DaytonDailyNews.com

When the Ohio State softball team hosted Penn State last May with the Big Ten Conference title at stake, there was a unique atmosphere inside Buckeye Field.

"Brutus was there," said Stephanie Vanderink, the OSU second baseman, of the Ohio State mascot. "There was a pep band, cheerleaders, high school players. An audience we never really had before."

The Ohio State athletic department is trying to bring a similar audience to several events this weekend in what it has advertised as "Scarlet and Gray Days." Beginning with Friday's baseball game against Purdue and finishing with Sunday's softball doubleheader against Penn State, OSU is encouraging fans to shoot for stadium or national attendance records while spreading excitement about the football team's Saturday spring game to other sports.

The weekend symbolizes the effort needed to attract Buckeyes fans to events across the department's 36 sports, a national high. The players often get involved.

"In my classes I do a lot of group work, so at times I'll mention, 'Hey, you should stop by the game,' " said Tony Kennedy, an OSU outfielder. "I tell everyone it's fun if you give it a chance."

Sometimes, the spring sports don't get as many chances. The baseball team played its first 15 games on the road before the home opener March 26. Even when at Bill Davis Stadium, the Buckeyes depend on good weather for a strong share of their audience.

When the attendance is strong, though, players and coaches said the atmosphere is noticeable.

"I've been down on the Ohio Stadium field when the bands come in and the fans come in, heard the roar and shaking," said Linda Kalafatis, the OSU softball coach. "When we did some exciting things at Buckeye Field, it didn't feel much different. It wasn't 100,000, maybe it was 1,000, but in that kind of arena, we had the same excitement."

A majority of the general fan excitement is saved for football and basketball, but coaches said Athletic Director Gene Smith has embraced efforts to promote all sports. Athletes are encouraged to attend each other's games, and the department can at times distribute posters such as those advertising what OSU hopes can be a record-breaking set of games this weekend.

"He understands that football and basketball have obviously been huge money generators," said Bob Todd, the OSU baseball coach. "What I think he's done is say, 'OK, what other sports here at Ohio State can generate some dollars?' I'm not saying pay for itself but generate some dollars. What sports do we need to market and promote and get some fans in the stands? That's how we get efforts like what we're seeing this weekend."

Scarlet and Gray Days

The Ohio State athletic department is hoping to set stadium or national attendance records during four events this weekend.:

Baseball against Purdue, 6:30 p.m. Friday

Bill Davis Stadium attendance record 5,360

Men's lacrosse against Denver, 11 a.m. Saturday

National attendance record 52,004

Football spring game, 1 p.m. Saturday

National attendance record 92,138

Softball against Penn State, Noon Sunday

Buckeye Field attendance record 1,175

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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