The New Alex Box Stadium
Photo by:Chris Parent, LSU Athletics Photography Assistant
Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field
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Published: May 01, 2013, 12:00 AM (CT)
Updated: May 18, 2014, 08:03 AM (CT)
by LSUsports.net (@LSUsports), LSU Sports Interactive

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

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 6,000 additional square-feet of locker and meeting room space, new batting cages and all the amenities necessary to field a consistent winner.

A brand new home has opened for a grand old tradition ... LSU Baseball at Alex Box Stadium.

LSU has finished first in the nation in total attendance for 14 straight seasons. In 2009, the Tigers drew an NCAA-record 403,056 fans in the inaugural season of the New Alex Box Stadium. 

LSU has been among the nation's attendance leaders for the past 21 seasons, finishing No. 5 in 1991, No. 6 in 1992, No. 4 in 1993, No. 3 in 1994 and 1995, and No. 1 from 1996-2011.

Over the past 28 seasons, the Tigers have attracted nearly 5.75 million fans to their home stadium. A total of 5,749,195 patrons have watched the Tigers play at "The Box" from 1984 to 2011.

The original Alex Box 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 the original Alex Box Stadium was completed in 1938. Funding came from the Works Progress Administration, a federally sponsored agency which constructed public

Alex Box Stadium Information

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: 40 ft.
Playing Surface: natural grass

2013 National Attendance Leaders (ranked by average attendance)

Rank Team Total Attendance Avg. Attendance Games
1. LSU 473,298 11,006 43
2. Mississippi St. 281,840 7,617 37
3. South Carolina 260,605 7,445 35
4. Arkansas 250,055 8,335 30
5. Ole Miss 239,909 7,996 30
6. Texas 185,400 5,793 32
7. Florida State 183,770 4,594 40
8. Texas A&M 149,263 4,523 33
9. Clemson 147,296 4,751 31
10. Florida 126,421 3,511 36

 

Ballpark Comparisons

Original Alex Box
 
New Alex Box
7,760
Seating
10,150
2,800
Grandstand (under roof)
3,878
4,522
Bleachers
6,272
2,000 sq. ft.
Restrooms
9,274 sq. ft.
2,200 sq ft.
Concessions
5,000 sq. ft.
N/A
Arcade
500 sq. ft.
N/A
Suites
8,588 sq. ft.
N/A
Club Lounge
1,800 sq. ft.
3,000 sq. ft.
Team Area
9,380 sq. ft.
250 sq. ft.
Press Area
2,000 sq. ft.

Tournaments Hosted
NCAA Regional Tournaments (19): 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013
NCAA Super Regional Series (5): 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013
SEC Tournaments (4): 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993
ABCA Hall of Fame Tournament (1): 1991

Top 20 Paid* Attendance Figures at New Alex Box Stadium

Rank Attendance Opponent Date Winner, Score
1. 12,727 ** South Carolina 4/27/2013 USC, 4-2
2. 12,373 Maryland 2/15/2013 LSU, 1-0
3. 12,313 Alabama 4/17/2010 LSU, 9-7
4. 12,193 Ole Miss 5/17/2013 LSU, 5-4
5. 12,153* Oklahoma 6/8/2013 LSU, 11-1
6. 12,085 Sam Houston St. 6/1/2013 LSU, 8-5
7. 12,076 Florida 3/18/2011 UF, 5-4
8. 12,070 Wake Forest 2/18/2011 LSU, 15-4
9. 12,007 Oklahoma 6/7/2013 LSU, 2-0
10. 11,976 Stony Brook 6/10/2012 SB, 7-2
11. 11,838 UL-Lafayette 6/2/2013 LSU, 5-1
12. 11,803 Cal St. Fullerton 3/12/2011 LSU, 7-6
13. 11,738 Cal St. Fullerton 3/11/2011 LSU, 7-6
14. 11,710 Arkansas 3/31/2012 LSU, 2-1
15. 11,703 Florida 3/19/2011 UF, 1-0
16. 11,695 South Carolina 4/26/2013 LSU, 5-2
17. 11,686 Ole Miss 5/18/2013 UM, 11-9
18. 11,676 Georgia 4/28/2012 LSU, 8-4
19. 11,608 Kentucky 4/6/2013 LSU, 9-1
20. 11,588 Centenary 2/19/2010 LSU, 5-4

* The LSU record for actual attendance at Alex Box Stadium is 11,401, which was set June 8, 2013, in the NCAA Super Regional game 2 against Oklahoma (W, 11-1).
** The regular-season record for actual attendance is 10,246 set April 27, 2013, against South Carolina (L, 4-2).

LSU's Record in the Alex Box Stadium (1984-2013)

Year Games W-L-T Pct.
1984 31 23-8 .742
1985 34 31-3 .912
1986 43 38-5 .884
1987 35 30-5 .857
1988 33 27-6 .818
1989 36 31-5 .861
1990 37 32-5 .865
1991 43 33-10 .767
1992 38 30-8 .789
1993 43 34-8-1 .802
1994 35 28-7 .800
1995 36 28-8 .777
1996 39 32-7 .821
1997 40 36-4 .900
1998 35 32-3 .914
1999 38 27-11 .711
2000 39 28-11 .718
2001 37 27-10 .730
2002 36 28-8 .778
2003 39 30-8-1 .782
2004 36 27-9 .750
2005 36 23-13 .639
2006 37 25-12 .676
2007 35 20-14-1 .586
2008 42 32-9-1 .774
at Original Alex Box 933 732-197-4 .787
2009 42 33-9 .786
2010 38 30-8 .789
2011 37 28-9 .757
2012 44 35-9 .795
2013 43 39-4 .907
at New Alex Box 204 165-39 .809
Totals 1,093 862-227-4 .790

Total Attendance in Alex Box Stadium (1984-2013)

Year Dates Attendance Average
1984 24 22,021 918
1985 25 40,746 1,630
1986 34 81,075 2,385
1987 27 46,084 1,707
1988 27 46,831 1,734
1989 33 65,781 1,993
1990 30 78,616 2,621
1991 37 113,832 3,077
1992 34 114,937 3,381
1993 39 137,306 3,521
1994 33 143,595 4,351
1995 36 148,995 4,139
1996 39 226,805 5,816
1997 39 252,864 6,484
1998 35 232,597 6,645
1999 38 271,888 7,154
2000 39 286,874 7,355
2001 37 276,622 7,476
2002 36 271,179 7,532
2003 39 291,676 7,478
2004 36 284,328 7,898
2005 36 270,300 7,508
2006 37 270,341 7,306
2007 35 256,537 7,329
2008 42 318,798 7,590
Original Alex Box 867 4,550,628 5,249
2009 42 403,056 9,596
2010 38 404,916 10,655
2011 37 390,595 10,556
2012 44 472,391 10,736
2013 43 473,298 11,006
New Alex Box 204 2,144,256 10,511
Grand Total 1,071 6,694,884 6,251

  

"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 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.

Original Alex Box Stadium Facts (known as "LSU Diamond" from 1938-43)

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
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 *

Attendance
Opponent
Date
Score
1. 8,701 Mississippi St.
5/11/08
LSU, 9-6
2. 8,675 Indiana
2/22/08
LSU, 7-1
3. 8,683
Houston
3/6/04
UH, 10-5
4. 8,622
UL-Lafayette
4/11/00
LSU, 8-2
5. 8,577
Tulane
2/27/07
UT, 8-3
6. 8,548 Mississippi St.
5/9/08
LSU, 15-6
7. 8,521
Mississippi St.
3/26/04
MSU, 7-3
8. 8,512
Auburn
5/9/03
LSU, 6-5
9. 8,440
Alabama
5/19/02
LSU, 5-1
10. 8,437
Auburn
5/10/03
LSU, 20-3

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.

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 28, 1943 meeting, the LSU Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to name 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 LSU Athletics Hall of Fame and Museum.

 

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