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Top 20 Ballparks
LSU, South Carolina, and others are trying to equal what Baum offers
Top 20 Southern College Baseball Stadiums
1. Baum Stadium-Prior to the expansion of Baum Stadium in 2007 this ballpark was the finest in college baseball. After the expansion it has blown well past any competition that it might have had. With 9,200 chairback seats and 34 luxury boxes Baum Stadium has become the must see venue for not only college baseball fans, but fans of baseball at all levels. The green chairbacks give Baum a retro look, while amneties like a hot tub gives it a more modern feel. This beautiful stadium is surrounded by the scenic Ozarks, plenty of parking, and has easy access to I-540. In 2004 the Razorback fans set a NCAA Super Regional Record(since broken) with 10,027 fans in attendance and in 2007 the Hogs became the first NCAA team in NCAA history to average 8,000 tickets sold per game with 8,069. In 2007 the Razorback Nation lost PA announcer Larry Shank who led the Hogs to singing "Take Me Out to The Ballgame", followed by the Hog Call.
2. Dudy Noble Field-When I first stepped on the MSU campus in 2001 for my first MSU football game I was shocked by what I saw to my right as I drove to my parking space. I couldn't believe that this huge structure was a baseball stadium. I knew MSU had a great baseball tradition and a big stadium, but I had never seen a college ballpark this size. Many stadiums try to create character by spending money, MSU creates it with tradition and its fans. Of course you have the cowbells, but you also have left field lounge, where you will find the best college baseball fans in the country. Left Field Lounge is made up of about 75 renewable season parking passes that consists of three rows beyond the left field fence. Pickup trucks, trailers, and motor homes make up a great tailgate and game experience. For the 2007 Super Regionals the Bulldog fans set a NCAA Super Regional record with 13,715 fans for the Clemson game. 18 of the largest crowds in NCAA history for an on campus stadium saw games at Dudy Noble.
3. The New Alex Box Stadium-Not a single game has been played, but this stadium still makes our list at #3 because we know what to expect from LSU when it comes to baseball. You won't find a more rabid group of baseball fans than the Tigers or a better program over the last 20 years. The new stadium will fit this group of fans perfectly. A capacity of 8,500 and 17 suites will make up this new stadium. Two new levels will make up this park. The first level will consist of a national championship plaza, hall of fame, and 2 picnic areas. The second level will have a state of the art press box, grandstand seats, and a club lounge. There is little doubt that this park will be full nearly every game and a new trophy could be make its way to national championship plaza.
4. Dick Howser Stadium-A $12 Million project in 2004 helped put this stadium in our top 5. Named after FSU's All American the stadium capacity is now up to 6,700. An $800,000 video board was installed in 2004 and it keeps track on lineups, stats, and replays. This stadium is also one of the best looking ballparks from the outside with large columns serving as entrances. The tradition in Tallahassee is matched by few. In the stadium's first 20 years the Seminoles hosted 19 regionals.
5. Swayze Field- I've always though that Ole Miss had the nicest campus(along with UVA) in the South and Swayze Field is one of the structures that gives Oxford its unique Southern Charm. I visited the stadium in October and construction was still going on as expansion will put in over 6,000 chairback seats. Also, Ole Miss plans for all old chairbacks to be replaced and an addition of 880 club seats. The outside of the park will consist of red brick and a new roof to coincide with the architectural style of the Ole Miss campus. My favorite part of this stadium is the scene behind the outfield wall. Similar to the Grove, many tents can be seen with students and fans putting together a little tailgate party during the game. The cheer of "Throw it in the dirt!" seems to be a popular one along with the traditional Hotty Toddy.
6. Carolina Stadium- Many will miss "The Sarge". The old park had its own "cozy" feel to it. The sound of the train in left field, fans peaking in from the softball stands, fans standing on rooftops to watch the game, and the homerun friendly park will be missed. A need for a new park was needed though. South Carolina fans have waited for this stadium for nearly a decade now and finally they have it. Located next to the Congaree River, this stadium will offer a nice view of the Columbia City skyline beyond the outfield wall. 5,400 charibacks will be in place with a total capacity of 8,000 fans. There will be a picnic terrace down the left field line with a dining deck holding 120 fans. The new scoreboard will be huge, 47 feet high and 44 feet wide and it will feature a 16 X 28 video board. This is certainly a state of the art facility, but there is a need for more parking and the stadium is hurt being a couple miles off campus. Still, there will be plenty of fans yelling out the number of strikeouts and of course the familiar yell of "Oot Oot".
7. Doug Kingsmore- Surrounded by Lake Hartwell and the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of college baseball's most tradition rich ballparks. With a capacity of 5, 617, Clemson Tiger fans have often packed this stadium well over capacity. While there are many features to this stadium such as the metal fence, Paw Vision replay screen, and a brick facade at the entrance, the most unique might be the small hill in the outfield that gives the Tigers a special home field advantage. In the outfield you can also see a group of Tiger fans grilling out in a small structure just beyond the right field fence. 9 regionals and 3 Super Regionals have been hosted by Clemson, but the fact Tigers love the most is that they own a 41-24 series lead over the Gamecocks at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
8. Plainsman Park-I'd have this stadium much higher on the list if the Auburn fans supported it more. The structure itself is only out done by Baum. The stadium is has a bit of Fenway with a 30 foot wall in left and a bit of Camden Yards. The park has a capacity of 4,096 seats with 3,227 chairbacks. The brick backstop is similar to that of Wrigley Field. Stars such as Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson have played on this field and in 2002 President George W. Bush addressed nearly 15,000 people. Auburn has a great new coach to start the 2008 season, so hopefully the Tigers will come out more and support this park.
9. Joe Riley Jr. Park- The home of The Citadel Bulldogs is a gem of a stadium located in historic Charleston, SC. With a capacity of 6,000 there a few atmosphere better than a spring afternoon in Charleston watching the Cadets cheer on their bulldogs. The Citadel has one of the best mid major fan bases in the nation and appear in the top 25 nationally for attendance on a regular basis. Known to the locals as "The Joe" this park serves as a host to the Southern Conference Tourney and is home to the Charleston Riverdogs(A NY Yankee minor league affiliate). The Citadel is proud of its baseball tradition and even went to Omaha in the early 90s.
10. Russ Chandler Stadium- The Jackets have to share baseball with the Atlanta Braves, but they do it well. A regular in postseason play and one of the best all around programs in the South, the Jackets stadium has a great location with the Atlanta skyline in the background. The stadium has a wide concourse and plaza area located behind third base. The facility seats 4,157 with 1,100 chairback seats. Georgia Tech has an impressive record of 634-168 at Russ Chandler.
11. Hawkins Field- While it only has 2,000 chairbacks, the home to the Vanderbilt Commodores is an often overlooked ballpark. The stadium is as close to Vanderbilt Stadium(football facility) as it can get as the 3rd base seats are nearly underneath the stands of the football venue. There is a Green Monster standing 35 feet in left. In 2007 Vandy hosted its first NCAA regional infront of 3,700 as new bleachers were installed in right field to expand capacity for the tourney.
12. Boshamer Stadium- Torn down at the end of the 2007, Boshamer wasn't home of the UNC Tarheels in 2008, but will be again in 2009 as they have rebuilt this stadium. Tarheel fans aren't the most rabid of baseball fans, but they are starting to catch on to the sport. This new stadium should break plenty of attendance records in 2009. The $25.5 million rennovation project will expand capacity to just over 4,000 and will have dimensions of 335 in left, 400 ft in center, and 335 in right. The old stadium hosted exhibition games between UNC and the New York Yankees in 1977, 1979, and 1981.
13. Foley Field- Only 2 SEC teams have won college baseball's national championship. LSU is one and Foley Field is home to the other, the Georgia Bulldogs. The most unique feature of this stadium is that of "Kudzu Hill". The plant that ate the South is located beyond Georgia's right field wall and are home to some rowdy hecklers known as the Kudzu Krazies. These fans are known for grilling out and the occasional alcoholic beverage(though banned recently). The hecklers are famous for getting into the heads of opposing right fielders, and even had a baseball thrown at them by LSU right fielder John Zeringue.
14. Sewell-Thomas Stadium-One of the largest on campus stadiums in the NCAA this home to the Crimson Tide of Alabama has seen Bama post an alltime record of 937-405-2. The capacity is 6,571 and the Tide have been known to finish in the top 5 nationally in attendance. From 2000-2002 the Tide finished 2nd nationally in attendance. Its also one of the oldest college baseball facilities in the South as its been home to Alabama baseball since 1948.
15.Tigue Moore Field-While not the best looking stadium in the South, this ballpark offers one of the best atmospheres. Down the right field line you'll find the Cajun Cooking Club, where you will find some of the best food at a sporting event in the South. Not only is the food great, but so is the baseball. The Cajuns alltime record at their home park is 608-235-1 and in 2000 the program made a trip to Omaha for the CWS. ULL is consistantly in the top 25 nationally in attendance. This is a can't miss college baseball atmosphere.
16. Mars Light Field-The home of 4 national championships is soon to add the name Alex Rodriguez Park to its name. ARod recently gave the baseball program $3.9 million to improve this facility. This isn't the nicest of stadiums, and lacks a good press box, but its history puts it in our top 15.
17.Turchin Stadium- In 2006 the home of the Tulane Green Wave was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The team was forced to play its games in Metairie, LA due to this disaster. Fortunately for the Green Wave fans, the athletic department spent near $9 million to make the facility one of the best in the nation. The newly renovated stadium saw 5,093 come to its opener for the 2008 season. It also was the host for the CUSA tourney in 2008 and has hosted 2 NCAA regionals and 1 NCAA Super Regional.
18. McKethan Stadium-The home of the Florida Gators has now expanded to 6,000 seats as of 2007. Home to an outfield wall that is blue and has Gator scales on it, this stadium has play host to 7 NCAA regionals and the 1989 SEC tournament. Since its opening, the Gators are 548-197 in home games played at McKethan. It is also home to one of the best playing surfaces in the country.
19. Clark-Leclair Stadium-East Carolina Pirate baseball is supported by one of the more loyal fan bases in the country. The stadium has a capacity of 3,000 with possibly its bost rowdy fans being located on the elevated burn in the outfield. The stadium put in a new scoreboard in 2004 that features a video display screen. The record attendance for the stadium was on April 12, 2006 when 5,048 saw the Pirates play NC State.
20. Pete Taylor Park- For a state with only about 3 million people, the State of Mississippi sure does support its college baseball. "The Pete" has a capacity of 3,678 with 1,678 chairback seats, but the stadium has seen crowds over 5,000 on a few occassions. It has hosted the CUSA tourney as well as the old Metro Conference tourney.
***Note*** Before you ask, we didn't include Texas or Oklahoma as part of this poll. Some consider those states the South and others don't. Some great facilities in those states though.
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