Athletic Talent and Community Spirit Converge at Baseball Games
angelo state university rams, attractions, baseball, recreation, san angelo colts, sports,
With a population of just over 88,000, San Angelo is remarkably well stocked with baseball teams. Not only do both area high schools – Central and Lakeview – field successful varsity and junior varsity squads, but a happy confluence of talent and community spirit have turned the Angelo State University Rams and the San Angelo Colts into major attractions.
Though the Rams play in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and the Colts in the professional United League, they share a stadium. For fans eager to see young players hustle their way up the baseball ladder, Foster Field is the place to be.
The Rams began play in 2004 and posted a 122-61 record in their first three years. In 2007, they reached the Division II College World Series faster than any team in NCAA history.
What’s the secret to such swift success? “In terms of recruiting, San Angelo and Angelo State bring a lot to the table,” says Rams Coach Kevin Brooks. “We have a good stadium, and our auxiliary facilities are second to none. Plus, the community has always been so supportive.”
ASU has become something of a factory for turning out pros.
“We have eight or nine former players playing pro ball right now. And [former Ram] Ronnie Gaines recently signed with the White Sox,” Brooks says.
Before Gaines got his big break, he was just one of several players making the convenient professional leap from San Angelo State to the San Angelo Colts.
Colts General Manager Mike Babcock credits his manager, former big leaguer Doc Edwards, with “doing a great job grabbing some of these overlooked ASU guys. Ronnie Gaines, for example, was our team MVP and league rookie of the year.”
Edwards explains the nature of play and team composition that occurs in the independent United League.
“As far as level of play, we’re a cross between high A and double A,” Babcock says. “We’ve got former big leaguers and guys straight out of college. We’re kind of a second-chance league. Our roster is made up of guys who’ve been hurt or overlooked, and a lot of times they end up playing in the majors.”
The Colts saw a remarkable seven players transition to major-league teams in 2007 and drew 106,000 fans, one of the organization’s best attendance figures to date.
“We’re trying to create an atmosphere where a family of four can come to the ballpark, get something to eat, and go down on the field for a crazy promotion, all for around $40. And we’ll throw in a baseball game too,” Babcock says.
Promotional events include human bowling, the chicken toss and build-a-human-burger, which Babcock says is best seen rather than described.
Like Brooks, Babcock raves about San Angelo.
“This has been by far the most supportive market I’ve worked in, from both businesses and fans,” Babcock says. “For example, most of our players are in our host family program, where local people adopt a Colts player for the season. And after they’re through playing, a lot of players end up moving to San Angelo.”
Story by Jon Brooks
Photo by Brian McCord
