Big 12 baseball tournament reportedly moving to ONEOK Field in Tulsa in 2015

[HangryHippo]

Oh, no, its just a perception thing on my part that I just think looks crappy. Kinda like carports. More generally, I just don't think Mandalay has broken its neck to really promote the team that much. Perhaps I'm wrong, and evidence might show they've been very aggressive, but I just don't think its been a very high priority for them.

I can see that. As far as Mandalay, I really don't know. It seems like they've put some work into the park itself, but regarding the team, it just seems like there's a general disinterest. I wonder how bad the switch to the Astros affiliate hurt interest, if at all?

[dankrutka]

Tulsa isn't even Big XII territory. Horrible!

This makes no sense at all.

How is OKC more Big 12 than Tulsa? If Tulsa is not a Big 12 city because of TU (which has far less support than OU & OSU in Tulsa) than OKC isn't one because of OCU. They are both obviously Big 12 cities.

[OKCisOK4me]

This makes no sense at all.

How is OKC more Big 12 than Tulsa? If Tulsa is not a Big 12 city because of TU (which has far less support than OU & OSU in Tulsa) than OKC isn't one because of OCU. They are both obviously Big 12 cities.

I'm not talking about fan bases... To compare it to something, let's say the whole of current Big XII schools surrounded Columbia, Missouri, with one school being, well, where it is, Morgantown, WV. But instead of having the tourney in Kansas City which is quite close to KU, etc., they're going to move the tourney to Columbia...except that The University of Missouri is an SEC school.

That's all I meant. Maybe I should have another sip, lol.

[OKVision4U]

Meaning TU is in Conference USA... come on now.

I don't really care either way. A) It's baseball...boring B) Even though the tourney draws more people than Redhawks games I truly believe Tulsa has a better shot a drawing a better crowd. C) Someone obviously needs the tax money more than we do.

I think what they were trying to say about ( Tulsa not being Big 12 Country ) is this:

1. Univ. of Tulsa DOESN"T EVEN PLAY BASEBALL. ...They don't participate in that sport.
2. ORU .... Yes, they are a DI school. But not the Big 12.

The whole reason why OKC doesn't draw a big crowd is that OU & OSU played several day games ( thus lower tickets $$$ ). We need to keep all revenue generating events.....PERIOD.

I have never been to the Women's College World Series game in OKC, but I'm sure glad we have it, and I know it is busting at the seams in growth each year.

[Edgar]

Agree. But I will say until this year, the tournament has had at least decent attendance. Maybe not what it was in the past considering Thunder are usually in the thick of playoffs by that time. But still alright.

As far as this year, I know attendance was awful. But you have to consider that a) the Moore tornado simultaneously kept a lot of out of towners away while diverting locals' attentions and b) the weather overall was just dreadful, lots and lots of rain delays. I wonder if this year might have freaked out the Big XII big wigs a bit?

I trust the All-Sports Association to keep it here, but I have to say I've noticed a big drop off in advertising over the past few years. Lots of people simply don't know its going on, I don't think a reminder would hurt.

Heck OU won the tourney last year and people still didn't much come out even for the title game. It was time for a change. OKC not so much a sports town as a Thunder town now. OSU sucking didn't help. Imagine it'll be a hit in Tulsa. Lots of baseball people in green co. I agree about the tarps at the brick very tacky looking, Ruins the aesthetics of the park. Why does everything in town need a corporate sponsor. A *&^%$^&* devon footbridge-sheesh.

[ou48A]

While everything else was great the fan support in OKC has not been nearly as good as it should have been in recent years....The tornadoes really hurt last years attendance. OSU hasn't been drawing fans like they once did and support from OU fans has rarely been what it needs to be.
It's almost like the OKC area fans took this event for granted

Good luck Tulsa

[onthestrip]

I think it will be a good change of pace for a year or two. I doubt it that it will be permanent. Tulsa's OneOK park is a great new stadium and is probably better suited for a Big12 tourney crowd (which arent very big). And the Thunder seem to sap the interest out of the BIg 12 tourney. Let them have it for a bit and then itll come back to OKC most likely.

Regarding the tarps at Bricktown Ballpark: I dont know why someone would think they look bad. Its either tarps with revenue producing ads or empty seats, it doesnt matter really IMO. Its not like there has been a crowd at any game recently that has overflowed lower level seating.

[Just the facts]

I wonder how bad the switch to the Astros affiliate hurt interest, if at all?

It hurts this bad...

Astros Break Another Record: A 0.0 TV Rating « CBS Houston

[bradh]

sucks because the Redhawks were really good this year, and will probably be so for the next few years as my Astros have totally rebuilt the farms thanks to a decade of mismanagement below the majors

[OKCisOK4me]

It hurts this bad...

Astros Break Another Record: A 0.0 TV Rating « CBS Houston

That's sad...

[bradh]

They weren't the first team to draw a 0.0, Texas' opening football game vs. NMSU drew a 0.0 on the Longhorn Network lol

[OKVision4U]

Well we need to push hard to get this back. Lots of new hotels in OKC will need customers.

[SoonerDave]

This makes no sense at all.

How is OKC more Big 12 than Tulsa? If Tulsa is not a Big 12 city because of TU (which has far less support than OU & OSU in Tulsa) than OKC isn't one because of OCU. They are both obviously Big 12 cities.

Clearly they're not. Tulsa is about as much a Big 12 town a OKC is a C-USA town. That they landed this tournament is a testimony to Tulsa's desire to become a more Big-12 oriented city, and its absolutely a coup for their local organizers that won it. It's also a warning shot to the folks in OKC. I hope we're listening, and I also hope we're not suddenly "too big" to enjoy something like the BIg 12 baseball tourney. Very cautionary note for OKC, I think.

As for the general notion of OKC being a bigger Big 12 town than Tulsa, to me its obvious for nothing more than a matter of geography. Norman is, what, 10-15 minutes south of OKC? OKC hosted the Big 12 baseball tournament *years* before the Big 12 was the Big 12, back in the days of All Sports Stadium. OKC's history with the conference goes back to the Big 8 era. And the OCU-Tulsa analogy is a non-starter, because OCU (unless I'm just completely confused) is NAIA. That's not a knock on Tulsa, just a fact of geography and OU's proximity to OKC...

[OKVision4U]

Well said. ...who just let the fox in the hen house? I liked it in the big 8 days.

[Laramie]

Let Tulsa host the Big 12 baseball tournament; they've hosted the annual Bedlam baseball series for one of the three game series in which two were played here in OKC. Let's see what Tulsa can do with the relatively new ONEOK Park with its scenic view of the Tulsa Skyline. Frisco and Round Rock in Texas has also been among those cities courting the Big 12 Baseball Tournament. At least it remains in Oklahoma for now. If the NCAA and Big 12 decides that they want to have a change of venue, let them go for it. If it isn't successful, you can bet it will be back here in Oklahoma City for a much longer run. Keep in mind that the Dallas and Austin areas would love to host the Big 12 Baseball Tournament. It would be a sideshow in Dallas (Frisco) and probably successful in the Austin (Round Rock) area; however it would be a lengthy travel for those schools in the Big 12.

They (Tulsa) hosted the Conference USA (March 2013) basketball tournament at the BOK Center and it wasn't that well received.

Let's face it, Kansas City built the Sprint Center which insured its hold on the Big 12 mens' basketball tournament. Kansas City's proximity is attractive and convenient for many Big 12 powers like Kansas University (40 miles), Kansas State (110 miles), Iowa State (206 miles), Oklahoma State (248 miles) and Oklahoma (310 miles). The emergence of NBA basketball in Oklahoma City turned our attention to the Thunder. The Thunder is a popular midwest brand since there are no longer NBA franchises in Kansas City or St. Louis. We (OKC Thunder) have a region (west-east) from Denver to Memphis and (north-south) from Minneapolis to Dallas. We may never see the Big 12 mens' basketball tournament again.

Remember: NCAA softball committee voted to move the 1996 WCWS to Columbus, Ga. They returned to Oklahoma City in 1997 and has remained here since. Competition does have its bright sides. Now, Hoover, Alabama has been the latest suitor to obtain the WCWS softball.

[Laramie]

Let Tulsa host the Big 12 baseball tournament; they've hosted the annual Bedlam baseball series for one of the three game series in which two were played here in OKC. Let's see what Tulsa can do with the relatively new ONEOK Park with its scenic view of the Tulsa Skyline. Frisco and Round Rock in Texas has also been among those cities courting the Big 12 Baseball Tournament. At least it remains in Oklahoma for now. If the NCAA and Big 12 decides that they want to have a change of venue, let them go for it. If it isn't successful, you can bet it will be back here in Oklahoma City for a much longer run. Keep in mind that the Dallas and Austin areas would love to host the Big 12 Baseball Tournament. It would be a sideshow in Dallas (Frisco) and probably successful in the Austin (Round Rock) area; however it would be a lengthy travel for those schools in the Big 12.

They (Tulsa) hosted the Conference USA (March 2013) basketball tournament at the BOK Center and it wasn't that well received.

Let's face it, Kansas City built the Sprint Center which insured its hold on the Big 12 mens' basketball tournament. Kansas City's proximity is attractive and convenient for many Big 12 powers like Kansas University (40 miles), Kansas State (110 miles), Iowa State (206 miles), Oklahoma State (248 miles) and Oklahoma (310 miles).

The emergence of NBA basketball in Oklahoma City turned our attention to the Thunder. The Thunder is a popular midwest brand since there are no longer NBA franchises in Kansas City or St. Louis. We (OKC Thunder) have a region (west-east) from Denver to Memphis and (north-south) from Minneapolis to Dallas.





We may never see the Big 12 mens' basketball tournament again.

Remember: NCAA softball committee voted to move the 1996 WCWS to Columbus, Ga. They returned to Oklahoma City in 1997 and has remained here since. Competition does have its bright sides. Now, Hoover, Alabama has been the latest suitor to obtain the WCWS softball.

[BoulderSooner]

i bet we get the big 12 basketball tourney back in the next 7 years

[bradh]

that map makes me laugh, i guarantee folks in WA aren't rooting for the Blazers, even if they don't have a team

[Edgar]

I was in Lincoln this summmer and the waiter admired my Thunder hat. Might be something to the map. They did miss out on lots of fans in green co by going with OKC rather than the state name.

[venture]

I was in Lincoln this summmer and the waiter admired my Thunder hat. Might be something to the map. They did miss out on lots of fans in green co by going with OKC rather than the state name.

Why? The team is not in Tulsa...its in OKC. Are people in Traverse City or Grand Rapids going to not root for the Pistons because they have Detroit in their name? Or people in Columbus not going to root for the Cavs because they have Cleveland?

The country bumpkins need to get over it if it is really bothering them that much.

[Edgar]

Admit it- you wouldn't get heart and soul behind the Tulsa Thunder. Minn similar to Ok with twin cities. Minn: Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Twins... It was a short sighted somewhat selfish decision they'll probably regret someday. Could of had legions of fans in T-town.

[HangryHippo]

Admit it- you wouldn't get heart and soul behind the Tulsa Thunder. Minn similar to Ok with twin cities. Minn: Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Twins... It was a short sighted somewhat selfish decision they'll probably regret someday. Could of had legions of fans in T-town.

Meh, the Thunder seems to be doing alright. If the team being called Oklahoma City hurts Tulsans' feelings, Tulsans need stronger feelings.

[Jersey Boss]

i bet we get the big 12 basketball tourney back in the next 7 years

Even money there won't be a "Big 12" in seven years.

[Jersey Boss]

Admit it- you wouldn't get heart and soul behind the Tulsa Thunder. Minn similar to Ok with twin cities. Minn: Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Twins... It was a short sighted somewhat selfish decision they'll probably regret someday. Could of had legions of fans in T-town.

Not even close to being the same thing. There is less than 10 minutes travel time between the twin cities. St. Cloud isn't complaining about the name of the MLB franchise. By and large pro teams carry the moniker of the city they are located in. Minnesota is the rare exception to the rule.

[Edgar]

More like Memphis and Nashville- Memphis hoped to get the team and was disappointed but now they all love their Titans.