The RoundHouse | 3/15/2024 11:37:00 AM
By Paul Suellentrop
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Early in the 1979 baseball season, a Wichita State fan could sit on the outfield hill (known as "Pikers Peek") for free and watch stars such as Joe Carter and Phil Stephenson.
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With Oklahoma State coming to town for a doubleheader, then-athletic director Ted Bredehoft decided to erect a fence and charge $1. He encouraged fans to bring "chairs, blankets and picnic goodies."
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If that was the first official recognition of the outfield hill as an essential part of the experience, things boomed from there. The grassy hill, now known as Coleman Hill, became synonymous with Shocker baseball and the place in the stadium for grills, coolers, catching home runs and heckling opposing outfielders.
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"You just couldn't beat the atmosphere," said season-ticket holder Austin Crutcher, remembering watching Shockers such as Andy Dirks and Conor Gillaspie from the hill. "It was packed out here every night, whether it was a Wednesday night game or a Sunday game."
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Wichita State plans to revive that atmosphere with
new policies for the outfield and the Kosich Korner deck in right field. Behind the hill is the Shocker RV Village, a project led by coach
Brian Green. In short, fans are again allowed to bring in food, beverages (in sealed containers) and small gas grills, like the policies before changes in 2019.
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"It sounds like this is what the fans, a decade ago with Coach (Gene Stephenson) were doing," Green said. "I think fans will enjoy it. I know it will mean a lot to our players to see everybody yelling."
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The Shockers (10-6) continue their homestand with a weekend series against Gonzaga (3-11) starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
Yelling. Lining up an hour early to claim a prime spot with a blanket. Sharing burgers and hot dogs. Youngsters playing catch and rolling down the grass. Meeting the parents of the Shockers. Throwing an enemy home run back into the field of play.
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For much of the past 46 years, those activities were as much a part of Shocker baseball as 40-win seasons, NCAA regionals and bellowing "Ball Four." There's the story of the Indiana State outfielder who joined the fans for a beer during the MVC Tournament. The fans who run flags from right to left field to mark Shocker runs are a long-standing part of the scene. The fans who came to regionals in the early 1990's will never forget chanting "Omaha, Omaha." Among the Shockers, perhaps no one enjoyed the interactions with fans as much as right fielder Ryan Jones, who played from 2007-2010.
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Nick Jerschow moved to Wichita from Chicago in 2007 and adopted the Shockers. He is a regular in the outfield and approves of the updated policies aimed at reviving the fun. He points to students mingling on the deck and old friends grilling and eating during a recent game.
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"You can see the enthusiasm right now," he said. "I can remember (NCAA) regional games and the buzz. A definite buzz."
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Ethan Fields, a December WSU graduate from Denton, Texas, is big on buzz at baseball games. He is one of the leaders of the Grain Gang, the student group of supporters who leads the "sit down" cheer after strikeouts. On this day, Fields is watching from the
Kosich Korner deck.
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"This is a great spot to hang out," he said. "Light atmosphere. Come hang out for a couple hours."
Crutcher says he notices an increase in attendance early this season and the new policies help.
"The new deck is fantastic," he said. "People can hang out and have fun. It feels like Shocker baseball is coming back a little bit."
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That is exactly what Green and the Shockers want. Winning matters and winning is more fun when Coleman Hill is lively.
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Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
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