklahoma? Man, if there's one softball game this year I want to see in person, it's this one. And it's at the same, exact time -- 5 p.m. Shoot, which of these two should I pick!?

Huh? What's that? Baseball is being played that same night too? You have got to be kidding me! It's the PJQC (Pepsi Johnny Quik Classic for those of you not in the know) and the 'Dogs host a familiar PJQC foe in Gonzaga (didn't one of their players get hit by a car in front of Taco Bell several years back?)...

So how do I narrow this down? Basketball is the most high-profile sport and most important in the grand scheme of things...but it's just on TV. Softball is playing in a high-profile matchup of two of the nation's strongest teams. But baseball is more my game (plus Mike Batesole isn't talking about suing the university). Hmm, that said, I've been to three baseball games in the past three days...

You see what I mean? The more I think about this, the more confusing it becomes...

Fresno State Dream Team: Tight Ends

Time to open up the voting at tight end. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think.

Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours. We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is tight end, and the nominees are:
--Rich Bartlewski
--Jeremy Johnson
--Mike Moffitt
--Bump Novacek
--Bear Pascoe
--Duncan Reid
--Scott Scambray
--Craig Shugart
--Stephen Spach
--Marty Thompson

The Bulldog Bounce selects Bear Pascoe as Fresno State's greatest all-time tight end. Pascoe was chosen first-team by three of the four bloggers, while Stephen Spach had one first-team vote and Marty Thompson had three second-team votes.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.

This Tanner is no Bad News Bear...

Did you guys all catch this big story in Baseball America?

It's all about Fresno State pitcher Tanner Scheppers, who coach Mike Batesole says is right around that 100 mph mark (so beware guy who hit the comebacker into Scheppers' face in last year's Regionals).

For years, I've been thinking the 'Dogs just need to get another one of those dominant pitchers to get back to the College World Series and the top 10. And I didn't really see this coming last year, but maybe Scheppers is that guy? Jeff Weaver was almost unbeatable. Bobby Jones was unbeatable (and he didn't even have to throw more than 92 to earn college pitcher of the year honors). Steve Soderstrom, dominant. Seeing Dick Ruthven get his jersey number retired yesterday made me realize he was pretty unhitable (no-hitter and career 1.51 ERA...who does that in college)!?

Is Scheppers going to be another on that short list? Maybe it's time to book those plane tickets to Omaha...? This week's tournament in San Diego should tell us plenty.

Cruel and unusual punishment

This is just downright mean. And I don't even know what I'm being punished for...but I'm pretty sure this punishment is unconstitutional.

Apparently it's because my hometown (and yours if you too live in Fresno or the surrounding San Joaquin Valley) has better weather than most other areas of the country. So the NCAA decided the great college baseball teams of the West aren't allowed to start until late February this season (so they don't get a unfair advantage that schools back east and up north who have colder weather don't).

And now look what happens. After last weekend's warm, sunbathing bliss, Opening Day for the No. 18 Diamond 'Dogs is finally here and Fresno (one of the dry cities of America) is experiencing monsoon rains that threaten to cancel this special day and cause fans to wait even longer to see their 'Dogs.

Thanks a lot NCAA. You took our Alumni Game, and about four weeks of could-be baseball greatness. And I want it back!

FS Dream Team: Wide Receivers

Time to open up the voting at wide receiver (one of the most storied positions in school history). Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think.

Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours. We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is wide receiver, and the nominees are:
--Stephen Baker
--Bernard Berrian
--Marque Davis
--Henry Ellard
--Joe Fernandez
--Charlie Jones
--Stephone Paige
--Brian Roberson
--Malcolm Seabron
--Paul Williams
--Larry Willis
--Tydus Winans
--Rodney Wright

The Bulldog Bounce selects Bernard Berrian, Henry Ellard and Charlie Jones as Fresno State's greatest all-time receivers. Berrian was a unanimous first-teamer, while Ellard and Jones each had three first-team votes and one second-team. Rodney Wright also received two first-team votes, and one second-team, while Stephone Paige, Stephen Baker and Brian Roberson each had three second-team votes.

And boy it was hard to leave guys like Adam Jennings, David Dunn, Jahine Arnold, Charles Smith, Jermaine Jamison, Dwight Pickens, Lee Harris and Latario Rachal off this list. But argue if you want one of those guys or someone else on.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.

A must-read thread on BarkBoard.com

"I am a Bulldog, WE are Fresno State!"

That's the slogan of the new 'Dogs T-shirt, but what happens when someone says we're not allowed to refer to Fresno State as "we"...?

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=164&f=1687#s=164&f=1687&t=2032954

Here's my opinion, as posted on BarkBoard.com:

It's even on the back of the school's new T-shirts. That's absurd to tell someone not to refer to Fresno State as "we." I can see saying that about a NFL or NBA team, but it makes perfect sense to say "we" talking about our college team.

Why? Because:
--WE go to games and cheer tell our voices are gone to make the type of impact that helps the team win.
--WE have an emotional buy-in to everything that happens with Fresno State; a win makes us ecstatic, a loss takes us time to get over.
--WE donate money and time to contribute to Fresno State, through the Bulldog Foundation and other things.
--WE promote the university to our friends, our families and strangers.
--WE recruit new fans, exposing new people to the family known as the Red Wave whenever we can.
--WE, as a community, have banded together to ensure Fresno State is capable of competing at a national level. Without us, Jim Sweeney, Pat Hill, Jerry Tarkanian, Bob Bennett, Boyd Grant, Margie Wright and Dennis DeLiddo could never have accomplished as much as they have.

Listen here Margie...

OK, we just got back from the softball season-opening doubleheader (two 'Dogs wins). First, let me say this...I'm bummed Robin Mackin is taking a year off for her Olympic dreams. We FINALLY decided to get two star pitchers in the same year and now Mackin redshirts. Freshman Morgan Melloh looks good, REAL good. And she's a lefty...her and Mackin together next year will be our best 1-2 combo in recent memory, if not ever.

It's exciting. Poor Jenna Cervantez...she won't get to join those two next year (she homered today in Game 1).

But listen Margie Wright...there was practically a full house out there at Bulldog Diamond today -- you know, the LARGEST college stadium in the country that Fresno State built for you and your team. It seems to me softball has some pretty nice facilities, a heckuva following and gets as much marketing as any program not called football. Here's to hoping you recognize softball gets its fair share from the university because we really want to keep being a fan of you as coach and supporting your program...and that's something we might not be able to do if this Title IX card keeps getting played...

Fresno State Dream Team: Fullbacks

Time to open up the voting at fullback. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think.

Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours. We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is fullback, and the nominees are:
--Nate Adams
--Reggie Brown
--Myron Jones
--Anthony Mosley
--Lorenzo Neal
--Lavale Thomas
--Ted Torosian
--Roshon Vercher

The Bulldog Bounce selects Lorenzo Neal as Fresno State's all-time greatest fullback. Neal was a unanimous first-team selection. But we were split evenly on the second-teamer, with two votes for Reggie Brown and two for Roshon Vercher, so help us decide...

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.