It is not a coincidence the crowds began to increase just as Cougar Field opened for its inaugural season in 1995. But the same cannot be said this season.
In '95, the Cougars posted a record-setting 937 average home attendance. Fans flocked to see the new stadium.
Unfortunately, though, the newness of Cougar Field has worn off. The marketing strategy has not entirely worked as the program is on a steady decline in attendance with a 574 average in 1996. This season, it is even lower, as Houston is on a pace to reach just over 400 fans a game.
But aren't the Cougars one of the top teams in the country?
Yes.
They are ranked No. 16 in the Baseball America Top 25 Poll and are on top of the Conference USA standings (something the Longhorns' fans would grovel for).
Apparently, though, fans are not responding to the Cougars' newfound success. Crowds were decent, however, for the weekend series against the UNC Charlotte 49ers, especially considering the starting times were switched due to a rain-out. The April 12 doubleheader drew a crowd of 552, well over Houston's current home attendance average.
This is still small peanuts compared to the crowds that the Texas Longhorns are collecting despite their disappointing play. When Houston traveled to Austin Feb. 18, a throng of 3,886 attended, more than five times the Cougars' largest crowd of the season (723 against Rice on Feb. 9).
Cougars coach Rayner Noble said he hopes the fans will turn out in larger numbers as his team rises further in the polls.
But he also realizes that a city like Houston poses other options besides attending a UH baseball game. "When there is any competition, you have to fight for the fans," Noble said. "With Rice and the Astros doing so well, the fans have other options."
Bearcats or Cubkittens?
Teams around the conference are getting even with Cincinnati for the pastings the Bearcats handed out during the basketball season.
Cincinnati's baseball team has lost 10 in a row with its most recent blunders against the South Florida Bulls over the weekend (getting swept in a three-game series).
Too bad for the Bearcats. The losing streak is not the worst part of their troubles. Not only has Cincinnati all but ensured itself of the worst overall record in the conference (currently 8-26), but it has done it in a less-than-fashionable manner. They were outscored by the Bulls 38-8 in their three meetings.
More convincing of their futility is the Bearcats' average margin of defeat during their 10-game skid further into the C-USA doldrums. Opponents have walloped the Cubkittens - umh, the Bearcats, by more than nine runs a game.
That's good news for the Cougars, who face Cincinnati for their final three games of the regular season.
Hitter of the Week
The trend continues as another player from Southern Mississippi was chosen for the award. Cliff Wren is the fourth Golden Eagle to be picked in six selections.
He hit .381 in the five games, whacked five home runs and drove in nine. He had a game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth against UAB to help his team to a 4-1 record on the week.
Wren now leads his team in five offensive categories.
Pitcher of the Week
USF's Scott Glaser was one of many pitchers lately to use the Bearcats as a statistics padder.
He struck out 12 in his outing vs. Cincinnati, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning, before the Bearcats broke the ice with a one-out single.
He went on to win the game, his fifth of the season, moving him into the Bulls' top 10 in career wins.
Series of the Week
USF will travel to Charlotte to face UNCC for a three-game series April 18-20.
The 49ers (7-7 C-USA) have taken themselves out of contention with their woes at Houston last week, falling four games behind in the loss column to the front-running Cougars.
The Bulls (9-5 C-USA) are on a tear, claiming victories in nine of their last 10 games and winning three in a row (note, however, against the hapless Bearcats).
Take into account for this series, though, the 49ers have an overall home record of 12-6, compared to USF's mediocre record of 7-6.
It is crucial for the Bulls win this series if they are to keep pace with UH and USM for first place in C-USA.
Carr cruising on up
Houston's senior third baseman Dustin Carr has amassed 16 doubles this season, tied for first in the conference.
He needs seven more to break the all-time UH record in season doubles held by Damon Baldwin.
Carr is also moving up in the UH records for career doubles. He can overtake Ricky Freeman for second place if he is able to collect four more two-baggers in Houston's remaining 18 games.
"It's always good to be in the records," Carr said. "I've got several games left, so maybe I can get a couple more doubles.
"I'd like to get way past (the season record) so that I can keep it for a while."