1 March 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The WSU baseball team will host its home opener Friday night. Fans can expect to see many changes to the fan experience, including bringing alcohol and other food and drinks to Coleman Hill, bringing RVs for weekend series games, and a new deck in the outfield.
Head coach Brian Green says the fan experience and winning go hand in hand, and tailgating is perfect for Wichita.
“When we came into the interview process, I had talked about the opportunities for maybe an RV program and have camping over the weekend, especially since we don’t have football,” Green said. “And Wichita being a place that really enjoys sports, sports town, so I thought there was a market there, and we thought there was a market there administratively as well for an RV experience.”
Catcher Mauricio Millan says lively crowds make them feel supported.
“We really feed off that energy that fans kind of bring to our game,” Millan said. “So we’re really excited about it this year, and we’re really looking forward to the impact Coleman Hill is going to have on Shocker baseball.”
The new deck allows for fans to have an overview of the field while still experiencing Coleman Hill.
“I had visions of a wood deck and a party deck out there for the fans,” Green said. “And then, as I got to know the job a little bit more, we started learning from the fans that too, a decade ago, you’ll see on television or hear in the community, but everyone was on the lawn, and you were bringing your own beer, and you had clear bags, and it was a big party out there. We see baseball as an opportunity to do it, what’s done in the past. Click on YouTube in 07, 08, and see what a regional or super regional looks like in Wichita, Kansas. There are 10,000 people here going nuts, and that’s obviously the goal.”
“It creates a really good atmosphere, and ultimately, what we’re trying to do, and coach Green was trying to do with the whole Coleman experience, is kind of recreate that regional vibe and atmosphere to where there’s people in the outfield kind of chirping at the outfielders and people also in the stands as well just kind of cheering us on,” Millan said.
Millan says their team is young, exciting and competitive. Coach Green says they are going to earn fans’ support by the way they play.
“You’re gonna see a group and energy, and you’re gonna see a group that really plays hard, and through six games, we’re competing at a really nice level. So now we’re home after Oral Roberts today and three straight weekends. So come on out to Eck, and we’ll be waving at you,” Green said.