Sewell-Thomas Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Sewell-Thomas Stadium
nickname = "The Joe"


location = Tuscaloosa, Alabama
opened = March 27, 1948
(renovated 1999, 2001)
owner = University of Alabama
operator = University of Alabama
surface = Grass
tenants = Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA) (1947-Present)
seating_capacity = 6,118

Sewell-Thomas Stadium is a baseball stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It is the home field of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide college baseball teams. The stadium opened in 1948 and holds 6,118 people

History

Since the inaugural game in 1947, Sewell-Thomas Stadium has seen plenty of changes, both on and off the field. The most recent addition came in 2007 when a new state-of-the-art scoreboard and Jumbo Tron were added in leftcenter field, giving the Crimson Tide one of the finest scoreboards in the country.

The ballpark has undergone two major renovations since it was erected in 1947, with the last coming in 1999. There are additional plans for future renovations on the both the inside and outside of the stadium. The original grandstand was completed in time for the 1991 season and the Tide’s new ball park held 2,700 fans. Wesley Construction of Talladega, Ala., built the new facility for $2.1 million and the completion of the permanent grandstand changed the name of the facility to Sewell-Thomas Stadium. In 1996, bleachers were added down the right field line to raise the stadium’s capacity to more than 4,000 as the Crimson Tide hosted its first NCAA Regional in 1996.

N.C.Morgan Construction of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is responsible for the most recent additions at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The $4 million expansion project gives the Tide one of the finest home facilities in all of college baseball. The project, which was completed prior to the 2001 season, involved extending the grandstand down the right-field line. The addition of 2,000 seats raised the stadium capacity to 6,118 seats. The bench seats that filled the upper level of the grandstand were moved to the new addition. Chairback seats, similar to those in the lower level, were installed in the upper level. The stadium also received three new ticket booths, five new concession stands and five new restrooms for men and women. Two “hawker” stands were added to allow for concession sales in the grandstand. The players and coaches benefited from the 2001 renovations, too. The Crimson Tide moved into its spacious clubhouse in 2001. The expansion also included three indoor batting cages and pitching machines, a meeting room, training room, equipment room and coaches offices.

Thanks to the recent success of the Crimson Tradition Fund, spearheaded by Director of Athletics Mal Moore, “The Joe” has a new look and sound in 2006. A new stadium entrance was created in the fall of 2005 and new sound system from All Pro Sound was installed prior to the start of the season. The ball park also got a general facelift with new paint, signs and handrails as part of this $175,000 project.

Sewell-Thomas Stadium originally opened March 27, 1948 as a 2,000-seat facility. The stadium was renamed Sewell-Thomas Field in 1978, honoring former Alabama football and baseball standout and Major League Hall of Famer Joe Sewell.

External links

* [http://www.dadot.com/project/on_the_boards/sewell-thomas_stadium.aspx Renderings of future renovations]