(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Tonight, it was interesting in the on screen script when Taylor was up at bat the SECN stats had Taylor listed at 6’00”. I thought she was 5’11’

 

Still growing! A few more home runs and 2 rbi doubles she will be 7 foot tall to me!

 

Re: Empty Seats.
This may be lame but why not put in place a system where Season Ticket holders not attending can notify the ticket office by email or an app or such. The seats could then be resold to walk ups. Perhaps the the season ticket holders could be issued a small credit to be applied to their next year’s tickets or credited with an NIL contribution.

Since I don’t live near the UF area I certainly don’t know but would guess there is not much effort put forth to MARKET the softball program. A good marketer will find ways to get students there. Also, I don’t see any high school or junior teams on camera. Why not block off areas for games we don’t sell out and give tickets to these young players, caches and chaperones. Next thing you know parents are bring their kids to games. Etc, etc.

Of course, it may be possible that UAA doesn’t want this Title IX program to grow as it doesn’t want to spend any more money or effort on an unprofitable operation.

 

There are a lot of young girls in the stands. Spring break brought out some, too.
We had 5 in front and beside us tonight.
Look around when they are giving away something, and you will notice them more.
Rant-If you catch a t-shirt, sub, pizza, whatever, give it to a young lady. We old people do not need any of that; to them, it is gold.
Rant over.

 

I REALLY like Comia. I really would love to see what she could do at SS (beyond the few glimpses we have gotten so far), but I think she has the potential to become integral in the offense. She is SO freaking quick and seems to have the ability to bring a bit of the small-ball element that we need. I definitely can see her at the top of the lineup next year. (She and Taylor give me Falby/Wallace potential vibes.) That being said... I swear when she is batting it looks like she just walks into the box and doesn't get into any type of stance. She takes her breaths and does her little rituals... and then just pretty much stands there like she is chilling with a bat. It works, clearly, but I find it fascinating to watch.

 

You can donate the tickets back to UF already. From the same app where the tickets are held. Don’t know if they resell them or donate them from there, but would assume they resell them.

They’re not intentionally holding the program down. That’s crazy talk. They lose millions upon millions supporting this program and giving them what they need to compete at a championship level. There’s not much effort put forth to market anything. Most of the marketing seems to be more driven by the individual sports and their staffs and booster systems. I think a lot of the stuff you guys complain about doesn’t get done because the softball program itself doesn’t prioritize it and/or doesn’t want to fund it. Right now, if I were running the program, I would be encouraging any and all extra funding go towards NIL/roster management.

 

If the season-ticket holders tried just a little bit, they could get their ticket money back at cost in just minutes. I’m a testament to that.

 

I really like Gabi’s enthusiasm; she’s almost like Amanda was when she was a freshman, bubbly and excited about the team. She is fast becoming a favorite of mine, just on her enthusiasm.

 

I put my tix up every time we miss a game and I list below the suggested value. Probably get them sold 60% of the time. I think everyone thinks this place should not have an empty seat but you have to be honest. .there isn't as much interest as you think. Seats around me are always empty and mine don't always sell when I try.

 

I never have a problem finding interest. Maybe I’m lucky, but I also have people who repurchase after they’ve been to my seats.

 

She was only 5’9” when the season began apparently lol

 

Freshman growth as the season progresses.

 

The ro

The 2025 Softball Roster - Florida Gators page now lists Taylor’s height at 6’00”. The data shows that she is growing in more ways than just her contribution to her Gator softball career stats.

 

At the rate Taylor is growing, by the time she's a senior she will be chin to chin with our 7'9" basketball player.

 

And have a huge strike zone.

 

Reupping our conversation of a couple days ago. FSU is playing at Bama. You would think the stands at Bama would be packed for a game like this. Nope. If you aren't watching it, turn it on. There are considerably more empty seats behind home plate than there are butts in the stands. Many empty seats throughout the stadium. It is now 5-2 late for FSU but it was that way the entire game so that isn't why. Nobody is immune from wanting to get more fans in the seats. In Bama's case, it is probably more likely a continued unhappiness with the direction of the program. There has been a strong undercurrent, probably still a minority but a large one, for several years with people wanting Murphy gone but he keeps surviving. I'm guessing that undercurrent keeps growing.

 

Bama has less than 50% of the seats filled behind home plate.

 

Yep. I know I brought it up in the first place but I am rather shocked. Behind home plate is bordering on vacant. Better in the rest of the stadium but still huge gaps in the stands. To the point I never before realized that the majority of seats in the supposedly "second to none" Rhoades House are aluminum bleacher seats and not chair backs. They used to be filled so I never noticed.

 

I think this is partially a function of softball tickets being comparatively priced low (which is a good thing). You'd never think of just not going to a football game and let your tickets sit in the drawer -- the return on the time spent selling the tickets is too great. But for that same investment of time, you only get a fraction when it comes to softball.