SEC baseball atmospheres

[AlaskanFAN 1,666]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/rival-sec-baseball-atmospheres-prove-140019741.html
 

Auburn Wire: Brian Stultz

Rival SEC baseball atmospheres prove Auburn is lagging far behind

If you’ve been watching the NCAA Baseball Tournament during the past week, you’ve noticed quite amazing atmospheres from Starkville to Fayetteville and many other places in the SEC.

It made me jealous. Not because these SEC teams were winning, in fact the complete opposite. I’m rooting for them. Yet what made me jealous was the fact that these baseball stadiums — Dudy Noble, Baum-Walker, Lindsey Nelson — are much better than Auburn has ever had and, possibly, ever imagined of having.

Let that sink in.

The scenes have been phenomenal. The crowd? Noisy as possible. Heck, Mississippi State set a Super Regional record with 14,385 fans on Saturday.

And what do we have at Auburn? It’s rarely filled to the 4,096 capacity that Plainsman Park holds. We have the three or four guys in that one section along the third-base line that continue yelling things that are as funny as the latest Adam Sandler movie. Oh, and that parking deck. Yes, we have the parking deck full of people drinking but too far away — and disinterested in the game — to make any impact on the home-field advantage.

Heck, we don’t even have outfield seating. I’ve seen some people on Twitter mention putting seats on top of the left-field wall and, yes, that would be a great start but when you see 4,000 people (again, more than we average at a game) in the outfield at an Ole Miss game throwing beer in the air after a home run, the Plainsman Park atmosphere looks like a Jefferson-Pilot noon game at Vanderbilt.

It’s not like the Tigers haven’t won. Taking this year out of the equation, the Butch Thompson era has brought back some glory to the program with a trip to the Super Regionals in 2018 and to Omaha for the College World Series in 2019.

We’ve seen the Auburn fan base turn Jane B. Moore Field into a true home-field advantage. Auburn Arena has become one of the most intimidating environments in college basketball.

So what is lacking for Auburn baseball? Why have SEC stadiums at Ole Miss, Mississippi State and elsewhere become so much wild while Plainsman Park resembles a 9 a.m. World History lecture in Haley Center?

I don’t have all the answers but I can suggest some.

Build a section beyond the right-field wall that allows students to bring coolers with their beverages of choice where they can also see the game. It worked to a degree with K Corner but … well … students tend to be more rowdy than alumni in their 50’s.

Make the game more of an experience than it is right now. Besides baseball, what is the really attraction of going to Plainsman Park right now? It’s not for a great atmosphere that you witness across the street at Jordan-Hare Stadium or Auburn Arena.

Of course, this might also just come down to fan indifference. Are Auburn fans truly bought into baseball? Do they even care if the Tigers succeed or not? It’s been some time since the program put out a successful winner consistently but the same can be true for many other sports that are better supported on campus.

Granted, it is hard to compare a regular season series to a Super Regional but, when it comes to attendance, the stadiums are full to almost full in other places where the Tigers are lucky to play in front of 2,000.

Yes, watching the NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals have made me extremely jealous of the environments that other SEC teams enjoy and use to their advantage. There’s no reason Auburn can’t make Plainsman Park an atmosphere to fear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 14, 2021 by AlaskanFAN

[warbiscuit 279]

Our student section is not as energetic as say Tennessee's. Auburn's student section just does your typical remarks whereas I've seen Tennessee get onto batters that haven't had a hit in that series by chanting " 0 for 8" and get more vicious. Also Tennessee's student section is so close to first base. Tells you how effective they are if Mainieri complained they got in the head of some of his players. Also didn't help for the longest time that the student section was in the nosebleeds and they only gave a few rows. They did rectify that by putting more student section seats down the left field line. Plus the crowd at Auburn isn't as energetic. Whenever the student section tries to copy the ball four tradition from Texas A&M, no one else joins in. Even the rally dance, it's just the student section. They need to add more seats in the OF. Incorporate more involvement from the fans. Auburn needs to find a way to utilize the fans in the parking deck to come to the stadium. They've tried, with the Patio where you could have adult beverages, and adding a few more seats to the student section. But truth is besides the Green Monster, Plainsman Park seems bland compared to almost every other team in the SEC.

Edited June 14, 2021 by warbiscuit

[autigeremt 6,751]

Auburn isn't passionate about baseball (or a lot of sports) until the team wins a lot. It hasn't been a priority and when you couple that with the closing of the K Korner and all the other things it frustrates fans and they either stay away or catch a few innings in the parking deck and leave.  

[steeleagle 2,945]

I really thought that when AD Greene took over, with his background in baseball, he would do more to make sure the baseball experience was improved and needs of that program would be accelerated. Other than getting the new development facility finally built, 

I wonder if they have other improvements that are in the thinking phase for now?

[wildlife alumni 304]

On 6/24/2021 at 4:29 PM, steeleagle said:

I really thought that when AD Greene took over, with his background in baseball, he would do more to make sure the baseball experience was improved and needs of that program would be accelerated. Other than getting the new development facility finally built, 

I wonder if they have other improvements that are in the thinking phase for now?

I agree. It does not seem that they have had the backing of the school as much as they should. They finally got some facilities upgrades but, I would still say we are behind the most of the SEC. Granted, I could be wrong about facilities. They have an opportunity to upgrade things with the football team moving to a new facility. Will they renovate some of the old facilities for other sports like baseball or let them use the old indoor practice facilities? Update the fan experience at the park? Honor past players? There seem to be so much they could do the help recruit and build excitement.

[PowerOfDixieland 3,226]

On 6/28/2021 at 1:14 PM, wildlife alumni said:

I agree. It does not seem that they have had the backing of the school as much as they should. They finally got some facilities upgrades but, I would still say we are behind the most of the SEC. Granted, I could be wrong about facilities. They have an opportunity to upgrade things with the football team moving to a new facility. Will they renovate some of the old facilities for other sports like baseball or let them use the old indoor practice facilities? Update the fan experience at the park? Honor past players? There seem to be so much they could do the help recruit and build excitement.

You're not wrong.

 

[AU_Canoe 234]

Winning makes a difference. One of my educational stops was UTK and during my time there, baseball attendance was minimal to almost sparse. Lindsey Nelson Stadium is actually a pretty poor facility and the fan experience was pitiful vs. peers. Some of the complaints hovered around large areas of bench seating, poor drainage, old plumbing, poor amenities, and wasted sightlines. Recently, UTK athletics made a few superficial upgrades to the baseball complex but I believe a complete overhaul has been promised in return for success and coaching stability. However, those inadequacies can be masked if you have a great team on the field. The Knoxville Regional was a good example. Not much has changed in regards to the facility but the team started winning which in turn drew huge crowds and amplified the atmosphere. When you are winning, the bench seating and poor amenities become tolerable. 

I was at the 2019 AU/UTK baseball series at Plainsman Park and several UTK fans offered compliments about the parking and overall feel of the complex; however, when comparing to our SEC baseball and softball peers our facilities are starting to look rather simplistic/minimal and maybe even high school level. I remember when Plainsman Park was pretty much a high fence and metal bleachers and the transformation was amazing. Might be time for a revisit. 

[AU_Canoe 234]

On 6/28/2021 at 1:14 PM, wildlife alumni said:

I agree. It does not seem that they have had the backing of the school as much as they should. They finally got some facilities upgrades but, I would still say we are behind the most of the SEC. Granted, I could be wrong about facilities. They have an opportunity to upgrade things with the football team moving to a new facility. Will they renovate some of the old facilities for other sports like baseball or let them use the old indoor practice facilities? Update the fan experience at the park? Honor past players? There seem to be so much they could do the help recruit and build excitement.

AU appears to have a growing list of empty, or declining use facilities i.e., Beard Eaves, Indoor Practice Facility, etc. located in prime real estate. Has AU mentioned about repurposing any of the land or buildings for future use? I haven't heard anything but there are a lot of athletic programs creating "Athletic Villages" for their sports. I wasn't sure if this was in the cards for AU to include repurposing the land for future facilities. 

[steeleagle 2,945]

On 8/12/2021 at 7:41 PM, AU_Canoe said:

AU appears to have a growing list of empty, or declining use facilities i.e., Beard Eaves, Indoor Practice Facility, etc. located in prime real estate. Has AU mentioned about repurposing any of the land or buildings for future use? I haven't heard anything but there are a lot of athletic programs creating "Athletic Villages" for their sports. I wasn't sure if this was in the cards for AU to include repurposing the land for future facilities. 

I think it's too late, but they should have repurposed an area and built a new baseball facility somewhere else. PP is nice, but it is so landlocked with the streets, the parking deck and the athletic apts, that you really can't enlarge it at all except to go up. Maybe there is a way, but it feels like its cramped now with all the building around it that was done over the last 20 years....

[autigeremt 6,751]

On 8/12/2021 at 7:41 PM, AU_Canoe said:

AU appears to have a growing list of empty, or declining use facilities i.e., Beard Eaves, Indoor Practice Facility, etc. located in prime real estate. Has AU mentioned about repurposing any of the land or buildings for future use? I haven't heard anything but there are a lot of athletic programs creating "Athletic Villages" for their sports. I wasn't sure if this was in the cards for AU to include repurposing the land for future facilities. 

AU has been in limbo with Beard Eaves for at least the last 10 years. We are still housing Geology and pieces of other departments in the building and until they construct replacements for those groups it will still be here when I retire in 5-7 years. 

[AU_Canoe 234]

On 8/28/2021 at 10:47 AM, steeleagle said:

I think it's too late, but they should have repurposed an area and built a new baseball facility somewhere else. PP is nice, but it is so landlocked with the streets, the parking deck and the athletic apts, that you really can't enlarge it at all except to go up. Maybe there is a way, but it feels like its cramped now with all the building around it that was done over the last 20 years....

 

On 8/28/2021 at 2:19 PM, autigeremt said:

AU has been in limbo with Beard Eaves for at least the last 10 years. We are still housing Geology and pieces of other departments in the building and until they construct replacements for those groups it will still be here when I retire in 5-7 years. 

 

I haven't considered PP landlocked before until your post and in reflection that is very true. I am probably dating myself but when I was an AU undergrad there seemed to be a lot of breathing space between buildings (academic and athletic). Yet, when I go back to campus, it's challenging to get distant sightlines due to new buildings. I never thought about it before but parts of campus feels cramped. 

I would imagine demolition of Beard Eaves would be big $$$ and it's cheaper to continue building on open property vs. demolition, plus, if there are still offices there. Maintenance I am sure isn't cheap but I guess there is asbestos concerns with demo? I also remember during my undergrad days there was talk of doing something with Foy Union, which is also a prime location. Did they ever repurpose Foy or is it still sitting half empty? I remember Foy was an enjoyable place during football games, i.e., restrooms, air-conditioning, and cookies. 

AU has definitely and literally backed PP into a corner. It will be interesting to see what AU does with the old football practice footprint. I am guessing there is a future "wish list" by athletics or academia. 

[PowerOfDixieland 3,226]

On 8/28/2021 at 2:19 PM, autigeremt said:

AU has been in limbo with Beard Eaves for at least the last 10 years. 

AU has always been in limbo with that beast.  When I was a freshman in the fall of '83 all baseball operations were housed there.  Dressing rooms, training room (I remember seeing Barkley get weighed every day), equipment room, strength....although conditioning in the fall and winter was in the "Bubble".  I never know that turf toe could be so freaking painful.

[steeleagle 2,945]

Yes, Beard-Eaves HAS to be underutilized compared how it was used when it was built up to when we built the Auburn Arena. 

Now if it is true, that Pearl wants his own practice facility, then that may open up even more how BEMC is used.

But it's got to be time to demolish it and replace it with something, even if it is a natural park....

[AU_Canoe 234]

On 8/30/2021 at 10:47 AM, steeleagle said:

Yes, Beard-Eaves HAS to be underutilized compared how it was used when it was built up to when we built the Auburn Arena. 

Now if it is true, that Pearl wants his own practice facility, then that may open up even more how BEMC is used.

But it's got to be time to demolish it and replace it with something, even if it is a natural park....

In regards to practice facility, what is Pearl's current practice facility layout? Currently, does he have to share with the women's and he is wanting something independent for the men's for recruiting and more specific player development? Maybe not at the scale of Football only Facility but for the same reasons of wanting one?

I am only familiar with part of Auburn Arena. When I have viewed other team's men's basketball facilities they are close to their main arena, or attached, to lessen logistics. I am not sure where Auburn Arena could expand unless the adjacent parking lot but those spaces would have to be accounted for somewhere else. 

[dentman 3]

Winning is the main issue. I worked for UT baseball for 3 years (unfortunate for me the Dave Serrano Years). Fans never showed up and was half full at best for SEC games. Insert Tony V, he demanded that UT upgrade the facilities. The gave him a brand new turf field, and upgraded the locker rooms and hitting facility. Now they are winning and they have facilities to show off. They had multiple sell outs even before the regionals and supers.

Now on to Auburn, I love the location of PP, the facility while not great compared to Ole Miss, LSU or State... it has a very clean and polished look. I think at some point you have to bite the bullet and if you can't get donors to back it then borrow the money. We are finally doing it in football, now its time to invest in baseball. 

[AU_Canoe 234]

On 9/14/2021 at 6:10 PM, AUreo said:

Not sure, where to post this, so starting a new thread:

https://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/news_articles/2021/09/091328-bot.php

For the Athletics Department, the board elected to:

• BASEBALL: Commence the next phase of the Plainsman Park Player Development Center and start the architect selection process. Aimed at enhancing the fan experience, the project will include premium seating improvements above the new Player Development Center, as well as additional seating, new restrooms, concessions, a covered pavilion and a connection to the existing seating concourse. Athletics is expected to finance the project through bonds and gifts.

• WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Initiate the project and start architect selection process to renovate the women’s basketball locker rooms in Auburn Arena. This project includes improvements to the team’s meeting areas, video review lab, team lounge, nutrition area, coaches’ locker room and restrooms. Athletics is expected to finance the project with bond funds.

• GYMNASTICS AND SOFTBALL: Renovate the gymnastics and softball team areas within the McWhorter Center. The project will upgrade the current space to effectively support the development of student-athletes and allow these programs to compete nationally at the highest level. Athletics is anticipated to finance the project with bonds and gifts. 

I noticed this in another forum. Looks like there are improvements scheduled for Plainsman Park. 

[warbiscuit 279]

Ole Miss has announced a $40 million campaign to renovate Swayze Field.

 

[PowerOfDixieland 3,226]

1 hour ago, warbiscuit said:

Ole Miss has announced a $40 million campaign to renovate Swayze Field.

 

Nice response to the new Dude, but it won't matter as long as Bianco is in charge there.  Ole Miss is perpetually stuck at very good.

[tigerman1186 537]

Ole Miss is going to use some of their Sugar Bowl $$$$

[warbiscuit 279]

Auburn baseball kicking off 'Operation Atmosphere' (247sports.com)

Well Auburn has made some changes for the atmosphere, now the students have seating behind the right field.