Ole Miss set a Swayze Field record with 12,152 fans eight days ago, eye witnesses to the Rebels’ 9-8 comeback, series-clinching win over LSU.
It was just the second time that Swayze has hosted in excess of 12,000 fans.
The school was 257 fans from setting the record in Game 2 when it drew 11,861 for a 5-2 loss to the Tigers.
So now two of the 2018 LSU games stand No. 1 and No. 3 on the all-time attendance list at Swayze Field.
Big crowds haven’t always led to big wins. In fact, in the top 12 games on the attendance list, the Rebels are now 6-6.
Archrival Mississippi State leads the nation in all-time single-game attendance figures, and it’s not even close. The top 14 crowds ever for on-campus college baseball games all came at Polk-DeMent Stadium at Dudy Noble Field.
Now that’s strong.
The top crowd — 15,586 — came against, you guessed it, Ole Miss in 2014.
MSU set the NCAA Super Regional single-game record (13,715) in a win over Clemson in 2007.
Athletic directors know that drawing new fans is just as important as pleasing old ones.
“I think the investment that athletic departments are making with facilities, and all the coaches and head coaches salaries, and the way teams travel tells me — and a lot of other coaches across the country — that interest in college baseball is at an all-time high,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said recently. “When you have a nice ballpark, fans like the experience. New ballparks bring new fans.”
Baseball America recently named its top 10 baseball stadiums, and it was no surprise to see the SEC at one, two and three.
Here’s Baseball America’s top three rankings:
1. Baum Stadium, Arkansas: Coach Dave Van Horn said Baum is critical to the program’s success because it acts as a showpiece to attract elite players to Fayetteville, which is far from a major metropolitan area.
2. Alex Box Stadium, LSU: LSU has led the nation in attendance for 22 straight seasons, spanning the old Alex Box Stadium and the new one, which opened in 2009.
3. Dudy Noble Field, Mississippi State: In a year, this might rank even higher. MSU is in the midst of a $55 million renovation of the park, which already boasted one of the best atmospheres in the country.
Here’s the rest of the best:
4. TD Ameritrade Park, Creighton
5. Husky Ballpark, Washington
6. Boshamer Stadium, North Carolina
7. Blue Bell Park, Texas A&M
8. Springs Brooks Stadium, Coastal Carolina
9. Eddy D. Field Stadium, Pepperdine
10. Founders Park, South Carolina
Much to the chagrin of Ole Miss fans, your stadium didn’t make the list. But take solace in the fact that Swayze Field is ranked No. 1 on the website’s list of historic college parks.
Baseball America says: “Originally built in 1988, Swayze stands out for its charm and rowdy atmosphere, fueled by the student section in right field and its famous beer showers after home runs.”
Hey, I like to drink my beer, but to each his own.
What we can agree on, though, is the SEC is the king of college baseball.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
