RE: I’m not so sure...

Posted on: July 7, 2023 at 12:09:57 CT

Agreed. I shouldn’t have stated one factor. But whatever the reason, it’s hard to embrace player fandom when they are such free agents these days. I get it but it doesn’t enhance fan support in which the whole system is dependent on for money to make it what it has become. And while it is essentially pro sports, it is still very different in that a specific place can be embraced (campus, town, etc.). Hell, even in pro sports, there are faces of the team that usually get the vast majority of the local love. A Waino, Yadi in StL. A Mahomes, Kelce in KC, for example. It’s just the window is so small with college sports unless you get a 4/5 yr committed player that starts and contributes meaningfully. Those who hang till the end and contribute meaningfully will ultimately be embraced as the truest of true sons. I just don’t see a Lovett being beloved for bolting after one good season, for example.

Softball has some players that are trending toward being the truest of the true: Honnold, Laird, Daly, Hansen, Crenshaw. Hope they follow through and stay till the bitter, or hopefully not so bitter, end!