@Eokerholm posted:Interesting chart. Huge differences in avg attendances. Would love to see more current numbers.
Aside from the finance improvement for MOST, Are people over looking the benefit to a longer ramp up for Spring (after being home for 6 weeks and not playing for 12)? Not playing in the cold at most locations.
Only 16 schools play in July. The housing cost...for the month of June....for fresh and soph (if they're in the dorm) if the other players are in an apartment, 12 month lease, no additional cost can't be more than travel/preseason guarantees and boosted concessions/tickets/merch from more butts in seats? For the 16 schools that play in July. They should be happy to pay the minimal charge to be in the hunt and on to Omaha (Marketing, bonuses, etc.).
Currently CWS is in June after a lot of schools get out, (mostly southern or warm weather). They don't seem to be complaining about housing the team after school lets out Memorial Day?
Why would schools want to compete for business and butts in seats with Basketball and March Madness? After basketball more marketing time/slots/money focused on/for baseball? Keep the school spirit momentum and boost attendance with better weather.
What about the academic and stress reduction on Fall and Spring Semesters for the student athletes? Let them get deeper into their classes and catch a rhythm before the chaos of fall ball or spring season.
If the current system is OBVIOUSLY not working or profitable, (but for a handful of schools), why not try to make a change/improvement that benefits the masses? Freaking Vandy is only break even....
LSU, Arkansas and others on the list above are doing well because they have more butts in more seats and with better weather, that would be the case for other programs across the country.
Now is the time for and to change. Get college baseball back towards being more profitable and protect it from the chopping block. Give it a chance to fund the 3rd paid assistant and give that guy or gal insurance and benefits. Get scholarships funded up to 15 or something to give the sport more parity and a chance.
Change is hard and stressful, good or bad, but now is the time to embrace change and give college baseball a really good chance to protect itself. No
Not trying to be contrary here, but, a couple of things to consider. For many of the D1 mids and smaller, there is no gate fee. Often times a parking fee, but no gate. Also, if the student body is done with school, who exactly will be in attendance at these games in May and June? Typically, there are +/- zero students at games finals week and after (at the mids). I personally like the idea of starting later because weather will be better. But I don’t think $ will be saved.