Baseball Attendance Among Nation's Best
The University of Miami baseball home attendance for the 2001 season placed seventh nationally according to the NCAA, as Mark Light Stadium drew a total of 123,680 fans during the Hurricanes’ recent National Championship season.
The overall home attendance was the highest at Miami since 161,495 came to the park during legendary coach Ron Fraser’s final season in 1992. The No. 7 national ranking also marked a return to the nation’s top ten after placing 18th in 2000. Additionally, Miami enjoyed an increase of 42,238 fans this past season from 2000’s total of 81,442. The Hurricanes had placed in the top ten annually since 1977, with the exception of 2000. The ranking marked UM’s highest since finishing second in 1996.
LSU led the nation in 2001 with a home attendance of 276,622, ahead of No. 2 Alabama (180,310), Texas (150,901), Texas A&M (147,400), South Carolina (145,616), Tulane (127,670), Miami (123,680), Fresno State (105,162), Rice (99,574) and Wichita State (96,158).
The Hurricanes start preparation for defense of their 2001 crown when fall practice opens on Thursday, November 1st at 4 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus. Practice, which will consist of 12 daily sessions, will run through Thursday, November 15th. These sessions are open to the public.
Miami returns several players from last season, including national steals leader and All-American Javy Rodriguez (SS), All-CWS Danny Matienzo (C), 2001 USA National Team member Kevin Howard (3B), USA National Team member Kiki Bengochea (RHP), 2001 Freshman All-American George Huguet (RHP) and 2002 All-American candidate Luke DeBold (RHP).
Miami returns 19 players from the 2001 squad that ended the season on a national-best 17-game win streak, including all nine games in the postseason, while finishing 53-12 overall. Among the 19 players returning are nine position players and 10 pitchers. The squad will welcome at least 11 freshmen once the spring practice commences.
Last season under Head Coach Jim Morris, Collegiate Baseball and the ABCA’s 2001 National Coach of the Year, the Hurricanes won their fourth all-time National Championship and second in the last three seasons. A school-best 11 players were drafted in the MLB First-Year Players Draft, while two more signed free agent contracts. Rodriguez led the nation and smashed the school record with 66 stolen bases. Huguet, the closer, notched 14 saves to tie Robbie Morrison’s 1996 school freshman record. DeBold, the primary set-up pitcher, recorded 67 strikeouts to just seven walks all season. Matienzo, the top returning power hitter, was named to the postseason All-Tournament teams at the Coral Gables Regional as well as in the College World Series.
The 2002 schedule may be the toughest in the nation featuring numerous programs that dominated during the 2001 year. The season opens with a CWS re-match against Tennessee in a three-game series at Mark Light Stadium, followed by games against Florida International, Florida, Minnesota, Southern California, Cal State Fullerton, Houston, South Florida, Rutgers, UCLA, Florida State, Long Beach State, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Jacksonville. Road trips in 2002 will be to FIU, the Homestead Challenge, Cal State Fullerton’s Kia Bash, FSU, UNC and Georgia Tech.
Call 1-800-GO-CANES for season and individual game ticket information.
