the fans don't get any classier in college...

[corlay]

I have been to games, where a sizable "student contigent" attended. and yes - they were rowdy.
Im cool with all of that. The way these kids poked at the umpire and opposing players was loud, boisterous, and innocuous.
Some of the stff they blurted out really cracked me up - they were pretty funny.

the tone of the comments to the ump in the mizzou/oregon game - was very different.
and it was pretty obvious that it wasnt students doing the yelling.
and it wasnt "all in good fun"

 

[JAD]

the fans don't get any classier in college...

Interesting subject in the thread title. ...

TB is watched almost exclusively by players' parents and relatives. College softball attracts a broader audience. Not sure what that means for fan behavior. But it is a different crowd.

I watch a lot of UNC and NC State in person, and the crowds are well-behaved. You hear complaining and moaning, but rarely anything that makes you feel bad for the ump. They draw respectable crowds, but they don't have huge followings that require the kind of facilities that you see in the SEC. Plus, while both have had periodic success in the conference, they're not what you'd call major softball powers. It's not going to ruin people's days if they lose unless you're in the dugout.

I don't have answers, but I'm curious as to the dynamics that lead to some of the uglier fan bases.

DD and I were at the UNC vs. Pitt game this weekend and they had a nice crowd that was well behaved.

 

[riseball]

Having made the rounds with SC last season I got to see the good, the bad, and the ugly. Have to say the worst was Florida, followed by FSU in close second. It is called soap. Try it on both you and your clothes. These were the only two venues were I heard regular, very personal verbal attacks aimed at players. Was very impressed last year while away at Auburn, and LSU. Auburn has a middle age dude in a plastic baseball helmet that is a riot, and LSU sells gumbo in their concession stand. Need I say more? Kentucky had a very large contingent away at SC but seemed very nice. I love the Michigan fans (neutral location) who were awesome, well behaved, and very classy. Will see what it is like next weekend in Knoxville, and I have been warned by former Alabama players about Tuscaloosa.

 

[ian]

Watched Seton Hall at UOP on Friday. No rowdy fans, could have used some IMO. I noticed more than a few softball Dads pacing around the stands, yep it was a softball game!

 

[Me_and_my_big_mouth]

DD and I were at the UNC vs. Pitt game this weekend and they had a nice crowd that was well behaved.

Great game - watched it online. Love watchespn! DD and I love the walk up songs!

 

[martianr]

We were there Friday night, and the crowd was very vocal towards the PU. We were sporting enemy colors and the Mizzou fans were joking and very nice to our family. IMO, they were taking their frustration out on the PU.


Mizzou Pitcher Madi Norman was illegal on every single pitch. Her back foot was at least 4-8" off, followed by a skip step toward home plate.

So this year the SEC has four pitchers that pitch illegal
Norman- Missouri (double plant)
Silkwood- Mississippi State (double plant)
Carson- Auburn (outside the 2 feet wide pitching lane)
Littlejohn-Alabama ( leaps and lands outside the 8 feet circle)

I am sure there are more in other conferences. I would like to know if others saw any more?

 

[Me_and_my_big_mouth]

Also a good one: Mary Nutter, week 2 - Full contact softball between FSU and Michigan, complete with ejected coaches and 2 home plate collisions. Fans were losing it on both sides.

 

[JAD]

So this year the SEC has four pitchers that pitch illegal
Norman- Missouri (double plant)
Silkwood- Mississippi State (double plant)
Carson- Auburn (outside the 2 feet wide pitching lane)
Littlejohn-Alabama ( leaps and lands outside the 8 feet circle)


I am sure there are more in other conferences. I would like to know if others saw any more?

Landing outside the 8' circle is not illegal, as long as a player is inside the pitching lane and not leaping or replanting to get there. Kelly Barnhill of Florida has her own thread discussing her mechanics.

 

[reagansdaddy]

Also a good one: Mary Nutter, week 2 - Full contact softball between FSU and Michigan, complete with ejected coaches and 2 home plate collisions. Fans were losing it on both sides.

I honestly thought the benches were going to clear at one point. And, add to the overall story, the game ends in a 5-5 tie due to a time limit. Was something else to watch.

 

[SMS90]

Was at the Mizzou vs Oregon with my DD. The people yelling were not students for the most part they were old men. Mizzou has had obnoxious fans for every sport for decades.