Third-year coach Bryan Whitfield is trying to change the baseball culture at Jordan High, where the Panthers haven’t beaten a non-Compton team in Moore League place since 2016. Whitfield has started a year-around schedule for his players, and hopes that leads to a higher baseball IQ. “It’s been a big hurdle getting up to speed […]
This week on the LB Fee Show we’re talking to athletics director Andy Fee about a busy week at Long Beach State and interviewing new Dirtbags coach Eric Valenzuela about the first week of the season. Episode 49 – Big Wins, A Busy Week And Dirtbags Head Coach Eric Valenzuela by lbsuathletics JJ and Andy […]
Millikan alum Jacob Hughey had the game-winning walkoff RBI in the 13th inning to lead the Dirtbags to a 3-2 win over Cal in coach Eric Valenzuela’s first game with the program. The Dirtbags return to action against Cal Saturday at 3 p.m. back at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. We’ve got some great shots […]
The Eric Valenzuela era starts this weekend at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field when the Long Beach State Dirtbags host Cal in a season-opening series. LBSU’s historic baseball program has been significantly slowing down since hosting the 2017 NCAA Super Regional. Last season was doomed by a record-worst start and midseason firing of coach Troy […]
Kenny Barnabee learned how to play soccer in China, and now he’s back stateside trying to help Long Beach Poly win its first Moore League title in 15 years. “It’s an experience that not many people get to have, and an experience I won’t ever forget,” Barnabee said. “I lived in China. Who would’ve thought? […]
One of the most surprising storylines of 2019 was the city of Long Beach entering into negotiations with the Anaheim Angels about bringing the team to our city, with a new stadium potentially being constructed on the “Elephant Lot,” also known as the Long Beach Arena’s parking lot. While the Angels conversations fell through (the […]
This will be a season of change for the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball program no matter what results they find on the field. New coach Eric Valenzuela is rebuilding the roster and changing the approach after taking over in the summer. He turned around the St. Mary’s program with his energy and modern approach, […]
Long Beach Century Club president Sharleen Higa has announced the club’s 64th Hall of Fame class, which will be inducted at the club’s annual Sports Night banquet on Jan. 27. “We’ve got a really good mix of younger athletes and people who’ve been contributing for a long time,” said Higa. The Century Club’s Hall of […]
Jordan alum Ron Fairly had one of the most unique lives of any Long Beach athletes, making his name twice over as a baseball star and as a beloved broadcaster. Fairly died on Oct. 30 after a years-long battle with cancer, at the age of 81. Fairly grew up in Long Beach in the 1940s […]
Wilson High alum Aaron Hicks wasn’t even supposed to be in the New York Yankees postseason lineup because of an injury, but he ended up being the hero in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series last weekend. Hicks, 30, had been placed on the 60-day injured list in early August with a nagging […]