MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1999

Dodger night deemed success

By Wes Woods

On-Line Forty-Niner

A little wide and high.

Okay, the pitch was a lot wide and high. President Robert Maxson's heave at Cal State Long Beach's Dodger Night left much to be desired.

However, with a turnout of over 1,806 CSULB students, staff and faculty, said Dr. Stafford Cox, chair of the Dodger Night Committee, the night was deemed a success.

When Maxson (clad in a Los Angeles Dodger jacket just given to him) walked to the pitcher's mound, he turned around and fired a right handed rocket.

Unfortunately, the pitch sailed high and wide left, sending A.S.I. president Christy Zamani (playing the role of catcher) scrambling. Maxson then put his hands up to his head in disbelief.

"It was wild but strong," Maxson said. " ... It was no wimp throw."

"Our president is just way too powerful," Zamani (who was incorrectly announced by the public address announcer as Zeemeanee) said with a laugh.

"Dr. Maxson has high standards," Cox said. "It was a high ball."

CSULB second-year student Zanaida Stewart sang the national anthem, which was well received, after Maxson threw out the first ball.

Dodger Night, attended by 31,092, culminated into a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves.

"This is one of many things planned," Cox said. "But this is the first off campus [activity] of this magnitude."

The Braves won the game, which was deadlocked at 4-4, in the 12th inning when the Braves smashed seven runs. Mike Remlinger (1-0) got the victory, while Jeff Kubenka (0-1) took the loss.

Dodger ace (and $105 million dollar pitcher) Kevin Brown started the game, but was pulled from the game in the third inning after Chipper Jones hit a three-run homer.

For many CSULB attendees, the event was a success.

"This is great to see the university get recognition," said Tom Mullins, Vice President of Chapter Five the CSULB Alumni Association. "It's an opportunity to basically show support [for CSULB].

"Nothing beats kicking back with a Dodger dog and 1800 of your peers watching a game," A.S.I. Vice President Toby Sexton said.

"It's very exciting," Cox said. "The people you normally see at work are at another venue [Dodger stadium]. It feels more like a family."

"It's funner than I expected," women's volleyball player Benishe Dillard said. "I came here to support Long Beach State."

The tickets sold by CSULB are reimbursed by the Dodgers at $1.50 a ticket, Cox said.

Cox said he estimated $2400 will come back to CSULB, which will be split among various scholarships.

"It takes a lot of people to pull this off," Cox said. "Everyone did an outstanding job."

"If students are interested, we might do it next year," Maxson said.