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Alex Box Stadium (1938)
Encyclopedia
Alex Box Stadium, sometimes prounounced as "Elec" or "Alec" Box was a baseball
stadium
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
. It was the home field of the Louisiana State University Tigers college baseball
team. The stadium was located across the street from Tiger Stadium
, which is visible in right field. It was most notable for The Intimidator, a large billboard behind the right-field fence featuring the five years in which LSU won the College World Series
.
The stadium opened in 1938 and closed in 2008, replaced with a new stadium 200 yards to the south also named Alex Box Stadium
. The stadium was called LSU Varsity Baseball Field when it first opened. Both the new and old stadia were named for Simeon Alex Box, an LSU letterman (1942) who was killed in North Africa during World War II
.
The New York Giants
held spring training at the ballpark in 1938 and 1939. The Giants played the first baseball game at the park, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies
6 to 5. The first LSU game was March 21, 1938. LSU led Minnesota, 4-2, after three innings when the game was halted due to rain. The first official LSU Game was March 24, 1938 when Minnesota defeated LSU, 6 to 5.
The final regular season series at Alex Box Stadium was played between LSU and Mississippi State University
.
At the time, it appeared this would be the last series ever at Alex Box Stadium; however, LSU was selected to host a regional in the NCAA Tournament (which it won), and subsequently hosted a Super Regional as the #7 national seed.
It appeared that the old Alex Box stadium would close on a sour note for the Tigers, as LSU dropped Game 1 to UC Irvine 11-5, and in Game 2, LSU was three outs away from elimination, trailing 7-4 in the ninth inning. However, UC Irvine was unable to close out the LSU Tigers and LSU came from behind to win the game 9-7.
The stadium was thus given one final chance to close on a high note, which it did in Game 3 of the Super Regional played on June 9, 2008, as LSU defeated UC Irvine 21-7. As a result of the victory, LSU won the Baton Rouge Super Regional two games to one and advanced to the College World Series
in Omaha, Nebraska
. In the final play at the stadium, Tyler Hoechlin
hit a grounder to pitcher Anthony Ranaudo, who threw to first baseman Buzzy Haydel for the final out.
The stadium has been dismantled and sold to fans.
NCAA Super Regional Series (4): 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008
SEC Tournaments (4): 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993
ABCA Hall of Fame Tournament (1): 1991
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. It was the home field of the Louisiana State University Tigers college baseball
LSU Tigers baseball
The LSU baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with the other LSU athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference...
team. The stadium was located across the street from Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is best known as the home stadium of the Louisiana State University football team.Tiger Stadium opened with a capacity of 12,000 in 1924...
, which is visible in right field. It was most notable for The Intimidator, a large billboard behind the right-field fence featuring the five years in which LSU won the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
.
The stadium opened in 1938 and closed in 2008, replaced with a new stadium 200 yards to the south also named Alex Box Stadium
Alex Box Stadium
Alex Box Stadium, sometimes pronounced as "Elec" or "Alec" Box, is a baseball stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is the home field of the Louisiana State University Tigers college baseball team...
. The stadium was called LSU Varsity Baseball Field when it first opened. Both the new and old stadia were named for Simeon Alex Box, an LSU letterman (1942) who was killed in North Africa during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
held spring training at the ballpark in 1938 and 1939. The Giants played the first baseball game at the park, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
6 to 5. The first LSU game was March 21, 1938. LSU led Minnesota, 4-2, after three innings when the game was halted due to rain. The first official LSU Game was March 24, 1938 when Minnesota defeated LSU, 6 to 5.
The final regular season series at Alex Box Stadium was played between LSU and Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
.
At the time, it appeared this would be the last series ever at Alex Box Stadium; however, LSU was selected to host a regional in the NCAA Tournament (which it won), and subsequently hosted a Super Regional as the #7 national seed.
It appeared that the old Alex Box stadium would close on a sour note for the Tigers, as LSU dropped Game 1 to UC Irvine 11-5, and in Game 2, LSU was three outs away from elimination, trailing 7-4 in the ninth inning. However, UC Irvine was unable to close out the LSU Tigers and LSU came from behind to win the game 9-7.
The stadium was thus given one final chance to close on a high note, which it did in Game 3 of the Super Regional played on June 9, 2008, as LSU defeated UC Irvine 21-7. As a result of the victory, LSU won the Baton Rouge Super Regional two games to one and advanced to the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. In the final play at the stadium, Tyler Hoechlin
Tyler Hoechlin
Tyler Lee Hoechlin is an American actor who got his big break starring as Tom Hanks' son in the film Road to Perdition...
hit a grounder to pitcher Anthony Ranaudo, who threw to first baseman Buzzy Haydel for the final out.
The stadium has been dismantled and sold to fans.
Tournaments Hosted
NCAA Regional Tournaments (18): 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008NCAA Super Regional Series (4): 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008
SEC Tournaments (4): 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993
ABCA Hall of Fame Tournament (1): 1991
LSU Record in Alex Box Stadium (1984-2008)
| cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;"> | |||
| Year | Games | W-L-T | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 38 | 26-12 | .684 |
| 2007 | 35 | 20-14-1 | .586 |
| 2008 | 36 | 27-8-1 | .764 |
| Totals | 928 | 728-196-4 | .787 |