H 84°, L 66° | Tomorrow: 
H 85°, L 69°A spring semester on the UW campus wouldn't be complete without the annual cry of "Wisconsin should have a baseball team." But you won't hear any of that here, not one bit. I'm taking a bold line here among my fellow students, but the University of Wisconsin should not have a baseball team. Now, don't get confused. I'm not against the notion of adding a baseball squad to UW athletics. It's a disgrace that Wisconsin is the only Big Ten school without a baseball team. In fact, I would love for athletic director Barry Alvarez to add America's pastime to Wisconsin sports. However, it's just not that realistic. The last time Wisconsin had a baseball team, no one seemed to care — that's why it's gone. In all fairness, the whole athletic department was down before the 1990s, until Alvarez breathed some life into Bucky Badger. Every UW student would like to say things would be different today, but would they? I think not. The attendance for Big Ten baseball games is nothing to brag about. Last year, Ohio State led the conference in average home crowds and was 24th in the nation. The Buckeyes' average attendance: 2,233. While that number isn't too shabby for what would be a non-rev sport, compare it to Wisconsin volleyball. The Field House also held the Big Ten record for attendance in 2006 in its respective sport, and it was nearly double that of what OSU's Bill Davis Stadium raked in for baseball — 4,328. Yes, Madison is a big volleyball town and supports its Badger athletics to the fullest, but the university just couldn't depend on achieving a large attendance number for baseball. Not right away and not with a UW baseball team trying to create its own history. As much as Wisconsin students would love to say they'd snatch up baseball season tickets faster than a Demi Omole 100-yard dash, I'm just not buying it. The most likely destination for a potential baseball stadium would be over by UW Hospital, close to where Wisconsin plays softball at Goodman Diamond. You're telling me students would eagerly jump on the 80 bus or walk nearly two miles to fill the stands? I doubt it. Aside from football games, people on campus complain more than Terrell Owens when having to go from one side to the other. Furthermore, students don't even acknowledge the fact that Wisconsin actually does have a baseball team. Sure, it's only a club team, but if UW students were so baseball-crazy, there would at least be some mention of it, especially considering the club baseball team is actually quite good. Last year, Wisconsin's baseball team was fifth in the nation among club teams. Also, it has one of the best talents in the country in Ramphis Marrero, a player who could've taken full scholarships from a number of NCAA teams but decided to attend UW for his academics instead. And for those hardcore Wisconsin baseball advocates out there, don't blame Title IX. UW could totally have a baseball team by next season if it wanted one — much of it has nothing to do with Title IX. The most common understanding of Title IX is that NCAA schools need to have the same number of male and female athletes. Therefore, if Wisconsin were to start a baseball team, it would have to add another women's sport or two to make the numbers equal. While that is in fact true, it is only one test of Title IX's three-test system. The second test is as broad as a school simply showing a history and continuing the practice of adding women's sports. The third check is that a school must show that the athletic interests and abilities of its women have been efficiently accommodated. So, if UW were to simply support its women's athletics to the extent of appeasing NCAA rules, the addition of a baseball team would be feasible. But the fact of the matter is Wisconsin doesn't need a baseball team, at least not now. UW sports has a good thing going on right now. The fans and athletic department should embrace and build upon it before looking to expand. Big things are in store for the future — NCAA hockey and volleyball regionals next season and the possibility of landing more, even national championships, in the future. Also, UW is rumored to be planning on building a new cross country course soon — something that is a long time coming after some of the nation's best runners have recently come through the program. Maybe, just maybe, a baseball team will come in time, too. But there's absolutely no need to push for one just yet. Michael is a senior double majoring in journalism and communication arts. He can be reached at [email protected]
Sports
UW not ready for baseball
Michael Poppy
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Also by Michael Poppy:
- Stocco awaits Packers' call (May 8, 2007)
- UW has room for progress (May 10, 2007)
- UW not ready for baseball (May 3, 2007)
7 Comments | Leave a comment
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IP hash: 6139241e
If the Badgers could replicate what the Mallards do you would see people attend. Then again, you wouldnt be able to serve alchohol. well case closed, no badgers baseball.
IP hash: c3158b03
So, if we’re talking about fan base, why do we have softball? (In addition to just about every other women’s sport that NOBODY GIVES A CRAP ABOUT)
IP hash: 34a4f27f
Dear Herald:
team and the State of Wisconsin needs at least one more Division 1 baseball program since the Badgers dropped baseball 17-18 years ago?
Wisconsin has some great youth, high school, American legion, and College baseball to offer. Getting NCAA Division 1 baseball at schools like prestigious UW-Madison Bucky Badgers in Madison brings the competition and opportunities level of college baseball up in the state. Many Wisconsin kids growing who want to play baseball seeking scholarships are leaving Wisconsin to go to college because there is only one state team at Division 1 levels (UW-Milwaukee).
Its not enough, and easily if UW-Madison brought their baseball teams up to a NCAA Division 1 level their would be an abundance of in state and out of state baseball players to fill up the rosters for competitive teams.
Its time for the Board of Regents in Madison to rethink their strategies as we are missing out on a great opportunity at UW-Madison Badgers to compete at a National level in Division 1 baseball for Madison and the State of Wisconsin. The ripple effect and lack of support from the University System or the inability to be competitive in recruiting is hurting the other UW System schools too because other Division 1 and 2 schools with scholarship opportunities.
With the Brewers Major League Baseball coming back this year in 2007 its a great time for Wisconsin Badgers and UW-System campuses to look in the mirror and revisit their commitments to baseball and our in state baseball student athletes and families. The entire baseball community and State would love to see Division 1 baseball at Madison, , and for the Regents to consider allowing the WIAC schools to go to Division 2 and offer scholarships too. What is “The State of College Division 1 Big Ten baseball in State of Wisconsin”. It will be great news to hear when the UW-Madison Badgers will bring the flagship Badgers back to the Big Ten soon! Thanks for you time and Go Badgers Baseball!
Go Wisconsin, and Go Bucky!
IP hash: 439066f1
Due to the fact that the University of Wisconsin is a top-notch D-1 school, I dont understand why they can’t have a baseball program. I myself love Wisconsin. In fact I decided I would want to play there in the future, howewver I discovered there is no program. Look at smaller schools, for example. They don’t have a lot of support either when it comes to baseball, but they still manage to offer a team for baseball lovers like me to play on. Just give it another chance. Baseball is America’s pastime. I garuntee you there is plenty of highschool baseball players who would love to play baseball there
IP hash: 66989537
Disappointed Alum- It is truly sad, that my son, who has grown up a diehard Badger fan, will have to go to another school to play baseball. If promoted properly, the games would be well-attended. UW will miss out on a lot of quality student athletes….
IP hash: 11b37aa4
Title IX, Title IX, Title IX…..this is why there’s softball and no baseball. NCAA should allow fall league games to be played in Northern Schools.
IP hash: a8672d2d
Why would the Commisioner of Baseball not push and or Support a Baseball team at his alma mater? Put Baseball back in Bud! One call from Bud Selig and this is a done deal!