UWM & Milwaukee Milkmen

[tdcarney22]

1) Does anyone in the greater milwaukee area give a hoot about UWM Baseball? I feel like they get no love/support, yet we have a Division 1 baseball program right in our backyard...will the development of the new Franklin Commons increase interest in that they now have a new ballpark to play in, rather than the Hank? Or just general thoughts on UWM baseball, sorry if there is a thread, I couldn't fine one

 

2) Any thoughts on the introduction of the Milwaukee Milkmen, a new Independent League team playing in the American Association..does anyone care? thoughts?

[jerichoholicninja]

1) Does anyone in the greater milwaukee area give a hoot about UWM Baseball? I feel like they get no love/support, yet we have a Division 1 baseball program right in our backyard...will the development of the new Franklin Commons increase interest in that they now have a new ballpark to play in, rather than the Hank? Or just general thoughts on UWM baseball, sorry if there is a thread, I couldn't fine one

 

Outside of the players' and coaches' parents and immediate family, no, I doubt anyone does or will care. Sure, it's D1, but so is UW-GB basketball. Who wants to sit and watch baseball in the open air in March and April in Wisconsin? Not me, and I coach high school baseball that plays at the same time.

 

2) Any thoughts on the introduction of the Milwaukee Milkmen, a new Independent League team playing in the American Association..does anyone care? thoughts?

 

Hadn't heard about this. This is pretty awesome actually.

[pacopete4]

Just came from living basically in Iowa City where the U of I Hawkeyes have a pretty good thing going on with their D1 baseball team and no one cares there either. Very small fan base. It's just, college baseball in northern states spring time. No one is into that.

[nodakfan17]

UWGB men’s basketball still averages 2,500 fans in bad years. I’m willing to bet that’s at least 2,000 more than UWM baseball. I’m not knocking the Panthers, I’m just standing up for my town. It’s very cold and there is not much else to do in winter. $10 seats for D1 basketball is a good value.

[tdcarney22]

UWGB men’s basketball still averages 2,500 fans in bad years. I’m willing to bet that’s at least 2,000 more than UWM baseball. I’m not knocking the Panthers, I’m just standing up for my town. It’s very cold and there is not much else to do in winter. $10 seats for D1 basketball is a good value.

 

from what i can tell its more like 2,400 more than a UWM baseball game.

[jerichoholicninja]

UWGB men’s basketball still averages 2,500 fans in bad years. I’m willing to bet that’s at least 2,000 more than UWM baseball. I’m not knocking the Panthers, I’m just standing up for my town. It’s very cold and there is not much else to do in winter. $10 seats for D1 basketball is a good value.

 

Free for students too I believe.

[tdcarney22]

I know where UWM plays right now is just absolutely an AWFUL stadium, plenty of local high schools have better facilities. I'm hoping the new facility in Franklin will liven things up for them. If it helped recruiting and they could make the CWS a little more consistently they might get some news love here in the City. I know the Horizon typically only gets 1, maybe 2 teams in the CWS every year.

[nodakfan17]

UWGB men’s basketball still averages 2,500 fans in bad years. I’m willing to bet that’s at least 2,000 more than UWM baseball. I’m not knocking the Panthers, I’m just standing up for my town. It’s very cold and there is not much else to do in winter. $10 seats for D1 basketball is a good value.

 

Free for students too I believe.

I believe you’re right, but the student turnout has never been very good. I think their bread and butter crowd has been families who don’t have many other plans during the winter months. I’m sure admission to UWM baseball games is free (or some nominal amount), but if I had to guess why they draw poorly, I’d say it’s probably some combination of families being busy with school sports and activities in the Spring, an ample supply of baseball games to view in Spring / Summer (with the Brewers being a direct competitor for eyeballs) and a shoestring marketing budget compared to basketball.

[Baldkin]

This ad is so horrible. I cannot believe they actually decided to cater to 1950's stereo types.

 

[jerichoholicninja]

This ad is so horrible. I cannot believe they actually decided to cater to 1950's stereo types.

 

 

I thought that was pretty good actually.

[Humans Need Water]

Plenty of people care about and follow UWM baseball. Other than family/friends it's difficult to watch a game - and not because of April. MLB and minor leagues play outdoors in April and the Brewers did so for decades as well. Their biggest challenge in drawing fans is that weekday games are usually 2-3pm start times. Then on Sunday they're competing with the Brewers, who are televised so one doesn't have to leave the couch. It's D1 baseball and a pretty decent conference. It's free. Players in the conference, and at UWM, get drafted. The playing field used to be great in the mid-to-late 90s but now it sucks. The new stadium won't increase regular attendance. But it's an additional recruiting tool and they can now host conference tourneys there, like they did a few years ago at Concordia's field. College games are fun to watch; I try to catch an ASU game every year during spring training.

 

And I agree with the other poster regarding the video for the Milkmen. Just brutal. But it makes sense knowing Zimmerman is running the show as that dude can barely run a simple amateur league at the rock. If people have zero interest in UWM Baseball then it's beyond me how an argument can be made to watch, and pay for, Indy League ball. It's washed up ex-average at best minor leaguers and dudes not good enough to get drafted/signed, outside of the *rare* exception.

[jerichoholicninja]

And I agree with the other poster regarding the video for the Milkmen. Just brutal. But it makes sense knowing Zimmerman is running the show as that dude can barely run a simple amateur league at the rock. If people have zero interest in UWM Baseball then it's beyond me how an argument can be made to watch, and pay for, Indy League ball. It's washed up ex-average at best minor leaguers and dudes not good enough to get drafted/signed, outside of the *rare* exception.

 

Does UW-M have promotions and entertainment during the games or even a concession stand? I don't know the answer, but I'm guessing no for promotions and probably not much if any concessions. At every level below MLB people go to the games for everything but the baseball. Give them something to distract them from the game and they'll show up. I doubt the Milkmen will last long (I have no idea who this Zimmerman guy is), as most indy ball teams do, but more people will attend than any Panthers game. And it will have nothing to do with the product on the field.

[Samurai Bucky]

It's D1 baseball and a pretty decent conference. It's free. Players in the conference, and at UWM, get drafted. The playing field used to be great in the mid-to-late 90s but now it sucks. The new stadium won't increase regular attendance. But it's an additional recruiting tool and they can now host conference tourneys there, like they did a few years ago at Concordia's field. College games are fun to watch; I try to catch an ASU game every year during spring training.

Yeah... I'm not sure if Mike (Zimmerman) will allow it to be free...

 

For the Milkmen, I agree there needs to be some creative marketing involved. I can see Crystal Ridge from my backyard, and I don't know if I will be making too many games.