With the season only eight days away, Auburn baseball hosted a fan day at Plainsman Park on Thursday, Feb. 11. The event included a facilities tour, free pizza, hot chocolate, a raffle, “Section 111” T-shirts and a speech from coach Butch Thompson.
This is the first time the baseball team has put on a hands-on event. In the past they would allow students to take a tour of the facilities, but there was never interaction between players, coaches and fans at this level.
“This is the first year we’re really trying to get the students involved,” said fifth year senior Justin Camp. “This is one of Coach Thompson’s ideas. He really wanted to sit down and have a conversation with the students and let them know what we’re looking for as far as support goes.”
Despite a softball game at roughly the same time as the event, students made their way to the field in droves. Approximately 150 students came to support the team.
“Honestly, I'm impressed, with softball and everything else going on tonight I didn't know how many people were going to show up,” Camp said. “It's exciting seeing that there are this many people coming out a week before opening day.”
This event also presented an opportunity for students to become acquainted with “Section 111," the student section for Auburn baseball, and learn the 10 Commandments of Heckling. Thompson took the time to read the commandments to the crowd followed by one of the leaders of the section, Emily Shoffit, giving a short introductory speech and some additional guidelines.
The students came out for a variety of reasons, but excitement for the season was at an all-time high.
“Coach Thompson came to our fraternity house, to the COP (Council of Presidents for IFC) meeting and told us to talk to our fraternities and get some guys out,” said junior Camden Coe. “I’m really excited for a fresh start with a new coach. It's always exciting when a new coach comes in and makes his mark on the program.”
During his speech Thompson emphasized he hopes this is a good starting point for the future of Auburn baseball as a team but also as a force in the community. Thompson has been clear he wants to foster a good relationship between the team and the student body.
“I hope someone takes a picture of all of us standing here tonight, and I hope this is a starting point for us." Thompson said. "I hope every year that we have to bust something down and make Section 111 bigger and bigger and bigger. This isn't about perfection, this is about a connection between our baseball team and [the students].”
Thompson admitted he has been taking notes from Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl on gaining student support. Pearl was in Thompson’s position two years ago and is still active around campus revving up support for the team.
“I just followed (Bruce Pearl’s) lead," Thompson said. “Coach Pearl has been unbelievable to me personally. He has given me the opportunity to go over to the Tipoff club and talk about season tickets for baseball. It just seems like coach Pearl is a great example, if you want to follow one, of building Auburn’s identity and embracing its people.”
The team opens the season at home next Friday, Feb. 19, against Sacramento State at 3 p.m. This will be the first game in a weekend-long series against the Hornets.
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