COLUMN: Clash at Comerica a win-win situation
DETROIT -- The Clash at Comerica has obviously not fared well for the Central Michigan baseball team with a 0-2 record on the diamond against Michigan State, but it does not take much searching to see its positives.
The game that the two schools are trying to make an annual contest is a win-win situation – outside of the record for CMU of course. For scheduling purposes it is obviously nice for the CMU/MSU rivalry, with each team having a home game and a neutral site game to decide a tiebreaker.
It’s a big winner for the players, who may get their only opportunity to play in a big league stadium – most of the players are from the state of Michigan where the Detroit Tigers and Comerica Park is an iconic place to pay. CMU utility player Eric Wrozek said his home run is one he will never forget.
For coaches it is good for recruiting. CMU coach Steve Jaksa can tell high school prospects they can play at Comerica Park against MSU while it’s being televised on the Big Ten Network. It also gives recruits from around the Detroit area the ability see the teams in action.
It also just helps the brand of the two schools. More people hear about it, see it and talk about it when you get the opportunity to play on a bigger platform.
After this year’s Clash at Comerica both coaches were very thankful for it and talked about doing it again next year – and why wouldn’t they. It is not bad for student journalists that want to get the chance to check out a big league park and watch a game.
Students and fans that are from near Detroit get the chance to see the program back home during summer.
Hopefully the athletic directors and coaches can continue the young tradition - win or lose.
