How I would grow Collegiate Baseball

[Turbine]

All the experts tell me it will never happen, so I am inclined to believe baseball will always be a distant 4th in popularity. Still if I could, this is what I would do to grow baseball.

A nationwide unified start date of the first Friday in March. All the schools that failed to make, the basketball post season would welcome the clean slate start that a baseball season would bring. Even with the start of baseball being close to March Madness, a nationwide unified start date would generate 100 times more publicity than the current month long fade in now brings.

Mid week games would be limited to 7 innings but expanded to double headers giving the programs the needed games to develop talent.

July 4th World Series Championship game, a day meant for Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and BBQ. It's a day when everyone has off of work and one that’s tailor tuned to view or listen to a much anticipated Title tilt. I can see the fireworks now . . . .

[CajunKahouna]

I'm with you!

A later start date and a July world series finale would go a long way to progressing collegiate baseball. Plus it would give fans (like me) who are not too keen on the pros more to do into the dog days of summer.

A drawback I can see would be more difficulty in getting some of the northern schools down south to play. Considering the potential problems the Cajuns have in the world of RPI, this could be a major drawback however.

In any case I do like your ideas.

[BirdofParadise]

There has been a lot of research done on this. The baseball committee submitted a proposal to the NCAA doing pretty much what you asked (not the seven inning thing, though, NO baseball people would ever want that.), but starting the season the first weekend in March and backing everything up at the end of the season.

The NCAA balked at extending the season, in part because of the cost involved with housing and feeding students l-o-n-g after the semester ends.

They suggested cramming 56 games in three weeks less time, or playing fewer games.

The baseball folks don't like that at all.....so it's back to the drawing board.

[CajunProud]

More college baseball on t.v.

Thank goodness hockey is gone, and I don't just mean the IceGators. How about less bowling, pool and poker on ESPN and more college baseball. Somebody needs to figure this out.

[Turbine]

There has been a lot of research done on this. The baseball committee submitted a proposal to the NCAA doing pretty much what you asked (not the seven inning thing, though, NO baseball people would ever want that.)

Thanks for the feedback.

Do you know how the baseball people feel about midweek double headers?

I had heard that some already try to diminish the roll midweek games have in a season so I thought the 7 inning game would allow time to get two games in. And at the same time the double header could be the carrot for those who already don't think much of midweek games, allowing teams time to develop players (except for closers) for the long haul.

I think I figured the season would be shortened 7 games going with the March start, DH weekdays, and July 4th finish.

[Cajunsmike]

I like the idea of starting the season after Feb. 20. That may be a compromise with the first Friday of March idea.

[Snuffy]

I am reminded by the statement that "it will never happen" by the fact that in 1977
we started what wound up being the Nicolosi Roughnecks Collegiate All-Star Team.
We were told that it had already been tried and could not be successful. We did it anyway and for 5 seasons we had a lot of success. Many members of today's Lafayette businessmen share a common bond....they all played ball for Gerald Hebert
and the Nicolosi Roughnecks. NEVER SAY NEVER

[Turbine]

I first heard of this idea from coach Robichaux, and I like it.

Limit/expand scholarships

Expand scholarships to 35
Limit scholarships to books and tuition.

Unless it caused a school to turn away a paying student the only cost to the school would be books. The eventual talent level across the baseball world would go through the roof.

imo

[Square Head]

I thought Robe didn't like 7 inning games.

[Turbine]

I thought Robe didn't like 7 inning games.

I don't think he does, The part about getting an idea from Robe was just the stuff in that post not the stuff prior.

"stuff"

[JMV JustMyView]

Baseball is already growing with the NHL not playing more and more games are being televised bringing more exposer to the sport.

[Cajunsmike]

That is not necessarily good for us as many of those televised college games involve big name schools. Some of which are not very good in baseball.