Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field (2024)

July 11, 2019 - 01:44 PM

Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field(10,326)

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The Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field experience is a unique one, created by the greatest and most loyal fans in all of college baseball, combined with an enduring legacy of championships.

In February 2009, the LSU Baseball program moved into a new home, and all of the traditions, memories and excitement that make Tiger baseball truly special live on in the New Alex Box Stadium.

From LSU’s first SEC title team in ‘39, to Bruce Baudier’s perfect game, to Rich Cordani’s game-winning home run against Southern Cal, to the regional championship victory laps of the 1990s, the original Alex Box Stadium was home from 1938-2008 to some of the greatest moments in all of college baseball history.

Now the LSU baseball legacy has moved 200 yards to the south into a state-of-the-art facility, designed to provide the resources necessary to sustain LSU’s tradition of excellence while also accommodating in comfort the record-setting crowds that set Tiger Baseball apart from the rest of America.

In the New Box, the Tiger baseball team enjoys nearly 10,000 square-feet of locker and meeting room space, new batting cages and all the amenities necessary to field a consistent winner.

A 21st Century home has opened for a grand old tradition … LSU Baseball at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.

LSU has finished first in the nation in total attendance for 24 straight seasons. In 2019, the Tigers drew 425,377 fans in the 11th season of their current stadium — Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field — which opened in 2009.

LSU has been among the nation’s attendance leaders for the past 29 seasons, finishing No. 5 in 1991, No. 6 in 1992, No. 4 in 1993, No. 3 in 1994 and in 1995, and No. 1 from 1996-2019.

Over the past 36 seasons, the Tigers have attracted over nine million fans to their home stadium. A total of 9,217,512 patrons have watched the Tigers play at “The Box” from 1984 to 2019.

Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field – which opened in 2009 – has played host to eight NCAA regionals and seven NCAA super regionals in 11 seasons. The field at “The Box” was named Skip Bertman Field in May 2013.

The original Alex Box Stadium was the site of four SEC tournaments, 18 NCAA regionals, four NCAA super regionals and one ABCA Hall of Fame tournament.

Originally a 2,500-seat facility, the concrete and steel grandstand of the original Alex Box Stadium was completed in 1938. Funding came from the Works Progress Administration, a federally sponsored agency which constructed public athletic facilities, among other such projects.

In its first two years, the original Alex Box Stadium was the site of spring training for the New York Giants. Such legendary baseball figures as Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Bill Terry and Dick Bartell trained at “The Box.”

Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field Information

Stadium Name: Alex Box Stadium (dedicated May 29, 1943, at previous stadium location on the west side of across LA Highway 30 from, across from Tiger Stadium)
Field Name: Skip Bertman Field (dedicated May 17, 2013)
Seating Capacity: 10,326
Playing Field Distances
– Foul Lines: 330 ft.
– Power Alleys: 365 ft.
– Center: 405 ft.
Height of Fence: 10 ft.
Height of Batters’ Eye: 30 ft.
Playing Surface: natural grass (artificial turf in foul territories)

Ground Level
National Championship Plaza
Ticket Office
Club Lounge
LSU Locker Room and Squad Room
Umpires Locker Room
Batting Cages
LSU SportShop
Concession Stands
Two Picnic / Play Areas

Second Level
Concourse
Concession Stands
LSU SportShop
LSU Fan Zone

Third Level
Press Box
Suites

“Old” vs. “New” Alex Box Stadium – Ballpark Comparisons

Enhanced ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility and seating throughout new facility.

Tournaments Hosted
NCAA Regional Tournaments (26): 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
NCAA Super Regional Series (11): 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
SEC Tournaments (4): 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993
ABCA Hall of Fame Tournament (1): 1991

Top 10 Paid* Attendance Figures at New Alex Box Stadium (through 2019 season)

# – The largest actual attendance figure in the current Alex Box Stadium is 11,401 for Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regional matching LSU and Oklahoma on June 8, 2013.

The largest actual attendance figure in the original Alex Box Stadium was 8,173 for the NCAA Super Regional championship game versus UC Irvine on June 9, 2008, the final game in stadium history. The largest paid attendance figure in the original stadium was 8,701 versus Mississippi State on May 11, 2008, the final regular-season game in stadium history.

LSU’s Record in the Alex Box Stadium
(known as “LSU Diamond” from 1938 until dedicated onMay 29, 1943)

Total Attendance in Alex Box Stadium (1984-2013)

“Original” Alex Box Stadium (7,760)

The original Alex Box Stadium, home of the LSU Fighting Tigers from 1938-2008, has a storied history which spans several decades. Efforts to upgrade the stadium over the years made it comparable to that of many professional minor-league clubs. The 2008 season was the last for the Tigers in the 70-year-old facility, as LSU moved into the New Alex Box Stadium in 2009.

In 2008, the Tigers drew 318,798 fans to the original Alex Box Stadium as LSU finished first in the nation in total attendance for the 13th straight year.

Over the final 25 seasons in Alex Box Stadium, the Tigers attracted over four million fans to the historic facility. A total of 4,550,628 patrons watched the Tigers play at “The Box” from 1984 to 2008.

The stadium was recognized both for its old-fashioned charm and for its modern renovations. Beginning in 1985, it was the site of four SEC tournaments, 18 NCAA regional tournaments, four NCAA super regional series and one ABCA Hall of Fame tournament.

Originally a 2,500-seat facility, the concrete and steel grandstand of Alex Box Stadium was completed in 1938. Funding came from the Works Progress Administration, a federally sponsored agency which constructed public athletic facilities, among other such projects.

In its first two years, Alex Box Stadium was the site of spring training for the New York Giants. Such legendary baseball figures as Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Bill Terry and Dick Bartell trained at “The Box.”

LSU’s baseball stadium was named on May 29, 1943, for Alex Box, an outfielder for the 1942 Tiger squad. Box was killed in 1943 while fighting in North Africa during World War II.

Original Alex Box Stadium Facts (known as “LSU Diamond” from 1938-43 seasons)

All-Time LSU Record in the original Alex Box Stadium (1,723 games): 1,217-509-7 (.708)
First Game: March 12, 1938, New York Giants 6, Philadelphia Phillies 5 (Major League Baseball Spring Training game)
First LSU Game: March 21, 1938, LSU led Minnesota, 4-2, after three innings when game is halted due to rain.
First Complete LSU Game: March 24, 1938, Minnesota 6, LSU 5
First LSU Win: April 11, 1938, LSU 7, Northwestern 6
Dedicated to Alex Box by LSU Board of Supervisors: May 29, 1943
Final LSU Game: June 9, 2008 (NCAA Super Regional), LSU 21, UC Irvine 7

Original Alex Box Stadium Information

Seating Capacity 7,760
Playing Field Distances
Foul Lines 330 ft.
Power Alleys 365 ft.
Center 405 ft.
Height of Fence 10 ft.
In center field 15 ft.

Playing Surface
natural grass

Top 10 Paid Attendance Figures at the Original Alex Box Stadium *

The largest paid attendance figure in the original stadium was 8,701 versus Mississippi State on May 11, 2008, the final regular-season game in stadium history. The largest actual attendance figure in the original Alex Box Stadium was 8,173 for the NCAA Super Regional championship game versus UC Irvine on June 9, 2008, the final LSU game played in the stadium.

Simeon Alexander “Alex” Box (1920-1943)

LSU’s baseball stadium was named in 1943 for Alex Box, an outfielder for the 1942 Tiger squad. Box was killed in 1943 while fighting in North Africa during World War II.

Simeon Alexander Box was born August 5, 1920, in Quitman, Miss., and attended George S. Gardiner High School in Laurel, Miss. Box came to LSU in 1938 and majored in petroleum engineering. He played football and baseball, served as vice president of the junior class in engineering and was a member of several professional societies. He earned his petroleum engineering degree in 1942.

Box pursued his advanced ROTC studies in the engineering regiment. A handsome, popular figure on campus, he met and developed a close relationship with Earle Hubert, an attractive member of Delta Zeta sorority from Plaquemine, La. They had an understanding that she would complete her elementary education degree while he was serving in the military; then, they would later marry. Tragically, the terrors of warfare changed those plans.

After being commissioned in the U.S. Army, Box made short stops at camps in Florida and Pennsylvania and went on to England in August, 1942. He was posted to the First Infantry Division, called the “Big Red One” in North Africa. Lieutenant Box, a tank commander, displayed his heroism on November 9, 1942, when he risked his life in helping destroy six enemy machine gun nests and an artillery emplacement near Arcole, Algeria. His brave acts earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest decoration.

Only two months later, there was a fierce battle in Tunisia, and Box’s tank was shredded by a German mine. He was killed instantly on February 19, 1943, at the age of 22. Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, wrote a letter of condolence to Box’s mother, Mattie, saying “the deeds and death of your son have gone to make up the spiritual background that is this country.”

Laurel, Miss., superintendent of schools R.H. Watkins eulogized Box as a “perfect example of an athlete, a Christian gentleman, a scholar and a soldier … His beautiful life may be compared to a great piece of music which ends on a high note.”

On the LSU campus, there was a spontaneous movement that spring to commemorate his sacrifice in some tangible way. At its May 29, 1943 meeting, the LSU Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to named the baseball stadium for Box. That was considered such an unusual decision that the student newspaper, The Reveille, observed, “For the first time in the school’s history, the service and memory of the military hero came to be esteemed so highly that a structure on the campus was named in his honor.”

The Box family made a special presentation of Alex’s personal memorabilia to LSU during the 1991 baseball season. The memorabilia, enclosed in a specially-constructed glass case, is permanently housed in the Wally Pontiff Jr. Hall of Fame.