Baum Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Baum Stadium


fullname = Baum Stadium at George Cole Field
location = 1255 South Razorback Road,
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
broke_ground = October 12, 1994
built =
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 = HOK Sport
general_contractor = Kinco, Inc
tenants = University of Arkansas
seating_capacity = 10,737
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)

Baum Stadium is the home stadium for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team."2007 Razorback Baseball Media Guide." [http://www.davevanhorn.com/mediaguide2007.pdf Dave van Horn.com] Retrieved on 21 March 2008.] 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 Randall Tyson indoor track center in the parking lot of Baum Stadium behind first base.

The team is currently coached by Dave van Horn. ]

History of Baum Stadium

Baum Stadium officially opened in 1996. It was designed by HOK Sport a sports 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). ] 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 ]

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. ] 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. ] 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. ]

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 attendance record was emblematic of the prominence the Arkansas Razorback baseball program in recent years. The strength in attendance at Razorback baseball games has led to the continued expansion of Baum Stadium, now the second largest baseball facility in the SEC behind Dudy Noble Field at Mississippi State University. ]

Stadium Facts & Figures

* First Game: April 13, 1996 (Arkansas 9, Auburn 2). ]

* Dedication of Stadium: May 3, 1996 (Arkansas 9, Alabama 3). ]

* Largest attendance on record at Baum Stadium: 10,581 (May 5, 2007 Arkansas 5 vs. LSU 0). ]

External links

* [http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6100&KEY=&ATCLID=187022 HogWired Baum Stadium overview]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=fayetteville,+ar&t=h&hl=en&ll=36.049851,-94.182157&spn=0.001069,0.003369&t=h Google Maps Satellite Image/Map of Baum Stadium]
* [http://baumsquad.uatrough.com/ BaumSquad Site]
* [http://www.geocities.com/baumlam/baum.htm BaumLand Site]