Teams Question NCAA's Goal to "Grow Division IV Baseball" By Moving Super Regional Site

from the St. Tammany Parish Press Group

In Slidell, LA as the news broke that the Fourlane Green Tide would not be hosting an NCAA Division IV super regional despite being the highest seed in their pairing, fans, coaches, and players were quick to fire their opinions. "I understand what the NCAA is trying to do here, but to me it only takes away from the kids who fought hard to earn the right to play at home." said Fourlane head coach Marquis Bourbobendeaux. The NCAA announced Tuesday after the conclusion of the regionals that Fourlane would not be hosting at home against Joliet State and Bonneville, but would rather have to pack their bags for Barrow, AK in an attempt by the league to expand college baseball to the northern most regions of the continent.

"There's some good baseball in southern Alaska, AK Ketchikan is an example of that, but up north they really haven't been exposed to it yet. Teams like Nome College and Bethel College are really at a disadvantage because people just don't come out for games like they do in the southeast and southwest." said NCAA Division IV commissioner Mel Bozario.

Critics maintain that the state of Alaska did nothing to garner the host, and they point to the sparse crowds at all northern Alaskan baseball games. This season, Nome College, which is the closest to Barrow despite still being hundreds of miles to the south, averaged just 0.3 fans per game; with most games being played in front of a completely empty bench. Skeptics are also quick to question the existence of a suitable facility to play ball in Barrow.

Commissioner Bozario contends, "We have been assured by officials up there (in Barrow) that they have constructed a top notch baseball facility over the past four days. Many are familiar with the Barrow High School football team due to their recent national exposure. Well, they have graciously let us convert their gravel former football field into a ballpark."

After photos of the field were released, fans complained that there was no backstop or seating for that matter, but Bozario maintains that special arrangements will be made, possibly using "oil drums as multipurpose backstops and seating".

Some Fourlane officials question whether the recent decision has to do with the gulf oil spill and the smell that it has created around their waterfront facility rather than the goal of growing Division IV baseball, but Bozario assures, "It has nothing to do with that. They need baseball down there right now, but it isn't as pressing as the need in the north." He did go on to mention that there "might be a need to revaluate the Fourlane mascot though. With the recent crisis, I'm not sure that the name 'Green Tide' is the best suited." A panel to rule on this may be formed as soon as next month. As for the Fourlane baseball team, they are currently packing sweaters to deal with the cold.