The opening of Blue Bell Park last year brought Aggies from around the nation back to College Station to watch Texas A&M baseball. Yet, the strongest support came from within the University itself as Olsen Fields student section surged to rival the presence of Kyle Fields 12th Man.
More than a season later, Olsen Section 203 still attends A&M baseball games in full force, finding ways to knock opposing teams out of rhythm. Section 202, home to the infamous group, gained its name following an error by an announcer, resulting in the deceiving Section 203 title.
Former and current students occupy the second deck seats regularly, a tradition that preceded Blue Bell Parks construction. Despite footballs 12th Man holding precedence from a length of existence standpoint, fans say they believe their tradition is more fun.
Sanden Stewart, Class of 2007, is known as Statboy in the bleachers and has been the face of Section 203 since the 2004 season. Despite rejecting the title of leader, Stewart says he loves being a part of the tradition.
[Were] just some dedicated fans, Stewart said. I dont like being considered a leader because its kind of our own little group, but I do feel like a big influence on other people. Theres not much to describe. What you see is what you get.
Shades on Sixth is a tradition during the sixth inning in which Stewart puts on his onesie and the rest of the section slides on their sunglasses.
This joke seemed to hit its mark for the players, as the baseball team scored 30 more runs in the sixth inning than any other inning during the season.
Fans outside of Olsen Section 203 attending A&M baseball games enjoy the traditions the student section uses, ranging from the batters walk up songs to the banging on the bleachers when an Aggie base runner slides home for a score.
Senior management major Ryan Lenamon said Section 203 provides a unique experience when watching baseball, even for a fan who is used to some of the sports crazy antics.
There is nothing like sitting in Section 203 at baseball games. Lenamon said. The different things the fans do are hilarious and are a huge reason I try to make it to as many games as possible.
A couple of those events occur when a fan outside the section is not familiar with the procedures of watching A&M baseball. Section 203 fans scream greetings of Hey to people on cellphones, and when fans arrive at the game late they receive a reminder of their belatedness from the outspoken section.
For Stewart, it is all about learning the traditions of Aggie baseball that makes it fun.
I think Aggie baseball is the most fun sporting event, Stewart said. Kyle Field has the numbers, but we pride ourselves in being different. It might be a little intimidating at first, but thats fine. As long as you come, dont get on your cellphone and sit down between innings youll be all right. The more time you spend here the more fun youll have.
For A&M baseball, its fan presence has created a tough environment for opposing teams. Midway through the 2013 season, the Aggies hold a 16-5 home record in Olsen field, and a 4-8 record away.
When taking to the road, though, the A&M baseball team has found that it wont be without company. Olsen Section 203 applies beyond the boundaries of Blue Bell Park, as Ole Miss discovered during its three-game home stand March 22-24.
Ryan Hutcheson, a leader of the student section maraca gang at Ole Miss, said Section 203 annoyed the home crowd enough to garner a social media response.
I kind of like [Section 203], Hutcheson told The Daily Mississippian. It riles our fans up and gets them louder.