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NC State Baseball

MCLAMB: Reconnect The Bridge, Build A Better Park

July 1, 2021
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NC State stepped off the bus in Ruston, Louisiana, and prepared to begin postseason play in the NCAA Baseball Championships.

The regional, hosted by Louisiana Tech, featured two Power-5 schools, but it was the park that caught the attention of folks arriving from out-of-state. 

Having only been back in play for a few months following a renovation to repair damage from a tornado in 2019, Louisiana Tech rebuilt its park quickly and effectively. After the natural disaster, there was immediately a plan in place, and it was executed with expeditious efficiency.

Once the Wolfpack advanced to the Super Regionals, that meant a trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas to face the top-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.

Big-time baseball means big-time facilities, and Arkansas has invested heavily in its program. Baum-Walker Stadium resembles a better-than-average ballpark for a Triple-A franchise, and it has many of the amenities folks demand from their fan experience. More additions to Baum-Walker are currently underway and coming soon, as being top-ranked is no reason to rest on laurels.

It is not hard to wonder what those schools would have thought if they had to visit NC State.

The Wolfpack baseball program has been in the news quite a bit in recent weeks, and that is not completely basked in glory, but it has created a palpable momentum.

Deep down, almost all who have even a remote interest in NC State know that what currently exists within Doak Field at Dail Park in terms of the facility itself does not suffice. Yet, for all the agony that seems to come from the ending of each of its seasons since 2012, the Wolfpack has produced enough successful baseball during that timeframe that it somewhat clouds that knowledge.

In fact, the results over the past decade have effectively glossed over the deficiencies so well that they remain, but that day is coming to an end.

NC State’s baseball program does not just need a better facility. It is also a program that has shown it deserves more.

There is banter and speculation about why improvements to Doak – or simply building something new – have not happened, but underneath the surface is a truth.

At this point, none of that matters, nor will harping on It effectively utilize the momentum to finally get the plan in place so that the job gets done.

And it will require teamwork. As a result, NC State’s athletic administration will almost certainly solicit its leaders in the baseball program to ascertain what its wants and needs are. 

It should not stop there. Donors will have their say, but fans – especially season ticket holders – and students, both current and incoming, should also have their voices heard. Do not be afraid to ask the faculty. They will have an interest in where things are built. Find out if they actually are sports fans. If so, and they do not go to games, find out what it will take to get them to come.

Be available to speak, but also be open to listening. This cannot just stabilize the base; it should also build on it.

Fair or not, the NC State athletic department has not been seen in the greatest light since Friday. So this is a chance – a huge opportunity – to not just build a ballpark but also build a bridge back to those who are most unhappy right now. 

If the athletic department does try, they will require a fair chance from their constituents to articulate the future vision properly. Administrators in charge cannot be dismissed out of hand before they present their case.

NC State showed what it could accomplish when Reynolds Coliseum was renovated. The school can also have one of the best baseball facilities in the nation if they are motivated, working together, and truly want it. 

As it relates to baseball at NC State, there is a team, its leaders, its families, its fans, and those in charge of putting them all in the best position to succeed.

There are currently a lot of wolves, but there is not a Wolfpack.

And that sums up the crossroads NC State is at. Everyone is embarrassed, hurting, and/or angry. The end of the season has fragmented things in many ways.

But if everyone pulls together now, the baseball program, the athletic department, the University, and those who love NC State passionately can and will come out this stronger than ever. It starts with collective investment in the Wolfpack baseball program. 

Reconnect the bridge to other Wolfpackers. Give NC State a better baseball park. 

Tags: Baseball
Discussion from...

MCLAMB: Reconnect The Bridge, Build A Better Park

3,451 Views | 18 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by cottonwolf
kmb717
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Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
Wlfpackamk
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kmb717 said:

Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
The people that are convinced NC State did this to themselves are the ones that are embarrassed. Few.
MayorStoner
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we just need a big nice tornado to come along
PackFansXL
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Quote:

There are currently a lot of wolves, but there is not a Wolfpack.

And that sums up the crossroads NC State is at. Everyone is embarrassed, hurting, and/or angry. The end of the season has fragmented things in many ways.
Nice piece of writing but it's a shame anyone feels embarrassed by the baseball team. I expect this has more to do with living in such close proximity to many outspoken rival fans, friends, and family members than objective evaluation of events from last week. Perhaps that also explains the overvaluation of winning the conference tourney versus getting to the CWS despite it's irrelevance on the national stage.

Hopefully, we can put the angst behind us and reform the Pack to generate excitement, raise funds, and build a stadium we can be proud of.
Rob McLamb
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PackFansXL said:

Quote:

There are currently a lot of wolves, but there is not a Wolfpack.

And that sums up the crossroads NC State is at. Everyone is embarrassed, hurting, and/or angry. The end of the season has fragmented things in many ways.
Nice piece of writing but it's a shame anyone feels embarrassed by the baseball team. I expect this has more to do with living in such close proximity to many outspoken rival fans, friends, and family members than objective evaluation of events from last week. Perhaps that also explains the overvaluation of winning the conference tourney versus getting to the CWS despite it's irrelevance on the national stage.

Hopefully, we can put the angst behind us and reform the Pack to generate excitement, raise funds, and build a stadium we can be proud of.
There is going to be a wide range of emotions. Emotions are opinions, and by definition, those are not right or wrong. Opinions are relative to the person. If you look past that adjective you see "and/or" which provides balance. You don't have to be embarrassed that NC State got sent home, but some who aren't embarrassed are hurting and/or angry.
Twitter: @RobMcLamb
GrillOut
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Rob. That is a really great article sir.
PackFansXL
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After that grammar lesson, I'm embarrassed, hurt, and angry. You've covered all the bases, sir. Well done.

aqasaw234
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Wlfpackamk said:

kmb717 said:

Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
The people that are convinced NC State did this to themselves are the ones that are embarrassed. Few.


it's not that we're convinced we did this to ourself. a lot of it is just bad luck at the worst possible time. but did we doing everything possible (within our control) to give us the best chance of this not happening to us? no, we don't believe so. and we don't think we're any less of a wolfpack fan for pointing it out.
Dr Wire
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Reconciliation is an Interesting sales approach to spending millions on renovating a facility for a non-revenue sport, but is really a poor justification to get it done.

There is no argument I've seen or heard that is against renovating The Doak other than the greensite option. Both basically say the need is there. Boo supposedly did a facility review during his first year as 1st priority before moving any chess pieces. It would be nice to know his vision for facilities such as The Doak, but he has been given a pass once covid hit hurting Athletic Dept revenue stream to a yet to be disclosed.

Your reconciliation tactic is really a "strike while the iron is hot" proposal. Emotional financial decisions rarely work out well and typicall does not move the needle on generating donors interest after an initial pop.

Hopefully Boo will present a baseball vision and price tag soon so WPC can focus on fundraising. That would serve the emotional needs Rob eloquently expresses. But don't forget It would be the first big project for BB and first big project post-covid distancing restrictions so it must be approached diligently.
Long live half time passes back into football games at CFS
packgrad
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aqasaw234 said:

Wlfpackamk said:

kmb717 said:

Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
The people that are convinced NC State did this to themselves are the ones that are embarrassed. Few.


it's not that we're convinced we did this to ourself. a lot of it is just bad luck at the worst possible time. but did we doing everything possible (within our control) to give us the best chance of this not happening to us? no, we don't believe so. and we don't think we're any less of a wolfpack fan for pointing it out.

Wlfpackamk
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I find the excuses hilarious already. State fans will find any reason NOT to give money. And we think we will be successful in the NIL era.
Rob McLamb
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Staff
Dr Wire said:

Reconciliation is an Interesting sales approach to spending millions on renovating a facility for a non-revenue sport, but is really a poor justification to get it done.

There is no argument I've seen or heard that is against renovating The Doak other than the greensite option. Both basically say the need is there. Boo supposedly did a facility review during his first year as 1st priority before moving any chess pieces. It would be nice to know his vision for facilities such as The Doak, but he has been given a pass once covid hit hurting Athletic Dept revenue stream to a yet to be disclosed.

Your reconciliation tactic is really a "strike while the iron is hot" proposal. Emotional financial decisions rarely work out well and typicall does not move the needle on generating donors interest after an initial pop.

Hopefully Boo will present a baseball vision and price tag soon so WPC can focus on fundraising. That would serve the emotional needs Rob eloquently expresses. But don't forget It would be the first big project for BB and first big project post-covid distancing restrictions so it must be approached diligently.
"Reconciliation is an Interesting sales approach to spending millions on renovating a facility for a non-revenue sport, but is really a poor justification to get it done."

This is a complete misunderstanding of what I wrote.

I did not say reconciliation, although I did say that building the park would "Reconnect the bridge to other Wolfpackers" in my final line because that would appease many of the folks angry at the end of the season is common sense.

"Your reconciliation tactic is really a "strike while the iron is hot" proposal. Emotional financial decisions rarely work out well and typicall does not move the needle on generating donors interest after an initial pop."

There is nothing emotional about it. Doak is a third-rate facility. Of course, they should strike while the iron is hot, but the only reason the iron is hot is that NC State had a deep postseason run.

Everyone remotely interested in the Wolfpack has known for many years that Doak needed to be upgraded at worst, replaced outright at best. You could have done it in 2014 when the iron was cold, and that would have been fine too. It has to be done at some point, regardless of what temperature the iron is.

The raising of funds and the general discussion between parties involved might/would be the only things that could be considered striking while the iron is hot, but that again is common sense. You have shown what can be done when you are in need, now why not see what you can do when you have a top-tier facility. NC State is on the cusp of greatness in baseball.

Lack of reconciliation is not the problem. People within the base, both inside athletics and within the sphere of giving (donors), not pulling together is the problem. It has been a problem for a long time.

It goes back to the 1990s when a good baseball coach decided South Carolina was a better place, but, as I said in the article, that does not matter now. The year is 2021. "At this point, none of that matters, nor will harping on it effectively utilize the momentum to finally get the plan in place so that the job gets done. And it will require teamwork."

The momentum exists. Wanting a better facility is the thinking of the majority. People don't have to agree, but to be successful, they need to work together.
Twitter: @RobMcLamb
JCooke93
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Amen to that Rob
Bell Tower Grey
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BTTT.....don't want the irons to get too cool
wolfpack1437
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Bell Tower Grey said:

BTTT.....don't want the irons to get too cool
I agree, it's taking too long. Was hoping we released something before the majority of fans turn their focus to football
cottonwolf
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Wlfpackamk said:

kmb717 said:

Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
The people that are convinced NC State did this to themselves are the ones that are embarrassed. Few.
There are two ways to look at what happened. One is as a victim, look at what the NCAA, Vanderbilt coach etc. etc. did to us. The other is to take responsibility and look at how we could have prevented this. I know plenty people who acknowlege there was some hypocracy involved, but feel we should teach our children/students to take responsibility.

As far as improving/replacing the baseball park, there are some businesses that prospered during the pandemic. I was hoping seeing our team do so well on the field would cause some major donors to get involved.
Wlfpackamk
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cottonwolf said:

Wlfpackamk said:

kmb717 said:

Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
The people that are convinced NC State did this to themselves are the ones that are embarrassed. Few.
There are two ways to look at what happened. One is as a victim, look at what the NCAA, Vanderbilt coach etc. etc. did to us. The other is to take responsibility and look at how we could have prevented this. I know plenty people who acknowlege there was some hypocracy involved, but feel we should teach our children/students to take responsibility.

As far as improving/replacing the baseball park, there are some businesses that prospered during the pandemic. I was hoping seeing our team do so well on the field would cause some major donors to get involved.


Clemson played ND with Trevor Lawrence, having COVID on the sidelines. Yankees vs Red Sox game was cancelled vs forfeited due to cases. Until I see similar fairness across the sports landscape then call me a victim in this case.
cottonwolf
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Wlfpackamk said:

cottonwolf said:

Wlfpackamk said:

kmb717 said:

Are there really people that feel embarrassed by what happened? I've yet to come across any
The people that are convinced NC State did this to themselves are the ones that are embarrassed. Few.
There are two ways to look at what happened. One is as a victim, look at what the NCAA, Vanderbilt coach etc. etc. did to us. The other is to take responsibility and look at how we could have prevented this. I know plenty people who acknowlege there was some hypocracy involved, but feel we should teach our children/students to take responsibility.

As far as improving/replacing the baseball park, there are some businesses that prospered during the pandemic. I was hoping seeing our team do so well on the field would cause some major donors to get involved.


Clemson played ND with Trevor Lawrence, having COVID on the sidelines. Yankees vs Red Sox game was cancelled vs forfeited due to cases. Until I see similar fairness across the sports landscape then call me a victim in this case.
well most people on here complain about other people playing the victim card and whining, I prefer to take responsibility for what I have control over. I have no idea what you mean about Lawrence and the Yankees game.
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