Softball Apathy

[RaginScotsman]

I always sit in the outfield and there are plenty of younger families. I always bring a kid or 2 also. The outfield has been full in the past. Talking about a few instances over the years, but nothing like when we host a regional. Was actually pretty disappointed with the Marshall game last year. I thought we’d have more, but it was fuller than most conference games.

No idea if there been a ticket sale decline year over year.

As far as apathy on the board, I’m high on this team. There was a ton of conversation when we were losing, but after the OU win, the ship righted. Sweeping conference opponents is expected and doesn’t make for a whole lot of hot takes.

[R1Letterman]

Most teams at this same level (or slightly higher) when they make a run to a super or wcws it seems their next season starts with that momentum, poll spot, and level. And they just need to maintain to return or improve.

But it feels like cajuns softball always has to go all the way back down at start of new season and build all the way back up. Granted, good on glasco, as they have accomplished that. But from a fan perspective it could become exhausting to follow and from an ncaa perspective it must be asked why.

[R1Letterman]

Your second post that I quoted above from your OP in this thread is very clear that you are upset about the number of pages for a game thread on RP and not the actual fans that show up to Lamson Park to support the program. Fans in the stands cheering on the acajuns and spending money their money that goes toward the the program is infinitely more important, both financially and for their play on the field, than how many pages long a game thread on RP is.

I am not able to find attendance numbers so far for 2024 but hard to argue that there is a lack of fan support when 100% of season tickets are sold out.

Fans are closer to the action in softball so if more true fans are in attendance they likely shouldnt be posting or risk getting racked by the ball

[R1Letterman]

On a personal level, out of state relatives came through town, so keeping up with the diamond, sports was a challenge this weekend. So much was going on, I can see how it would come across as appathetic.

I toured Avery Island and Jefferson Island yesterday. Walk drive, walk drive, walk, walk walk.

Visiting relatives paid my way.

We had a blast, but I don't think that will be, happening again anytime soon.

Couldnt tours such as that be done in an offseason or during basketball?

[Cajunrunner]

UL has put out the same product for 30 years..

Competitive team.. on the edge of being good enough to host a super if they get there.. but even though they've seen a few WCWS, their chances of winning a championship are so remote that no one cares

That can be said about every single G5/mid major these days. That shouldn’t cause people who are Cajun fans to not care.

They’re still the program out of all of our sports with the best chance to win a national championship.

[CajunSID]

Almost every fan of softball is a self made fan.

No generational influence to boost the sport.

jmo

I think there’s some truth to this. Have to admit, when I was a student here in the mid-90’s, I was all about football, basketball and baseball.

I knew the softball program was good, but I never went to a game. It was only until I started working in athletics and with Coach Girouard that I truly appreciated and supported them.

Since nobody on this board played softball (fastpitch not beer league!), unless you had a daughter or relative who played it, hard to associate with it.

It is the most consistent program UL has and Girouard, the Lotiefs and Glasco did/are doing an amazing job keeping it a perennial top 25 program.

[jaxmc1023]

That can be said about every single G5/mid major these days. That shouldn’t cause people who are Cajun fans to not care.

They’re still the program out of all of our sports with the best chance to win a national championship.

I'm not saying Cajuns fans don't care about softball.. I'm saying there are far fewer Cajuns softball fans than you think, and the number drops off more every year.

[Turbine]

.... their chances of winning a championship are so remote that no one cares

That applies to 98% of sports teams below the top 2%.

I don't think this is the reason for wax and wanes of interest.

[VObserver]

I'm not saying Cajuns fans don't care about softball.. I'm saying there are far fewer Cajuns softball fans than you think, and the number drops off more every year.

Believe me, that problem is really a primary issue for softball. As Rick pointed out there is a substantial percentage of UL softball fans that are collecting Social Security. So much so that Coach Glasco mentioned it in an interview on a national softball podcast.

[CajunSID]

UL has put out the same product for 30 years..

Competitive team.. on the edge of being good enough to host a super if they get there.. but even though they've seen a few WCWS, their chances of winning a championship are so remote that no one cares

My god. “No one cares” b/c they can’t win a national championship? Plenty of people care.

Amazingly, it’s the 3rd most supported program at UL. Find another program in the country that can boast that.

I would agree there may be a small decrease in fans since Glasco took over due to the Lotief termination.

[CajunSID]

A decline in fans is a problem for every sport, not just softball. But yes softball does have an aging base.

[jaxmc1023]

Plenty of people care.

Whether you want to admit it or not, that "plenty" number is dropping fast