COACH’S CORNERMike Batesole

As we begin to focus on the 2009 baseballseason, we will take a brief timeout on theevening of February 13th to celebrate ourNational Championship at our annual DoublePlay Dinner. We will present the 2008Bulldogs with their National ChampionshipRings and reflect on that monumentalaccomplishment. We will also be introducingthe 2009 Fresno State Baseball Team as wellas turn our attention to this year’s goals withthis year’s players.

This past fall was very productive in terms ofevaluating our 2009 first year players,

redefining some roles of the returningplayers as well as becoming a team in theclubhouse. Along with developing abaseball team on the field, our players havebeen hard at work in the classroom. This fallsemester the Fresno State Baseball Teamcompleted 1903 units in the classroom (anaverage of 17.5 units per player) whuleturning in a 2.93 Grade Point Average. Weare all very proud that accomplishment.When we factor in class time, practicehours, time spent in our weight room, StudyHall hours, as well as Community Servicehours, these young men were able to post anoutstanding academic record for the fallsemester.

Many of you will not notice this year’simprovements to Beiden Field as rapidly asyou noticed the new Chair Back Seats we

installed for the 2008 season. This year wefocused our energy on renovating the playingsurface. Beiden Field received new infieldsod this fall. The composition of the grass isa Bermuda base that is a "sports turf"designed specifically for athletic fields. Inaddition to the new infield sod we completedthe installation of a new infield dirt surface inJanuary as well. The mix of cinder and 40%clay is identical to the mix used at AngelStadium. This will provide our players with amore consistent surface for their day to daywork and will look and play great on gameday.

As always we would like to thank the DugoutClub for all of their support and efforts tocontinue to make Fresno State Baseball thebest that it can be.

DOGS TO RECEIV E NATIONALDOGS TO RECEIV E NATIONALCHAMPIONSHICHAMPIONSHI PP RINGS ATRINGS AT

DOUBLE PLAY DINNERDOUBLE PLAY DINNER

VOL. XXXIII FEBRUARY 2009 NO.3

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BULLDOG FOUNDATION DUGOUT CLUB

Crews have been working hard during the offseason making improve-ments to Beiden Field. The infield renovation consisted of a completereplacement of the old sod with a Bermuda base “sports turf” grass andthe old dirt surface was replaced with a mix of sand, clay and dirt plus anemulsifying agent that allows for better drainage.

This project was funded through accrued interest earnings from the PeteBeiden Trust which is dedicated to stadium improvements. Also, a com-plete remodel of the locker room is underway and includes new lockers,a handicap lift and a new HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Condi-tioning) system. The lift and HVAC unit have been installed and the newlockers will be put in after the 2009 season. This $300,00 0 project hasbeen funded by the Baseball Alumni, the Dugout Club, and a $100,000gift from Fresno State alumnus Gib Rambo. The Locker Sponsors Pr o-ject is part of the effort to raise funds for the complete remodel of thelocker room.

For locker sponsor information contact the BDF at 244-5600.

We have a lot of "NEW" this year! The Dugout Club has numerous activi-ties planned during the season and we need your help. We are having -Team Meal on Thursday before home series, Lite Meal before weekendgames, 3 Brunches, Spring BBQ and other activities that will be planned aswe go through the season. The Brunches & Spring BBQ is where we needthe most help. We need paper products, food donations & volunteers.

Paper Products -- all activitiesFood Donations -- 3 brunches --Feb. 22nd @ 9:00, Mar. 29th @ 9:00,Apr. 12 @ 10:30Volunteers -- all activities

Our Brunches are famous, just ask our National Champions & the manyplayers before them -- pancakes, bacon, eggs, biscuits & gravy, fruit, pas-tries, milk, juice, coffee, etc. This is where you come in -- we need fooddonations & volunteers. It's a little early to arrive at the field, but you havetime to take a nap before the game.I've been doing this for awhile. If I need a food donation or a volunteer, Iwill find you -- don't make me hunt you down! (just joking) Please give mea call. Help us help your Son, your Team, your Champions, your DugoutClub. Thanks, we really appreciate your support.

Marsha Johnson, Events Chairperson

NEW SEASON - NEW PLAYERS - NEW FAMILIES

AT BEIDEN FIELDRENOVATIONS UNDERWAY

Here’s a sneak peek at some of theoutstanding items available at thisyear’s Double Play Dinner

Lasick Surgery - Eye Q Vision(Opening Bid $2400)

Las Vegas Suite Package

World Series Memorabilia

Jewelry

Gift Certificates

Cosmetic Baskets

Golf Packages

Sports Photos

and much more....

The National Championship celebrationcontinues on Friday, February 13th at the22nd Annual Double Play Dinner at theFresno Convention Center New ExhibitHall. The dinner, which traditionallyintroduces the season’s team, will alsopresent the National Championship rings tothe 2008 team. The cost for the dinner is$45 for Dugout Club members and $50 fornonmembers. As always, sponsors forplayers’ dinners are welcomed for $45.Please contact Sharlene Gomes at(559) 924-3361 or 269-9115 or email06gomes@gmail.com with any questionsabout the dinner and/or auction.

It’s January -----February when you readthis and it is baseball season!

In 1971, Al Gallagher said: “There are threethings in my life which I really love: God,my family, and baseball. The only problem -once baseball season starts, I change theorder around a bit”. That is my sentiment.Having coached for many years, the NewYear signaled it was time to prepare for theupcoming season. All the fall preparationand anticipation suddenly arrived and I feltan urgency (and a little anxiety) to get theseason going. Last years team was gone anda “new” team was about to begin it’sjourney.

Recently I went out to Beiden Field to seethis years team begin it’s preparation for thenew season. There is much excitement andsome anxieties as the players too recognizethat the 2009 season is about to begin…forreal.

One of the great things about being thePresident is the opportunity to work with themany members of the Dugout Club andespecially the Board members. Thanks tothe Board for their effort in preparation forthe many events that will be sponsored andfacilitated by the many committees withinthe Dugout Club.

The Golf Tournament is being prepared forand the Double Play Dinner and Auction areready for this years participants. I amhopeful all who read this will attend one ofthese events. These are our main revenuesources for the year. All of you recognizethat it takes a great TEAM to produce awinner and or Club is the team behind the“Dogs” on the field. I urge all of you to jointhe Dugout Club. With your donation youcan receive a National Champions hat, visoror even a youth t-shirt.

“If a horse can’t eat it, I don’t want to playon it”. That quote by Dick Allen tells part ofthe story of what has happened at Beiden. Anew dirt infield, infield and outfield turf,HVAC in the locker room, Coaches officeand locker room remodel, and a National

Championship sign are just a few of theprojects that you have had a hand in thisyear. Thanks to you all!

The University will honor the 2008National Champions with the rings beingpresented at the Double Play dinner.Opening weekend February 20-22 againstthe University of Washington is going tobe very special. The University will unveila new sign inside Beiden Field on Fridaynight. We are asking all members of the1959, 1988 and 1991 teams who wereparticipants in the College World Series tobe our guests and be on the field to helpcelebrate last years National Champions.We anticipate a sellout Friday night andwill have many activities outside theStadium for families. Check thegobulldogs web site for the most up todate information.

Let us focus on the wonderful things thathave happened to this community as aresult of last years teams success.However, this year’s team deserves no lessof our time and attention as we are helpingto develop the future leaders of thisNation. Coach Batesole and his entire staffare committed to helping the playerssucceed on and off the field, continuingthe legacy of Fresno State baseball.

I am looking forward to seeing all of youat Beiden Field this spring, proudlywearing your Bulldog gear and cheeringon “our Dogs”.

Hal FroesePresident, Dugout Club

For auction info contactKristi Lozano @ (559) 638-5529 orJoyce Buss @ (559) 434-5714

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2009 DOUBLE PLAYAUCTION PREVIEW

SPONSOR-A-PLAYER ATTHIS YEAR’S DINNER

Hal Froese

MY MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT

Embarrassing moments can happen to anyone at any moment of anyday. They sneak up on you when you least expect it and usuallyleaves everyone laughing, but you. These moments even happen toFresno State student-athletes and surprisingly enough they can hap-pen during games in front of a huge audience. Here are some of thebaseball teams most embarrassing moments on the field.

Holden Sprague : I gave up a hit to Trent Diedrich of Pepperdine,who was my sister's boyfriend at the time.

Daniel Moultrie: In high school, I lost a ball in the sun when I waswarming up and it hit me in the chest.Derek Benny: I tripped over first base.Jake Showers: My dog ran onto the field during a game and took thebaseball in front of me.Zac Bischoff: I fell into the dugout after a league championshipgame.Kenny Wise: In my first varsity game, I slid for a ball near the fenceand my foot got caught. I couldn't get myself out.Steven Haynes: I tripped between first and second base on a pop-up.Nick Hom: In middle school, I was going for a lay-up and I threw theball off the bottom of the rim.Matt Morse: I slipped in the mud while attempting to field a bunt.Ryan Allgrove: In a basketball game, I shot a full court shot withthree minutes left in the half because someone was counting down.Trent Soares: I got a rebound and tried to score on the other team'sbasket.Tom Mendonca: Not knowing what to say when Erin Andrews wasinterviewing me.Charlie Robertson: I got hit by a line drive while running the basesand I fell.Trent Garrison: I slipped at home plate and played it off like a slide.

Theresa Kurtz, Fresno State Athletics

Jake Hower, Holden Sprague and Kris Tomlinson

FEBRUARY20 Washington 6:05 p.m.21 Washington 2:05 p.m.22 Washington 1:05 p.m.24 San Luis Obispo 6:05 p.m.27 at Oregon TBA28 at Oregon TBA

MARCH1 at Oregon TBA4 at UC Davis 2:30 p.m.7 Buffalo 2:05 p.m.8 Buffalo 1:05 p.m.9-14 Pepsi-Johnny Quik Classic

Portland, Buffalo, Bakersfield20 at Loyola Marymount TBA21 at Loyola Marymount TBA (DH)22 at Loyola Marymount TBA27 Lipscomb 6:05 p.m.28 Lipscomb (DH) 2:05 p.m.29 Lipscomb 1:05 p.m.31 at UC Davis 2:30 p.m.

APRIL1 UC Davis 6:05 p.m.3 Bakersfield 6:05 p.m.4 Bakersfield 2:05 p.m.5 Bakersfield 1:05 p.m.7 at Bakersfield TBA8 at Bakersfield TBA10 New Mexico St. 6:05 p.m.11 New Mexico St. 6:05 p.m.12 New Mexico St. 2:05 p.m.13 New Mexico St. 6:05 p.m.17 at Louisiana Tech 6:00 p.m.18 at Louisiana Tech (DH) 3:00 p.m.19 at Louisiana Tech 1:00 p.m.24 at San Jose St. 6:00 p.m.25 at San Jose St. (DH) 1:00 p.m.26 at San Jose St. 1:00 p.m.28 at San Luis Obispo 6:00 p.m.

MAY1 Nevada Reno 6:05 p.m.2 Nevada Reno (DH) 2:05 p.m.

3 Nevada Reno 1:05 p.m.8 Hawaii 6:05 p.m.9 Hawaii (DH) 2:05 p.m.10 Hawaii 1:05 p.m.15 at Sacramento St. 2:30 p.m.16 at Sacramento St. (DH) 11:00 a.m.17 at Sacramento St. 1:00 p.m.20-24 WAC Tournament, Hawaii28-31 NCAA Regionals

JUNE1 NCAA Super Regionals12-20 NCAA College World Series

Omaha, Nebraska

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

2009 BULLDOG BASEBALL SCHEDULE

Stephen Susdorf has quite an impressive resume for a guy weeksaway from graduating college. He has excelled both academicallyand athletically at Fresno State. Susdorf was drafted at the end of hisjunior year, but decided he would rather pass up the opportunity togo pro for one last season with the Bulldogs and to earn his degreein Civil Engineering.

"It is hard to quantify what Susdorf has meant to our program overthe last four years. He has represented Fresno State with class sincethe first day he stepped on to our campus," said Coach MikeBatesole.

The decision to return was proven to be a good one for Susdorf.He and his teammates won the National Championship and he isgraduating Magna cum Laude with a degree in Civil Engineering."It definitely was the right decision to come back for my senior yearand it has paid off and the College World Series experience wasamazing," said Susdorf. "If I had signed as a junior it would havetaken a lot longer to finish my degree and graduate."

Susdorf can add public speaker to the long list ofaccomplishments. He has been asked to speak at the engineeringgraduation. "It is really cool and an honor to be the speaker," saidSusdorf. "It is something that I have never done before, hopefully itgoes well." Susdorf stated that he plans to talk about his experiencesof team work with the baseball team and relate it to the field ofengineering.

"He has been outstanding on the field and is the program's careerleader in RBIs (217), doubles (70), and runs scored (207). He is alsoin the top five in career games played, homeruns and hits," saidBatesole. "Most importantly, he will graduate in Engineering withclose to a 4.0 GPA. Susdorf was a tremendous leader in theclubhouse. He is a four-time Academic All-WAC selection and thisyear he earned Academic All-American honors. He is the majorreason we have won three straight WAC Championships and the2008 National Championship."

Once he has graduated, Susdorf plans to spend a couple of monthsat home and training before heads to spring training in March.

Theresa Kurtz, Fresno State Athletics

SUSDORF ENDS BRILLIANTCOLLEGIATE CAREER

ALUMNI GAME IS BACKEffective immediately, the NCAA has changed its positionregarding Alumni baseball games We need your con tinued

support and interest in keeping this tradition.

Alumni Weekend Calendar of EventsFriday, February 13, 2009

Golf Tournament at Brighton Crest - 8:00 am RegistrationDouble Play Dinner at Fresno Convention Center’s

New Exhibit Hall - 6:00 pm

Saturday, February 14, 2009Alumni Game (vs. 2009 Bulldogs) 2:05 pm

1959, 1988, and 1991 Team MembersThe Dugout Club and University would like to have youattend the unveiling of the new Sign honoring the 2008

National Champions on February 20, at 6:05 pm. You will beon the field to be recognized for your contribution to the

history and tradition of Fresno State baseball.

Contact for all questions:Hal Froese (559) 999–2413 or email: hlf07@att.net

FEBRUARY 20092 Mon BASEBALL PRACTICE BEGINS11 Wed Board Meeting 6:30 pm

North Gym Annex Conf.13 Fri Golf Tourn. Brighton Crest 8:00 am Registration

Info: Stan Busch 346-032013 Fri Double Play Dinner 6:00 pm

Convention Center New Exhibit HallInfo: Sharlene Gomes (559) 924-3361

14 Sat Alumni Game 2:05 pmAlumni vs. 2009 Team Beiden Field

20 Fri Opening Night Ceremony Pregamevs. Washington, Beiden Field

20-22 Fri-Sun Washington 6:05 pm/2:05 pm/1:05 pm22 Sun Brunch 9:00 am Beiden Field24 Tue San Luis Obispo 6:05 pm Beiden Field

MARCH 20094 Wed Board Meeting 6:30 pm

North Gym Annex Conf.7-8 Sat-Sun Buffalo 2:05 pm/1:05 pm Beiden Field9 -14

Mon-Sat Pepsi-Johnny Quik ClassicPortland, Buffalo, CS Bakersfield

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2009 DUGOUT CLUB MEMBERSHIP FORMHelp us Reach our Goal - 1000 Members - & Continue

the Tradition Of Service to Bulldog BaseballThe Dugout Club is a fan-based organization overseen by the Bulldog Foundation and established to increase enthusiasm forFresno State baseball and enhance the student-athlete intercollegiate experience. Support for the Dugout Club is generatedthrough memberships and fan-based activities. Though the Dugout Club is not primarily fund raising driven, we may provideresources for designated projects approved by the athletic department.

PLEASE SIGN ME UP FOR THE DUGOUT CLUB$35 - Senior____ $50 - Individual____ $100 - Family____ $200 - Corporate____ TOTAL $__________

Name___________________________________ Address______________________________ City____________________

State________ Zip_______________ Daytime Phone__________________ Email__________________________________

Method of Payment

□ Check payable to: The Bulldog Foundation □Visa/MasterCard/Discover/Am. Express

#_________________________ Exp __/__ 3-digit Security Code__ __ __(on back of card)

Name on Card_________________________ Signature_____________________________

Contact Joyce Buss for information @ (559) 434-5714 Return Membership Form and Payment To:The Bulldog Foundation ● P.O. Box 26267 ● Fresno CA 93729-6267 ● (559) 244-5600