Robin Baggett Stadium Explained

Robin Baggett Stadium
Nickname:Baggett Stadium
Location:San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
Coordinates:35.3071°N -120.6654°W
Built:2001
Opened:January 21, 2001
Renovated:2018
Expanded:2018
Owner:California Polytechnic State University
Operator:Cal Poly
Surface:Natural grass
Cost:$12 million
$8 million (2018 expansion & renovation)
Suites:Krukow's Klubhouse
Architect:Edwin S. Darden Associates, Inc., DLR Group (2018 expansion & renovation)
General Contractor:R. Burke, Specialty Construction; Vernon Edwards Constructors, United Utilities
Capacity:3,138 (768 chairback, 2,370 permanent bleacher seats)
Record Attendance:3,284 vs Cal State Fullerton May 6, 2005[1]
Dimensions:335feet (lines), 385feet (gaps), 405feet (CF)
Tenants:Cal Poly Mustangs baseball (NCAA DI Big West) (2001–present)

Robin Baggett Stadium is a baseball venue located on the campus of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. It is home to the Cal Poly Mustangs baseball team, a member of the Division I Big West Conference. The stadium is named for Robin Baggett, a former baseball player at Cal Poly.[2]

History

Construction and first 15 years

The stadium opened on January 21, 2001, with the Mustangs defeating #11-ranked Stanford 6–5 in 12 innings in front of a crowd of 3,110 fans.[3] [4] The stadium originally had a usual, day-to-day capacity of 1,734[5] before later expansion, and is part of an encompassing 47acres Upper Sports Complex which is also home to the Mustang softball team.[6]

Originally, the park's dimensions were 337 feet down the lines, 387 feet in the power alleys and 407 feet to center, with 12-foot fences.[7]

In 2012, college baseball writer Eric Sorenson ranked the field as the fifth-best setting in Division I baseball.[8]

Hosting 2014 NCAA Regional

In 2014, Cal Poly hosted its first-ever NCAA Tournament Division I Baseball Regional. The regional featured Cal Poly as the #1 seed along with Arizona State, Pepperdine and Sacramento State.[9]

At the time, the stadium was expandable with additional temporary bleachers to a capacity of 3,042. In a matter of minutes after going on sale, Cal Poly quickly sold out its first game of the regional against Sacramento State.[10] Actual attendance peaked Saturday night at 2,941 with Cal Poly's second game despite all 3,042 tickets being sold out.[11]

Attendance records

Expansions

In November 2012, a 6,000-square-foot lighted hitting area was completed for roughly $300,000, with retractable netting allowing for three long cages alongside three short cages.

In 2018, the university began an $8 million enhancement project at Baggett Stadium. The project included a two-story, 10,000-square-foot clubhouse complete with a lounge and kitchen, meeting and study space, locker room, training room, offices, and a therapeutic cold plunge pool.[15] The previously existing clubhouse, which had stood for 17 years,[16] was demolished on June 11, 2018 by the project's contractor, Exbon Development of Garden Grove, California.

In addition, new permanent seating and backstop safety netting[17] was installed by the start of the 2018 season, raising the capacity to 3,138.[18] [19]

Announced February 13, 2019, a new Daktronics videoboard ranging 36 feet by 20.4 feet was added, with 1,080-by-612 pixel resolution LED lighting.[20]

As part of the almost overall $10 million project, the Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse was completed in August 2020. Additionally, a $1 million Hoffman Press Box, which provided seating for 20 event staff employees and media members, was completed in April 2021, including two tiered rows of seats, electrical and internet upgrades, and improved sight lines.

In 2022, Cal Poly ranked 38th in the nation in average home attendance, drawing 1,905 fans per game to Baggett Stadium.[21]

On March 25, 2023, Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith returned to the stadium, as his statue (relocated and upgraded as part of the complex entrance's remodeling) was re-dedicated; the surrounding walkways are now part of Ozzie Smith Plaza.[22]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy . 2014-06-03 . 2014-10-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141030110936/http://static.psbin.com/c/z/9amld1waa9og1i/2014BaseballGuideLow.pdf . live .
  2. http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/fpcp_mp/67/ Baggett Stadium
  3. News: Milne . Brian . January 22, 2001 . Perfect end to a perfect day . 8 . Mustang Daily . March 27, 2023.
  4. News: Wallner . Peter J. . January 22, 2001 . Patience Pays Off: Poly Knocks Off No. 11 Stanford in Extra Innings . C1 . San Luis Obispo Tribune.
  5. Book: Baseball America Directory 2008: Your Definitive Guide to the Game . Baseball America . 2008 . 9781932391206 . Fitt . Aaron . 290 . English.
  6. http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=facilities Baggett Stadium
  7. News: Wallner . Peter J. . January 20, 2001 . Dream Becomes a Reality - Baggett Stadium Will Get its First Collegiate Use Sunday When Cal Poly Takes on Stanford . C1 . The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA).
  8. Web site: Sorenson . Eric . 5 October 2012 . Distiller's Dozen – The "Hey, Nice Stadium" Edition . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121129065915/http://blogs.eastonbaseball.com/collegebaseballtoday/2012/10/05/distillers-dozen-the-hey-nice-stadium-edition/ . 29 November 2012 . 14 December 2012 . CollegeBaseballToday.com.
  9. Web site: Cal Poly to Host Sacramento State, Arizona State and Pepperdine - Cal Poly . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606222206/http://www.calpolymustangs.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/releases/201405262m6up8 . 2014-06-06 . 2014-06-03.
  10. News: Wilson . Nick . May 31, 2014 . NCAA Regional Rally: Cal Poly Baseball Fans - Krukow Superfans cheer on Cal Poly in Friday's game against Sac State . A1 . The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA).
  11. Web site: Pepperdine vs Cal Poly - Cal Poly . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140607002545/http://www.calpolymustangs.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/boxscores/20140601_yygr.xml . 2014-06-07 . 2014-06-03.
  12. News: Drake . Jonathan . May 9, 2005 . A Real Crowd Pleaser: Series draws record crowd . 12 . Mustang Daily.
  13. News: Milne . Brian . May 7, 2005 . Toughest Ticket in Town: An Overflow Crowd Fills Baggett for Game 1 Against National Champs . C4 . San Luis Obispo Tribune.
  14. News: Scroggin . Joshua D. . June 4, 2014 . A Season to Remember: Players say energized home crowd made NCAA regional fun despite season ending (College Baseball) . S1 . The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA).
  15. Web site: 2016-05-18 . Cal Poly and Dignity Health Central Coast announce partnership on the Baggett Stadium Enhancement Project . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190623025329/https://slochamber.org/cal-poly-dignity-health-central-coast-announce-partnership-baggett-stadium-enhancement-project/ . 2019-06-23 . 2019-06-23 . San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce . en-US.
  16. Web site: Dempster . Dan . 2018-01-31 . Baggett Stadium renovations begin . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190623025329/https://mustangnews.net/baggett-stadium-renovations-begin/ . 2019-06-23 . 2019-06-23 . Mustang News . en-US.
  17. Web site: Gibson . Travis . February 28, 2018 . Cal Poly's baseball stadium got shiny new upgrades just in time for 1st home game of 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190623025329/https://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/college/cal-poly/article202773734.html . 2019-06-23 . 2019-06-23 . sanluisobispo . en.
  18. News: Gibson . Travis . March 1, 2018 . First phase of stadium remodel ready for opener . 3B . The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA).
  19. Web site: 2018-03-01 . First-Phase Renovation Increases Cal Poly's Ballpark Capacity from 338 to 3,238 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190623025327/https://ballparkbiz.wordpress.com/2018/03/01/first-phase-renovation-increases-cal-polys-ballpark-capacity-from-338-to-3238/ . 2019-06-23 . 2019-06-23 . en.
  20. Web site: 2019-02-13 . New Videoboards Coming to Baggett Stadium, Bob Janssen Field . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190623025338/https://www.gopoly.com/sports/bsb/2018-19/releases/20190213jsly5q . 2019-06-23 . 2019-06-23 . Cal Poly . en.
  21. NCAA Record Books (2022 Attendance Leaders)
  22. News: Ho . Matthew . March 27, 2023 . Ozzie Smith visits Cal Poly for rededication of statue . 1B . The San Luis Obispo Tribune.

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