2024-25 Off-Season/Fall Ball Discussion and News

[ShockBand]

Looks like The Gene is getting new LED lighting and replacement of the old blue box seats. “Saw it on facebook so it must be true.”

From an article at goshockers.com: "The Shockers are introducing a VIP seating section in the first six rows behind home plate. The mesh seats will have a headrest, drink rail and cup holder, with in-seat food and beverage service available. Down the first base line, Eck Stadium will now feature 24 premium loge boxes. Each box includes four seats, a half-moon tabletop, four concession vouchers per game and in-seat cocktail service."

[WstateU]

From an article at goshockers.com: "The Shockers are introducing a VIP seating section in the first six rows behind home plate. The mesh seats will have a headrest, drink rail and cup holder, with in-seat food and beverage service available. Down the first base line, Eck Stadium will now feature 24 premium loge boxes. Each box includes four seats, a half-moon tabletop, four concession vouchers per game and in-seat cocktail service."

Like to see they’re (we’re) not settling for the status quo… changes look positive and worth a try. It’s still all about the product on the diamond, but coach Green seems to be recruiting well. I like how he honors the past.

[1972Shocker]

Looks like The Gene is getting new LED lighting and replacement of the old blue box seats. “Saw it on facebook so it must be true.”

Ya Think? https://shockernet.net/forum/wichita...60#post1460060

[Onegreatracer]

Was told today that seats in the new first 6 "premium" rows will be available only in groups of 4 and will cost between $2500-3000 for the group.

I'm out on that. If they do it in the entire former blue seat section I might just stay home and watch on the + from now on.

If the AA-Club stays the same price that is a much better value imo.

[WuDrWu]

Was told today that seats in the new first 6 "premium" rows will be available only in groups of 4 and will cost between $2500-3000 for the group.

I'm out on that. If they do it in the entire former blue seat section I might just stay home and watch on the + from now on.

If the AA-Club stays the same price that is a much better value imo.

I really like what they are doing with the 1B side (even though it eliminated my season tickets back to day 1) but I never sat there anymore. I too enjoy everything with the AA Club. Hopeful that the increase isn't similar to car and home insurance increases.

[WstateU]

I really like what they are doing with the 1B side (even though it eliminated my season tickets back to day 1) but I never sat there anymore. I too enjoy everything with the AA Club. Hopeful that the increase isn't similar to car and home insurance increases.

10% seems to be the norm.

[Old School "Shocker"]

I too like everything they are doing with the upgrades and the name. Just think the increase is too much for the product on the field. Are they better? Yes. But they are still maybe 3rd or 4th at best in the American. We can hope they get a good seed and get hot again to win the conference tournament.

I think they are pricing it as if we are a regional team. Unfortunately we are not there yet. We are closer but I think still a few years away. I hope I wrong.

[Onegreatracer]

I will miss buying GA and sitting behind home plate like I did in high school. Not sure that will ever be possible now.

[1972Shocker]

Baseball Unveils 2025 Schedule, New Seating Options

VIEW SCHEDULE

The schedule includes a trip to Hawaii for the first time since 2013 and home series with old rivals Cal State Fullerton and Missouri State, plus a midweek date at Globe Life Field against Abilene Christian.

Fans can secure their seat for every game at Eck Stadium this season by placing a $20 non-refundable deposit for 2025 season tickets here or by calling the Ticket Office at 316-978-3267. Current season ticket holders will receive renewal information in the coming weeks.

The Shockers are introducing a VIP seating section in the first six rows behind home plate. The mesh seats will have a headrest, drink rail and cup holder, with in-seat food and beverage service available. Down the first base line, Eck Stadium will now feature 24 premium loge boxes. Each box includes four seats, a half-moon tabletop, four concession vouchers per game and in-seat cocktail service.

The Shockers open the 2025 season with eight road games, beginning at McNeese State on February 14. After three games against the Cowboys, Wichita State departs for Hawaii, where head coach Brian Green served as an assistant coach in 2003 and 2004. Wichita State and Hawaii have played 45 times in program history, but have not met on the diamond since 2013. The Shockers play five games in the Aloha State, four against Hawaii and one against Chaminade.

Wichita State's home opener is February 28, kicking off a three-game series against Cal State Fullerton. Following the series, WSU heads to Arlington for a March 5 midweek against Abilene Christian at Globe Life Field, Wichita State's first game at a Major League stadium since 2014.

Upon returning home, the Shockers welcome in longtime Missouri Valley Conference foe Missouri State for a three-game series, taking place March 7-9. A two-game midweek set at Nebraska and a three-gamer at home against defending Conference USA champion Louisiana Tech close out the non-conference weekends.

The American Athletic Conference schedule consists of 27 games divided into nine three-game series. The Shockers host UAB (March 28-30), UTSA (April 11-13), South Florida (April 25-27), defending regular season AAC champion East Carolina (May 2-4), and Memphis (May 15-17) at Eck Stadium. WSU hits the road for conference sets against AAC tournament champion Tulane (March 21-23), Charlotte (April 4-6), Florida Atlantic (April 17-19), and Rice (May 9-11).

The midweek schedule is filled with familiar opponents. The Shockers play Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts, plus a home midweek tilt against BYU on May 6.

The American Athletic Conference Championship is scheduled for May 20-25 in Clearwater, Florida. The tournament will once again be held at BayCare Ballpark, spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

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The Shockers are introducing a VIP seating section in the first six rows behind home plate. The mesh seats will have a headrest, drink rail and cup holder, with in-seat food and beverage service available. Down the first base line, Eck Stadium will now feature 24 premium loge boxes. Each box includes four seats, a half-moon tabletop, four concession vouchers per game and in-seat cocktail service.

[shockerfan224]

Hearing that Carson beavers, Eric Fernandez, Austin Ford, Parker Morris, Michael Mulhollon, Nico Rodriguez, AJ Rasmussen, among others will not be on the 40 man roster this coming spring. Never easy to make roster cuts.

[WuDrWu]

Certainly knew some kids weren’t going to make it. And we have to be down to 34 a year from now.

[WuDrWu]

Hearing that Carson beavers, Eric Fernandez, Austin Ford, Parker Morris, Michael Mulhollon, Nico Rodriguez, AJ Rasmussen, among others will not be on the 40 man roster this coming spring. Never easy to make roster cuts.

No real surprises assuming the list is accurate. Always had high hopes for MM. Fantastic young man, all the upside you could hope for, just could not stay arm healthy unfortunately. Great teammate, hope he finds a way to stay around the program and doesn’t suffer through life with pain.

[SubGod22]

Go Shockers - Shockers Tabbed Second in Preseason Poll

Wichita State baseball was picked second in the 2025 American Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll, the highest preseason projection for the Shockers since joining the conference in 2017.

East Carolina topped the poll with 80 points, including eight first-place votes, while the Shockers garnered 72 points and the other two first-place nods. Defending American Athletic Conference tournament champion Tulane checked in at #3, followed by UTSA and Charlotte in the top half of the poll. Florida Atlantic, South Florida, UAB, Memphis and Rice round out the projections.

The Shockers have never been picked higher than fourth in the American preseason poll, a status they reached just once in the 2022 edition. Last season, Wichita State was picked seventh before finishing 32-29 (15-12) and tying for third in Brian Green's first season as head coach.

WSU and Tulane lead the way with four preseason All-Conference selections apiece. Wichita State catcher Mauricio Millan, first baseman Josh Livingston, second baseman Jordan Rogers and shortstop Camden Johnson were all recognized by the conference, with Millan as the unanimous selection behind the plate.

Millan put together another consistent season as Wichita State's primary starting catcher in 2024, making 56 total starts that included 40 at catcher. The El Paso, Texas native finished third on the team with a .301 batting average, smacking 10 doubles and two home runs while setting a new program and American Athletic Conference record with 24 hit by pitches. Millan recorded 15 multi-hit games and six multi-RBI contests, solidifying his reputation as one of the conference's most clutch hitters with a .371 batting average with runners in scoring position.

Livingston delivered one of the most impressive months in recent program history to buoy Wichita State's late-season surge. The rising senior went 11-for-33 in the month of May with three doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI in just nine games, highlighted by four homers in the conference tournament. For the season, Livingston hit .253 with five doubles, 11 home runs and 39 RBI, establishing a new program record with three pinch-hit home runs that included the program's first pinch-hit grand slam since 2016.

Rogers posted the best season of his career as Wichita State's regular second baseman in 2024. The versatile defender played in 60 games with 57 starts (52 at second base, four in right field, one in center field), hitting .296 with 12 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs and 41 RBI. Rogers tied for third in the American Athletic Conference in both triples and hit by pitches while leading the Shockers with 56 runs scored. He also put together an 18-game hitting streak from April 20-May 21, the longest by any Wichita State player in 2024.

Johnson burst onto the scene in 2024 as one of the region's most dynamic young players. The left-handed hitting infielder was named Second Team All-AAC and AAC All-Freshman Team as the only Shocker to start 60 games, 55 at third base and five at shortstop. Johnson led the team with a .326 batting average, adding 13 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 32 RBI while tying for the team lead with seven stolen bases in eight attempts.

2024 American Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll (First-place votes in parentheses)

East Carolina (8) -- 80
Wichita State (2) -- 72
Tulane -- 63
UTSA -- 55
Charlotte -- 50
Florida Atlantic -- 36
South Florida -- 31
UAB -- 27
Memphis -- 21
Rice -- 15

Preseason Player of the Year
Mason Lytle, Sr., OF, UTSA

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Colin Daniel, Jr., UAB

Preseason All-Conference Team
P – Colin Daniel, Jr., UAB*
P – Davion Hickson, Jr., Rice
P – Luc Fladda, Sr., Tulane
RP – Ethan Norby, So., East Carolina
RP – Jacob Moore, R-Jr., Tulane
C – Mauricio Millan, Sr., Wichita State*
1B – Josh Livingston, Sr., Wichita State
2B – Jordan Rogers, R-Sr., Wichita State
SS – Camden Johnson, So., Wichita State
3B – Gavin Schulz, Sr., Tulane
OF – Carson Bayne, Sr., Charlotte*
OF – Ryley Johnson, Sr., East Carolina
OF – Mason Lytle, Sr., UTSA*
OF – Jackson Linn, Sr., Tulane
DH – Rafael Betancourt, Jr., South Florida
* denotes unanimous selection

[Old School "Shocker"]

HUGE preseason pressure. Picked 2nd closing on ECU. 4 preseason 1st team. Almost an IF sweep!! Let’s hope pitching can keep us close. No sneaking up on anyone this year.

[WuDrWu]

I highly doubt Jordo plays 2nd for us, but that's ok.

It is nice to see the rest of the league respect what HCBG has done in one short season. Hopefully we can build on it.