College Baseball series

by James Quinn on Dec 31, 2006 5:47 PM CST

Just to let those who might be interested know, I have been posting a series of diaries with general information about college baseball, and more specifically the University of Kansas team. These posts are at the SB Nation site "Rock Chalk Talk."

My most recent posting contains some information about UT baseball. If you follow the team you might want to look over the series:

http://www.rockchalktalk.com/story/2006/12/31/114953/58

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

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Thanks JQ

Can't wait to get to the Disch this spring

by Peter Bean on Dec 31, 2006 6:14 PM CST reply actions

Texas does have a big following

JQ, you're right about that. I went to a Stanford game in Palo Alto and a San Diego St game two years ago and the crowds had tons of burnt orange in them. Way more than I wouldve expected for games in California.

I guess it's time to start switching into spring sports mindsets, so this was a good post.

by the other Andrew on Dec 31, 2006 6:25 PM CST reply actions

Hey Andrew

As I wrote in the diary, I was really surprised at how many Longhorn fans showed up at Hoglund Park for the series. Baylor brought in a following, the Missouri fans were there in force (and as obnoxious and rude as you'd imagine,) but no team brought in a contingent nearly as large as did Texas.

Of course being a supporter of my beloved Jayhawks I had to hate the sea of orange down the right field line, but I was also impressed. Must make the team feel good to have support like that.

by James Quinn on Dec 31, 2006 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

Hey I've always wanted to know

What does Rock Chalk Jayhawk mean?

by bamfor on Dec 31, 2006 8:25 PM CST reply actions

Invented terms

Bam, Rock Chalk is a made up term. Legend has it that a group of geologists were riding a train to the KU campus around the turn of the century and decided to make up a school cheer. The rhythm of the ride suited "Rock Chalk Jay Hawk K U." When Teddy Roosevelt came to campus and heard the students chanting this saying he called it a "bully good cheer," and that pretty well decided the matter.

Thing is, there is no such rock called "rock chalk," and no such bird as a "Jayhawk." Both are invented terms. Jayhawk was the name given to the abolitionist settlers who founded Lawrence and other Kansas towns during the "Bleeding Kansas" era.

by James Quinn on Dec 31, 2006 8:47 PM CST up reply actions

The following

I don't think most people understand the following that the Horn's baseball team gets. We have been passionate about UT baseball for as long as I can remember. Having so many good teams for the last
50+ years certainly has not hurt. We do enjoy a lot of good weather but as any die-hard Texas fan will tell you there are some fairly nasty days in Feb. that the faithful show up for.

by UTeed on Jan 1, 2007 12:31 AM CST reply actions

Team support

I think that is a difference between the UT baseball progam and the KU program. There are several hundred regular fans of the KU program, but Hoglund only fills up four or five times a year. I know the players feed off the energy.

Anyways, the KU team is much improved, and Hoglund and the facilities are top rate now. There has been some talk about expanding the seating. Right now the bleechers are pretty full at 2,000, but they could be expanded to make room for another 2,000 seats by moving the bullpens. Since capacity is only pushed a few times a year this might be premature, but it's nice that the program is now in a position that they have to start discussing things of this nature.

I hope some of you can leave comments on the write up at Rock Chalk Talk. To fill in my blank spots and correct any errors I might be making.

by James Quinn on Jan 1, 2007 9:51 AM CST up reply actions