Baseball | 1/19/2022 6:00:00 PM

 
 
There are not many comps to Wichita State's annual men's basketball game at Intrust Bank Arena.
 
Numerous college teams leave campus in December to get their game in front of fans in other parts of their state during the semester break.
 
Not many – if any – move a game 5.5 miles from their home arena and enjoy crowds of 10,000 or more, all single-game tickets. The combination of Shocker fan support, winning teams and attractive opponents make the downtown game a highlight of the schedule.
 
Wichita State baseball is trying to create the same atmosphere at Riverfront Stadium.
 
On Wednesday, the Shockers and the Wichita Wind Surge announced Oklahoma State as the downtown opponent on April 26 (6:30 p.m.). The Shockers opened Riverfront Stadium in April 2021 with 7,509 fans for a 10-1 win over Houston.
 
Weather plays a large role in baseball attendance. So does the success of the home team. Beyond those factors, playing the Cowboys gives the downtown series its best chance for success. Oklahoma State is Wichita State's biggest rival, and the game resonates historically like no other.
 
"I remember when I played here, back in the day, they were knockdown, drag-out fights," Wichita State coach Eric Wedge said. "Each and every year. I hope we get back to that."
 
The success of the downtown basketball game and the desire by the baseball Shockers to turn Riverfront into a similar big deal underlines the theme of Wednesday's news conference. The cooperation of the community creates a special event. The Shockers benefit by playing in state-of-the-art venues and giving a new set of fans a reason to check them out. The venues benefit by adding attractive dates to their calendar. The community adds a happening.
 
"This is about the city of Wichita," Wedge said. "It's bigger than baseball. It's about the fans, the city, the growth of the city, the growth of our university. When you put all that together, that's what this event is about."

Mayor Brandon Whipple took the opportunity to brag on the Wind Surge, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, and growing Riverfront Stadium. Behind the news conference, the early stages of construction on the stadium's baseball museum were visible. The museum, which will celebrate all levels of Wichita baseball, is scheduled to open around opening day on April 8. Downstairs, a new radio studio is open to host ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM's shows. The studio, during warm weather, opens to McLean Blvd.
 
"The stadium continues to draw even more development and growth in the Delano area," Whipple said. "We look forward to even more development and more success as more folks come out to enjoy this area."
 
From the start of plans for the new stadium and minor-league team, Wichita State wanted to be involved. The Wind Surge reciprocated.
 
Last season's game gave fans their first look at the new stadium. This season's game puts the spotlight back on baseball and an old rival. It also puts a spotlight on how the city wants to present itself with and grow with the activity around Riverfront Stadium.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.