This goes out to allthe New England folks. Over the years, I’ve noticed that BU doesn’t have a Baseball program. They have a softball program. Before I let all my politically incorrect thoughts take over, I’d like to get the facts.
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It is sad. Every major university should have a Baseball team. Wisconsin doesn't have one, either does Iowa State. I am guessing that, similar to UW & ISU, being so far north makes it tough for BU.
It would take significant investments in indoor training facilities in order to compete for top recruits etc
I would also guess it is a money issue.
It was a facilities and weather issue. Braves/ Nickerson Field was converted from a baseball to football facility decades ago. For years BU baseball had to practice and play offsite. At one point as part of BU and the Red Sox rejuvenating Kenmore Square it was agreed the solution was to play at Fenway. The word was a jealous, connected Boston College alumni businessman killed that deal. BU baseball died in the 90’s. In order to save BU baseball would have involved purchasing expensive within the city limits land to build a training facility and baseball stadium.
Then there’s the weather aspect of it. Boston College has already played twenty games. Today is their first home game. I’ve watched BC home games in March when it’s been twenty with the wind chill.
New Hampshire, Vermont and Providence College also don’t have baseball programs. PC won the Big East (when it was a P6) in their last season.
6 D1 baseball programs in MA, 3 in Boston, so weather isn't a great excuse. No football, wrestling or golf either. It's a numbers game. Ice hockey is king at BU, right? Most schools don't have that in the mix. And I doubt they have enough land to put a field close to campus. Also most of their sports are in the Patriot League. No baseball for Colgate, Loyola, or American.
But I agree with you, it's a big school with a lot of money. They should have baseball.
When BU dumped baseball the issue was lack of available land at a reasonable price combined with the weather. The AD stated it was the case. There was a point in the 90’s where BU decided to go large (football and basketball) or go home. They decided against the cost and went home.
BC went larger. They left the Big East (when it was a P6) and joined the ACC. The real reason they joined the ACC was the revenue sharing. BC was on the verge of going bankrupt at the time. The money saved the school. But competitively they’re an ACC laughingstock. They can’t even fill a 45,000 seat football stadium or an 8,600 seat basketball arena. As a whole people in the Boston area don’t care about college sports outside hockey.
Weather is a good excuse when it prevents recruiting to the level to compete on a regular basis. Boston College is typically an ACC bottom feeder because all the top talent leaves the region. A few years ago three pitchers got them to the Super Series. They were below .500 at mid season. The year Vanderbilt won the CWS their #1, #2, closer and cleanup hitter were from Massachusetts. Northeastern was good last year. But they’re typically a CAA mid to bottom feeder. They rely on local talent that doesn’t leave the area. UMass, UML, Holy Cross and Harvard aren’t consistent contenders either. These schools can’t keep the top talent in the area due to weather. There’s plenty of talent. They head south.
Is there a Title IX component included in these decisions?
Availability and cost of city land was the biggest issue. Priorities are also an issue. The hockey team is typically nationally ranked and a leader in all time NCAA championships. The basketball team is usually competitive in the Patriot League. At one point the all time leading scoring was Kylie Irving’s father. BU built a beautiful 7,500 seat hockey, basketball and training complex in the early 2000’s. They already owned the land.
BaseballBUDDY posted:Is there a Title IX component included in these decisions?
Title IX impacts athletic sponsorship at almost every college (some religious schools have exemptions). Schools must provide "equitable opportunities to participate in sports" for men and women. If BU added baseball they would have to add equivalent opportunities in women's sports, or reduce the opportunities in other men's sports.
Syracuse is ACC, no baseball.
9and7dad posted:Syracuse is ACC, no baseball.
When they did have baseball was into the snow bank a ground rule double or a homer?