Doug Kingsmore Stadium
Doug Kingsmore Stadium (known prior to 2003 officially as Beautiful Tiger Field)[1] is a baseball park in the southeastern United States, located in Clemson, South Carolina. It is primarily used for NCAA and is the home field of the Clemson Tigers of the Division I Atlantic Coast Conference.
BTF, DKS, "The Doug" | |
 Clemson vs. South Carolina in 2006 | |
| |
| Former names | Beautiful Tiger Field (1970–2003) |
|---|---|
| Location | N. Silas Pearman Blvd. (Perimeter Rd.) Clemson, South Carolina |
| Coordinates | 34.679°N 82.849°W |
| Owner | Clemson University |
| Operator | Clemson University |
| Capacity | 6,272 |
| Record attendance | 6,524 (March 6, 2016) |
| Field size | Left Field - 320 ft (98 m) Left-Center - 370 ft (113 m) Center Field - 400 ft (122 m) Right-Center - 375 ft (114 m) Right Field - 330 ft (101 m) |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1970 |
| Renovated | 2003, 2008, 2015 |
| Tenants | |
| Clemson Tigers (NCAA ) (1970–present) ACC Tournament (1976, 1977, 1978) NCAA Regional: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018 NCAA Super Regional: 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010 | |
Opened 51 years ago in 1970, it 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 (.926) in NCAA Tournament games there since the NCAA changed its post-season format in 1999 (with a 39–8 (.830) 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.
Postseason
The stadium has hosted three Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournaments (1976, 1977, 1978), 13 NCAA regionals (1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018), 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 (1997–2004), 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
The diamond has an unorthodox southerly alignment (home plate to center field); the recommended orientation is east-northeast.[3] The elevation of the field is approximately 600 feet (185 m) above sea level.
Attendance
In 2013, the Tigers ranked seventh among Division I baseball programs in attendance, averaging 4,751 per home game.[4]
The attendance record for Doug Kingsmore Stadium was set on March 6, 2016, when 6,525 watched the Tigers defeat South Carolina 4–1.[5]
References
- "Doug Kingsmore Stadium / Clemson University Tigers Vanderbilt launching point into the post season". Ballpark Digest. November 29, 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-03-11. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- "Doug Kingsmore Stadium". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- "Official Baseball Rules: 2.01 Layout of the Field" (PDF). Major League Baseball. 2018. p. 2.
- Cutler, Tami (June 11, 2013). "2013 Division I Baseball Attendance - Final Report" (PDF). Sportswriters.net. NCBWA. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
- http://www.tigernet.com/story/baseball/Eubanks-Tigers-shut-Gamecocks-win-series-14647
