In addition to the bus ride, you don't have your locker room, team room, indoor hitting facility, or other amenities that you have by playing on your home field. Even if the SB Cubs gave the players a locker room to use, the players would then have two separate locker rooms. It's just much nicer being on campus, close to everything that you need. I can also tell you that when the team played a handful of games at the SB cubs stadium in 2014, it did not boost attendance in any way. So not sure that would even help with getting fans out to the games. I do agree that ND baseball facility could use an upgrade, but don't think playing at Four Winds is the solution. The easiest way to boost attendance and to increase fan experience? Win. I guarantee you the experience would be better for everyone involved if the team won more.

I'm not suggesting Four Winds replace Eck, but it could be a good option to change things up.

But if we make big improvements to Eck, and schedule a handful of games at Four Winds, seems like a win/win

80-45 over last two seasons, with two NCAA tournament bids.

I think the inconvenience can be overcome.

The ballpark isn't making Duke win. You are talking about how adding "fan experience" to Notre Dame baseball is going to help them. And playing games at Four Winds field isn't going to bring more fans to the games. Also, the stadium is only part of what makes the fan experience. A lot more goes into it. Also, look back at 2014 when ND Baseball played games at Four Winds. Attendance didn't increase and "fan experience" wasn't better.

So your "two thoughts" on creating an "atmosphere" and using Four Winds field isn't going to lead the team to wins. So what exactly is your goal here? To have an "atmosphere" or to have a team that wins?

Hopefully one that creates a little buzz and gives the admin a reason to invest a little bit.

Hahahahaha some "fan" you are. Given up on the team winning so that you can have a better experience in the stands. Makes sense. Lol

I can tell you with 100% confidence that at no point in time will Notre Dame's athletic vision shift from being about the student-athletes to being about the fans. And anyone that thinks it should is delusional.

I absolutely agree that student-athletes should be priority #1. However, prioritizing student athletes (and winning) and delivering a good fan experience are not mutually-exclusive goals. Our women's basketball program is a good example of that.

Win or lose, the atmosphere at Frank Eck stadium stinks. However, I'm not saying we should abandon the place for Four Winds; my first set of recommendations was focused on making things better on campus. Still, I see very little downside--and fairly significant upside (if marketed appropriately)--associated with using Four Winds when it's available.

Downtown South Bend has come a long way since 2014. South Bend Brew Werks, a short walk from Four Winds Field, opened in 2014. Crooked Ewe, a very short drive away, opened in 2015. Render opened last year and is within walking distance. And that's to say nothing of all of the money being plowed into the direct vicinity of the ballpark. Why not give it a shot?

I think that playing a game (or series) at Four Winds field to engage the community or the fans and give them a different experience could be extremely valuable. Absolutely. And I think your suggestions of how to do that are good. I don't think playing all games at Four Winds would necessarily change anything. There isn't a huge Notre Dame baseball fan base within the South Bend community. Getting people to come out to a game every now and then could work, though.