This Snowman Won’t Stand Still

The Snowman has been a little grumpy lately, and his mood might not improve too soon.

It’s the start of the college baseball season, meaning Long Beach State baseball Coach Dave “Snowman” Snow is busy pushing himself--and his team.

Snow is working against the clock with another almost totally new group, trying to form it into a cohesive unit. The job must be done on the run and against one of the nation’s toughest schedules.

“We’re just trying to bind a group and then get them to play,” Snow said. “We’re definitely going through our growing pains, but hopefully we can shore up some of the weak spots and realize our capabilities.”

So far, the results have been predictable. The 49ers have struggled to a 2-4 nonconference record that includes a three-game losing streak. But Snow has traveled this bumpy road before and things usually turn out fine.

Last season didn’t start with a bang either. After seven games, the 49ers were 2-5. Then they won eight in a row and 12 of 14.

Even with the rocky start last season, Long Beach finished 34-26 and won the Big West Conference with a 15-6 record. It was Long Beach’s fourth regular-season Big West title in five seasons and fifth under Snow.

Snow also won his fourth Big West coach of the year award. So when he makes a decision, no one around Blair Field offers alternatives.

Long Beach has predominantly relied on community college transfers during the Snow era, which began in 1989. Consequently, the turnover rate is high because players bolt for the major leagues and use up their eligibility quicker.

This season, the 49ers have 18 new players on their roster. With so many guys around who didn’t know each other a season ago, many coaches would schedule a bunch of nonconference “cupcakes” to win a bunch of games early. As the theory goes, that inspires confidence for the rest of the season.

Snow goes the opposite route. To him, the tougher the schedule the better.

He believes that’s the best way to build a team, which is why the nonconference schedule includes California, Fresno State, Tennessee, USC and Wichita State.

Playing top-notch competition looks real impressive to the NCAA tournament selection committee, but that’s not Snow’s only reason for playing the best. This is the only way he knows how to do things.

“There is no breather on the schedule,” Snow said. “Every team we play is good, so whatever we do is going to have to come from within.

“It’s not going to come from playing somebody we have a chance to tear apart. It’s going to come as we elevate our level of play. That’s where it’s going to come from.

“I’m the dummy who [made up the schedule], so that’s what we’re doing.”

Long Beach defeated USC, 7-3, Sunday at Blair Field to salvage a victory in the final game of a three-game series. Long Beach hosts California at 7:05 tonight at Blair Field in the opener of a four-game series.

The early challenges keep coming.

“[Defeating] USC was a step in the right direction, but I wouldn’t say we’re close yet,” Snow said. “No, we’re not there yet.”

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Making his mark: The baseball team’s pitching staff hasn’t been as good as expected so far, but newcomer Ara Petrosian has provided a bright spot.

In four appearances, Petrosian, a junior right-handed reliever, has pitched 9 1/3 innings without giving up a run. He has one save and opponents are batting .133 against him.

Petrosian was a standout at Fountain Valley High and Cypress College, so his success isn’t surprising. With the 49er pitching staff still unsettled, Petrosian could wind up in the starting rotation.

“He’s done a nice job,” Snow said. “I’m kind of waiting to see what the other [pitchers] do before making any decisions with him because he can fill a lot of roles.”

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The Cotton questions: Will they or won’t they?

Will standout 49er guard James Cotton return to the basketball team next season? Will Schea, James’ younger brother and a prep phenom, change his mind and decide not to attend Long Beach in the fall?

Big questions, no answers.

James is the Big West’s leading scorer, a favorite of coaches throughout the conference and is a lock to be selected first-team all-conference for the second consecutive season. He is a junior in terms of eligibility but will receive his degree in speech communications in May.

He is not happy about how the season has unfolded. The consensus pick to win the conference’s Western Division, Long Beach (8-12, 4-6) has struggled almost from the start. Cotton has acknowledged that he has considered leaving school to declare for the NBA draft.

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Schea’s situation is much more complicated and potentially disruptive for the program.

He signed a letter of intent and scholarship papers with Long Beach during the early signing period in November.

However, Schea has not yet earned a qualifying score on the Scholastic Assessment Test. He is scheduled to take the test again in March.

He could attend Long Beach even if he does not receive a qualifying score, but he would not be eligible to play next season.

49er Notes

The Long Beach Relays, scheduled Saturday morning at 9:30 at the 49er track, have been renamed the Jack Rose Relays. Rose, who coached track at Long Beach for 25 years, died in October. UCLA, USC, UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton are expected to be among the 24 teams competing.

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Coming Attractions

Here’s a look at key games this week for Long Beach State:

* Men’s basketball Saturday at UC Santa Barbara, 7:30 p.m. The team played well at home last week in defeating Utah State and losing to Nevada in overtime. But Long Beach is 1-9 on the road with four consecutive losses, and the Thunderdome is a tough place to play. UC Santa Barbara leads the series, 39-37.

* Baseball today against California at Blair Field, 7:05 p.m. This is the first of an important four-game home series. Long Beach (2-4) could quickly turn things around by winning three of four. California took two of three from Long Beach last season.