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| Baum Stadium | |
|---|---|
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| Full name | Baum Stadium at George Cole Field |
| Location | 1255 South Razorback Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 |
| Broke ground | October 12, 1994 |
| Opened | April 13, 1996 |
| Renovated | 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 |
| Expanded | 2003, 2006, 2007 |
| Owner | University of Arkansas |
| Operator | University of Arkansas |
| Surface | hybrid bermuda grass |
| Construction cost | $8.9 million |
| Architect | Populous (formerly HOK Sport) |
| General Contractor | Kinco, Inc |
| Capacity | 10,737 |
| Record attendance | 11,103 (9 April 2011 vs. ASU) |
| Field dimensions | Left Field - 320 ft (97.5 m) Left-Center - 375 ft (114.3 m) Center Field - 400 ft (121.9 m) Right-Center - 375 ft (114.3 m) Right Field - 320 ft (97.5 m) |
| Tenants | |
| University of Arkansas | |
Baum Stadium is the home stadium for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team.[1] The actual field that is played on is entitled George Cole Field, named after the former Arkansas athletic director. George Cole Field was the name of the Razorbacks' home stadium from 1975 to March 1996. The old George Cole Field, located next to Barnhill Arena, was converted to become the home of the Arkansas Lady Razorback softball team when the baseball team moved to Baum Stadium, which is one-half mile from the main Arkansas campus across Razorback Road. In 2003, Arkansas opened the Randal Tyson Track Center in the parking lot of Baum Stadium behind first base.
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[edit] History of Baum Stadium
Baum Stadium officially opened in 1996. It was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) an architecture firm who also designed Busch Stadium, Coors Field, Jacobs Field, Camden Yards, U.S. Cellular Field, and recent improvements made at Wrigley Field. In 1998, Baum Stadium was named the country's number one college baseball facility in Baseball America (magazine).[1] In 1999, the Razorbacks won the regular season Southeastern Conference title and had a home attendance average of 3,780. (sixth-best in the nation) Baum Stadium was chosen as the site of an NCAA regional[1]
Prior to the 2003 season, 2,600 chairback seats were added with 1,300 going down each foul line. In addition, the hitting and pitching cages were enclosed so Razorback players would have access to it year round.[1] During the 2003 season and the 2004 season, many new renovations took place. Eight new luxury boxes and permanent coaches' offices were added to the upper level. Also, a new state-of-the-art scoreboard with video board, message center and a traditional hand clock were built in right field. The scoreboard stands 51 feet high and is 76 feet wide and features four classic brick pillars.[1] Also in 2004, a natural grass field was added, replacing the AstroTurf field that had been in place since the stadium opened. Rye grass was initially used for 2004 season, but was replaced by a hybrid bermuda grass for 2005. In November of 2006, the Razorbacks began construction on its third expansion of Baum Stadium since the 2003 season. The expansion includes 20 additional luxury suites, an additional 1,500 chairback seats, and the outfield area was tripled in size to bring the stadiums capacity to 10,737.[1]
During the weekend of May 4, 2007, Baum Stadium was home to a record attendance mark for a regular season three-game SEC series, as Arkansas faced rival LSU. A total of 29,971 fans paid to attend the three game series between Arkansas and LSU, which was won by LSU 2 games to 1. The strength in attendance at Razorback baseball games has led to the continued expansion of Baum Stadium, now the third largest baseball facility in the SEC behind Dudy Noble Field at Mississippi State University and the new Alex Box Stadium at Louisiana State University (Note: LSU's listed capacity is lower than Baum Stadium, but LSU's attendance routinely surpasses that number, averaging 11,000 per game.).[1]
Baum Stadium hosted its first #1 vs. #1 matchup ever on April 7, 2009, a 7-3 Razorbacks victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils.[2] The Hogs were #1 in Collegiate Baseball's poll, with ASU pulling a top ranking from Baseball America and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll.[3] The very next night, the Hogs set a then Baum Stadium record for attendance at 11,044 when they completed the sweep of the Sun Devils.[4]
In 2011, the Razorbacks ranked 3rd in Division I college baseball in attendance, averaging 7,932 per home game.[5]
[edit] Stadium Facts & Figures
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "2007 Razorback Baseball Media Guide." Dave van Horn.com Retrieved on 21 March 2008.
- ^ Pierce, Phil. "No. 1 Razorbacks Down No. 1 Arizona State." 4/7/09. Game Summary. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
- ^ Pierce, Phil. "Collegiate Baseball ranks Arkansas No. 1." 4/6/09. Game Summary. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
- ^ a b http://nwanews.com/blogs/slophouse/2009/04/08/diamond-hogs-sweep-no-1-arizona-state/
- ^ Tami Cutler. "2011 Division I Baseball Attendance". Archived from the original on 12-20-11. http://www.webcitation.org/644cLUIuP. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
[edit] External links
- HogWired Baum Stadium overview
- Google Maps Satellite Image/Map of Baum Stadium
- BaumSquad Site
- BaumLand Site
Coordinates: 36°03′00″N 94°10′56″W / 36.049938°N 94.182331°W
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