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Sports

Monday, Jul. 14, 2008

Batesole adjusting to life as Top 'Dog

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FRESNO -- It was a rare moment for Fresno State baseball coach Mike Batesole.

With his trademark sunglasses on but wearing no Fresno State apparel, Batesole quietly watched a game from the stands.

Relaxed and feeling at peace.

Had this been a recruiting visit, Batesole surely would have made himself more visible, closer to the field and wearing a Bulldogs cap and shirt. Perhaps one that loudly read National Champs to get the prospect's attention.

But this time, Batesole simply wanted to keep a low profile and enjoy watching his youngest son, Korby, play for the River Park Little League All-Stars.

No such luck.

Once word got around, a crowd formed behind the coach. And soon after, Batesole was signing autographs and taking pictures.

Ah, the price of fame.

Newfound fame, that is.

"It's been unbelievable," Batesole said, followed by a loud chuckle. "The fame, the attention, it has never been that important to me. But to go around town, up in the River Park Mall, the River Park Little League, I've met a lot of people. It's been really special.

"My wife told me the other day that we had to go out at different times now and we needed to start leaving places at different times, too, and take different routes because she was tired of me being a spectacle.

"Can you believe that? Me? A spectacle? But what an honor." In a sports-rich region that has long sought something to boast about, Fresno State baseball delivered when no one else could.

Fresno State never had won a national Division I title in a men's sport until last month.

That's when Batesole's Bulldogs defied odds, survived one of the toughest postseason paths in the NCAA Tournament, and completed one of the most improbable runs that concluded with a national championship at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

In the aftermath of Cinderella's coronation, Fresno State baseball has returned as one of the university's marquee sports and brought along prospects of new sponsors.

"Because of what the baseball team did," associate athletic director Paul Ladwig said, "we're opening doors to companies that seemed closed shut before."

And Batesole has gone from just another Fresno State coach to a Fresno celebrity, joining the likes of football coach Pat Hill and Mayor Alan Autry as some of the region's most prominent people.

How famous has Batesole become? Hall of Famers are calling him.

Batesole spent 30 minutes on the phone last week after receiving a surprising call from longtime major league manager Sparky Anderson.

The two never had met or spoken before.

But there Batesole was, listening in awe as Anderson -- the first to win World Series titles as both a National League and American League manager -- congratulated him and the two discussed the College World Series run.

"It was like he was in the dugout with us the whole year," Batesole said. "He'd described things exactly how I would have, saw things exactly how I did. That was really cool.

"I'm talking to one of the greatest baseball minds ever and he's telling me good job."

The Bulldogs' national crown also brought Batesole to the state Capitol, where he and senior pitcher Jason Breckley received a standing ovation before the Senate and Assembly.

Though Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was not present, Batesole visited the governor's office and picked up the sword Schwarzenegger used in the 1982 movie "Conan the Barbarian."

"I'm carrying around the original sword from 'Conan the Barbarian' like a little kid," Batesole said. "What a blast." Next stop for Batesole is the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles for Wednesday's ESPY awards.

The Bulldogs' improbable title -- dubbed on hot commodity T-shirts as "Underdogs to Wonderdogs" -- has them nominated for an ESPY Award in the Best Upset category.

But beyond the coach's newfound fame and the baseball team's growing attention, what Batesole mostly wants is to see the momentum translate into long-lasting success: through the signing of more high-profile recruits and establishing Fresno State as a consistent national-title contender.

Since the national championship parade and ceremony the day after the team's victory over Georgia, Batesole and lead assistant Matt Curtis have been trying to play catch-up.

Most seasons, Fresno State would have much of June to begin recruiting.

Concerned that recruits who called the baseball office might feel neglected, Curtis left a message on his voice greeting, sounding apologetic that Fresno State was playing in the College World Series.

The day after the celebration at Beiden Field, Batesole and Curtis began recruiting.

"It's been quite a ride," Batesole said. "Busy. But definitely worth it."