May 25, 2007
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A Surprising Trend
Post-Game Column By Rod Williamson
HOOVER, Ala. — A stroll through the concourse of Region’s Park revealed a somewhat surprising trend. Kid after kid was wearing Vanderbilt baseball gear: a cap here, a t-shirt there.
Perhaps that shouldn’t be so surprising judging from the strong Black and Gold turnout in this Friday night crowd of 6,137. Just how many Commodore fans here is tough to tell as the tickets were not purchased through our own ticket office. Suffice to say there are more `Dores this year than last. And our ranks are building.
Call it the confidence of being No. 1 ranked, being the SEC regular season champs or whatever but quite a few Vanderbilt fans had indicated they weren’t coming down to Hoover until the weekend. Really? The tournament began Wednesday…a few years ago we were just tickled to death to make the eight-team field here. Now we’re waiting until the weekend to show up!
It takes time to reach critical mass and we aren’t there yet, but we continue to get closer. There is a photo taken prior to Tim Corbin’s arrival that has floated through McGugin Center, a picture that reminds our administrative staff just how far we have come in building back our fan base.
The photo was taken from atop the adjoining football stadium, before the permanent seats were installed in the new Hawkins Field. You could count the fans in the picture, although to be fair one cannot tell who the opponent is. Let’s just say the atmosphere was intimate.
When your program goes years without much fanfare, the fans disappear to play golf, watch soccer games, hoe weeds in the garden, take naps or head for the lake. It is hard to get their attention again but this baseball program is making friends and influencing people for several years.
Word came from our ticket office early Friday that we have already sold nearly 250 bleacher seats for next week’s regional tournament. As soon as I heard that number and the steady pace of calls and front desk buyers, I knew that we will be playing next Friday before 3,700 fans. We haven’t even opened up sales to the general public yet.
Fans come in all shapes and sizes. One big-time Commodore baseball fan happens to be one of the highest profile people in our department – Basketball Coach Kevin Stallings.
If there is anyone making his living coaching basketball that is a bigger baseball fan I want to know who it is. Coach Stallings watches Corbin’s practices when possible, knows our entire lineup in minute detail and attends as many games as he can fit into his busy schedule.
A few weeks ago, Stallings made his way to Joe Fisher’s broadcast booth and proceeded to provide a remarkably insightful color commentary. Those of you who listened know exactly what I mean. Kevin knows the game and our team but his unabashed enthusiasm for “our team”, his sense of humor and his insights into topics such as athleticism and competitiveness were darn right impressive. Pairing Stallings and Fisher, who for my money is the best baseball announcer this side of Harry Caray, was fun and informative.
If you missed that outstanding broadcast, tune in to Saturday’s Ole Miss game. Early indications are that Coach Stallings is trying to make it to Hoover and if he does, there is a very good chance he’ll end up in that radio booth again.
It seems everyone is anxious to follow the Commodores these days. It’s Good to be Gold.