By Colton Watson
Dudy Noble Field/Polk Dement Stadium—dubbed the "Carnegie Hall of College Baseball"—has long been considered the sport’s premier venue and atmosphere. It is the standard to which notables like Baum Walker and Alex Box stadiums are often compared, having hosted 24 of the 25 largest on-stadium baseball crowds in NCAA history (Baum has the other).
The cuisine, beverages, and camaraderie of the Left Field Lounge make for an unparalleled college athletics experience. The Left Field Lofts, Rooftop Club, the Lounge, the Berms, the Omaha Club, the Triple Crown Club, and the grandstand fans’ and students’ sections give every attendee a litany of experiences and amenities from which to choose when they set foot in "The Dude."
And, as Mississippi State baseball continues to perform, hosting Regionals and Super Regionals, sending teams to Omaha, The Dude’s legend only strengthens.
But its legend is not the only thing with room to grow. On January 23, Mississippi State Athletic Director Zac Selmon unveiled a new 10-year master plan for State’s athletic facilities, including facelifts and serious upgrades for football’s Davis Wade Stadium, softball’s Nusz Park, and the MSU Soccer Field.
Not to worry, Dudy Noble Field was not neglected in Selmon’s aspirational development plan. Some may ask, why strive for more when you’re already in first place? Of course, the continued investment in college baseball exhibited nationwide means that The Dude cannot simply rest on its laurels and expect to remain the greatest venue in college baseball. Upgrades and planned upgrades across the country, namely at Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, mean that the gap between the Dude and the rest of the country is narrowing. To paraphrase the great Will Rogers, even if you're in first place, you'll get run over if you just stand there.
The proposed additions to Dudy Noble Field are ambitious ones, to be clear. Aside from the goal of achieving most of this within ten years, no firm timeline has been set yet. Many of the While there are already preliminary discussions going on with contractors regarding some of the logistical and infrastructure improvements that are anticipated to come to fruition soon, the majority of the plans released by Mississippi State are preliminary at best. The following highlights some of the proposed changes for Dudy Noble Field:
Increased general admission seating
While the berms in left and right field are a fan favorite for some of State’s most avid fans, like the Party Berm Squad, it is the only general admission “seating” in the stadium. And seating is a strong word; brick terraces and grass berms can handle some lawn chairs and picnic blankets, but no true stadium seating yet exists at the Dude for GA fans.
At first glance, it appears the left field and right field berms will both add GA seating, with the left field berm being completely replaced as the brick terraces in right field are overtaken by seating. The right field berm that students love to rush toward with chairs and unmatched enthusiasm are untouched in the current renderings. Adding GA seating addresses one of the only consistent amenities complaints about the New Dude.
Enhanced student section seating
The right field standing-room-only student section is among the rowdiest and most entertaining in collegiate athletics at times. According to the new plans, the rowdiest of State students can still remain inches from the action in that student area. Behind that, seating accommodating greater numbers of students will afford more accessibility to those unable to stand an entire game. These will be located behind the current student section, adjacent to the Greek Row LFL rigs, if they come to fruition.
Expanded suite level accommodations
The new plans detail foul pole-to-foul pole box seating, including renovating the current media pressbox into additional suites.
Party deck
The current plans outline the creation of an elevated party deck located above the batter’s eye in centerfield. This will add another option for fan experience to already the most varied and eclectic experience in college baseball.
Year-round restaurant
In addition to increased food and beverage options during games, Selmon’s announcement unveils a proposal for a year-round bar-and-grill restaurant, located near the scoreboard, to begin operation in Dudy Noble Field. This will be in the same area as the newly proposed student seating, and will operate during games as yet another option for State fans and visitors looking for unique college athletics experiences.
Additional Lofts
The proposed plan includes the addition of more Left Field Lofts between the current lofts and the left field foul pole.
Logistics improvements
Additional bathrooms, increased WiFi capabilities, improved concourse accessibility, increased media visibility, and additional elevators accommodations are just a few of the improvements that should benefit fans, the home and visiting teams, and media members.
When the New Dude will begin to undergo this latest round of improvements is yet to be determined, but the completion of this project would signal a new era in college athletics.
As State enters the revenue sharing era, these additions could provide ways to help baseball continue to turn a profit at Mississippi State, something few schools can boast.
The restaurant in particular was cited as a way to generate revenue in an era where athletics dollars are stretched thinner than ever. Also, with expanded seating in multiple areas, new party decks and patio options, and additional suite level seating, the era of 20,000+ on-campus baseball crowds at Dudy Noble Field may be here before we know it.
If time, budget, vision, and ambition can combine to achieve these lofty goals, we’ll see Dudy Noble Field start to produce a fan experience that emulates that of Major League ballparks.
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