The recent Washington & Lee University mock Democratic convention, which, prior to the real event, "nominated" former vice president Walter F. Mondale for president, claims a .722 batting average for all such events since they began back in 1908 -- 13 correct calls in 18 attempts. The most recent miss was in 1972, when the convention selected Sen. Edward M. Kennedy over Sen. George C. McGovern.

The most interesting aspect of this year's W&L convention in mid-May in Lexington was its close miscall of the vice presidential nominee. On its first ballot, the W&L mock pols chose Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro, but without a big enough majority to nominate. On the second ballot, Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of Texas won the nod.

"It must be noted," says W&L's report on the proceedings, "that the Ferraro-Bentsen battle . . . came in the midst of the year-long debate over coeducation at W&L . . . . On July 14 . . . the W&L trustees voted in favor of coeducation. Perhaps if the decision had been made in advance of the mock convention, Ferraro would have prevailed. Then again, maybe not."