Baum Stadium
UA
Sports Information -
 When
Baum Stadium opened in 1996 it was the class of college baseball venues.
Now, almost eight years later, Baum Stadium rivals most Triple A baseball
parks in atmosphere, seating and fan appeal.
Additional chariback seats were added for the 2003 season and the 2004
season saw eight new luxury boxes and permanent coaches’ offices added
to the upper level.
Two of the new luxury boxes and coaches’ offices were made possible by
contributions from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, Bob
and Marilyn Bogle, the Pagnozzi Charities, Johnny Tyson and Stan Ley.
Adding to the character of the park, a new state-of-the-art scoreboard
complete with video board, message center and a traditional hand clock
was built in right field. The scoreboard stands 51 feet high and is 76
feet wide and features four classic brick pillars.
Perhaps the most treasured addition to the 2004 renovations was the addition
of a natural grass field. A rye grass was initially used for 2004 season,
but will be replaced by a hybrid bermuda grass for 2005.
The 2004 season marks the second round of renovations since Dave Van Horn
became head coach of his alma mater.
Baum Stadium underwent renovations prior to the 2003 season as 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.
In 2003, Baseball America ranked Baum Stadium as the second best collegiate
baseball stadium in the country. The survey was conducted prior to the
additions of natural grass, luxury boxes and the new scoreboard.
Named the country’s No. 1 college baseball facility in Baseball America
1998 survey, the stadium - which can accommodate as many as 9,000 patrons
with auxiliary seating - stands as a tribute to the UA baseball program
and to longtime coach Norm DeBriyn, who has seen Razorback baseball rise
from the dust of Fairgrounds Field and take up residence in a structure
with amenities that put it “in a class of its own,” according to Baseball
America.
Baum Stadium is the culmination of a vision that was possible only through
the dedication of former Arkansas Head Baseball Coach Norm DeBriyn, UA
Athletics Director Frank Broyles and the contributions of the Willard and
Pat Walker and Charlie Baum families.
While the efforts of DeBriyn and Broyles have been instrumental in maintaining
a state-of-the-art home for UA baseball since the original George Cole
Field opened in 1975, it was the generosity of the Baums and Walkers that
allowed Arkansas to abandon plans to renovate its former facility and replace
it with a new standard in college baseball venues.
The support of the George Cole family has been an integral part of the
program’s growth since the former Razorback athlete, coach and athletics
director donned the cardinal and white many years ago.
“Without the support of the Charlie Baum, Willard Walker and George Cole
families, this wouldn’t have been possible,” DeBriyn said. “It’s an incredible
facility and there is not one like it anywhere in the country. There is
no way to describe the excitement our players and coaches have when they
take the field.”
Representatives of all three families attended groundbreaking ceremonies
on Oct. 12, 1994.
Eighteen months later, Carnes’ pitch to Whittenburg completed the dream
as the Razorbacks defeated Auburn 9-2 in the stadium’s inaugural contest.
Official dedication ceremonies were held three weeks later as Arkansas
downed Alabama 9-3 on May 3, 1996.
Baum Stadium is an intimidating venue for Razorback opponents, and never
was that more evident than during the Hogs’ 1999 Southeastern Conference
schedule.
After splitting its first two games with LSU to open its home league slate,
Arkansas won the rubber game against the Tigers and went on to sweep three-game
series from Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Baum
Stadium to finish 14-1 in home SEC games.
The sweep against Mississippi State included a regular season single-game
attendance record when 5,102 saw the Razorbacks defeat the Bulldogs 7-4
on May 1.
The Hogs’ outstanding home conference record that season was critical to
their 22-8 overall SEC record and first Western Division and overall SEC
championships.
The 22 conference wins and 14 home league victories were school records.
The Razorbacks broke new ground again after the 1999 regular season as
Arkansas’ SEC title, outstanding facility and home attendance average of
3,780 (sixth-best in the nation) combined to prompt the NCAA selection
committee to choose Baum Stadium as the site of an NCAA regional.
On May 28, the event Razorback fans had longed for finally came to Fayetteville.
A crowd of 6,631 - the largest crowd ever for a college baseball game in
the state of Arkansas - saw the Razorbacks defeat Delaware 10-6 in their
first game of the NCAA Regional at Fayetteville.
The seven-game regional drew a total of 29,596 patrons to rank fourth in
NCAA regional attendance for 1999 according to the Sept. 3, 1999, issue
of Collegiate Baseball.
Only the regionals at Texas A&M (42,730), LSU (36,195) and Wichita
State (33,037) attracted more fans and the host team played on the final
day at each of those sites.
Even during the disappointing 2000 season the Razorbacks managed to invoke
some Baum Stadium magic, rallying from a 13-3 deficit to defeat Wichita
State 15-14 and snap a 13-game home losing streak.
Less than two weeks later, Baum Stadium was the site of one of the most
improbable feats in UA baseball history as the struggling Hogs won two
of three games against a top-ranked South Carolina team that entered the
series with a 45-4 record.
Perhaps the only thing that makes as big an impression on first-time visitors
as the facility itself is the game day atmosphere within it. Between innings,
fans are treated to the RBI Girls’ performances atop the dugouts, interactive
contests and prizes from UA baseball sponsors.
Fans can also enjoy a cookout at one of the permanent barbeque grills provided
in the picnic area beyond the left field fence.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Razorbacks have
even more reason to point to Baum Stadium as a source of pride.
Each year, UA officials are approached by coaches and administrators requesting
access to the Baum Stadium blueprints as they plan to renovate an existing
facility or build a new one in hopes of replicating the comfort and grandeur
of the Razorbacks’ home. |
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|
As of 2006
| Architect:
HOK Sport |
| Cost: $8.9
Million |
| Groundbreaking:
Oct. 12, 1994 |
| First Game:
Apr. 13, 1996 |
| Dedication:
May 3, 1996 |
| |
| Capacity: 9,133 |
| Permanent Seating:
6,133 |
| Hog Heaven:
98 premium seats on the press-box level. |
| Skyboxes:
10 |
| Hog Pen: Area
beyond left-field fence with 12 picnic tables and 10 grills |
| Suites: 14
luxury suites on press level |
| Parking: 1,100
spaces |
| |
| Surface: Natural
Bermuda-Hybrid Grass |
Dimensions:
Left - 320 ft.
Left Center - 375 ft.
Center - 400 ft.
Right Center - 375 ft.
Right - 320 ft. |
| Dugouts: Built
to major-league specifications with tunnel access to clubhouses. |
| Batter's Eye:
40' x 80' wall behind center field. |
| Bullpens: Allow
field visability |
Other Features:
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Complete locker room facilities
for home and visiting teams.
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Indoor batting cages
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Video Scoreboard stands
76 ft. wide and 39 ft. tall. Along with the videoboard is a
message center, traditional hand clock and four brick pillars.
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The "Lake Norm" Fountain located
behind the outfield fence
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"Hog Spa" Pavillion (available
for per game rental)
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Johnny Mike Walker Lounge availiable
for Hog Heaven ticket holders and Swatter's Club members.
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The Norm DeBriyn Concourse features
two concession areas, Baum Stadium displays and Hog Heaven souvenir shop.
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