Doug Kingsmore Stadium
BTF, DKS, "The Doug" | |
Former names | Beautiful Tiger Field (1970 - 2003) |
---|---|
Location | N. Silas Pearman Blvd. (Perimeter Rd.), Clemson, SC 29632 |
Coordinates | 34°40′44″N 82°50′57″W / 34.67889°N 82.84917°WCoordinates: 34°40′44″N 82°50′57″W / 34.67889°N 82.84917°W |
Owner | Clemson University |
Capacity | 6,217 |
Field size |
Left Field - 320 ft (97.5 m) Left-Center - 370 ft (113 m) Center Field - 400 ft (122 m) Right-Center - 375 ft (114 m) Right Field - 330 ft (100.5 m) |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Opened | 1970 |
Renovated | 2003, 2008 |
Tenants | |
Clemson Tigers (NCAA College Baseball) (1970-present) ACC Tournament (1976, 1977, 1978) NCAA Regional: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2016 NCAA Super Regional: 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010 |
Doug Kingsmore Stadium (known prior to 2003 officially as Beautiful Tiger Field)[1] is a stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. It is primarily used for NCAA college baseball and is the home field of the Clemson Tigers of the Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. It opened in 1970 and has a record single-game attendance of 6,524 (set on March 6, 2016, against South Carolina). Doug Kingsmore has ranked in the top 20 in attendance for 15 consecutive seasons. The Tigers have an .810 winning percentage in games played there all time and are 25-2 in NCAA Tournament games there since the NCAA changed its post-season format in 1999 (with a 39-8 record in NCAA Tournament games all time).
History
Renaming
Former Clemson baseball player and Board of Trustees Emeritus Doug Kingsmore gave the Clemson athletic department a $1 million gift towards renovation of Clemson's baseball stadium, formerly known as Tiger Field. George Bennett, former executive director of IPTAY, made the announcement in 2000. Bennett also announced that the facility would be called Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Other uses
The stadium has hosted three Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournaments (1976, 1977, 1978), 12 NCAA regionals (1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2016), and four NCAA super regionals (2000, 2002, 2006, 2010).
Renovations
Renovations to Doug Kingsmore Stadium began in the summer of 2002. The design was done by HOK Sport (now Populous) and construction by Yeargin Potter Shackelford Construction. The stadium has a brick facade that surrounds every entrance. A green roof that covers much more of the stands and a press box that is twice as large adds to the comfort of fans attending the game and the media covering it. The press box, which is accessible by elevator, includes four large booths for broadcasting and a separate media center that accommodates 13 writers.
There is also a patio area outside the press box that is above the existing stands along the first and third-base lines. It is used for receptions and other events throughout the year.
Two ticket booths, concession stands with an adjoining picnic area, and enlarged restrooms make the facility easily accessible and fan-friendly. Reserved seats were also added to the grandstand. A grand stairway leading from the McFadden parking lot to the main entrance is an added feature from a convenience and aesthetic aspect.
The players also realize improvements, as four batting cages have been constructed beyond the right-field fence. The dugouts have been almost doubled in length and width. And the players have a newly renovated locker room and lounge.
Prior to 2005, PawVision, the giant replay screen that was used in the football stadium from 1997-04, was moved to Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The facility is also equipped with a "Super-Sopper," which cuts down on rainouts. Clemson is one of a few schools with this machine that removes water from the field.[2]
New Stadium Features:
- Ornamental metal fence
- Plaza area
- Brick façade
- Overhanging roof
- Enlarged & temperature-controlled press box
- Patio areas above the stands
- Ticket booths
- Enlarged concession stands
- Enlarged restrooms
- Chair-back seats
- Left-field grandstand
- Grand stairway entrance with Hall of Fame area
- Indoor batting cages
- Enlarged dugouts
- V.I.P. parking lot and drop-off
- "PawVision" giant replay screen
Attendance
In 2013, the Tigers ranked 7th among Division I baseball programs in attendance, averaging 4,751 per home game.[3]
The attendance record for Doug Kingsmore Stadium was set on March 6, 2016 when 6,525 people watched Clemson defeat South Carolina, 4-1.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ "Doug Kingsmore Stadium / Clemson University Tigers". Ballpark Digest. November 29, 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-03-14. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- ↑ "Doug Kingsmore Stadium". Archived from the original on 2011-03-14. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- ↑ Cutler, Tami (June 11, 2013). "2013 Division I Baseball Attendance - Final Report". Sportswriters.net. NCBWA. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 20, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.tigernet.com/story/baseball/Eubanks-Tigers-shut-Gamecocks-win-series-14647