2017 ACC Semi-final Game 2
North Carolina TarHeels vs. Miami Hurricanes (NCAA)
Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY: I’m not going to lie. We never saw one inning of this game. Not one pitch, not one at-bat…nothing. For some reason the ACC decided to keep postponing the game, even though the weather was fine at the time. The photo above is the TarHeels just hanging out, waiting to play ball. However that wouldn’t happen for a couple of more hours. Yes, there was a chance of rain, and yes, it did end up raining, but not until after the postponed start. The ACC could have given the go-ahead, and when it DID rain, at least the teams would have gotten a large chunk of the game in. Also, as we did, a large chunk of the paid attendance wouldn’t have been cheated out of a game, either, as fans headed for the gates when the announcement came that the game wouldn’t start for awhile, yet. FINAL: TarHeels 12, Hurricanes 4.
The Hurricanes heading for the batting cages
I’m not going to lie. I really would have liked to have seen this game, but since it didn’t get over until almost midnight, that would have made for a very long and strenuous day, especially with my dad and Brian at the ballpark impatiently waiting for baseball that we paid for. At least Brian got to meet some of the North Carolina players, but we didn’t have a chance to catch up with any Hurricanes.
Brian with a pair of TarHeels
Before the announcement of the delay, we took the time to check out the ACC Fan Fest in the West Wing of Slugger Field. I really wish the ACC would have shown that this is an important event, and maybe had some more things going on, and maybe some of the school mascots on hand instead of just cardboard cutouts of them. Brian at least got to see the ACC Championship trophy, too.
Brian with the ACC Baseball Championship trophy
We spent most of the time at the Louisville Slugger display, where Brian was able to hold some bats of Major Leaguers, including Louisville’s own Adam Duvall. Again, we were all very disappointed that we weren’t able to see any of this game, but just couldn’t stay there and wait around any longer. I honestly wasn’t that impressed with the way the ACC handled this tournament as a whole, from the pool play down to it’s weather delays. But, then again, having NC play until midnight and have to be ready to play the next day at noon, gave a HUGE advantage to the waiting Seminoles… Hhhhmm….
Brian swinging some pro lumber from Louisville Slugger
Photos property of Minoring In Baseball
Minoring In Baseball 
I think part of what happened is that the ACC had to move its tournament out of Durham … a place that is its traditional tournament home, where it knows how to put on a good show. And, then before the Louisville tournament even began, NC changed its law and the ACC signed a long-term contract with Durham for 2018 onward. So, there was no incentive for the ACC to do much in Louisville, since they’ll be back “home” in Durham next season.
So, I think they were just killing time in Louisville and were already excited to be back in Durham. Hence there was no reason for them to do much more than just play some games. Which is not an excuse, and it doesn’t make it right, but I’m thinking that’s what happened.
You could very well be right, Jackie. I’m not a big fan of the tournament being held in the same place year after year, though, including Louisville. Durham has a great stadium, but so do other areas of the ACC country where the tourney could be rotated. To me, it wouldn’t be ‘special’ to have it here every year. The ACC needs to give some of the other schools fans an opportunity to enjoy this event.