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Sewell-Thomas Expansion

Expansion? for baseball? yeah, right. Sorry, the gymnastics team needs new strobe lights for their intros
 
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I think we need to concentrate on winning some games and filling the seats we already have. Expanding seats and stuff like that is not gonna turn Jim Wells into SuperCoach. Not that I don't think we shouldn't improve our facillities but maybe we need to improve the coaching staff as well.


RTR
 
matt_bamahoops said:
Notice the trees in right field. What a joke!
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No joke to me. I agree with the trees there. If you are too cheap to spend $5 to get in the game then we don't need you anyway.

Actually, what they should do is forget the trees and fence in the area behind the walls and charge admission there. This is how they do it at Mississippi State and the left field lounge (actually goes across the whole outfield) is one the more notable traditions in the SEC as far as baseball is concerned.
 
jason122798 said:
No joke to me. I agree with the trees there. If you are too cheap to spend $5 to get in the game then we don't need you anyway.

Actually, what they should do is forget the trees and fence in the area behind the walls and charge admission there. This is how they do it at Mississippi State and the left field lounge (actually goes across the whole outfield) is one the more notable traditions in the SEC as far as baseball is concerned.
Click to expand...

Actually, I go inside for all of the games. However, I know many of the people that stand out in right field and I can't think of one of them that is not a season ticket holder. I don't see why the University has it out to keep them from enjoying the game in right field. They clean up their mess, buy tickets, and most importanly are some of the biggest supporters for the baseball program.

At the same time, I would not have a problem with the University fixing up the grass area and charing admission to get in there. It would be better than the alternative or trying to shove people away from there.
 
matt_bamahoops said:
Actually, I go inside for all of the games. However, I know many of the people that stand out in right field and I can't think of one of them that is not a season ticket holder. I don't see why the University has it out to keep them from enjoying the game in right field. They clean up their mess, buy tickets, and most importanly are some of the biggest supporters for the baseball program.

At the same time, I would not have a problem with the University fixing up the grass area and charing admission to get in there. It would be better than the alternative or trying to shove people away from there.
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Thanks for clearing that up Matt. It's true that many of us (me included) are season ticket holders (for years) that choose to watch games in the right field lounge. We enjoy the tailgating experience of cooking, fellowship and the freedom to move around. So if any of you need an extra ticket, please feel free to stop by.

It's also true that some of us (me included) have traveled to SEC venues each and every year supporting our team. The good years and the bad. A great friend of mine that stays with me each season for home series and road trips has seen more Alabama baseball games than anyone with the exception of Barry Allen. And yes, he views each and every home series from the right field lounge.

Jason, it looks like you got ahead of yourself but quickly corrected. I have always said it make sense to fence in the right field lounge and have one entrance out there so everybody would have to have a ticket to get in. Also to be able to bring in your coolers and grills along with your lounge chairs (see Ole Miss, Miss. State and Arkansas). The mentioned schools also have security in their outfield areas. This really makes it fan friendly.

One more thing then I will shut up. The mentioned schools have very little invested in their outfield (lounges) if you will. Arkansas has a berm (grass hill) and some permanent grills. Mississippi State did add about a 10 foot ground level wooden deck that wraps all the way around behind the outfield wall. Ole Miss has a little more invested than the other two. They have a concrete block terrace in both left field and right field lounges (right field being for the students). Ole Miss also has a net enclosed play pen for the kids. So with very little investment these schools can fill up their lounges 30-35 times a year and more if hosting regionals and super regionals all the while charging per head. Make sense to me.

Diamond Tide :biga:
 
Diamond Tide said:
Thanks for clearing that up Matt. It's true that many of us (me included) are season ticket holders (for years) that choose to watch games in the right field lounge. We enjoy the tailgating experience of cooking, fellowship and the freedom to move around. So if any of you need an extra ticket, please feel free to stop by.

It's also true that some of us (me included) have traveled to SEC venues each and every year supporting our team. The good years and the bad. A great friend of mine that stays with me each season for home series and road trips has seen more Alabama baseball games than anyone with the exception of Barry Allen. And yes, he views each and every home series from the right field lounge.

Jason, it looks like you got ahead of yourself but quickly corrected. I have always said it make sense to fence in the right field lounge and have one entrance out there so everybody would have to have a ticket to get in. Also to be able to bring in your coolers and grills along with your lounge chairs (see Ole Miss, Miss. State and Arkansas). The mentioned schools also have security in their outfield areas. This really makes it fan friendly.

One more thing then I will shut up. The mentioned schools have very little invested in their outfield (lounges) if you will. Arkansas has a berm (grass hill) and some permanent grills. Mississippi State did add about a 10 foot ground level wooden deck that wraps all the way around behind the outfield wall. Ole Miss has a little more invested than the other two. They have a concrete block terrace in both left field and right field lounges (right field being for the students). Ole Miss also has a net enclosed play pen for the kids. So with very little investment these schools can fill up their lounges 30-35 times a year and more if hosting regionals and super regionals all the while charging per head. Make sense to me.

Diamond Tide :biga:
Click to expand...

Great post DT.

I have been to all the venues you mentioned (except Arkansas) and all of them have added to the gameday experience by supporting the outfield lounges and making improvements for their area. Like you said, the fans will furnish all that is needed (seating and such) all the University has to do is fence it in and 'promote' it. I think Mississippi State has done the best job of this. One might try to argue that the school loses concessions from this since the fans out there cook their own. However I have been to many games and not really be hungry but after smelling what was cooking beyond the outfield wall, I had to make a trip to the concession stand. See my point?

I'm glad to hear that some of the folks in the 'right field lounge' at Bama are season ticket holders. I know they add a lot to the game experience and now that I know they actually 'support' the school it makes it that much better.

Also, I may take you up on the extra ticket deal sometime....lol :cheers2:

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Does anyone know of any improvements that have been made for this season?
When I drive by and when I was at the scrimmage, I didn't notice anything. At least they could paint the ugly pink brick on the stadium if nothing else. I have seen pictures online of the new Alex Box and it looks nice. Here's wishing we can get something similar one day. Can't wait for Friday night! RTR!
 
All I can say is only getting to make it for a couple of games a year, if I lived near Tuscaloosa, and could go to alot more games, I'd buy season tickets to support the program and then go to the RF lounge. The RF lounge is what sports, not just baseball, is all about IMO. Granted baseball is where this usually happens other than pregame for football. It is great atmosphere and should in no way be stopped.

Just my 2 cent.
 
I would have to say I see both sides of this issue. I have been to most every game for the past 8 years. Although I sit in the stadium, the right field area has great potential. That said when they see thousands of people exiting Basketball, or Gymnastics and watching for free, they want to find a way to capitalize.

The right field area could be a great area for the fans if it was enclosed. Then you would have the abliity to restrict the area to ticket holders, but at the same time make it a really nice for them. Install a few permanent grills, expand the seating that now exists for the bullpen pitchers further down the wall, install a few tables with umbrellas for people that need to avoid the hot sun.

Allowing fans to bring their own drinks, and food will not sit well with the vendors, but the prices need to be looked at for the concessions! You could spend 3 or 4 times the price of your ticket on food and drinks. Why don't they offer season ticket holders the opportunity to pay a one time fee for unlimited drinks, and peanuts or hotdogs.

If we can play good baseball, make our faciliites a little nicer, and make the experience a good one for the fans, then you will see more people in the stands.

Roll Tide, and Play Ball!
 
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I would like to make a comment on this topic. The University is going to do nothing on this matter. They made promises to Coach Wells that they have never come close to meeting. Why do you think those plans are up on the Davis Architects website? There was alot of work done to come up with those plans by the baseball staff and people don't draw up those type plans for free. Alot of wasted money there!!! Every school in the SEC has made upgrades as far as facilities since "The Joe" was upgraded, except for Georgia. Look it up. It is a facility that leaks. There are plenty of high schools with nicer locker rooms and indoor hitting facilities. Yet Alabama has still been able to continue to compete at a high level.

Roll Tide!!
 
So true Baseball22. The fact that we continue to field competitive teams is a testament to the players and coaches. I thought a few years back when the last expansion was done that the University had decided to make a commitment to baseball but apparently, I was wrong. I think that there is a ray of hope with Dave Hart now on board. Hart came from Florida State where they do take baseball seriously. Hopefully, he will be able to get something done.

By the way, don't blame gymnastics or softball for the lack of commitment to baseball. Those programs have earned the support that they get. Softball led the country in home attendance last year (both per game and total attendance) and gymnastics ranks in the top two or three every year, having averaged over 10,000 per meet for each of the past 6 years. For the past two years the average has been over 12,000 per meet. When a program has that kind of fan support, it will get the attention of the powers that be. Not to mention that both programs are national contenders year in and year out. If you want to blame another program, blame basketball, where attendance has been horrible and success on the court nonexistent.

It would certainly help if the people in the promotions department would actually do what they are paid to do. Instead, they trot out the same worn out marketing campaign and game day promotions that have been used since the days of Abner Doubleday. At least we will have more choices at the concession stands this year -- we will be able to get overpriced barbeque nachos and nachos grande (what ever that may be) to go along with the overpriced hot dogs. Has anyone in the concessions department heard of that new item called a hamburger? They may want to try them, who knows, someone may actually buy one unless they charge $8 for them.

Sorry about the rant. I just had to blow off some steam. I'll see everyone tonight at the Joe!
 
Baum Stadium in Fayetteville is the finest park in college baseball.

This year alone the SEC has OUTSTANDING new parks at LSU and USC , along with a major overhaul at Ole Miss. Auburn has Plainsman which was at the top when it opened. The SEC West has some the finest parks in all of America. Maybe 5 out of the top 10 now. And, then there's Bama.

Arkansas is looking at adding a state of the art wieght training facility totally dedicated to the baseball team. Funds are being sought as we speak. 7,000 in attendence for the doubleheader against Wash. St. Hogs go for the series sweep tomorrow and get ready for two against Kansas midweek.
 
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