re: Premier baseball stadium in the country

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one thing about sc's park is they dont have anything that really sticks out at their entrance. our entrance blows theirs out of the water imo.

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as does the view we will have over the outfield wall.

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The New Box & SC's new stadium will likely match this in the next few years.

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i doubt it.

Auburns's stadium is ok, went to the 3 game series last spring, VERY small.

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I think we are missing out not putting chairbacks everywhere. Most stadiums are doing that now. SC even has them in the outfield

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Bottom line was budget. LSU needed to at least build a stadium with as many seats as the old Box (7500+). But, to try to make more money to meet additional demand, they had to add more seats (an additional 1000+). Thus, with the ever increasing cost of materials, which pushed the projected cost of the stadium from $24 million to over $36 million, they had to have the increased seating. The most economical way to do this was with the benchback seating. Still, overall, benchback is better than just plain benches.

Also, having chair back vs bench back vs bench only also helps sepearate the price points in the required Tradition Fund donation and season ticket costs.

Bottom line, it was a cost vs benefit situation. LSU could have built a $36 million stadium with all chair backs, but that would have only bought a roughly 6,000 seat stadium like USC's.

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they both need a few years of additional improvements to catch up with Baum.

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i disagree. i think the box is at the top right away. baum is quite possibly it's equal, but there isn't one that's better.

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The primary difference is the number of suites and chairbacks is much larger at Baum after years of adding on incrementally eavery couple of years.

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number of suites=irrelevant. baum and scar get the nod for number of chairbacks but i like the box's overall look better.

in reality, we're splitting hairs here. plainsman park, scar, baum, disch-falk, state, ole miss are all incredible places to watch a college baseball game.

I agree with most of the posters here that Arkansas' stadium is perhaps the nicest around, for now. Chairbacks throughout, the berm in left center and a pretty good atmosphere. When I was there in 2005, I told my father who made the trip with me that if LSU built a new one, model it after this. The New Box has a lot of similarities.

Auburn's stadium is also very nice, even if it is small (and lacking in Auburn fans in 2008's series against the Tigers). I was very comfortable there and very much enjoyed watching baseball. I'm not sure about the 3rd base side, but where we were on the 1st base there was a very good size standing area that would be useful with a large crowd.

This year I hope to go to Dudy Noble at MSU and Foley Field at UGA.

While the atmosphere at LSU will always be tops in the SEC, I have a feeling the lack of all chairbacks is one setback, at least compared to some other facilities.

Only time will tell, and it begins on February 20! Let's get a countdown or something going. I'm pumped more and more with every passing day.

Geaux Tigers!

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UK's baseball facilities need some work...

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Aren't they getting a new one too. My fault just upgrades

I'm glad that LSU has the ability to put 30+million into a state-of-the-art baseball stadium to compliment our national standing as a baseball power - the recruiting advantage this facility brings is premier in my mind.

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miami is supposed to be moving into a a great new stadium, paid for by a-rod

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A-rod gave $3.9 million toward $11 million renovations to the existing facilities. They are naming the field after him.

The stadium is on campus and a very pleasant place to watch a college baseball game. Relaxed, tropical atmosphere with amazing food vendors. Despite the improvements, it just won't be on the level of these SEC venues.

I'm really looking forward to February 20th.

Great Stadium