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Are College Baseball & Softball becoming regional sports?
Posted on 5/30/16 at 3:07 am
Posted on 5/30/16 at 3:07 am
With half of the Women's CWS coming from the SEC and 6/8 from the southeastern part of the nation, along with all 16 baseball regional host sites (including 7 SEC schools) being in the southeast, are these becoming "niche" sports that no one else cares about?
It's easy to do some SEC chest-thumping here and say the rest of the country can't keep up, but is it really trying? Will ESPN continue to provide national TV coverage if the rest of the nation stops tuning in?
It's easy to do some SEC chest-thumping here and say the rest of the country can't keep up, but is it really trying? Will ESPN continue to provide national TV coverage if the rest of the nation stops tuning in?
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Posted on 5/30/16 at 3:09 am to RockChalkTiger
the sec dominates in every sport from track-baseball. basketball is a head scratcher. lots of athletes, not basketball players.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 7:31 am to RockChalkTiger
They have always been regional sports.
This post was edited on 5/30/16 at 7:37 am
Posted on 5/30/16 at 7:53 am to RockChalkTiger
It is a fluke that the west coast is so down this year. Due to the weather you won't ever see the north east and mid west have consistency
Posted on 5/30/16 at 7:54 am to Dizz
Michigan is the only consistently good softball team north of the Mason Dixon line.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 7:56 am to RockChalkTiger
The SEC's dominance in football led to more money for all schools. With that extra money SEC schools were able to build up other programs. SEC softball went from a blip on the map to dominating due to being able to recruit the west coast heavily. I think we all kind of knew that though
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:06 am to Dizz
quote:True. But, even in a good year, folks on the West coast just don't give a rip. They won't go to games, or watch them on TV. Too many other things to do out there. It's a different world.
It is a fluke that the west coast is so down this year.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:07 am to RockChalkTiger
Big time college baseball has become more popular with kids in the Midwest and northeast than it used to be. So they're playing at big time schools. Buddy reed, aj puk, jake Fraley, hall of Louisville and vandys rosters. More and more big time prospects are coming south.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:09 am to RockChalkTiger
North would kick our arse in hockey, but we have baseball so it's all good.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:10 am to RockChalkTiger
Definitely a niche sport.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:14 am to geaux.home
quote:We need to change that. Hockey games beat the frick out of baseball games.
North would kick our arse in hockey,
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:16 am to PNW
quote:Univ of Washington won it several years ago, I think.
Michigan is the only consistently good softball team north of the Mason Dixon line.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:17 am to pvilleguru
Arizona state started a hockey program. No reason the sec couldn't as well. Except that title ix is limiting everything.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:20 am to ProjectP2294
quote:There's only 2 teams south of the Mason Dixon, ASU and UAH. Although Alabama's club team has the goal off making the jump in a few years.
Arizona state started a hockey program.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:21 am to MontyFranklyn
quote:trickle down economics baby
The SEC's dominance in football led to more money for all schools.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:25 am to ProjectP2294
I don't think it is regional. I think the SEC just has great facilities and fans that draw players from across the country. I watched a bit of softball this year and there are a bunch of TX, AZ, CA, and FL players in the conference.
A&M and UF looked like the only teams predominately from their home state. I think LSU had maybe 3 or 4 starters from LA.
A&M and UF looked like the only teams predominately from their home state. I think LSU had maybe 3 or 4 starters from LA.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:30 am to Chill98
quote:That's not what makes it regional.
I watched a bit of softball this year and there are a bunch of TX, AZ, CA, and FL players in the conference.
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:32 am to pvilleguru
bullshite. Hockey fricking blows. They have to make a light blink red and let out a fog horn to let everyone know a point was scored. And that only happens three times a game
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:34 am to MSU5
Posted on 5/30/16 at 9:35 am to Chill98
I agree that both have been, and always will be warm-weather sports, just like hockey in states that border Canada (although there are a lot more college players from places like California thanks to kids playing roller) but it seems like the Midwest and West Coast are giving up on these sports, in terms of fan and financial support. (The Northeast has never given a crap about college sports). For a while there even the NCAA seemed like it was trying to grow the game, with Regionals in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Now they've thrown in the towel, too!
I guess it is possible to be victims of your own success. Hope it doesn't lead to schools cutting programs and networks cutting coverage.
I guess it is possible to be victims of your own success. Hope it doesn't lead to schools cutting programs and networks cutting coverage.
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