🏈 Baseball Stadium upgrade in the works...

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Not a lot of details on the project now, but with the money being mentioned it would at the very least be a major upgrade, and possibly could be what amounted to a new stadium on the current site. I'm still a bit skeptical, and will reamin so until plans are officially announced, but I'm going to reamin positive for now... for 20-30 million, there is simply no reason the baseball team shouldn't end up with something pretty awesome.

 

[ElephantStomp]

Finally!!

 

[TerryP]

Not a lot of details on the project now, but with the money being mentioned it would at the very least be a major upgrade, and possibly could be what amounted to a new stadium on the current site. I'm still a bit skeptical, and will reamin so until plans are officially announced, but I'm going to reamin positive for now... for 20-30 million, there is simply no reason the baseball team shouldn't end up with something pretty awesome.

Standing right beside you.

 

[bamaraider]

Thank you Bill Battles and the UA Board of Trustees :chat2_bow3:

 

[UAgrad93]

I'll throw out the thanks when it is announced officially.

 

[RTRGrad2006]

How's our baseball team been recently? I don't really follow it so I am not aware. In the last 3 years have we been pretty competitive?

 

[TerryP]

How's our baseball team been recently? I don't really follow it so I am not aware. In the last 3 years have we been pretty competitive?

Last three years? I've not been pleased.

This year is a different story though. They didn't go as well as any fan would like. But, in my eyes, they did better than I expected.

Last year we ended the season with a 9-21 SEC record. The team is a game under .500 right now with a 11-12 record.

"The Joe" is so far outdated I'm...well... :bolt:

 

[TerryP]

A few details

UA has started raising money for the upgrades, which could cost $30 million. The proposed multimillion dollar renovation would take place in three phases: reconfiguration of the field within the current stadium, which includes moving home plate closer to the fence to help solve sight-line issues; constructing a freestanding indoor practice facility; and both completion of the inside of Sewell-Thomas Stadium, including the addition of luxury suites, and bricking the outside of the stadium, extending the concourse and more.


The plan could be presented to the board for approval as soon as next month’s meeting or may be presented in the fall.


The renovation could take up to two years to complete, but sources said the plan is to have it completed by the 2016 season.

This would send some fans, namely LSU fans, over the edge.

One question that would need to be answered is where UA’s baseball team would practice and play during the construction, although it is likely that the team will remain at Sewell-Thomas Stadium with the renovation working around the team’s schedule. Another option would be for the team to play elsewhere. with the most obvious place being Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

 

[RTB X Bot]

AaronSuttles: @BamaChilld28 @alagrandslammer Trust me when I tell you that it is far beyond that. Still considering some things, but this is happening.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/bamachilld28">bamachilld28</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/alagrandslammer">alagrandslammer</a> Trust me when I tell you that it is far beyond that. Still considering some things, but this is happening.</p>&mdash; Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronSuttles/status/332527653699592192">May 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/bamachilld28">bamachilld28</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/alagrandslammer">alagrandslammer</a> No problem. Until they come out and say it themselves, people will wonder. It's been promised before.</p>&mdash; Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronSuttles/status/332529642500153344">May 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[psychojoe]

Terry, I remember talking with you about this a year or so ago. To me the best thing would be a new locaation for baseball. You mentioned some propety the U of A has close to the river that would be good for it.

Glad to see the push for an upgrade, and anxiously awaiting the details.

 

[TerryP]

Terry, I remember talking with you about this a year or so ago. To me the best thing would be a new locaation for baseball. You mentioned some propety the U of A has close to the river that would be good for it.

Glad to see the push for an upgrade, and anxiously awaiting the details.

From what I understand based on what I've read there still remains the possibility for a new stadium—although it's slim.

Here's where I have a quandary.

LSU spent 37.5MM on a brand new facility recently and UA is talking spending as much as 30MM?

However, this I also understand.

The existing "skeleton" is already in place so a remodel does make sense.

With the Champions Plaza already approved and designed to be a part of the existing complex—providing additional seating in right field—it doesn't make sense to move the field to a new location. (I do like its location.)

Now, here's where questions come into play.

It's been mentioned there are plans for an indoor complex. That's needed! Are they going to put that around the field? Logic says they should so the team could move quickly from one area to another. (See softball, football.) Now, if they do that...where does that leave the parking? Are they going to take away a fairly large section of the lot around Coleman? I don't have an issue with that UNTIL I had to walk to a basketball game in the cold with it sleeting/raining one evening!

 

[UAgrad93]

This years' bunch has probably exceeded expectations if I had to guess. If you look at the lineup, we place 3 true freshmen in there at SS,2B, & CF.We place a sophomore in RF, then 3 Srs and a Jr. The roster has 6 Srs and 4 Jrs total. Our pitching staff is comprised of mostly freshmen and sophmores. I think a new stadium or $30 million upgrade would give some of these guys pause to either stay with the scholarship they sign or stay in school for their Sr years. The 2010 season got us to the Super Regional and 2011 was a loss in Regionals.

 

[TerryP]

This years' bunch has probably exceeded expectations if I had to guess. If you look at the lineup, we place 3 true freshmen in there at SS,2B, & CF.We place a sophomore in RF, then 3 Srs and a Jr. The roster has 6 Srs and 4 Jrs total. Our pitching staff is comprised of mostly freshmen and sophmores. I think a new stadium or $30 million upgrade would give some of these guys pause to either stay with the scholarship they sign or stay in school for their Sr years. The 2010 season got us to the Super Regional and 2011 was a loss in Regionals.

That's why they've exceeded my expectations.

I've always been taught a good baseball coach/manager is going to put his best players up the middle.

 

[RTB X Bot]

AaronSuttles: @BrettUA Not yet. I'm anxious to get a glimpse. I've been told the plans are awesome.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/brettua">brettua</a> Not yet. I'm anxious to get a glimpse. I've been told the plans are awesome.</p>&mdash; Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronSuttles/status/332542384162357249">May 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More...

 

[UAgrad93]

Terry, that's what I was taught and have coached as well. Those 3 kids are pretty special and will only get better with some age.
As far as the indoor facility goes, they could rework the batting cages and include a small section of the parking lot out in left. This would better protect you from the elements!!:bluebiggrin:

 

[TerryP]

It's certainly not to size...but here's how I'd do it.

Figure the red lines are the exterior walls...beige area represents infield practice area...

<a href="http://s468.photobucket.com/user/PellmanT/media/baseball_zps79c20366.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr49/PellmanT/baseball_zps79c20366.png" border="0" alt=" photo baseball_zps79c20366.png"/></a>

 

[UAgrad93]

Terry, you could get roughly the same space where the batting cages are now. Enclose the cages with the indoor facility.

 

[TerryP]

Terry, you could get roughly the same space where the batting cages are now. Enclose the cages with the indoor facility.

Don't you think those will be moved?

They are talking about expanding the concourse area which makes me assume it's going to mean a renovation of the entire NE corner. It certainly would make the appearance of the entire athletic complex look more eye appealing turning in from Bryant.

My thought isn't losing a lot of parking, but what is lost could be moved over to the band practice area and just make the parking lot for Moody bigger.

Now, I'd suggest just have the band practice on the parking lot...but good god that would be H.O.T. in their "fall camp."

What's to the east of the last frat house on the left as you're going down University towards McFarland...the house closest to the Student Health Center?

<a href="http://s468.photobucket.com/user/PellmanT/media/band_zpsa7745ffc.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr49/PellmanT/band_zpsa7745ffc.png" border="0" alt=" photo band_zpsa7745ffc.png"/></a>

 

[TerryP]

Hehehe...

I KNOW this won't happen...but, under by diagram/picture earlier...make it the outfield fence and create our own "Green Monster" but call it...

 

[UAgrad93]

Don't you think those will be moved?

Either move them or have them be enclosed with the new indoor facility.

They are talking about expanding the concourse area which makes me assume it's going to mean a renovation of the entire NE corner. It certainly would make the appearance of the entire athletic complex look more eye appealing turning in from Bryant.

My thought isn't losing a lot of parking, but what is lost could be moved over to the band practice area and just make the parking lot for Moody bigger.

Now, I'd suggest just have the band practice on the parking lot...but good god that would be H.O.T. in their "fall camp."

You'd be torturing those kids! It would go back to the days of high school with the band director and coaches griping over use of the fields.

What's to the east of the last frat house on the left as you're going down University towards McFarland...the house closest to the Student Health Center?

I have no clue!! I saw this when we went down for A-Day. I assumed it was just for another frat house or two that was to be moved, if there were any others.

This renovation or rebuilding of The Joe is something that has probably been needed for 20 yrs.