New Baseball Stadium Thread

[cockyhoskins]

USC's Position on a New Gamecock Baseball Stadium

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/scar/sports/m-basebl/auto_action/192349.jpeg

Oct. 10, 2005

Joint Statement by Board Chairman Herbert C. Adams and President Andrew A. Sorensen, October 10, 2005 -

The University of South Carolina's sole objective in this matter is to build Coach Tanner and his great team of fine student-athletes a new baseball stadium of upper tier national quality to be available for play by the SEC portion of the 2007 season.

The process of finalizing the details of this stadium will have the concurrence of President Sorensen, Coach Tanner, AD Eric Hyman, and the leadership of the board before being advanced to formal board and other state approval processes.

All potential sites of which the university is aware are still open for consideration. The university is disappointed by the reaction of some City of Columbia leaders to the proposed site in the Vista and so the array of site possibilities has been reopened and additional sites added to the mix.

The university will be financially responsible and work within the legislatively established athletics debt ceiling - a financial responsibility the university would uphold with or without the legislative cap.

Because of the need for rapid decision making, for the next few days the university will continue to listen to any proposition from a commercial enterprise that would forward our objective. A great deal of experience garnered in recent years makes it unlikely than any scenario would add to the equation rather than take away from it, but a responsible proposal to assist in achieving a first class stadium for the Carolina faithful will be given a fair hearing.

The Board of Trustees holds a statewide responsibility and the nationally-recognized Fighting Gamecock baseball team has a statewide fan base. The university recognizes that the financial benefits from the construction of this stadium will primarily benefit the Midlands and expects that the leadership of the many Midlands constituencies will appreciate this fact and respond to our effort in a spirit of reciprocity.

http://uscsports.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/101005aab.html

[cockyhoskins]

As a lawyer, let me interpret:

We are not building in the City of Columbia.

[Cock Fan]

Thanks I needed that interpretation. All that legalese made my head hurt.

What was the intent of this message: To quell the fans and to spite city of cola?

[Lil Jerry Seinfeld]

yes and yes

[Spur's Addiction]

Just screw Columbia and build right across the River in West Columbia or Caycee!

It wouldn't be any further from campus then Wille B is.

[Crazy_Gamecock]

I think it would have been perfect in the Vista. but maybe that's just me.

[Hondocock]

Sounds like the city council has been informed they only have a fews days left if they want the ball park in the city. Not likely they can work that fast.

[Bongo]

Tell the City of Cola to bite one and build it across the river ion Lexington County. Bigger, better, and probably cheaper. Better traffic and parking too.

[CockRoche]

The vista location would be better for both parties involved, so that means it will be built elsewhere.

[Spur's Addiction]

Anyone have more info on this?

[Sambacocker]

Please don't build it in W. Columbia!!!! It needs to be very close to the University without question.

[cack]

Has anyone heard anything new on the stadium?? Are there any drawings of plans?? DO WE HAVE ANYTHING?? Sorry guys, it's a ladies birthday in my office and we had chocolate cake for breakfast ... just a little hyper

[morgan n' 7]

This whole situation is disturbing. We have the best coach in NCAA baseball, record wise the best program the last 4-5 years. I can't believe this has taken so long.
Columbia's city councel sucks.:swingcoc:

[cack]

ACTUALLY ... we have the 3rd winningest team in the nation the last 6 years ... before this past year though we did have the most wins in the nation over the last 5 ... but yes morgan, we have one of the best programs in the nation ... for the last 6 years with a good field but not great ... just think how we can bring in recruits once we get one of the best facilities in the nation along with one of the best teams.

[Spur's Addiction]

I really have no idea how it could take this long. This is not accetpable.

The best performing sport team of the university deserves better.

I know there has been a lot of red tape with the city but damn. You would think we were trying to build a nuclear plant in the vista with the amount of (or lack of) progress there has been on this.

[dblas6]

I just read that the farmer's market is moving from bluff rd. to shop rd. and that they are selling the old lot to USC. So is that where the new baseball field will be built? It seems to make sense to me. Any thoughts? Thanks and go cocks!

[morgan n' 7]

I just read that the farmer's market is moving from bluff rd. to shop rd. and that they are selling the old lot to USC. So is that where the new baseball field will be built? It seems to make sense to me. Any thoughts? Thanks and go cocks! dblas, I won't even speculate. I'm so angry by the way the Baseball field has been handled...It's hard for me to be positive about it.

[dblas6]

I agree totally, but it is obvious they were pissed with all the stipulations with the vista location that they want to go elsewhere. Now that the old farmers market is available and is 54 acres, it seems to make sense to me. But who knows!

[morgan n' 7]

I agree totally, but it is obvious they were pissed with all the stipulations with the vista location that they want to go elsewhere. Now that the old farmers market is available and is 54 acres, it seems to make sense to me. But who knows! I hope you're right. And you just may be.:thumbsup:

[cockyhoskins]

I just read that the farmer's market is moving from bluff rd. to shop rd. and that they are selling the old lot to USC. So is that where the new baseball field will be built? It seems to make sense to me. Any thoughts? Thanks and go cocks!

Actually, the plans for the Farmers Market is to build an olympic sports facility. I am pretty sure at this point (if anybody can be sure) that the baseball stadium is going to be built across the river OUTSIDE of the City of Columbia.

As for the debacle that was the baseball stadium at the vista, let me speak as someone who has built 100s of restaurants in 25 different states. That was a major screw up by both sides. First of all, the City should have looked at the big picture and not placed so many ridiculous hurdles in front of the university, most notably a traffic impact report.

Secondly, the university should have looked at the big picture and realized that when you are building a multi-million dollar project that will seat thousands of people at full capacity who all want to leave and come at the same time, there are going to be hurdles to overcome, notably a traffic impact report.

I think both parties gave up way too soon.

That being said, I don't work for the university so it is entirely possible that they build at the farmers market, but I doubt it. The timing on that is still several years away and they already had a plan. I think they pursue a site out of the city (for the sake of being out of the city) and move quicker than a few years.

[sumbigspur]

i just hope the university does something to address the parking situation at the stadium, both from the standpoint of more is needed, and also take into account how many are already parking in the farmers market now. they don't need to stick their heads in the sand as they obviously have with the colesium /colonial center/koger center problems...they just recently acknowledged that indeed there is a problem when events are scheduled at the same time in any of those facilities.....all they had to do was ask the people that are attending the venues ... don't just sit go to the events and park in their vip parking places... find out what the "commoners" are saying and listen.....for they hold the purse strings !

[cack]

Welcome to the board sumbigspur ... in any kind of business enviroment you have to listen to the people who are spending the money ... it is obvious that this board has enough intelligent people that we could get the stadium located, designed, and built a lot faster than these "big boys" that are TRYING to do it now.

[cack]

Oh yeah ... and it's more of ashame to the baseball team and everyone envolved with the program. The baseball team is one of the best in the nation (and has a chance to be the best again this year) they should have the best the school and city has to give for all of the hard work they have given to them. This situation should have long been resolved and they should have one of the best facilities in the country ... PERIOD!!!

[cockyhoskins]

Welcome sumbigspur!

[Spur's Addiction]

1) Baseball Stadium should be a priotiry

2) I hope they move the parking lot under the stadium to the farmers market. Then landscape around the stadium to something besides blacktop.

[bgallup]

What is the current time table for a new baseball stadium. I havnt herd anything in several months

:kill:

[cockyPI1]

if they want to keep Tanner they need to do it soon ,

[dshocker]

Coming from a person that tailgate's at the FM, let me give you some insider. They have not even broke ground on the new FM. They are not scheduled to be in the new until 02/08. Then they will have to tear down the old FM and build a new stadium, which would be ready for the 2010 baseball season.....in other words, not going to happen.

[cockyhoskins]

See my earlier post. Farmers market is ear-marked for olympic sports complex and parking. Not scheduled to happen for several years. Baseball stadium is an immediate priority. Can't happen at the farmers market because of timing.

I think they will find the most convenient location one foot outside the City of Columbia and build it there. Most likely across the river.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

My understanding was that the Baseball Stadium was going to be located on Guignard land near/on the river.

[cockyhoskins]

Hyman was on the radio this morning and said that they had zeroed in on the stadiium location. I am all but certain it is where I said it was just across the river off Blossom.

[morgan n' 7]

Hyman was on the radio this morning and said that they had zeroed in on the stadiium location. I am all but certain it is where I said it was just across the river off Blossom. Thats Good news. This has been a bad soap opera.

[JAYBEZ]

Did he say when they would actually have the proposal finished? Or when they might actually start getting some work started?

[JBC1222]

Alright, lets get rid of Mayor Bob first and foremost. Then lets get rid of the rest of City Council and make Lou Holtz the Mayor. This baseball teams is the best athletic team in the state and they the run around like this. I suppose if we build a new baseball stadium in the Vista the enlightened minds on our city council will want to build one in the projects. Anyone seen that athletic facility they built on Harden St. down past Benedict? Yea man, that makes alot of sense.

[JAYBEZ]

Seriously Hoskins, how do we need to start calling and writting? We need to start bothering the hell out of someone.

The ball needs to be rolling and yet it sounds like we are at a stand still.

[Carolina Wild]

Heard presser for new baseball stadium will be held at blossom and williams, supposedly the site of the new ball field.

[Carolina Wild]

ok, It is going to be at the corner of Blossom and Williams, just down from the frat House communty(for reference)
6800 seats, they will angle it toward the river, and are removing some buildings.
Construction is scheduled to start Oct 06, and aren't expected to finish until the 2008 season, although, they say they will begin practices on the feild in 07.
It is rumored that the Texas game will be moved to open of 08 season from 07
I will get some pix of the propsed stadium uploaded as soon as possible

[Spur's Addiction]

USC Unveils Plans For New Baseball Stadium

Dec. 20, 2005

Columbia, S.C. - The Executive Committee of the University of South Carolina's Board of Trustees today (Tuesday, Dec. 20) approved a plan to build a new baseball stadium south of Blossom Street, adjacent to the Congaree River.

The 6,800-seat stadium, estimated to cost $20 million, will sit within a 29-acre tract of land -- south of Blossom and west of Williams Street - that the university plans to purchase from Guignard Associates and others for $8.5 million.

University President Andrew Sorensen praised the leadership of head baseball coach Ray Tanner and the Guignard family's commitment to the university as being vital to the project.

The baseball program, he said, "is among the nation's elite. It deserves and will have one of the finest - if not the finest - collegiate baseball facilities in the country. Coach Tanner has worked diligently with us as this matter has evolved, and we owe him our thanks.

"There is absolutely no question that this would not be possible without the complete cooperation of, and collaboration with, Guignard Associates, demonstrating again that this family is a true catalyst for progress in the Riverbanks Region."

Tanner, who has taken three Gamecock baseball teams to the College World Series, said the new stadium will be worthy of the people who have helped establish the program among the nation's best.

"We are excited to be moving forward with a stadium and a location that will be second to none in all of college baseball," he said. "Our new facility will be a very special venue for our former players, our current players and for our great fans."

The baseball stadium is part of an even larger university initiative - known as Innovista - that will dramatically expand the university's presence westward. Plans call for new research facilities, retail outlets and recreational venues.

Sorensen said Sasaki Associates of Boston, Innovista's master planner, evaluated the potential site within the context of the overall planning effort.

"They gave an enthusiastic thumbs up," he said. "They also recognized the cultural and historic `fit' of baseball in this area and that the tract is sizable enough to handle issues such as access and parking. Another advantage is several former major league baseball players who live in the Granby community grew up playing for the Granby Mill Team."

University officials have advanced the following time line for the stadium project:

Dec. 20, 2005 - Announcement of location for new Carolina Baseball stadium.
Dec. 20, 2005 - May 2006 - Community input, design work and local government approvals.
October 2006 - Construction on stadium begins.
October 2007 - Fall practice in new stadium.
February 2008 - 2008 baseball season begins in new stadium.

[cockyhoskins]

Dec. 20, 2005 - Announcement of location for new Carolina Baseball stadium.
Dec. 20, 2005 - May 2006 - Community input, design work and local government approvals.
October 2006 - Construction on stadium begins.
October 2007 - Fall practice in new stadium.
February 2008 - 2008 baseball season begins in new stadium.

Having built over one hundred restaurants and shopping centers, let me just say Wow! I can understand the due diligence period of 150 days or so up until May, especially having worked in Columbia before. But what is up with the five month break between getting the dirt permit and starting construction??? And one year to build!!! Wow!

[Lil Jerry Seinfeld]

Hey cocky, can I send you picture to post of the stadium drawing?

[cockyhoskins]

http://www.cockytalk.com/drawing.gif

:bow:

[Lil Jerry Seinfeld]

Thanks cocky

[USCya]

Nice ... Thanks for the post!

[cockyhoskins]

Here is another:

http://www.cockytalk.com/drawing01.gif

[garnet4ever]

Nice post guys ... thanks ... looks good huh!

[USCya]

I thought it would be facing the river.... but thinking about the Columbia skyline, I think that would look better instead of facing Cayce\West Cola.

[Spurticus]

I tuned in today to listen to lane's show on the way home, to see what news they had about the press conf. and the Stadium. They had a caller who had lived in Arkansas until recently, when he moved to Columbia. He said when he saw the picture, it reminded him of the Stadium in Ark. (one of the finest in the country). Lane said that he understood from previous interviews with coach Tanner, that that was the stadium he had in mind to pattern this one after, but said he wanted to add some extra touches, to make this one of the elite stadiums in college baseball. The caller said the stadium in Arkansas had a hill in the outfield, so that people could come and picnic, and the kids could play out there as well. Again, Lane said that he understands that coach tanner is trying to work that into the design of the stadium, so that there would be a large hill out there, and a large picnic area. They said that with the hill, and the 6800 seats, they could conceivably get 10K at a game. I can hardly wait to see this thing get underway.
The length of time to start construction was the main topic of the call-ins afterwards. As Chuck said, no one can understand the big delay on getting the thing started after all the prelims, and the premitts are granted??

[cockyhoskins]

USC chooses new home for baseball

By JOSEPH PERSON

Staff Writer

Stadium to be on tract near river
Walking along the east bank of the Congaree River in August, USC athletics director Eric Hyman and Gamecocks baseball coach Ray Tanner stared through the morning mist and saw a baseball stadium.
It will take two years for their vision to become reality. But USC officials took the first step Tuesday by announcing they have acquired a 29-acre tract of land bordered by Blossom, Williams and Catawba streets on which they plan to build a riverfront stadium that will offer views of the Congaree and the Capitol.
“We walked this whole area and just visualized the river,” Hyman said of his stroll with Tanner. “We were looking at other possibilities (for the stadium site). And we both said, ‘This is where we’d like to be.’”
Work on the $28.5 million project is scheduled to begin in October. USC plans for the 6,800-seat stadium to be open for the start of the 2008 season.
University officials will spend the next five months soliciting input from nearby Granby and Olympia residents on parking and traffic issues, selecting a builder and seeking local government approval.
After waiting through approximately six years of discussions concerning a new stadium, Tanner said he would be patient through two more seasons at Sarge Frye Field, the Gamecocks’ on-campus home.
“We’re going to have a stadium that should be maybe the best in all of college baseball, certainly in the top five or six,” Tanner said. “It’s going to be well worth the extra time.”
The executive committee of USC’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved the purchase of 26 acres from the Guignard family for $7.09 million. CED Perry Mann Electric, an electrical distribution business, leases land from Guignards on the site and must be relocated before work can begin, according to Allen Guignard.
USC will pay $1.06 million for an additional 2.24-acre lot owned by Salem National Lease, a trucking firm. After the trucking company’s building is demolished, that land will serve as the footprint of the $20 million stadium, which will include room for an additional 1,000 fans on a grassy berm beyond the outfield fence.
The athletics department could seek the entire $28.5 million in bonds, but will attempt to reduce that bond payment through fundraising and additional revenue sources, such as naming rights.
The General Assembly two years ago approved an increase in the athletics department’s bond debt from $40 million to $60 million. USC chief financial officer Rick Kelly said $29 million in bond debt is outstanding, meaning a request of $28.5 million in bonds would not exceed the debt ceiling.
Kelly said the athletics department would not request funding from the city of Columbia in the form of an admissions tax or hospitality tax. Hyman said USC might not need help from the city for infrastructure costs.
Mayor Bob Coble said he has not received a request from USC to help with infrastructure costs, which generally mean an upgrade in roads. If USC makes a request, Coble said he would recommend to City Council that it help with infrastructure.
Coble said he was excited that the project would allow the Three Rivers Greenway to be extended from Olympia to Gervais Street. Charlie Thompson, spokesman for the Guignards, said the family supported the idea of a stadium that “provides public access to the riverfront.”
This is the latest of several stadium proposals. USC and a professional baseball team would have shared the first proposed site at Huger and Blossom streets. Although the university and the then-Capital City Bombers agreed on the site, a vote on the joint venture never reached City Council.
USC next announced plans to build its own stadium next to the Colonial Center in the Vista. But City Council’s concerns about parking led USC officials to look elsewhere.
Shortly after the Guignards agreed in August to transfer a 94-acre tract along the river for use as part of USC’s research campus, Tanner and Hyman walked a neighboring Guignard property and discovered the Gamecocks’ future home.
HOK Architects will use essentially the same design it drew up for the Vista site. Standing at home plate, batters will face downtown Columbia, while fans should be able to look out at the skyline and the river.
Texas, which was USC’s scheduled opponent for the 2007 opening series at the Vista site, has tentatively agreed to come to Columbia in ’08 for the opening of the riverfront stadium. In exchange, USC will open the ’07 season with a three-game series at Texas.
“There are many in the Gamecock family that began to wonder if we were ever going to come to this day,” USC president Andrew Sorensen said. “And I’m delighted that we are here.”

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/colleges/university_of_south_carolina/13453978.htm

[Spur's Addiction]

Having built over one hundred restaurants and shopping centers, let me just say Wow! I can understand the due diligence period of 150 days or so up until May, especially having worked in Columbia before. But what is up with the five month break between getting the dirt permit and starting construction??? And one year to build!!! Wow!

I don't get the 5 month delay either. Maybe they figure it won't be ready for 2007 anyway so they have plenty of time. Seems like you would want to go ahead and build it though incase there are any unforeseen delays.

[bgallup]

I dont understand it either. This makes no sence. Im happy as hell the plans are finished, but Tanner is getting shit end of this deal. Now he has to play at the sarge for 2 more years. I love the sarge, but its not the best field in the world. We need to give Tanner a 10 contract and be done with it. We owe him that much!!

[cack]

Drawings look great ... the only thing I can think of as for all of the delays is IF maybe they're just adding all that in there in case they have problems with getting the permits or any problems with the building of the stadium ... I do understand that 5 months is WAY too much for the delay to start construction and (to keep this politically correct) the "right workers" will not take a year to build this.

[COCKDIESEL]

728



:swingcoc: :swingcoc: :swingcoc: :swingcoc:

Sorry CH I didn't see the earlier post of it.

[go_carolina_528]

Can't wait for it!!

[uscgamecocks09]

It is gonna be awesome- great for the program. I think we the record this program has had a new stadium is well deserved. it will look good for USC and to those looking to come to USC.

[returnof8]

i was hoping for some type of outfield seats, so the hill would be a great idea. i just loved watching our games from atop Beckham Field. is it still in the plans of turning the Sarge to the new Softball complex? if they are, that's gonna be a great place to watch the Lady Yardbirds play.

[kickenChicken]

Iam ready to watch a real carolina team in action

[cockyhoskins]

It won't be long!

[TaterHater1984]

Its sooo close...Hurry up February!!

[cockytop]

Cant wait to hear mike morgan announce the first homerun

[Snake]

Stadium off to rocky start

Granite beneath building site forces architects to tweak ballpark design

By JOSEPH PERSON

jperson@thestate.com (jperson@thestate.com)

USC still plans to begin construction on its riverfront baseball stadium in the fall. But university leaders might need to use smaller shovels at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Officials were forced to tweak the design of the $20 million stadium along the east bank of the Congaree River after finding granite not far below the surface of the proposed eight-acre footprint at Williams and Wheat streets.
Engineers discovered the granite about six weeks ago while conducting environmental and structural studies. The discovery set the stadium timeline back a couple of weeks, according to Joe Rogers, USC’s director of facilities, planning and operations.
But Gamecocks baseball coach Ray Tanner said he expects work to start in October or November and for the stadium to be ready for the start of the 2008 season as planned.
“I never have gotten any sense of panic or schedule-altering,� Tanner said this week. “You could literally break ground at Christmas and be there in ’08. It’s not going to take more than 12 months (to build).�
Said USC athletics director Eric Hyman: “My understanding is it’s the same timeline. We haven’t deviated from the timeline.�
Officials should not have been surprised to hit rock. The stadium site is less than a mile north of the Vulcan granite quarry in Olympia.
“There’s a lot of rock down there. It is an area not too far from the quarry,� Rogers said. “There’s just a lot of rock under Columbia in general, and it just happens to be about seven feet below the surface there in a lot of places.�
Designers had hoped to carve out the playing surface 12 to 14 feet below the elevation at the corner of Williams and Wheat streets, which will serve as the entrance to the stadium. Officials considered blasting and removing the granite but determined it would be too costly.
Instead, the field will be built at a higher elevation, eliminating the possibility for berm seating beyond the left-field fence. Workers will install an undetermined number of permanent seats in left field (spectators will be able to sit on a berm in right field).
Otherwise, the plans by HOK Sport, which has designed 14 major league parks, remain unchanged. The stadium is expected to seat about 6,800 people.
“At the point of the design where we were, it was just the easier route to accommodate the rock, leave it there and work around it,� Rogers said. “The basic stadium design is no different than when we found the rock. We just moved it up a little bit and changed the way the site will be graded.�
USC’s board of trustees agreed in December to purchase 26 acres along the Congaree from the Guignard family for $7.09 million.
A pair of business located on the site must be moved before construction begins: CED Perry Mann Electric, an electrical distribution business that leases land from the Guignards; and Salem National Lease, a trucking firm that will sell its 2.24-acre lot to USC for $1.06 million.
USC chief financial officer Rick Kelly said the university is scheduled to close on the Guignard and Salem properties in October.

[GamecockSeven]

Nice to hear something about it. Thanks.

[Spur's Addiction]

This does not suprise me as there are big rock quarries on either side of the river just a bit down stream.

[willy]

This does not suprise me as there are big rock quarries on either side of the river just a bit down stream.

Wousen't there any engeneering done on this property before the announcement was made ? Just asking for an answer.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[WeHailTheeCarolina]

maybe we could call the new stadium.... rocky top

[cack]

Wousen't there any engeneering done on this property before the announcement was made ? Just asking for an answer.


i was wondering the same thing

[WhazupCock95]

Maybe they should sell the granite to help pay for the stadium..:thumbsup:

[Mobile Ranger]

I just don't think this stadium is ever going to get built.

[willy]

maybe we could call the new stadium.... rocky top

Sounds like a real good idea to me.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[Spur's Addiction]

Wousen't there any engeneering done on this property before the announcement was made ? Just asking for an answer.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

Typically you would do a site civil survey prior to purchasing the property to make sure you can use it for what you need. kind of like a home inspection prior to buying a house.

[bhusc2002]

maybe we could call the new stadium.... rocky top
if we do that i will never attend a baseball game in that stadium.

[Gamerooster]

It's kind of old news. They did soil borings a couple months ago and have been working on the final design. They still aren't really behind schedule unless there is a delay moving the businesses on the site. That's the real thing that has to get done for construction to start.

[cockyhoskins]

Nothing unusual here. Prior to buying, you do your soil tests and Phase 1 to make sure the site is clean and suitable to hold your building. Then as you get further into the engineering, you start looking at specific footing locations, utility locations, drainage, etc. to see what you are dealing with from a site plan standpoint.

This was just an attempt to give us some news. Nothing more.

[willy]

Typically you would do a site civil survey prior to purchasing the property to make sure you can use it for what you need. kind of like a home inspection prior to buying a house.

Then I would like to ask why this was not done ????

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[cocknblue]

Why not call it "The Quarry"?

"Rocky Top" has bad connection with something orange and obnoxious.

[cockyhoskins]

It was done willy. Like I said, this isn't really news. It's just their attempt to make us feel like they are giving an update.

[willy]

Why not call it "The Quarry"?

"Rocky Top" has bad connection with something orange and obnoxious.

Totally agree, cocknblue, Orange is very obnoxious.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[IHateOrange]

^yes it is

[Drunkeneskimofo]

I was thinking "The Quarry" would be a great nickname myself. We shall rock the Quarry. I think the new stadium is going to be great for USC baseball. We're already a talented team but it'll draw more recruits and fans.

[JAYBEZ]

How about this. We transplant the grass from sarge-frye over to the new park. That way we can name the stadium something separate and still honor ole sarge. i.e. Sarge Frye field at Ray Tanner Stadium.

Plus, it would save us a good chunk of change on new grass.


Just one mans idea. What do you think?

[cockyPI1]

Ah in the big picture of things the Sod does not cost that much, but if you had to pay someone to digi up and move it, it will cost about the same as it would be to buy it.. Not a bad idea though

[JAYBEZ]

I don't know. It cost 50,000 to put new grass down at williams-brice a couple years ago.


but that really isn't the big thing. I was more focused on the field part. It is like having a bit of the past mixed with the future.

[willy]

How about this. We transplant the grass from sarge-frye over to the new park. That way we can name the stadium something separate and still honor ole sarge. i.e. Sarge Frye field at Ray Tanner Stadium.

Plus, it would save us a good chunk of change on new grass.


Just one mans idea. What do you think?

Great idea JAYBEZ, that way we can honor The Sarge and Ray Tanner in one fair swoop.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[Section5Gamecock]

Mabey the will sell it like they did when we trashed the astro-turff from WB

[JAYBEZ]

.... That I could use. We just finished building a house and not all of the seed is giving us grass.

A little bit of Sarge would do the trick.

[willy]

.... That I could use. We just finished building a house and not all of the seed is giving us grass.

A little bit of Sarge would do the trick.

Great minds think alike JAYBEZ, The Sarges turf in the new ball park would truly honor Sarge Frye.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[bgallup]

To put sod on the Infield it will take about 16.5 pallets! Its around 100$ per pallet. It will cost about that to pay someone to lay it. So id say it would be around 3500-4'000$ to sod the infield. I'm not sure if the out field would be sodded or sprigged.

This will give you a idea of what it cost. CockyPI1 could probably tell you a little better though!

[JAYBEZ]

Like I said before, the cost thing wasn't the original thought. It is more about honoring Sarge.

[carolinathru&thru]

That's a pretty good idea, i'm just ready for this stadium to get done. It's gonna be a beautiful sight.

[Singaporecock]

I just want them to take down the Bush League advertisements in the outfield...I understand the need for money, but that is just plain...(insert appropriate adjective here)

[JAYBEZ]

Yeah, and they aren't exactly a soft surface to run into.

[willy]

Like I said before, the cost thing wasn't the original thought. It is more about honoring Sarge.

JAYBEZ has a very valid point. The cost of the sod is not the object here, it is absolutely to honor Sarge who gave so many of his years to USC.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[Slacker USC]

Great idea. I hope the University does something to honor the man who gave so much of himself. Transplanting "his" field would be a great gesture.

[JAYBEZ]

Who would we make this recommendation too?

[willy]

Who would we make this recommendation too?

I have absolutely no idea, JAYBEZ. Maybe to the AD's office ?

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[CockEyes]

??

[GamecockSeven]

I doubt it. There's still a building on the site. I'll swing by this afternoon and take a look.

[Snake]

This is the latest we have heard on the New Baseball stadium.......

It was in the newspaper about 2 weeks ago...........

Stadium off to rocky start

Granite beneath building site forces architects to tweak ballpark design

By JOSEPH PERSON

jperson@thestate.com (jperson@thestate.com)

USC still plans to begin construction on its riverfront baseball stadium in the fall. But university leaders might need to use smaller shovels at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Officials were forced to tweak the design of the $20 million stadium along the east bank of the Congaree River after finding granite not far below the surface of the proposed eight-acre footprint at Williams and Wheat streets.
Engineers discovered the granite about six weeks ago while conducting environmental and structural studies. The discovery set the stadium timeline back a couple of weeks, according to Joe Rogers, USC’s director of facilities, planning and operations.
But Gamecocks baseball coach Ray Tanner said he expects work to start in October or November and for the stadium to be ready for the start of the 2008 season as planned.
“I never have gotten any sense of panic or schedule-altering,� Tanner said this week. “You could literally break ground at Christmas and be there in ’08. It’s not going to take more than 12 months (to build).�
Said USC athletics director Eric Hyman: “My understanding is it’s the same timeline. We haven’t deviated from the timeline.�
Officials should not have been surprised to hit rock. The stadium site is less than a mile north of the Vulcan granite quarry in Olympia.
“There’s a lot of rock down there. It is an area not too far from the quarry,� Rogers said. “There’s just a lot of rock under Columbia in general, and it just happens to be about seven feet below the surface there in a lot of places.�
Designers had hoped to carve out the playing surface 12 to 14 feet below the elevation at the corner of Williams and Wheat streets, which will serve as the entrance to the stadium. Officials considered blasting and removing the granite but determined it would be too costly.
Instead, the field will be built at a higher elevation, eliminating the possibility for berm seating beyond the left-field fence. Workers will install an undetermined number of permanent seats in left field (spectators will be able to sit on a berm in right field).
Otherwise, the plans by HOK Sport, which has designed 14 major league parks, remain unchanged. The stadium is expected to seat about 6,800 people.
“At the point of the design where we were, it was just the easier route to accommodate the rock, leave it there and work around it,� Rogers said. “The basic stadium design is no different than when we found the rock. We just moved it up a little bit and changed the way the site will be graded.�
USC’s board of trustees agreed in December to purchase 26 acres along the Congaree from the Guignard family for $7.09 million.
A pair of business located on the site must be moved before construction begins: CED Perry Mann Electric, an electrical distribution business that leases land from the Guignards; and Salem National Lease, a trucking firm that will sell its 2.24-acre lot to USC for $1.06 million.
USC chief financial officer Rick Kelly said the university is scheduled to close on the Guignard and Salem properties in October.

[willy]

As far as I know it should be underway. The newspaper report was from 2 weeks ago, it is outdated now.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[Gamerooster]

It'll be November before they start.

[blackdeath05]

It'll be November before they start.

The Company's there are not moving until October...

[willy]

It'll be November before they start.

What's the big hold up now?

[Gamerooster]

The two businesses are scheduled to move in October. Then the buildings will be removed. That has been the schedule all along.

[happygilmore527]

We are still shooting for the 2008 season right? Are we opening with ECU now instead of Texas?

[carolinathru&thru]

This is taking way too long. We've gotta jump on it and hurry up.

[willy]

This is taking way too long. We've gotta jump on it and hurry up.

As long as it is done by 07 then we are in shape.

[WeHailTheeCarolina]

We are still shooting for the 2008 season right? Are we opening with ECU now instead of Texas?
Not sure, but Texas would be awesome, i hope we dont change it

[willy]

Not sure, but Texas would be awesome, i hope we dont change it

The Texas game has been replaced with East Carolina.

[blackdeath05]

Not sure, but Texas would be awesome, i hope we dont change it

Texas bailed on us

[1CockyCop]

Makes you wonder what how good that field will drain during a shower with that much granite under the surface. I talk to the grounds crew a good bit, and they always pride themselves on keeping the fields in awesome shape during bad weather.

I would think that the granite would make it difficult to keep the playing surface dry...

[Gamerooster]

Drainage will be fine. That is part of the rework. They had planned to put the field below grade but because of the rock they can't dig down deep enough to have the field low and install drainage layers.

[bleedsgarneet]

As long as it is done by 07 then we are in shape. i believe you have your years confused

[TheJasn]

i have some questions about the stadium...have they broke ground yet? and when are they supposed to start construction, next month?

[GamecockSeven]

They actually don't take over the property until the end of October, then they have to tear down the buildings on site, then they can break ground. But Hyman promises it'll be ready on time. We'll see.

[Snake]

They actually don't take over the property until the end of October, then they have to tear down the buildings on site, then they can break ground. But Hyman promises it'll be ready on time. We'll see.
Heard on the Radio this morning that they should be "MOVING DIRT" in November:thumbsup: :swingcoc: :clap:

[willy]

Heard on the Radio this morning that they should be "MOVING DIRT" in November:thumbsup: :swingcoc: :clap:

That sounds about right.

[cack]

i can't wait till we have one of the elite stadiums in the country ... for one of the elite teams in the country

[willy]

i can't wait till we have one of the elite stadiums in the country ... for one of the elite teams in the country

You can say that again, cack.

[cack]

i can't wait till we have one of the elite stadiums in the country ... for one of the elite teams in the country

[WeHailTheeCarolina]

i can't wait till we have one of the elite stadiums in the country ... for one of the elite teams in the country
Got that right! :clap: :swingcoc:

[tptgamecock]

It needs to be done and done right. Ray and the boys have brought more glory to our University than any other team we have. Argue the basketball team and the football team but the baseball team is so consistant and they deserve the newest and best stadium in the nation!!!

:swingcoc: :swingcoc: :swingcoc: :swingcoc:

[JM1984]

It'll be very nice, especially with the river behind the outfeild.

[CockNBlythewood]

is there any photo of the design or anything?

[willy]

Got that right! :clap: :swingcoc:

I can hardly wait, I love Baseball season.

[cack]

is there any photo of the design or anything?

i don't have time to look for it ... but if you look back through some threads in here we have a few threads with pictures in them

[Snake]

Here is the new baseball park design.:thumbsup:
http://www.cockytalk.com/drawing.gif

http://www.cockytalk.com/drawing01.gif


Can't wait for Opening day!:clap:

[Spur's Addiction]

Once they start construction it would be nice if someone in the columbia area could stop by a take a few picks every week or so and post 'em here.

That way out of towners can keep up with the progress.

[Snake]

BUILDING OUR CITY

Stadium project moves forward

Land to be acquired on Friday; portion of funds approved by committee

By KENT BABB

kbabb@thestate.com (kbabb@thestate.com)

USC is one day away from ending more than six years of baseball stadium uncertainty.

The university will assume possession Friday of the 29-acre tract of riverfront land on which it plans to build a 6,800-seat baseball stadium scheduled to open in time for the Gamecocks’ 2008 season opener.

USC will acquire the land along the Congaree River from the Guignard family, which agreed to sell 26 acres to the university in December.

A legislative joint bond review committee — made up of five state senators and five state representatives — approved a $20 million portion of the project Wednesday morning, USC spokesman Russ McKinney said.

The committee's approval is preliminary and the $20 million still must get final approval from the Budget and Control Board, which is made up of the governor, treasurer, comptroller general, and the chairs of two top General Assembly finance committees.

The $28.5 million project requires approval from the budget and control board, which is expected to meet and discuss the matter within a few weeks.

The university’s next step is to demolish two buildings at the site — CED Perry Mann Electric has moved closer to Huger Street, and Salem National Lease trucking firm is in the process of moving — and level the terrain before construction begins.

USC baseball coach Ray Tanner told The State on Tuesday he used the stadium as a recruiting tool for several years. He said he was relieved the university has made the next step toward building the stadium.

“It’s tremendously easier,” Tanner said. “In years past, we were recruiting with the hope that we would be in a new facility. But we hadn’t moved past the definite. Now, this is definite.”

Although plans have not been finalized, the stadium will have architectural features used with other university buildings, such as arched entrances and Charleston-style exterior lighting.

Other features will include a plaza that will feature a “victory tower,” which Tanner said would be at least 30 feet high and feature a USC logo, such as the trademark Gamecock emblem or the block-C. The tower will be backlit after victories and will be able to be seen throughout downtown Columbia.

“We’re going to do our best to have great baseball at this facility,” Tanner said. “But I also want it to become a place to be... . Baseball is the first footprint, with other things to come.”

The stadium, whose main entrance will be at the corner of Williams and Wheat streets, will feature a city skyline view beyond center field. The interior and field dimensions are expected to resemble that of USC’s current home, Sarge Frye Field.

The university is expected to sell naming rights to the stadium and auxiliary parts of the park, such as the plaza.

Friday’s acquisition is expected to end years of hurdles USC encountered while researching potential sites. University officials considered renovating Sarge Frye Field; building a joint-use stadium with a minor-league team; building the stadium at the State Farmers Market; and building on a tract behind the Colonial Center.

The project was delayed a few weeks in the summer when officials discovered a layer of granite a few feet below the surface at the site.

Tanner said the stadium’s architecture firm, HOK Sports, will build the stadium at a higher elevation and the granite no longer is a concern.

“Things are going to pop up,” he said. “You’re going to have some things arise. There are going to be some of them that need adjustments, and you just move forward.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/15905126.htm

[bhusc2002]

it's good to hear something definite about it. i really hope they keep on it and hold to the opening date.

[cack]

that's great news ... we need to get that satidum built so we can hang a National Championship banner on the outfield wall

[willy]

Thanks for the article, Snake. Very informative and very good news to hear.

[JAYBEZ]

30 foot victory tower huh? that could be interesting

[blackdeath05]

Hate to be the person to bring the bad news, but I talked to the guy that runs Salem Leasing and he said it looks like they won't be moving until late winter early spring...

[cack]

Hate to be the person to bring the bad news, but I talked to the guy that runs Salem Leasing and he said it looks like they won't be moving until late winter early spring...

either way as long as it's ready for '08 ... even if it was early Spring they'd still have almost a full year for construction ... i would ASSUME that should be enough time ... but who knows

[Snake]

Tanner’s vision clear

USC coach says delayed stadium is on track if not on schedule

By KENT BABB

kbabb@thestate.com (kbabb@thestate.com)

Ray Tanner stepped out of his SUV and saw a baseball stadium. He is one of the few who can see it. And he can see it all.

USC’s baseball coach stood at the corner of Williams and Wheat Streets this week and envisioned the stadium that has seen more hurdles than Tanner expected when discussions of the project began nearly six years ago.

It is a site Tanner said he visits at least twice per week; he occasionally drives several miles out of his way from his office on Rosewood Drive to his home in Shandon, just to check out his team’s future home.

To Tanner’s right on this day was the place where the entrance will be, the “attractive corner,” the coach said. It will feature a plaza and the so-called victory tower, part of a project that will extend USC’s campus to the banks of the Congaree River.

He walked closer to Williams Street and pointed toward downtown
Columbia.

“See the skyline?” he asked with a smile. “Center field.

“I feel real good about this. We’ve been talking about a new stadium for many years, but have never got it to this point.”

Tanner reiterated last week that the stadium, whose working name is the University of South Carolina Ballpark, will be built in time for the 2008 season. But it is Tanner who began building his program around the stadium years before groundbreaking takes place.

The Gamecocks’ 11th-year coach said he brings all recruits to the site, including the recruits who signed with the team and now play on it — as seniors.

Tanner has expressed regret the past two months that he promised recruits four years ago that they would play in a new baseball stadium if they signed with USC. Now that the stadium’s progress was pushed back — a Vista site, the Colonial Center, was supposed to have opened to start the ‘07 season — those players’ best chances of playing in the new facility will be in an alumni game.

“I feel bad about that,” Tanner said. “As coaches, we have a lot of negatives about us. And one of them is impatience. Like a lot of our fans, I’m ready to see a new facility.”

USC athletics director Eric Hyman helped offset that patience by including Tanner in planning meetings. Hyman said this week it was an easy choice and was one he has done in the past. Hyman was involved in other college baseball stadiums, during his tenures at Miami of Ohio, Virginia Military Institute and TCU.

“They’re the experts,” Hyman said of involving coaches in the planning. “They have a better say and feel for what works for this market.”
What Hyman and Tanner admitted would work best is for construction to begin — soon. And they are not the only ones.

Tanner said rising sophomores Justin Smoak and Reese Havens ask most about the progress of the new stadium. The coach admitted that those two players, who were among the top recruits of Tanner’s tenure at USC, might leave for the professional draft after their junior seasons — which would be the Gamecocks’ first in the new ballpark.

There have been setbacks. Discount the traffic flow issues that curtailed the Colonial Center site and the granite found beneath the riverfront site. Even this past week, when USC was expected to acquire the property from the Guignard family, closing was delayed until Tuesday, sources told The State. The most recent delay is not expected to push back a groundbreaking, but it is one more reason Tanner goes out of his way to drive down Williams Street and check things out for himself.

But according to Hyman, who brought Tanner to the riverfront to examine the site last year, said all the waiting will pay dividends.
“We said, boy, this is a grand slam home run,” Hyman said. “You have to go through a lot of hoops, but it was worth waiting.”

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/15932754.htm

[IHateOrange]

You can tell in the article Tanner really loves USC and wants only the best for our school. Good to know HOW GOOD of a man is leading one of our best athletic programs

[willy]

You can tell in the article Tanner really loves USC and wants only the best for our school. Good to know HOW GOOD of a man is leading one of our best athletic programs

I am certainly glad that i am not the only one who feels that way too. Tanner is a very special coach and I am glad that he is leading our baseball team.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

Tanner is just as good of a person as he is a coach. What you see on TV interviews is what you get with him all the time. I hope he is here for years to come.

[GarnetBlackAttack]

A few questions for anyone who may know:

1) After reading and looking at the plan, it looks like there will be parking behind the home plate side of the stadium. Do you think that will be general public parking? Also, it was mentioned that there will be upper and lower parking - not sure what that means.. anyone?

2) There are several trucking companies at the location - across the road from the site and another one right above the site. Will both these businesses be moved including the one across the road?

3) Regarding, the other businesses on Williams Street. Our facility will add a lot of beauty to that area. Do you think it will force the other businesses near there to clean up a little and make the surrounding nicer?

[bgallup]

I'M not sure about the first 2 questions but I'm pretty sure with the new stadium being built it will force everyone in that area to Clean-up and make there property more appealing!

[GarnetBlackAttack]

After looking at the plans again, I think I answered my own question #2. The plans show the baseball facility stretching from the corner of Williams Street to Catawba Street, that's a large area. That whole block will look great. Across the street is the eyesore though. Those businesses really need to improve the looks of their sites. I hope they do.

[SportsMom]

I understand a developer is looking at possibilities for the area around the baseball stadium. They are interested in retail shops, food outlets and condominums.

GO COCKS!!!!

[Snake]

I understand a developer is looking at possibilities for the area around the baseball stadium. They are interested in retail shops, food outlets and condominums.

GO COCKS!!!!
:clap: Thanks for the info Sportsmom!:thumbsup:

[willy]

I understand a developer is looking at possibilities for the area around the baseball stadium. They are interested in retail shops, food outlets and condominums.

GO COCKS!!!!

That is very interesting, SportsMom. Let's see what develops.

[carolinathru&thru]

Does anyone have a picture of the diagram or something of the new stadium?

[12+4=6]

Does anyone have a picture of the diagram or something of the new stadium?
Go to USCSports.com and there is a link to the master plan which includes drawings of the baseball stadium

[carolinathru&thru]

Go to USCSports.com and there is a link to the master plan which includes drawings of the baseball stadium

Thanks.

[Dietz]

Lord, how I would love to have a NCAA championship banner to hang in the new stadium!

[willy]

Lord, how I would love to have a NCAA championship banner to hang in the new stadium!

I think that you are going to see that championship banner hanging there at the end of this season. GO YARDCOCKS. WE ARE ON A MISSION.

[GamecockSkip]

Drawings are in design - development stage. Set to go out for bids Jan 2007. You can bet I'll be quoting this one.

[22cocky]

Build it and they will come

[willy]

Build it and they will come

Not only will they come but they will win Natl. Championships.

[uscgamecocks09]

there is no way they will be done by the time they said they would

[talon]

It sounds like they have built in some time for delays in the time table. Coach Tanner still sounds optimistic about the project. If it is delayed hopefully it will be open in time for the Clemson game. That would be a fun way to open the ballpark.

[willy]

there is no way they will be done by the time they said they would

Oh yes they will. Where theres a will there is a way. Have faith.

[Kitchenlabs]

They are not supposed to break ground until January. However a trucking company on the property has still not moved even though they have been given 1.5 years to do so. East Carolina has already been scheduled to open the stadium.

[willy]

They are not supposed to break ground until January. However a trucking company on the property has still not moved even though they have been given 1.5 years to do so. East Carolina has already been scheduled to open the stadium.

Hey kitchenlabs, how is it going, long time no hear from. It is good to see you again. Hurry up Baseball season, I am looking forward to it.

[Gamerooster]

From The State
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/colleges/university_of_south_carolina/16430279.htm

http://www.thestateonline.com/news/pdfs/17usc_plan/baseball.pdf


University officials received final city approval Tuesday to build a $24 million riverfront baseball stadium on a 29-acre tract bordered by the Congaree River and Blossom, Williams and Catawba streets.
Demolition of two buildings on the site is to begin in February and the stadium will be ready for the Gamecocks’ 2008 season opener, said Charlie Jeffcoat, USC’s director of campus planning and construction.
While much of the design remains the same as what USC proposed about a year ago, tweaked details include:
• A 30- to 45-foot “victory tower,” visible from the Blossom Street bridge, that might be lit on game nights or when the team wins. University officials say the tower is a possibility, not a certainty.
Dark red brick, wrought-iron work and arched entrances, similar to other university buildings, will be used throughout.
• A total of 8,100 seats. That includes 6,800 permanent seats and 1,800 berm seats and grass mound seats at the end of the first base line, where families can picnic and children can play during games.
• Some surface parking. The revised plan calls for about 120 spaces on the stadium site that would be used primarily by VIP patrons, teams and game officials.
“There’s 1,000-plus spaces in a quarter of a mile of the stadium,” Jeffcoat said.
University officials expect students to walk or bike from campus. Also, shuttles will pick up fans from nearby sites, including about 2,000 parking spaces at the Colonial Center.
And the university is considering leasing parking lots at nearby businesses on game nights, said Russ McKinney, USC spokesman.
Also, USC’s master plan for the Innovista calls for a parking garage on land adjacent to the stadium, just across Wheat Street. But there are no plans on when it would be built.
In addition to the garage, the 4-acre site will include a mix of residential and commercial development, according to the plan.
Olympia and surrounding mill village residents, concerned last year about ballpark traffic clogging their streets, say the university has met with them and they’ve agreed to a traffic plan.
“The plan is good,” said Bob Guild, president of the Granby Mills Neighborhood Association. “We’re pleased with it. They vetted their parking plan with the neighborhood and we agreed to it.”
Highlights include:
• A commitment by the university to create a row of single-family homes on Catawba Street, where stadium parking would be prohibited. The homes would likely be sold to developers after the stadium is built.
• Adequate police staffing at key intersections so game traffic does not enter the mill neighborhoods.
Nearby residents say they are also pleased that the stadium plan will extend the greenway to the Blossom Street bridge. The stadium project includes 10 to 12 acres for a park and trails along the riverfront.
As for costs, Rick Kelly, USC's vice president for business affairs, said estimates for the stadium remain in the $24 million to $25 million range.
He cautioned, however, that Columbia has been experiencing some fluctuation in construction costs.
Kelly said the stadium will be built with funds from the Athletic Department and private gifts to the university. Some “naming opportunities” at the stadium are being reserved for donors who make major gifts to help pay for the stadium.
Staff writer James T. Hammond contributed to this report. Reach Smith at (803) 771-8462.

[Section5Gamecock]

ECU to open stadium to bad randy mazie(sp) is not the coach there anymore remember he is a former clemscum player who talked all kinds of junk before the regionals several years back

[bhusc2002]

ECU to open stadium to bad randy mazie(sp) is not the coach there anymore remember he is a former clemscum player who talked all kinds of junk before the regionals several years back
actually it was before the super regional. he was saying that he would rather have home field for the supers, but it would be sweet to go through columbia to get to omaha. yeah and then we sweep the SR. good predictions on that one. always good to shut a big mouth up. especially when it has ties to clemson.

[willy]

actually it was before the super regional. he was saying that he would rather have home field for the supers, but it would be sweet to go through columbia to get to omaha. yeah and then we sweep the SR. good predictions on that one. always good to shut a big mouth up. especially when it has ties to clemson.

Amen brother, they are not the no. 2 team either. That is a fig newton of the ACC dumb nutts.

[mattcock9]

They haven't started moving any dirt or demolishing any buildings and time is a ticking. Just curious if anyone has heard anything?

[Bleedin'Garnet]

See the State paper? New stadium looks great. Think it'll be ready for 2008?

[phutch]

Wow... just Wow!

[Adiossuck]

anyone got a pic of it?

[CockNBlythewood]

http://www.thestateonline.com/news/pdfs/070119_usc_stadium.pdf

Heres a link for those who dont have paper on hand. This is what i found anyways

[Adiossuck]

oh my thats nice, but what is that where the gamecock logo is?.. is that a building with a huge logo on the roof?
and another question... what if the congaree river floods?

[carolinathru&thru]

That's gonna be an awesome stadium.

[Snake]

I can't wait for that Stadium to Open!:swingcoc:

Is it Baseball Season Yet?

[uscgamecocks09]

and another question... what if the congaree river floods?

that should never happen. that is alot further of distance than you think

[Adiossuck]

that should never happen. that is alot further of distance than you think

well i dont mean like a huge katrina-like flood but just flood its banks, its just in that scale it seems pretty close. :P

[Teamoney]

it only seats 8000???? that doesn't seem like that much.

[Adiossuck]

it only seats 8000???? that doesn't seem like that much.


compared to 80,000+ at WB, its not.. but for college baseball.. its a great stadium.
Plus its about 2,000 more than sarge frye.

[Teamoney]

I am sure it will be nice. I am trying to scrape some money together to get some tix for this year.

[mickeyrivers]

wow, that stadium is going to be unbelievable if they ever get it built.

[Cockhornleghorn]

oh my thats nice, but what is that where the gamecock logo is?.. is that a building with a huge logo on the roof?
and another question... what if the congaree river floods?

While that is a concern, I don't believe the Congaree has flooded in the downtown Columbia area since before the Lake Murray Dam was built. The main Congaree flood plain is further south in the I-77 area - that's why the interstate was built so far up from the surrounding land and that land is undeveloped on both sides of the river. While the stadium is only a block from the river, it's probably a good 25-30 feet higher in elevation due to the hill.

[Beebop]

Sweet thing about this is they can always build up if the need arises to add more seats. Well designed and laid out. We will be among the elite programs in the nation with this.

[Gamecock_4life]

has anybody seen what they want to do with WB?

[cockyhoskins]

has anybody seen what they want to do with WB?

Use the search function in the Cockpit to find a thread titled Master Plan Press Conference. It has all the info about the WB improvements.

[scgreatest]

has anybody seen what they want to do with WB?
yea it is awesome and it looks like it is already there!

[Gamecock_4life]

^^^^u got any pics, b/c i have not seen it

[scgreatest]

http://fnflrtl.5u.com/images/picture1.png
kind of small, but o well

[cack]

personally i would have liked for them to hit around 9k or 10k for seating ... if you're going to build a brand new stadium ... why not really make it worth it ... which this may be plenty enough ... but i'd like a little more

[scgreatest]

http://fnflrtl.5u.com/images/picture1.png
kind of small, but o well
well...............woops. My bad, but i found it when i searched north endzone in the thread search

[THEsaturdaynightspecial]

it looks awesome!!!!!!

[uscsweig]

Its gonna be awesome, but im still gonna miss the sarge

[foezopen]

Although I loved the SARGE...This baseball program deserves the luxurious state of the art benefits of a new home!!!! GOOOO COCKSSSSSS!!!

[talon]

We avg about 3500 a game. Having a stadium that seats 15000 would look empty all the time. If the avg goes up I'm sure that they could expand. Think they are trying to keep the cozy Sarge feel to the stadium.

[Cockadiddle]

I thought it would've been nice if the stands looked out towards the river instead of of facing the city. The design looks great, though.

[Snake]

Hey GUYS,

I went by the stadium Site this morning and took a few pictures.

Nothing has been done yet, but, I know they will be clearing the land sometime next month.


I was thinking about starting a "Baseball Stadium Construction Thread"......and taking pictures every week giving everyone an update (visual) of how the new baseball stadium is looking.


I go down Blossom Street every morning during the week and could take pictures a couple times a week (if you guys want me to) and post them on the thread.


I love Football, but, Baseball is my passion and I can't wait for this new stadium!


I also know many of you are outside of the Columbia area and would probably be interested to see how things are moving along as well.


Do you guys want me to Start the Thread Tomorrow Morning???

[Bleedin'Garnet]

Great idea Snake

[cack]

i've merged all of the threads together mentioning the new baseball stadium ... this should help everyone find what they're looking for ... lets try to post new information here as well and just keep it all together

[theuscerock]

Hey GUYS,

I went by the stadium Site this morning and took a few pictures.

Nothing has been done yet, but, I know they will be clearing the land sometime next month.


I was thinking about starting a "Baseball Stadium Construction Thread"......and taking pictures every week giving everyone an update (visual) of how the new baseball stadium is looking.


I go down Blossom Street every morning during the week and could take pictures a couple times a week (if you guys want me to) and post them on the thread.


I love Football, but, Baseball is my passion and I can't wait for this new stadium!


I also know many of you are outside of the Columbia area and would probably be interested to see how things are moving along as well.


Do you guys want me to Start the Thread Tomorrow Morning???

great idea!

[Snake]

Here are some pictures that I took this morning. (1/24/07)

When I start seeing them tear these buildings down and start moving dirt I will Post more Pictures.


1) http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball11yt.jpg
2) http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball20xp.jpg
3) http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball34no.jpg

Enjoy......And I will update when things start to change! (hopefully Next month)

[Singaporecock]

please post pics...baseball is my passion as well, but im a bit too far away to keep up with the stadium being built

[Bleedin'Garnet]

[quote=Snake]Here are some pictures that I took this morning. (1/24/07)

Thanks.

[gococksdc777]

Thanx for the pix i dont get to go down there much b/c i cant drive lol , where are these pix cpmpared to were the stadium is gonna be built

[cas68]

i am somewhat aprehensive at this point...until i see a bobcat or bulldozer, all this is smoke and mirrors...I live in Richmond Va and they have been talking for 6 years about a new stadium for the R-Braves..what has happened? Notta

[psychwr2]

i'm tired of hearing about it and seeing paintings of it, WHERE IS IT?! I WANT TO DRIVE UP AND SEE IT!

[willy]

i am somewhat aprehensive at this point...until i see a bobcat or bulldozer, all this is smoke and mirrors...I live in Richmond Va and they have been talking for 6 years about a new stadium for the R-Braves..what has happened? Notta


This is not smoke and mirrows but the real deal.

[bgallup]

IM not very confident it will be ready for next year! that havnt done anything yet and we are almost a year away. Thats a lot to do in a short time!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

IM not very confident it will be ready for next year! that havnt done anything yet and we are almost a year away. Thats a lot to do in a short time!!!!

Same here. I'm getting a wee bit worried. I'm keeping my hopes up. Hopefully they can kick it into superdrive.

[willy]

IM not very confident it will be ready for next year! that havnt done anything yet and we are almost a year away. Thats a lot to do in a short time!!!!


It will be ready when it's supposed to be. Trust me.

[cack]

IM not very confident it will be ready for next year! that havnt done anything yet and we are almost a year away. Thats a lot to do in a short time!!!!

they built the Greenville Drive stadium in this time period (if not less) ... so i know first hand that it CAN be done ... now they may not be completely done with all of the extras ... but the ball field and seats etc should/can be done

[carolinathru&thru]

they built the Greenville Drive stadium in this time period (if not less) ... so i know first hand that it CAN be done ... now they may not be completely done with all of the extras ... but the ball field and seats etc should/can be done

If they built West End Field in this period of time, that makes me a little more confident. That stadium is NICE.

[stiffmiester]

will our next stadium not be called the sarge? the sarge is an awsome name... i think it should stay!!!!

[Kitchenlabs]

I think corporate naming rights are being sold for the new field.

[Snake]

I heard this morning on Teddy Heffner's "talkin Sports" Radio show that construction is not scheduled to begin until June!?!?!?:angrycoc:

If this is the case..........To be ready for the 2008 season.......This project would have to be completed in 8 months!

Anybody know why this keeps getting pushed back?

[willy]

I heard this morning on Teddy Heffner's "talkin Sports" Radio show that construction is not scheduled to begin until June!?!?!?:angrycoc:

If this is the case..........To be ready for the 2008 season.......This project would have to be completed in 8 months!

Anybody know why this keeps getting pushed back?



It can certainly be done in that time.

[Kitchenlabs]

It may have something to do with the very wet winter we're having. Also the 2008 season can't begin until march next year, and we will probably be in a couple of away tourneys to begin the season anyway.

[gococksdc777]

I dont care when they start as long as it is ready by the 2008 season, they deserve a nice stadium

[cas68]

It can certainly be done in that time. dude, you are a blind supporter///if they started in september u would say that it would be done by february.

[cas68]

all this is bs until u see a bobcat...all we actually know is that usc owns the land...all we have seen is a pretty drawing..i have seen this first hand people..at this point it is bs..delay after delay

[Snake]

USC delays stadium building start to June

By SETH EMERSON

semerson@thestate.com (semerson@thestate.com)

South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner still expects to open next season at the team’s new stadium, even though groundbreaking has been delayed until this summer.

The pre-construction phase of the project, estimated at $24 million, has taken longer than expected. Bids go out today for demolition of buildings on the property, the area at the intersection of Blossom and Williams street.

That means the construction of the yet-to-be-named stadium will not start until June or July, according to Tanner. But USC officials have maintained that once groundbreaking takes place, the stadium can be finished in time for the Gamecocks to play there in February of 2008.

“Now is it going to be tight? Absolutely. It’s going down to the wire,” Tanner said. “We haven’t done it as quick as we would all have liked for it to happen. But nothing has changed. We’re still hoping to be there in ’08.”

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/16591247.htm

[CockNBlythewood]

Hope that stadium gets built in time..One delay can turn into more delays..

[Cam-Bone]

Boy, I just don't see it being ready for 2008.

[cocknblue]

Agree...I think we'll start next season at the Sarge then move into the new place mid-season.

[Gaichon]

Agree...I think we'll start next season at the Sarge then move into the new place mid-season.

My opinion as well. I'm OK with a later opening day versus rushing just to get the doors open.

[cocknblue]

They should go ahead and schedule Texas for a mid-season series as the opener for the new place.

[gococksdc777]

yea that would be a good game, hopefully we can put a 2007 CWS Championship sign on the brand new outfield walls!

[willy]

yea that would be a good game, hopefully we can put a 2007 CWS Championship sign on the brand new outfield walls!



That would truly be a great way to break in the new facility.

[cack]

They should go ahead and schedule Texas for a mid-season series as the opener for the new place.

we were supposed to start this year with Texas (at the new stadium) but when we had problems getting the papers cleared up that changed ... then we agreed to go TO Texas this year for a series ... and them coming in NEXT year to open the stadium ... Texas then said we're not going to waste our time and wait ... so we came back and said ... well if you're not coming here ... we're not going there ... BOOYAAAAAAH

[Kitchenlabs]

Actually Texas had already scheduled an away series with Arkansas, and that was what was causing the conflict.

[Cain]

I think corporate naming rights are being sold for the new field.

Welcome to Kotext Stadium, and Tampon field !!

[gococksdc777]

Im hoping something better than that

[Amaze]

Just hope that we have our typical long dry summer so they can get a lot of work done.

[Gaichon]

Any of y'all around the midlands got any updates? Has progress been suspended or is ground moving? I just bought a house a couple blocks from the new site, that the wife and I plan to relocate to once we're back home, so I'm really curious.

[Snake]

Any of y'all around the midlands got any updates? Has progress been suspended or is ground moving? I just bought a house a couple blocks from the new site, that the wife and I plan to relocate to once we're back home, so I'm really curious.I rode by last week and things have not changed!

I check by there once a week and If I see any progress....I will take pictures and post them

Here are some Pics I took about a month ago.......Still looks the same::thumbs:

1) http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?i...seball11yt.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball11yt.jpg)
2) http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?i...seball20xp.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball20xp.jpg)
3) http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?i...seball34no.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball34no.jpg)

[Gaichon]

I rode by last week and things have not changed!

I check by there once a week and If I see any progress....I will take pictures and post them

Here are some Pics I took about a month ago.......Still looks the same::thumbs:

1) http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?i...seball11yt.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball11yt.jpg)
2) http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?i...seball20xp.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=baseball20xp.jpg)
3) http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?i...seball34no.jpg

Thanks!

[AdoptedCock]

An idea of how long it takes to build a stadium from Winthrop on their facility built a few years ago:

"The 1,989-seat ballpark is one of the finest on-campus baseball facilities in the entire Southeast. Built by Leitner Construction Company of Rock Hill, The Winthrop Ballpark features new dugouts, press box, concession stand, restrooms, ticket booth, and lighting for night play. It took approximately 180 days to complete the phase I of the project. On the planning table is Phase II of the project which will include a locker room, coaches offices, players lounge, an indoor hitting area, new outfield fencing, and a roof over the seating area."

Its small but a really nice park...go to their website for pictures:

http://www.winthropeagles.com/default.asp?section=1&type=article&id=48

[Snake]

USC BASEBALL

Another step toward starting new baseball stadium

By KENT BABB

kbabb@thestate.com


USC has taken the next step toward building its new baseball stadium.

D.H. Griffin Companies, a demolition company based in Greensboro, N.C., secured a winning bid to raze two buildings on a riverfront lot on which USC plans to build the stadium.

"Yeah, we got it," said Donna Russell, an administrative assistant in the company's Columbia office.

Russell said she was uncertain of when the company will begin demolition.

The two buildings, which were abandoned in November after USC took ownership of the 29-acre tract near the corner of Williams and Wheat Streets, must be demolished before groundbreaking begins.

USC officials plan to complete construction in time for the Gamecocks to open the 2008 baseball season.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/breaking_news/16768579.htm

[willy]

USC BASEBALL

Another step toward starting new baseball stadium

By KENT BABB

kbabb@thestate.com


USC has taken the next step toward building its new baseball stadium.

D.H. Griffin Companies, a demolition company based in Greensboro, N.C., secured a winning bid to raze two buildings on a riverfront lot on which USC plans to build the stadium.

"Yeah, we got it," said Donna Russell, an administrative assistant in the company's Columbia office.

Russell said she was uncertain of when the company will begin demolition.

The two buildings, which were abandoned in November after USC took ownership of the 29-acre tract near the corner of Williams and Wheat Streets, must be demolished before groundbreaking begins.

USC officials plan to complete construction in time for the Gamecocks to open the 2008 baseball season.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/breaking_news/16768579.htm



THAT IS FANTASTIC NEWS. GO YARDCOCKS.

[Flub]

I got some information from somebody yesterday that said one of the major set-backs to the project was that a few weeks ago a large mass of granite was found where the new infield would be. We want to make sure they get that out of there or it could make for some interesting play.

[Mobile Ranger]

Sometimes I still wonder, are we ever going to get this stadium built? I still want believe it until I see it.

[willy]

I got some information from somebody yesterday that said one of the major set-backs to the project was that a few weeks ago a large mass of granite was found where the new infield would be. We want to make sure they get that out of there or it could make for some interesting play.




WHY?

[willy]

Sometimes I still wonder, are we ever going to get this stadium built? I still want believe it until I see it.




It will be built.

[Snake]

Silence reigns at site of USC’s future home

By KENT BABB

kbabb@thestate.com (kbabb@thestate.com)

USC’s baseball team could not have asked for a better situation. The landscape is scenic, and the weather is flawless. The scheduled site of the Gamecocks’ 2007 baseball home opener has all the elements of an ideal Friday afternoon.

But something is wrong.

USC’s opponent not only is not on the premises, but it is also not even in the state. The Gamecocks, who were told to be here early for a 3 p.m.

start, are more than a mile away less than a half hour before the scheduled start time. No USC fans are in the vicinity.

Twenty minutes before the first pitch of USC’s home opener, there is not a soul in sight.

The directions to the game were outdated. Friday was the date USC coach Ray Tanner had targeted to open the team’s new baseball stadium.

He scheduled Texas, one of the college baseball’s best teams, to be the Gamecocks’ opponent. But when those plans became impossible, the lot at Williams and Wheat Streets near the Congaree River was left empty and quiet, as it remained Friday.

Traffic concerns forced a move of a proposed Vista construction site and forced Texas off the schedule. The stadium’s opening was rescheduled for February 2008.

After additional delays put that date in question, The State confirmed Friday that the project has made progress. D.H. Griffin Companies, a demolition company based in Greensboro, N.C., secured a winning bid to raze two buildings on the 29-acre tract near the Congaree River.

“Yeah, we got it,” said Donna Russell, an administrative assistant in the company’s Columbia office.

Russell said she was uncertain when the company would begin demolition.

The two buildings, which were abandoned before USC took ownership of the lot in November, must be demolished before groundbreaking begins.

USC athletics director Eric Hyman said Friday he has presented a timeline to some interested parties and added that the project remains on track.

Although the stadium is scheduled to open in less than a year, some fans at Friday’s game wondered what the atmosphere would have been like if the new stadium had been built in time for this weekend’s series.

“I’m happy wherever the team is,” said Bill Golding, who attends an average of 50 games each season. “But overall, I would like to be in the new stadium.

“You have to move on with your program. We’re stalling our program by staying here. We’re going to miss this place. But I’m the type of person who likes to move on. It’s time to move on.”

When it became obvious the new stadium would not be finished in time for this season, Tanner said he spoke with Texas coach Augie Garrido and voided the contract. He said the coaches had a “mutual understanding.”

But what was not mutual was the desire to fit Texas in somewhere. Tanner said he invited Texas to open the 2008 season, but the Longhorns’ schedule had been set. Tanner contacted coaches at Miami and Florida State, but neither committed to attend the Gamecocks’ big night. Tanner scheduled East Carolina for USC’s first home opponent next season.

Eastern Michigan filled the spot Texas vacated for this weekend’s series.
“I’m not any different than anybody else,” Tanner said this week. “I wish we were up and running in our new home. But we’re not. That’s the reality of the situation.”

Tanner reiterated this week he is not frustrated with a project that has undergone many changes — and continues to. Hyman said the average fan might not consider that some details, such as the design for a proposed victory tower, have not been solidified.

Tanner, however, chuckled when asked this week when he will be relieved. Perhaps it will be in late June, when construction is scheduled to begin. But more likely, Tanner said, he might not exhale until opening day 2008, when the Gamecocks open a stadium that originally was supposed to have opened Friday.

Tanner said he wants it finished. But, more importantly, he wants it to be finished properly. Tanner said he would prefer the opening date to be delayed until the 2009 season if completing the project by the start of next season might involve cutting corners.

“I don’t really want to hear that, but if it comes to that, then that’s what it’ll be,” Tanner said. “I’m not interested in cutting corners in any way, as far as construction is concerned or costs. I’m all for doing it right. I’m not for rushing it.”

Back at the corner of Williams and Wheat Streets, postgame traffic is heading west on Blossom Street. A mile away at Sarge Frye Field, USC defeated Eastern Michigan 6-0, which sent the announced crowd of 4,111 home happy.

A block south, it remains quiet on the lot that some day will play host to a USC baseball game. For now, the fans keep driving.

Odds are most of them have no idea what they missed.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/16771265.htm

[cack]

anything going on lately??

[cack]

bump

[spareparts]

anything going on lately??

Yeah I think I saw a bunch of homeless people camped out in the woods there playing Texas Hold Em...

[mattcock9]

I know there hasn't been any physical movement at the site...I am not sure what is going on behind the scenes as far as bids go. Last I heard, a company had been awarded the bid for demo but nothing has been torn down nor has any dirt been moved.

[Snake]

Work begins at USC baseball stadium site

Demolition has begun on the site for the new USC baseball stadium at the intersection of Williams and Blossom Streets, where two buildings are in the process of being torn down.

Jeff Davis, USC associate athletics director for facilities, said “significant demolition” will take place at the beginning of next week. The process is scheduled to last 30 days, but Davis said it should not take that long.

The next step will be excavation at the site and bids, which will open on April 17,