Columnist Dean Juipe: Wasted trip shows CCSN needs help

Dean Juipe

Monday, March 19, 2001 | 10:49 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4084.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and seemingly the perfect time to take in a baseball game.

On the schedule: the Community College of Southern Nevada vs. Fullerton Junior College at Coyote Park.

It was to be the conclusion of a four-game weekend series, with CCSN having won two of the first three games. The significance of that one loss, however, was that it was the Coyotes' first of the season.

The fact that they had since recovered from the setback to win Game 3 in the series showed some character, and, for those keeping track, it upped CCSN's record to a still unbelievable 30-1.

I was anxious to see the team play and ready to be suitably impressed. After all, the Coyotes score runs in bunches and usually don't give up too many, which indicates not only a wealth of talent but a terrific job of coaching by Tim Chambers and his staff.

Chambers is a nice guy and I remember last year on the one occasion when I went out to CCSN's Henderson campus to see the Coyotes play -- only to have the game inexplicably called off -- he was gracious and accommodating as we sat in his office and discussed his rising program's potential.

Everything looked to be in order. The sun; the gentle breeze; the chance to see a splendid team comprised solely of local players.

But then history repeated itself.

With absolutely no notice or advance warning, the game was canceled (I presume).

Worse, not even a sign had been posted to soften the blow for fans -- or scouts, or reporters -- who made their way to the main gate.

It was as if no one cared.

But people do care, as is evidenced by the ongoing construction at the ballpark. An attractive field is about to add the amenities that will make it a place where spectators can take comfort.

Now if only Chambers could do something about his scheduling -- and p.r. -- difficulties.

And therein lies the difference between CCSN and, say, a four-year school such as UNLV. If and when you go to see the Rebels you can not only count on a game being played, you will see two major schools that make baseball at least a token priority.

Those games are staffed by a university representative and the outcomes and pertinent tidbits are disseminated accordingly. The results are printed in newspapers and faxed to interested radio and TV stations.

CCSN, conversely, operates in something of a publicity vacuum. Its news releases related to the Coyotes are haphazard and alarmingly incomplete.

Sometimes it e-mails its scores, sometimes it doesn't.

It's an approach that undermines the school as well as its baseball program.

The cancellation of the game with Fullerton also underscored the trouble with being an independent junior-college team, as CCSN is. Games can be dropped at the whim of either team.

These are minor issues, to be sure. But with a team that may rank among the nation's best, CCSN should do everything in its power to heighten the public's awareness and add to its appeal.

Calling off games without warning or notification is counterproductive -- and it was Strike 2 as far as I'm concerned.