What did we get in return for eliminating baseball?

**06_CY** · 02-27-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Everyone wants to bring it back, but where the hell was everyone at games when it was a sport. Attendence was lack-luster at best.

Not everyone. I couldn't give a crap if it came back. Before it does, that "stadium" is going to need a big-time facelift.

**Wesley** · 02-27-2008, 06:52 PM

UNO is raking in a ton of money with hockey in Omaha in the Quest Center.

**CapnMorgan18** · 02-27-2008, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by vanillathrilla

that "stadium" is going to need a big-time facelift.

i entirely second that as am a member of the club, and being from a high school team that takes pride in a good playing surface, Cap Timm field needs some definite work. perhaps if i made the spring club team, i would've definitely put some hard work into making it a better playing surface.

But otherwise, yeah I would like to see ISU field a baseball team before i graduate (I'm a freshman right now). and I'd definitely be the first kid to show up to any walk-on tryouts.

**Sousaclone** · 02-27-2008, 08:07 PM

Well we got one less sport to complain about and have unrealistic expectations for, granted we did something to complain about not having.

In all reality it's going to take a huge investment to make baseball profitable. We've got to have the facilities to recruit over our northern climate. College baseball started the season last week I believe. Think about what it's like in Ames right now. The team would be confined to the practice facility unless they liked practicing in parkas. I think we'd have a very hard time recruiting especially considering the low scholarships allowed in baseball. We'd end up with a baseball team that would probably be decent but they'd end up getting creamed by all of the southern teams. Plus the Big XII has a pretty good baseball division so it's not like we could easily come in and be successful.

**benjay** · 02-27-2008, 08:12 PM

It's a financial drain on the athletic department and we'd have to add another women's sport due to title IX. Not going to happen anytime soon folks.

**Bobber** · 02-27-2008, 08:18 PM

Considering our budget, it was a good move. Vandevelde is the fall guy for it, but JP is pretty smart and he has not brought it back for a reason.

I'm sure if a donor was willing to give 100 million to bring it back, ISU would step up to the plate, but funny I have't seen any donations like that lately.

**benjay** · 02-27-2008, 08:22 PM

oh I almost forgot: baseball sucks. Keep the money in the football program. ;)

**leg4cy** · 02-27-2008, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Sousaclone

Plus the Big XII has a pretty good baseball division so it's not like we could easily come in and be successful.

False. The Iowa Juco programs are some of the BEST in the NATION! There is no reason why ISU cannot field a competitive team talent-wise. It's all about the facilities and a committment to making it a successful team. The feeder programs are there. Iowa Central, Iowa Western, Indian Hills, etc. To not have baseball at ISU is an embarrassment plain and simple.

**coachdags** · 02-27-2008, 09:28 PM

I thought you needed the Money to pay for the big contact for Larry E.......?

**kingcy** · 02-27-2008, 09:34 PM

It was said at one time it cost like $1 million a year for baseball (I think that is right). To bring it back a new staduim needs to be built, around the football field would be best and they would need someplace to practice. There was nothing better in college than going to the baseball games or sitting on my front porch, having a beer, and listening to the ting of the bats.

**CYdTracked** · 02-27-2008, 09:40 PM

Baseball was too expensive to keep is what I think was the reasoning. Pollard has been asked several times and he said we need about $1.5 mil a year again if we wanted to bring it back so it's not high on the list at the moment with all the improvements. He did say that if someone came forward with the financial commitment to fund it he'd bring it back immediately.

I hated to lose baseball but the bottom line was no one really cared about it until it was taken away.

**jbhtexas** · 02-27-2008, 09:54 PM

What we got was the embarrassment of being one of only a handful of schools in the major conferences that don't play one of the most popular sports in the USA. Sugar-coat it all you want, it's a big 'ol black eye on the prestige of the ISU athletic department.

**CYdTracked** · 02-27-2008, 10:00 PM

Well if I win the powerball tonight I'll put up some of the money for this. I have to split it 8 ways though if we do win so I can't commit the whole bill else I can't retire yet but hey it's a start!

**CYdTracked** · 02-27-2008, 10:15 PM

Sorry guys, didn't win the PB tonight. Best ticket was 2 numbers.

**besserheimerphat** · 02-27-2008, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by alaskaguy

Oregon State has captured the NCAA baseball championship for the last two years.

I think that arguement had to do with the climate allowing for more practice or games in the early spring and/or late fall. The weather in western Oregon is much milder in Feb/March/April and Sept/Oct/Nov than it is in Iowa.