Camping Out at the Corral

By Grant Hughes

If a tree falls in the woods and nobody's around, does it make a sound? There were no trees toppling at Buckshaw this season, but the Santa Clara Broncos toted some heavy lumber and made plenty of noise in the WCC.

And two loyal fans most definitely heard it.

Sean Finerty and John Arathoon, campers and proprietors of the "Third Base Corral" attended every home game at Buck Shaw this season. Faithful Bronco fans since their freshman years in 2000, they're the only guys on campus who'll go through the trouble of renting a tent to show their devotion to the team. The last three years, Sean and John (and originator Rob Harper) have camped outside Buck Shaw stadium over the weekend of the final home series.

With the WCC out of the Broncos' reach this past weekend, Sean and John were still there, having a good time, watching Santa Clara mop up Saint Mary's. Rob was there in spirit, though abroad for the year.

The guys claim their actions aren't intended to make any statements about poor attendance or the lacking devotion to Bronco sports, but it's hard not to notice how they stand out. Arathoon explained how the campouts started for the best possible reason: watching baseball games is fun.

"It started freshman year when me, Sean, and Rob started going to every baseball game, because it was a good time. We got caught up in it and then Rob came up with the idea to camp out for the final home series."

Once the operation got going though, it did start to take on a purpose.

"We figured camping out would help pump up the players and maybe attract attention to the baseball team, since it doesn't seem like many students really go," added Arathoon.

Junior Billy Richardson, one of the few students attending the Broncos' final game on Sunday echoed the campers' sentiments.

"You have the players' girlfriends, the family members, and then maybe about 20 other students who are just here to check out the game," said Richardson.

Given the great stories surrounding the baseball team this season, the general apathy is tough to understand. The Broncos won more than 30 games for the first time in six years, including 19 of their last 26. Senior Scott Dierks' draft potential skyrocketed this year, as he finished with a league high 18 homeruns. Pitcher Joe Diefenderfer finished the season with an 8-3 mark, posting a 3.40 ERA. Freshman Jason Matteucci led the team in hits and games played, so the future is bright as well.

If Santa Clara and Pepperdine weren't both in the Coast Division, the Broncos would be playing Pepperdine for a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Waves and Broncos finished one-two in the division, at 23-7 and 21-9, respectively. San Diego, the West Division champs, finished at 18-12

Though most students are unaware of the tradition, the campers' efforts are noticed by the players. Aside from the annual campouts, the guys go to every home game, making them familiar faces to the players.

"They seem to be pretty grateful that we go to so many games," said Arathoon. "Most of them know who we are and they'll talk to us when they see us on campus," said Arathoon.

Bronco first baseman Shawn Epidendio said the team loves the support from tha "Corral".

"They're awesome," said Epidendio. "That's exactly how all fans should be. The whole team loves them. When we come out of the dugout, we look down the line and they're always there. We're just really appreciative of the support."

Manager Mark O'Brien is most appreciative of the "Corral" when he's coaching third base, just feet from the two super-fans.

"They're baseball rats," said O'Brien. "I can really hear them when I'm out at third and you can tell they really understand the game. They know baseball situations, plus sometimes I get a real chuckle out of what they're yelling. As a manager, it really just makes you feel good that there are fans out there who are so amazingly loyal to the program. I look forward to seeing that tent out there at the end of every year."

In large, the campouts and devoted attendance aren't meant to be statements. The guys will be the first to tell you that. Finerty remembers a time during his freshman year when they were asked by a reporter, "do you guys really like college baseball?"

"Of course we like college baseball, we're out here because it's fun," Finerty told him in disbelief.

Any statement that the campouts make is an unintentional result of a few guys who just like to catch some baseball games. In that sense, they're the same as every other baseball fan on campus. With a foundation of young talent and another year to build on, the Broncos need more fans like Sean Finerty and John Arathoon. Hopefully, with the Broncos planning to make even more noise in the WCC next year, Sean and John won't be the only ones around to hear it.

It doesn't take much to do what they do. You don't have to rent a tent, you just have to like college baseball.