Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Not enough advertising for these games to offset the costs of the production. ESPN will broadcast any of them as long as the host school has a deal with them and they’re willing to cover the costs.

One of the guys on here said how much it would cost to broadcast the UF games and that the school didn’t want to pay for any more of them. If someone gave them money earmarked for that, I don’t know why they’d have an issue with it though.

 

I also remember there being limited camera availability. It was something like UF could only do 3 events on campus at one time and so a hierarchy is formed and apparently softball falls way low on the totem pole.

 

I can’t remember the numbers. Was it a half a million? That’s what they’d need to do the rest of the home games?

 

It doesn't need to be an ESPN style production. Case in point. My nephew graduated from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania this year. He played baseball there all four years. Guess what? A college with an enrollment of 1548 undergrads streamed every home baseball game. Likewise, almost every team they played did as well. College baseball powerhouses like Washington and Jefferson, Baldwin Wallace, and Slippery Rock, to name a few. Yes, that Slippery Rock. They use a single HD camera behind home plate that does a surprisingly good job. With play-by-play from a student in their communications department. I'd guess a $1,500 to $2,000 investment for equipment. Which I assume was covered by the two or three sponsors they plug during the broadcast. A local pizza joint, automotive shop, and Sheetz Gas Station. All three of which likely got their investments back at least ten fold.

PS: The play-by-play guy that also just graduated got a gig with a Single A Minor League team somewhere in the Midwest.

 

Not sure a bootleg production would be legal with our espn contract. Probably either them or nothing, at least on our home field.

 

Taylor Shumaker mic’d on Instagram:

Florida Gators Softball on Instagram: "*tap tap* It’s TayShu on the mic️ #GoGators"

 

My grandson’s High School in rural Pennsylvania broadcast every home athletic event on YouTube with volunteers running the show. Somehow the cost should be manageable.

 

I sent the following email to Kris Pierce at USF
kwp@usf.edu



Gator fan here..
Do you plan to stream all the games this year? I don’t know logistics and economics but, considering a small school such as Stetson could stream 30 games on ESPN last year, it may not be a big deal.
I will appreciate any information you can share.
Happy Holidays
Bill Morris

Probably won’t get a reply. Perhaps if others in the forum would contact Kris or others at USF or even the participating schools, it would get them thinking. Squeaky wheels sometimes get greased.

 

Last year, up until the 4/24 beating by the Noles the Gators at best were having an average season. We talked about such things as Skylar's slump, Mia striking out, over pitching Rothrock and will we host a regional. We then watched and cheered as these ladies made an incredible run to finish 2nd in the SEC, win the SEC tournament, and make a deep run in the WCWS. This year, all we will be talking about is how good these ladies are and we will be watching and cheering one of the best college softball teams of all time win the SEC and and the WCWS.

 

This post is directed at two of our esteemed posters uf72 and scrappy for saying I was optimistic. You two are entitled to your opinion but off with your heads. On 6/23/25 I will repost the above comment and and vehemently remind you......I told you so. Go Gators.

 

Former Gator on the move again via the Portal.

 

I am hoping you are right. We certainly have the players to do it. I’m looking for a good year in the circle for Keagan, Ava, Liv, Katelynn(Red), and Kara.

 

Managing expectations is going to be the new challenge. Having to deal with the hype and success. I don't think it will be an issue with these ladies, but it's a different perception thst last year. As always it's a long season and there will be highs and lows. Just need to play the best after May. Last year I think we caught fire at the end because our freshmen really settled. Have to remember finals for school also end about the same time sec play wraps up. It makes a difference once they get to just enjoy softball.

 

those two were not good teammates when they were here.
Hopefully they have a matured.

 

One of them was toxic, she didn’t even go to the plate to congratulate and celebrate with Katie when she hit her home run at Stanford two years ago.

 

2024 Fall Semester Gator Softball GPA:

 

Beat football by .09