Wichita State Names Green Head Baseball Coach

[ShockerExpress]

How many D1 ballparks have you been to in the past 3 years?

We have done a lot of work with the weight rooms, locker rooms, etc. and they are great. But the overall facility is not Top 50.

The baseball budget was part of a FOIA posted a couple years ago. Our coaches and staff do a great job squeezing every penny they can out of it, but especially since we got to the AAC, it’s just not enough to compete at highest levels.

Charter flights, team catered meals while traveling, etc. There is a lot that the kids at these big programs are talking to the players they want to come join them.

I can’t speak to a lot of what you’re saying, but I can to facilities.

Way behind Oklahoma State. Their knew one is amazing.

OU, KU, K State, Nebraska, ORU, Nebraska, MIZZOU… idk. I’d put Eck with any of them.

Idk if it’s the best of the bunch, but it might be.

So, regionally, yeah it’s right there.

And put it up against any of the other American facilities, too.

[ShockerFever]

Yah um what freaking American facilities top Eck? Let me guess, the great Tulane Stadium and their 4,000 fans per game?

Eck is aging. The seat numbers that are falling off dilapidated seats seen in the background on tv is embarrassing. But gimme an effing break that AAC facilities are better.

[Shock Top]

Eck has the bones to be modernized and become an A-1 facility.

Takes time, money, sweat equity, and success to make that happen though.

I could be done. Getting back to hosting a regional(s) would go a long way towards making that happen.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Eck has the bones to be modernized and become an A-1 facility.

Takes time, money, sweat equity, and success to make that happen though.

I could be done. Getting back to hosting a regional(s) would go a long way towards making that happen.

100% agree.

Fans in the stands next year could go a long way to jump starting that.

Some ideas to help get fans back:

1. Make “The Hill” BYOB friendly for a fee.

2. Create patios that can be rented by companies and organizations out there to that same effect. Give them shade to enjoy the game, cook food, etc.

3. Playground for kids to enjoy. Probably an outfield thing as well.

4. Upgrade concessions: Way too long of a wait when everyone does come. I heard it was 30-45 mins for food during multiple games this year. At least advance ability to order on an app and have it delivered to your seat. No one ever has to miss a play standing in line

5. Rent seat heaters at the stadium. Keep warm butts in seats during March/April.

6. Create a student section and give them $1 tickets. Name on Student ID must match name on ticket.

We need to get creative in getting fans to come back, and offering fan friendly amenities plus affordable access to students will help bring back the atmosphere need to raise the level of the program.

[Kung Wu]

0.Drop the frustrating and completely unnecessary 911 level security.

[Veritas]

How many D1 ballparks have you been to in the past 3 years?

We have done a lot of work with the weight rooms, locker rooms, etc. and they are great. But the overall facility is not Top 50.

The baseball budget was part of a FOIA posted a couple years ago. Our coaches and staff do a great job squeezing every penny they can out of it, but especially since we got to the AAC, it’s just not enough to compete at highest levels.

Charter flights, team catered meals while traveling, etc. There is a lot that the kids at these big programs are talking to the players they want to come join them.

I know stadium / facility rankings are subjective but you lose credibility saying it’s not too 50.

https://www.slamstox.com/en/insights-fun-more-english/top-15-college-baseball-facilities/

[Dan]

100% agree.

Fans in the stands next year could go a long way to jump starting that.

Some ideas to help get fans back:

1. Make “The Hill” BYOB friendly for a fee.

2. Create patios that can be rented by companies and organizations out there to that same effect. Give them shade to enjoy the game, cook food, etc.

3. Playground for kids to enjoy. Probably an outfield thing as well.

4. Upgrade concessions: Way too long of a wait when everyone does come. I heard it was 30-45 mins for food during multiple games this year. At least advance ability to order on an app and have it delivered to your seat. No one ever has to miss a play standing in line

5. Rent seat heaters at the stadium. Keep warm butts in seats during March/April.

6. Create a student section and give them $1 tickets. Name on Student ID must match name on ticket.

We need to get creative in getting fans to come back, and offering fan friendly amenities plus affordable access to students will help bring back the atmosphere need to raise the level of the program.

When I was in college (and this is back in the early 90’s when the place was packed), students just had to show a student ID to get in for free. If we could do it then, they should still be doing this.

[wufan006]

On the budget items, I believe he was speaking to travel, meals (quality and frequency), specific sports nutrition in the weight room was non-existant, and overall perks (equipment, swag, stc...)

[WuDrWu]

We travel just fine. If you're going to talk about chartering baseball then I don't know what to tell you.

If you're in the SEC you don't travel. You play 90+% at home.

No doubt that a training table is needed. Most bigger schools basically bleed off what they are already doing for football. We're absolutely lacking here, but then it costs money. Perhaps this coach and this AD will put some thought into prioritizing what is needed and what CAN be done (not just wished for) and then make a plan to go out and raise the money for that specific purpose.

I don't think the average person understands the costs, efforts and manpower associated with a training table for athletes. That being said, it's not like they are starved or forced to choose from the $1 menu.

If you want swag (I know kids like it but wtf) and equipment (I get that) then don't sign a shitty deal with a ****ing uniform company that uses upside 2s for 5s to save a ****ing dollar.

[WstateU]

If you want swag (I know kids like it but wtf) and equipment (I get that) then don't sign a shitty deal with a ****ing uniform company that uses upside 2s for 5s to save a ****ing dollar.

That drives me nuts. I believe boatanchor signed that stinker.

[wufan006]

We travel just fine. If you're going to talk about chartering baseball then I don't know what to tell you.

If you're in the SEC you don't travel. You play 90+% at home.

No doubt that a training table is needed. Most bigger schools basically bleed off what they are already doing for football. We're absolutely lacking here, but then it costs money. Perhaps this coach and this AD will put some thought into prioritizing what is needed and what CAN be done (not just wished for) and then make a plan to go out and raise the money for that specific purpose.

I don't think the average person understands the costs, efforts and manpower associated with a training table for athletes. That being said, it's not like they are starved or forced to choose from the $1 menu.

If you want swag (I know kids like it but wtf) and equipment (I get that) then don't sign a shitty deal with a ****ing uniform company that uses upside 2s for 5s to save a ****ing dollar.

I do not disagree with a word you say...however we are talking 18-23 year old men that still think like kids sometimes, and when their buddy who plays at whatever school is doing and getting more than they are...then that is where the disconnect lies. Like it or not

I personally believe the problem lies within the atmosphere. Make Eck a great place on game day, that helps immensely on recruiting, that in turn effects wins, that fixes everything. Go to a game at ECU. Southern Miss, Louisiana Lafayette. There's no reason why we cant create an atmosphere like they have, and the link of their atmosphere to their current success is obvious

[pogo]

I thought it was an AAC level cooperative made by the commioner

[WuDrWu]

I personally believe the problem lies within the atmosphere. Make Eck a great place on game day, that helps immensely on recruiting, that in turn effects wins, that fixes everything. Go to a game at ECU. Southern Miss, Louisiana Lafayette. There's no reason why we cant create an atmosphere like they have, and the link of their atmosphere to their current success is obvious

This is what I hear most from families.

It's a chicken or egg argument, no doubt.


I've been arguing/asking/advocating for upgrading the fan experience/game day options at The Eck for years, but nobody listens or cares. I hope that will change, but I need to see something (and IDGAF about softball. All that money and most importantly, effort should be going to baseball, but if people want to specifically give $$ to softball then whatever they want) before I believe it. Lots CAN be done with little (comparatively) money.


Of course, we're still a northern school, with weather issues for at least half the season and we're not winning. Tough to get people out. We're the most northern school now in our conference. None of these things is an advantage.


But, there's also this. You're now asking folks to pay for kid's college, support them (often times in poor weather conditions) without fail, then pay them cash for their efforts....only to know they're more often than not going to look for a better deal elsewhere, eventually.


I don't see this door swinging one way, successfully, for any period of time. The only chance is either a huge influx of cash that you're willing to light on fire immediately, or a return of a special culture (ECU has this for example) within the program.

Nothing would please me more than seeing 3-5 WSU fans at every home baseball game. I've attended the vast majority of home games in recent years and I'm telling you, fully 1/3 to 1/2 have been a chore to battle through, weather wise. It's a different world with priorities and options vastly different than 20 years ago. Plus the on field product is down. But if we can't get 3K (much less 5K+) when we've got a top 20 team in conference coming in to battle our guys for 1st place, then this discussion seems largely akin to waste of time and breath, doesn't it? (I'm not trying to be negative, although I realize it sounds like it).

[1972Shocker]

Nothing would please me more than seeing 3-5 WSU fans at every home baseball game. I've attended the vast majority of home games in recent years and I'm telling you, fully 1/3 to 1/2 have been a chore to battle through, weather wise.

I was going to respond to the comment about the atmosphere at ECU, Southern Miss and Lousiana Lafayette that Wichita weather is a significant differentiator.

[shox7]

Doc, I also think back several years ago we had way more local kids playing for the Shox, that most of the fans came to watch play because their kids knew them in high school or played against them at Westurban etc. I think of names like Blasi’s, the Drumright’s, Todd and Darren, Joey Blue and bunch of others. We see that rarely now. I think that is another factor in the declining attendance.