Future looks bright for the BlueSox
The finish wasn't what everybody wanted — or anticipated.
But the 2017 Butler BlueSox baseball season may just be the start of something.
The team completed its ninth season in the Prospect League by setting its home attendance record of 21,968 fans coming through the gates at Kelly Automotive Park.
What was most impressive was the two home crowds the BlueSox played in front of during the league championship series.
Game 2, on a Saturday night, drew 1,059 people. That was with no corporate sponsor for the night, no fireworks, nothing to offer but the BlueSox having a shot at winning the league title.
That was enough.
When Butler lost that second game, a Game 3 was suddenly on the books for 4 p.m. the next day, giving people less than 24 hours notice that game would even exist. Still, nearly 800 people showed up.
This was a likeable team in what proved to be a likeable season. The BlueSox rarely lost at home, and the race for the East Division title was tight going down the stretch.
This town proved it can rally around a baseball team comprised largely of college kids from outside the area.
Cody Herald's instant success as a first-year manager in the league, coupled with the positive experience most players and pitchers have when they come here, may encourage more and more collegiate players and their coaches to look at Butler as their summer home.
Kudos to the Butler BlueSox for a fun, exciting and successful summer.
And a bright future ahead.
A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.
