A mere 74 miles to Baton Rouge can seem daunting to a New Orleanian (or those in the metro area), but for baseball-hungry fans, the hour-plus trip was an easy ride for a long-awaited getaway to Alex Box Stadium this season. Dedicated LSU fans were even more excited to have their Tigers take Skip Bertman Field again when the Tigers took ME (abbreviation for Maine) out to the ballpark to open the season on Friday, February 18. Despite the brisk breezes blowing through the grandstands, lifelong LSU fan Bill Webb made the multi-hour trek to weather opening day against the Black Bears, especially with "the history."
"When LSU went to the College World Series for the first time, Maine beat them," lamented lifelong LSU fan Bill Webb. A season ticket holder for decades, he was undaunted by the COVID restrictions during the previous seasons. "Even if they made me wear a complete self-contained suit, I was going!
Seeing a game live in Alex Box Stadium feels more like a professional AAA Minor League game than what many people think of in a college venue—and more like a major league stadium when the cheering LSU fan base fills the seats once again. Even Black Bears Nation agrees. "This is an elite stadium, and the SEC atmosphere tops everything," said Brett Emmertz, father of Maine catcher Colby Emmertz.
For visiting Black Bears players and fans, walking into The Box was every bit as impressive as the warmer weather. And after two modified or non-existent seasons due to the pandemic, it's difficult to determine who is happier to return to the diamond—the fans or players.
"This stadium is a cathedral," Black Bears coach Nick Derba agreed, "Only three or four guys here who've been under the big lights."
"Being under the lights was a bit of a shock at first," said UMaine short stop Jake Marquez, who shook it off quickly. "I'm just taking it all in."
A Miami native, "Jake [Marquez] went from the warmest state to the coldest to play baseball," laughs his mother, Maria Marquez, cheering above the visitor dugout. "But this is his first true season [because of the pandemic], and opening up here is very exciting."
"It's an electric atmosphere," Maine pitcher Brett Erwin agreed from the field perspective.
In 'The Box'
Alex Box Stadium is a family-friendly environment. Seating 10,326 fans, with an additional standing room, the stadium has clear sight lines, affordable prices (unless it's a sell out, or playoffs, or both), and comfortable seating, the stadium honors LSU's baseball history.
The left field bleachers are original from the 1938-era "Old Box," the previous ballpark replaced by dorms in 2010 when this new facility opened. This newer facility retained the name Alex Box by edict of LSU to honor a LSU baseball letterman who passed on a career with Cincinnati to pursue his education, only to be killed in action in North Africa during World War II.
The Wally Pontiff, Jr. Hall of Fame museum, honoring Tigers Baseball history along the first floor third-base concourse, has memorabilia of Box, as well as the LSU standouts and greats who went onto Major League Baseball careers. Ironically for the opening weekend against Maine, the wall includes Charlie Furbish, a high school phenom from South Portland, Maine, who continued as a Tiger with Detroit.
Hamburger Kitchen is a standout among the delicious concessions stands throughout the stadium, along with a playground for younger children, and on-site gift shops for the unprepared LSU fans or game-day converts.
The Boys of Winter: LSU Edition
LSU Tigers baseball had a warm welcomed in cooler temps as the team returned to Baton Rouge as Louisiana State University hosted the University of Maine Black Bears for a three-game weekend series at Alex Box Stadium,. A wild ride was had by all.
The cool temperatures with a brisk wind for Friday night's home opener was frigid by Louisiana standards. However, it was an improvement over the sub-freezing weather the UMaine team was relegated to play in last season during COVID restrictions when they were required to stay within their northeastern region, in some instances as cold as 20-degree weather.
Although some might believe the cooler weather would give the Black Bears and edge, the limitations of the two previous seasons combined with playing under stadium lights—the first time for many on UMaine's team—had the Black Bears still shaking of the dust from some cobwebs off, absorbing a 0-13 loss to LSU.
But the weather for the following day games were very different, with first pitches temperatures closer to 65 degrees Saturday and Sunday. "The warmer weather is better," said UMaine center fielder Joe Bramanti. "It helps when the body is loose."
Black Bears Nation
Baseball fans from Acadia to Acadiana came out to cheer their respective teams. Maine fans in the stands followed their Black Bears south for support, enjoying the ease and fun a weekend of baseball brings.
"Black Bears Nation has a very good following." Derba noted. "The UMaine network is huge."
"It's our first time to Louisiana," said Jeff and Colleen Mejia, cheering on their son playing left field for Maine.
"We flew down Friday and leave Monday," Emmertz said.
But not all Maine fans were visiting. "I was so excited to meet the guys on the team," said Doris Arseneault, part of Landmark Security's team—and former Mainer—who had infiltrated The Box. "I moved to Louisiana 50 years ago, but of course I'm cheering for Maine!!"
Home Away From Home
One game not enough? Make a weekend out of it and stay for a series! While Baton Rouge has many options for comfortable and upscale accommodations, The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU's campus is a lakeside inn with many amenities for visiting fans, teams, or locals looking to escape.
The expansive hotel has an on-site restaurant with cathedral windows to enjoy a complimentary Southern buffet-style breakfast or just gathering in the evening, outdoor pool, and an on-site gift shop.
The rooms are larger than expected, with suites offering full kitchens and separate bedrooms, along with complimentary wi-fi.
The on-campus location makes all sports venues within a 10-minute drive (20 with traffic) and walkable if fans are so inclined for an easy half-hour hike. Beyond the campus facilities, downtown Baton Rouge and other neighborhoods—with trendy new restaurants that would make New Orleans' Warehouse District envious—are easy drives.
Leaning on the Job: UMaine Gets Box'ed In
"We scheduled this five years ago, before COVID, so we weren't expecting we'd be opening against the best college lineup I've ever seen—they are equivalent to AAA team," Coach Derba said when asked how he perceived the visiting team's showing during this series. "Every mistake is glaring, and LSU doesn't miss the mistake. That's what my team is learning here. The AEC is not this."
"I don't want my players in awe of anyone," Derba cautioned. "We play to win—pitch by pitch. It's important stuff. The team is a reflection of the coach. The players are you. My guys need to see this."
If you are intimidated, you've already lost," Erwin said.
The New Guy
"The demeanor of Coach Johnson is impressive in the way he conducts himself," opposing Coach Nick Derba said of LSU's newest addition. "The team is a direct reflection of him, in a way you'd expect in professional baseball."
LSU Coach Jay Johnson had not previously faced UMaine in his coaching career, including his years in Arizona. Johnson credits "good players and returning players," with standouts infielders Cade Doughty and Arizona transplant Jacob Berry who kept the aluminum bats ringing with hits and home runs, definitively defeating the Black Bears.
In the end, LSU represented by averaging 10,000 fans each day, scoring over 50 runs over the three-day series.
But Johnson well knows the road to Omaha (aka The College World Series) starts at the home field, now Baton Rouge. So he doesn't relax after the decisive series victory—or any outcome. "We need to continuing to move forward," he said. "The day before doesn't have anything to do with the next day. It's all about tomorrow."
Yogi Bera couldn't have said it better himself. Happily, there's a lot of tomorrows in this 2022 season.
