Safe at Home: LACC Decides to Keep Baseball

Los Angeles City College President Jose Robledo has decided to push to retain the school’s 63-year-old baseball program, reversing his previous stance.

During a meeting with faculty and administrators Friday, Robledo proposed to develop a new plan to support the program, which was to be cut because of the school’s budget woes.

“Los Angeles City College faculty, staff and administrators met [Friday] morning, and developed a proposal which seeks to retain and develop LACC’s baseball program, with the input and the advice of the men’s physical education department,” Robledo said. “It is the college’s intent to turn the program around to make it a success.”

The estimated cost of the program is $30,000, including $10,000 for field rental. The physical education department will examine possible funding solutions, including accepting donations from alumni and other supporters.

Robledo had proposed to eliminate the baseball program and consider implementing a men’s soccer team in the fall of 1995. The implementation of the men’s soccer program will be put on hold, a school official said.

Robledo considered making these changes when Dan Cowgill announced his resignation as baseball coach in March following the conclusion of the baseball season. At the time, the school could not locate a faculty member in the physical education department to coach the team.

Because of liability concerns, Robledo was reluctant to hire a part-time instructor to run a program that plays on an off-campus field. The Cubs practice and play home games at Crystal Springs in Griffith Park.

Administrators said they hope a new coach will renew interest in the program among athletes and students.

When news leaked out in late April about the program’s potential demise, former Cubs coaches Phil Pote and Bob Zuber, sports agent Dennis Gilbert and former player Duke Russell organized a protest.

“When I contacted the Dodgers and the Angeles, both [Dodgers General Manager] Fred Claire and [Angels President] Richard Brown said they would lend their support,” said Gilbert, who represents San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza. “They would support us by getting involved with a fund-raiser.”

After Friday’s meeting, Robledo decided to continue the baseball program and allow the men’s physical education department to seek a new coach. That proposal will need approval on Monday from the Shared Governance Council, which is chaired by Henry Ealy, an avid baseball supporter.