Baseball Stadium Transformations

I am here for this.



A&M originally played right next to the Kyle Field football stadium. As far as I know it was also called Kyle Field. You can see the old archways beyond the outfield. (Can’t seem to find those pics right now)



Olsen Field opened in 1978.





It expanded in the 90s with a big following in Aggie Alley as well as in the train tracks in RF before the put the fence up. (Can’t seem to find those pics right now)



In 2012 Olsen Field was renovated and changed to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. Full gut job that brought it new everything (lockers, weight room, club, suites, etc) The removed the RF bleachers and added 2 grass berms and a playground for the kiddos.

One of the SEC's finest facilities:

No one can compete with our outfield ads.

Is Baum located in same spot as the old field?
Just curious

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Is Baum located in same spot as the old field?

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nope

The original field (WAY BACK) was the Washington County Fairgrounds as well as a field where the intramural fields currently are (on Razorback Road).

George Cole Field was close to Barnhill (on Razorback Road) and didn't have lights for the longest.



Former Razorbacks Kevin McReynolds, Tim Lollar and Johnny Ray, got together and helped buy lights. We were then able to host night games and eventually the SWC tournament ---- which we proceeded to win that year.

Baum Stadium was built in 1996 down the road at the intersection of 15th and Razorback and it's got better ever since.

There is a really good podcast featuring Coach Norm DeBriyn where he describes how overlooked the program was when he took the job.

Norm DeBriyn interview

I know most non-Razorback fans really don't care but if you are bored and want to hear a pretty interesting story it's a good listen. DeBriyn was nothing more than a college Physical Ed teacher who got the baseball coaching position because nobody else on campus wanted it and he had to build the program from the ground up.

Baum Stadium in 96 didn’t even have seats?

After the newest expansion/renovation is completed I'd like for us to create a 360 concourse.



We've already drained Lake Norm - the pond behind the batters eye and big screen. I'd love us to fill in that area and build a concession stand/restroom area for the Hog Pen (outfield seating). The current concourse area is nice but can get packed whenever we are sold out. SEC night game or post season play and you will miss at least an inning trying to get a beer or waiting to go to the bathroom.

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Baum looks amazing. I really want to road trip to a series. But those sight lines down the line kill me. Has there been any discussion on fixing it?

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It's not that bad in the stadium..... as long as your section is full of fans who bought tickets to watch the game not to go up and down the aisles and to take selfies. I'm in a good section so it's not too bad.

If we ever decide to add more general admission or non-rich donor seating I hope we do so by building up a 3rd deck. The 2nd deck is suites so we would need to build on top of them - if that is even possible. That added deck would also block the sun which can be horrible for the left fielder and the fans down the 3rd base side at around 7:00 PM.

We don't need to mess with the Hog Pen. That's where the rabid, beer drinking, razz the opponent fans reside. The only thing I would add to the Hog Pen would be a concession area with bathrooms and possibly a beer garden.