Most of the games I've been going to in recent years have been NCAA Division I games, so I got a little refresher course on how the other programs live.
There was no admission charge and there were no bleachers. Some fans brought folding chairs. Others sat on railroad ties embedded in the hill at Russell Ashmore Field in Tigerville. Others sat on the grassy bank or stood around.It was a fluid crowd, probably never topping 100 at any single time. Many likely were friends or family of the players. Students would drop by for a few innings and move on.
There were no lines at the concession window, no constant movement of fans to force you to scrunch up to make room as they went by.
But the product on the field was enjoyable to watch. Crusaders pitcher Devin Vance pitched well, striking out eight in 8 2/3 innings.
The leadoff batter in the Limestone ninth reached on an error. Vance then retired the next two batters, so the game "should" have been over. Instead, he allowed a single to the fourth batter of the inning and left the game with a 3-2 lead. A pair of Crusaders relievers were unable to close the deal, and Limestone went on to win its fourth straight game, 5-3.
The glory that goes with DI baseball is largely absent, or at least of a much smaller variety. A coach at another non-DI school reminded me earlier this week that if things like laundry of uniforms is going to get done, he has to do it. No crew of equipment managers to do much of the grunt work.
There are no Division I games for another week. To fans of the big-time schools: try to take in a game involving lower-division teams if you get the chance before you team's season starts. You'll have fun.
1 comment:
good stuff
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