Blueprint for Success Lacked a Ballpark

Augie Garrido’s two terms as Cal State Fullerton baseball coach had two similarities--College World Series championships and regional envy.

Garrido, who was hired by Texas Wednesday, is walking into a stadium situation no one would complain about. Disch-Falk Field, a 7,000-seat facility, has played host to 17 NCAA regionals in the last 18 seasons. A tantalizing perk for a coach who has had to slug it out in places such as Starkville, Miss., Baton Rouge, La., and even Austin, Texas, to reach the College World Series.

In 21 seasons at Fullerton, Garrido never hosted a regional. This despite winning three national titles and making seven trips to the College World Series.

In recent years, Fullerton has hosted regionals in softball and soccer at Titan Sports Complex.

During Garrido’s first stint as the Titans’ coach--from 1973-87--the chances of having a regional were nil. Titan Field, with its erector-set-like bleachers, was far from NCAA standards.

Since Garrido returned in 1991, the Titans have moved to better accommodations, but are still short of what they need to host a regional.

The NCAA requires an adequate facility and a $50,000 guarantee, according to Fullerton Athletic Director John Easterbrook. Titan Field seats a little more than 2,000. Easterbrook said Fullerton would need to add about 2,000 seats and complete the planned press box to make a regional feasible.

“With expenses, you really need a $75,000-$80,000 gate,” Easterbrook said. “We think we can get it up to $50,000 now. But to make enough to cover the NCAA guarantee, we need a couple thousand more seats.”

Titan Sports Complex has been a work in progress since it opened in 1992. The facility was designed to give Fullerton an on-campus football stadium--a goal from the mid-1970s. The football team played four home games in 1992, then the program was dropped.

The complex, which included the baseball field, softball field and track, was incomplete. It cost $10.2 million at the time it opened but still needed $4 million in work.

“If it wasn’t for the football stadium, there wouldn’t have been a baseball stadium,” said Fullerton College football Coach Gene Murphy, who was the Titan football coach from 1980-92. “As it turned out, it is a baseball and soccer complex.

“I would say the baseball field is gorgeous, but I was there when it didn’t exist. I know it still doesn’t live up to original specs.”

The stadium till lacks the planned pavilion, which would include the press box, concession stands and restrooms. It is estimated that it will cost $800,000-$1 million to complete the stadium.

Meanwhile, the football stadium is used by high schools, Fullerton College and for commencement. Fullerton also uses the complex for youth and adult sports.

“Football was the reason it was built,” said Assemblyman Dick Ackerman (R-Fullerton), who was Fullerton city councilman. “We wanted a multipurpose facility that the city could also use. Even in hindsight, it gives the city free use of a facility.”

It just never gave Garrido a regional.