More than 17,000 fans packed Condron Ballpark for the NCAA Super Regional between the Gators and South Carolina. (Photo: Ashley Ray/UAA Communications)
Stricklin Tips Cap to Record Crowds, More Gators Tidbits
Monday, June 12, 2023 | General, Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The quote is deeply embedded in American pop culture, though it ranks among the greatest misquotes in movie history.
As Kevin Costner strolls through an Iowa cornfield as Ray Kinsella in "Field of Dreams," he hears a voice that tells him, "If you build it, he will come." Of course, the misquote that is now famous is "If you build it, they will come."
Maybe that's the way Yogi Berra first said it after seeing the movie. Regardless, the phrase is often used when big crowds show up at new ballparks and stadiums, and that was the case over the weekend on the UF campus.
The Gators hosted Southeastern Conference rival South Carolina in the first NCAA Super Regional at 3-year-old Condron Ballpark. Fans packed the stadium.
In Florida's Game 1 victory on Friday night, the announced attendance of 8,439 establish a new record for an on-campus college baseball game in the state of Florida. Florida fans topped that for Game 2 on Saturday, as 8,851 saw Florida sweep the Gamecocks and earn a berth in the College World Series.
Once it was over, the scene offered the Gators marketing department ample material to promote a day at the ballpark — and had UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin basking in the moment as the Gators celebrated their first trip to the CWS in five years.
"The energy Gator Nation produced this weekend at Condron Ballpark was incredible,'' Stricklin said Monday. "The crowds were big and boisterous, hanging on every pitch until the final out. Sully and our team are so appreciative of the support and look forward to seeing some of that Orange & Blue in Omaha."
The Gators averaged 8,645 over the two games and, for perspective, Saturday's crowd was larger than eight Major League Baseball games played in the state thus far in 2023:
TOPICAL TWITTER
The Gators baseball team is tentatively scheduled to depart for Omaha on Wednesday for the program's 13th trip to the CWS. We'll have you covered here on FloridaGators.com on the latest, so check back often. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of non-baseball items to keep Florida fans engaged. Here are some news and nuggets that caught my attention on Twitter ...
— Never too early to take a look at some of the competition the Gators will be facing in Omaha. Here is a glance at the six teams that have punched a ticket from the Omaha World Herald ...
— Those preseason football magazines are out and Zach Abolverdi of On3.com highlighted what they are saying about the Gators ....
— No real surprise that a couple of Gators pitchers not in the regular mix have entered the transfer portal from Luke Adragna of the Independent Florida Alligator ...
— The Gators paid tribute to the UF men's track and field team that won a national championship on Friday night ...
— Former Gators OF Jud Fabian, in his first full season as a professional, is earning recognition in the minor leagues ...
— Gators national champion horizontal jumper Jasmine Moore made quite a return home to Texas at the NCAA Championships. She is up for the top award in NCAA women's track and field ...
— Former Gators QB Anthony Richardson has a ton of potential on the field and off it based on the NFlPA's list of rising stars. AR tops the list ...
As Kevin Costner strolls through an Iowa cornfield as Ray Kinsella in "Field of Dreams," he hears a voice that tells him, "If you build it, he will come." Of course, the misquote that is now famous is "If you build it, they will come."
Maybe that's the way Yogi Berra first said it after seeing the movie. Regardless, the phrase is often used when big crowds show up at new ballparks and stadiums, and that was the case over the weekend on the UF campus.
The Gators hosted Southeastern Conference rival South Carolina in the first NCAA Super Regional at 3-year-old Condron Ballpark. Fans packed the stadium.
Back-to-back for Gator Nation! 👏🐊#GoGators pic.twitter.com/l7ZIaYe8WI
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 10, 2023
In Florida's Game 1 victory on Friday night, the announced attendance of 8,439 establish a new record for an on-campus college baseball game in the state of Florida. Florida fans topped that for Game 2 on Saturday, as 8,851 saw Florida sweep the Gamecocks and earn a berth in the College World Series.
Once it was over, the scene offered the Gators marketing department ample material to promote a day at the ballpark — and had UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin basking in the moment as the Gators celebrated their first trip to the CWS in five years.
"The energy Gator Nation produced this weekend at Condron Ballpark was incredible,'' Stricklin said Monday. "The crowds were big and boisterous, hanging on every pitch until the final out. Sully and our team are so appreciative of the support and look forward to seeing some of that Orange & Blue in Omaha."
The Gators averaged 8,645 over the two games and, for perspective, Saturday's crowd was larger than eight Major League Baseball games played in the state thus far in 2023:
| DATE | GAME | BALLPARK | ATTENDANCE |
| April 19 | Marlins vs. Giants | loanDepot park | 8,272 |
| May 4 | Marlins vs. Braves | loanDepot park | 8,295 |
| May 18 | Marlins vs. Nationals | loanDepot park | 7,752 |
| May 24 | Rays vs. Blue Jays | Tropicana Field | 8,699 |
| June 1 | Marlins vs. Padres | loanDepot park | 8,405 |
| June 5 | Marlins vs. Royals | loanDepot park | 7,232 |
| June 6 | Marlins vs. Royals | loanDepot park | 7,342 |
| June 7 | Marlins vs. Royals | loanDepot park | 7,673 |
The Gators baseball team is tentatively scheduled to depart for Omaha on Wednesday for the program's 13th trip to the CWS. We'll have you covered here on FloridaGators.com on the latest, so check back often. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of non-baseball items to keep Florida fans engaged. Here are some news and nuggets that caught my attention on Twitter ...
— Never too early to take a look at some of the competition the Gators will be facing in Omaha. Here is a glance at the six teams that have punched a ticket from the Omaha World Herald ...
Six teams have punched their tickets to the CWS so far.
— World-Herald Sports (@OWHsports) June 12, 2023
Here's a look at those teams: https://t.co/y3PQGnpSF7
— Those preseason football magazines are out and Zach Abolverdi of On3.com highlighted what they are saying about the Gators ....
What 2023 preseason magazines are saying about Florida Gatorshttps://t.co/bQQUBDCH7y
— Gators Online (@GatorsOnline) June 12, 2023
— No real surprise that a couple of Gators pitchers not in the regular mix have entered the transfer portal from Luke Adragna of the Independent Florida Alligator ...
Carsten Finnvold and Yoel Tejada have entered their names in the NCAA baseball transfer portal. Finnvold is leaving after two seasons, and Tejada is departing after just one. @alligatorSports
— Luke Adragna (@lukeadrag) June 12, 2023
— The Gators paid tribute to the UF men's track and field team that won a national championship on Friday night ...
The champs are here 🏆#GoGators pic.twitter.com/WiHVPxqq5B
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) June 12, 2023
— Former Gators OF Jud Fabian, in his first full season as a professional, is earning recognition in the minor leagues ...
Congratulations to Jud Fabian for being named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
— Aberdeen IronBirds (@IronBirds) June 12, 2023
Jud is hitting .297 with a .401 OBP, a .918 OPS, 20 XBH, and 18 SB.
This is one well-deserved award!@judfabe @OsPlayerDev @BSLOnTheVerge pic.twitter.com/6gCoFqEa76
— Gators national champion horizontal jumper Jasmine Moore made quite a return home to Texas at the NCAA Championships. She is up for the top award in NCAA women's track and field ...
Congratulations to Jasmine Moore on being named a Honda Award Finalist for Track and Field!
— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) June 12, 2023
📰: https://t.co/S0FDZ9IJOA #GoGators🐊
— Former Gators QB Anthony Richardson has a ton of potential on the field and off it based on the NFlPA's list of rising stars. AR tops the list ...
The #Colts think a lot of former #Gators QB Anthony Richardson. So does the @NFLPA and his retail potential. He's No. 1 on rising stars list -- https://t.co/Xds7sLNvl7
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) June 12, 2023
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball2025 Florida Baseball Season Highlights
Monday, June 23
Florida-Fairfield Highlights
Saturday, May 31
5.31.25 Conway Regional Postgame
Saturday, May 31
5.30.25 Conway Regional Postgame
Friday, May 30
