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Do you think college baseball is not as popular because it's last in line of other MLB affiliate's?
AAA
AA
A
College Ball?
The NCAA isn't an MLB affiliate. The aluminum bats (though they've been "deadened"), the perceived level of play, and the time of year all contribute to the general lack of popularity (with exceptions).
There is one statistic that can be used league-wide to estimate the quality of the level of play, Total Wild Pitches and Passed Balls per game. Neither are dependent on the offsetting performance level of the other team, and the official scorer can't ignore them or call them something else.
Here is the number of PB+WP/G in several leagues:
MLB 0.89
Big Ten (NCAA) 1.74
Carolina League (AA) 2.96
Pioneer (Rookie) 4.33
If this is a valid yardstick, that would place the top tier of NCAA schools at fairly close to the level of Triple-A.
There is one statistic that can be used league-wide to estimate the quality of the level of play, Total Wild Pitches and Passed Balls per game. Neither are dependent on the offsetting performance level of the other team, and the official scorer can't ignore them or call them something else.
Here is the number of PB+WP/G in several leagues:
MLB 0.89
Big Ten (NCAA) 1.74
Carolina League (AA) 2.96
Pioneer (Rookie) 4.33
If this is a valid yardstick, that would place the top tier of NCAA schools at fairly close to the level of Triple-A.
There is one statistic that can be used league-wide to estimate the quality of the level of play, Total Wild Pitches and Passed Balls per game. Neither are dependent on the offsetting performance level of the other team, and the official scorer can't ignore them or call them something else.
Here is the number of PB+WP/G in several leagues:
MLB 0.89
Big Ten (NCAA) 1.74
Carolina League (AA) 2.96
Pioneer (Rookie) 4.33
If this is a valid yardstick, that would place the top tier of NCAA schools at fairly close to the level of Triple-A.
The Carolina League is high Single A, not Double A.
I also live in Omaha and consider myself a big college baseball fan. I will say that I don't pay too much attention until the regionals. I'll catch parts of games here and there and I try to check out the Nebraska vs. Creighton game each year. I usually go to three to four CWS games each year. It's probably the highlight of my summer. I've never been to a bowl game or March Madness but I can't imagine that they're any better than the CWS. It's a blast and I'm thrilled it will remain in Omaha for another 25 years.
Do you think college baseball is not as popular because it's last in line of other MLB affiliate's?
AAA
AA
A
College Ball?
Most major college ball is pretty similar to Single A ball.
College baseball is less popular than minor league baseball because:
1) MOST of the games are in March and April when it is cold in many parts of the country. (By the way, most MINOR league teams have problems selling tickets early in the year). Also, in some schools, the school year ends long before teh end of teh season.
2) Many games are played at times that are very difficult for most to attend. The last game that I attended (Nevada vs. Cal-Irvine) was at 2 pm on a Thursday afternoon. The AAA affiliate in Reno plays at 7 pm.
3) The games are POORLY promoted. That is, drive on any Div-I campus and ask them for directions to the baseball field. You will get a weird look.
4) Minor leagues have a lot of fun activities to keep the baseball non-diehards occupied. College games have nothing but the game. Some do NOT even have decent scoreboards and the like.
I do not think the level of play, the weather, or size of the stadiums matter.
I think the major reason college baseball lacks in interest and attendance is because the CWS is played when school is technically out...
Think about that. The most important part of the season is played when the student body is not there.
Because its played during the summer the current student body has no real interest. The alumni have no interest because the baseball post-season was never part of their culture either. The games are not "events". There are no tailgates and rivalries... There is no discussion at frat parties or study groups. No water cooler smack talk for alumni.
Translation no interest! Its really a complete miss on the part of college athletics.
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The aluminum bats (though they've been "deadened"), the perceived level of play, and the time of year all contribute to the general lack of popularity (with exceptions).
