Terrier Talk - the latest in Wofford athletics

Did you know that Spartanburg and Wofford once hosted Spring Training for a Major League Baseball team?

If you happened to be there - and a newborn - you are 105 years old. So, chances are you missed this event in person, but it's a neat trip into history.  The Wofford baseball team played the A's and over the years has played several barnstorming professional teams - even battled Ty Cobb back in the day.  Tonight, the Terriers will add to that history of playing professional teams by taking on the Class A Greenville Drive.

From March 13-30, 1904, Spartanburg and Wofford College hosted Spring Training for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League.  Under the direction of legendary manager Connie Mack the A's made Wofford's ball park their home for the four weeks of practice and stayed at the Spartan Inn.

Thanks to my friend Don Camby who found this a couple years ago.  On March 25, 1904 the A's took on the Wofford nine and here is how the write-up read in the Spartanburg Journal the following day:

"A clean, snappy game was played yesterday between the Philadephias and the Wofford team, the former winning by a score of 5 to 0.  The Wofford team surprised its friend with the execellent (sp) game put up against the professionals. Cleveland and Durant both pitched well and every may on the team fielded his position in good style. Few of the batters could connect with the Philadelphia pitchers, however. Following is the score by innings:

               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9    F
Athletics   1  0  3  1  0  0  0  0  0 -- 5
Wofford   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 -- 0"

I must admit, I love Sarge Frye Field. As a '00 South Carolina grad I have seen more than my fair share of baseball games at The Sarge in the last 15 years. I was even a "World Famous" Third Base Heckler while a kid and then a student.

But last night, I found a new love. Carolina Stadium (too bland a name for a stadium like this) is an absolute baseball showcase.  I've been to a lot of minor league baseball parks and Carolina's is comparable to ones in Durham (AAA) and Montgomery (AA) - two of my favorites.

And for $30M+ it should be.

Nonetheless, I'm happy for Coach Tanner as I know it's been a struggle to get the park built and they did it right so congratulations. I couldn't find one flaw in the place really, they paid attention to the details and hit a homerun.

While we have a moment, let's take a quick tour of some of the other great places to watch college baseball in the Palmetto State.

Wofford - OK, I know, I work here. Russell C. King Field, nestled between the trees and the tracks, is a great setting for ballgame. And I'd say that even if I wasn't on the payroll.  Small enough to be intimate and large enough to hold a couple thousand fans you can settle into one of the 30-40 rocking chairs around the concourse which have become "the railyard's" signature feature.

The Citadel - Granted the Bulldogs play in a minor league stadium (Joe Riley Park) but that's ok by me.  It's much easier to score a ticket to a Bulldogs game and watch the boats on the Ashley go by, than most RiverDogs games and the baseball is pretty comparable. 

College of Charleston - At one time the Cougs played on gnat infested Remley's Point. Wherever that was.  Now in a newly renovated park on Patriot's Point is easy to find with the park nearly at the base of the new Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant. Not terribly convenient for CofC students, but for fans on the Mt. Pleasant/Sullivan's Island side of Charleston it's a piece of cake.  It lacks the views of the other parks, but it's a comfortable setting for a ballgame.

Winthrop - The Eagles got a new stadium in the last decade as well - it came with one small flaw that - the sun sets at the wrong angle. Or so I heard. Never seen a game there, but have been by it and it is an impressive facility.

Clemson - Thought I'd leave out Doug Kingsmore?  Nope, I've seen a couple games there and I was impressed the first time I went.  They do a nice job incorporating signage around the park and leading up to the park and around campus as DKS sits in the shadow of Death Valley. The students and fans grilling out behind the wall are a unique feature of Tigertown's ballpark.  Also, the strange hill/warning track with the tiger paws gives this place its own special feel.

At all these places and others around the state you'll see a great ballgame for a cheap price.  Good clean, family fun.  College baseball is alive and well in the Palmetto State, make sure you're a part of it this year.

WOFFORD BASEBALL TICKET PRICES
Tickets for Terrier games at Russell C. King Field are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids 12 and under.  For all Saturday games, kids 12 and under are free w/ an adult and for all Sundays, seniors 65 and older are admitted free.  Also, hot dogs are $1.00 on Saturdays and kids can run the bases after the game and enjoy the Terrier Tumbler moonbounce (weather permitting).

Dates are filling fast for the Academy Sports+Outdoors Field of Dreams program.  This special program allows youth baseball teams the opportunity to take the field with the Terriers and have their name announced as part of the starting lineup.  For more click the "Baseball Promotions" icon at athletics.wofford.edu. 

THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 16
The last two wins for Wofford over SEC opponents - last night at South Carolina and in 2007 at RCK Field vs. Tennessee - have one thing in common. In both games the Terriers scored 16 runs. In fact, each game nearly had the same score. The '07 win over the Vols was 16-9, the win at USC last night was 16-8.