Mississippi's 'Crown Prince' is Returning: College Baseball Season is on the Horizon
When I was in high school, I was the public address announcer for my school's sports teams: the Vardaman Rams.
We were a (very) small school, I had a decent voice, and I got the job. "Job" is a strong term since I was rarely paid, but I didn't do it for the money. I did it because I loved sports.
One spring in 2015, Ole Miss and Mississippi State met in Starkville on the diamond while Vardaman had a home baseball game of its own, one that I, of course, commentated as a high school junior.
While I called the game, I had a radio on in the press box listening to the college action unfold about an hour south. As the game in front of me went on, the Rebels and Bulldogs went into extra innings. With each break in the Vardaman game, I would inform fans over the PA system what the score was between Ole Miss and State.
Ole Miss took a lead, and about half the crowd cheered. Mississippi State regained the lead and won the game in extras, and the other half shouted for joy.
Even in a "football state" like Mississippi, there's something about baseball that gets people here excited, so much so that they will pause, albeit briefly, from watching their kids play to hear how their alma mater is faring against a rival.
The lack of a major professional sports franchise within the state's borders (and an overall endearment to their school of choice) has caused many Mississippians to invest heavily into their school's athletic programs, both financially and otherwise.
As baseball season nears in the collegiate ranks, it's worth remembering that the last two national champions in the sport have come from the state of Mississippi, bringing swaths of fan support on both sides. Ole Miss and Mississippi State laid claim to their first baseball national championships in school history over the last two years, and last season, Ole Miss and Southern Miss met in a Super Regional.
Regardless of who won that series, one of those two programs was going to the College World Series to represent the state. Ole Miss did, and it went on to win the national championship, turning the bizarre 2022 season that seemed almost sure to bring an end to Mike Bianco's tenure to one that could earn him a statue on campus at some point in the future.
What is it about the game that makes baseball in this state such a hot topic?
Some might say it's the patriotic aspect of the game. Baseball in itself is a symbol of this country, woven into its fabric since the 1800s. I believe, however, that there's more to it than that.
Weather could also play a factor. Springs in Mississippi are much more temperate than areas further north, so, naturally, outdoor sports would succeed more during this time. Still, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are consistently among the top schools in the nation in terms of average fan attendance, oftentimes pulling over 10,000 spectators.
That number is obscene compared to what some other schools attract.
No, I believe that, for some reason, the school pride in this state runs so deep and baseball is so familiar in the American psyche that people have gravitated to these programs as another outlet for their fandom, more so than other schools. One could very well argue (and I would agree) that baseball is the "No. 2" sport on both campuses right behind football.
For a lot of other programs, that is unimaginable. The Rebels, Bulldogs and a handful of other SEC programs are among the only baseball teams in the country that actually make money with the sport. The rest simply try to break even.
Football is king in Mississippi, no doubt. But, at the very least, baseball is the crown prince.
Now as another college baseball season awaits on the horizon, the questions and storylines for the year are beginning to take shape. Can Ole Miss or Mississippi State make it back to Omaha? Can the Bulldogs get back into the NCAA Tournament after a disappointing 2022 campaign left them on the outside looking in? How will the Rebels replace their talent that is now playing professionally?
All of these are valid questions, but the fact that they are being asked is a sign that baseball here matters, and that's not going away any time soon.
You can follow John Macon on Twitter at @JMakeGillespie.
Hey Rebel Fans! Want to see the Ole Miss in action? Get your Ole Miss game tickets from SI Tickets here!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rebels? Click Here.
Follow The Grove Report On Facebook and Twitter.
Want even more Ole Miss Rebels News? Check out the SI.com team page here.