CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Opposing coaches aren’t exactly thrilled with Clemson baseball’s latest home-field tweak.
Their issue? The bullpen.
Heading into last year’s season, the Tigers made a few interesting changes at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
They moved the visiting bullpen about 50 feet closer to the left-field foul line and replaced the old one with a standing-room-only beer garden that now wraps around it.
Add in the start of alcohol sales at Clemson athletic events during the middle of last baseball season, and it’s suddenly one of the most uncomfortable places in college baseball to warm up.
West Virginia Baseball Head Coach Steve Sabins didn’t hold back when asked about the setup after the regional round of last season’s NCAA Tournament.
“The bullpen thing’s bogus at Clemson,” Sabins said. “They’ve got it so close to the crowd that you’ve got drunk frat guys… you can get so close that as pitchers are warming up, someone could actually grab a pitcher’s arm.”
Sabins said he’s all for a lively atmosphere, but he also has concerns. He added that pitchers might adjust their mechanics if they feel uncomfortable and suggested a rule might be needed to help control the area.
No such rule exists yet.
Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff said in August that the school needs to better manage the new beer garden and bullpen area, but he made one thing clear—it’s not moving. Fans can expect a few tweaks to the setup in 2026, but the rowdy environment is here to stay.
And that’s exactly what Clemson Head Coach Erik Bakich was aiming for.
“I think we’re hovering over the target when so many opposing coaches are *****ing (complaining) about it,” Bakich said on Oct. 21. “We’re right over the sweet spot.”
Bakich did note that Clemson may look to extend the drink rail in that section. That small change would help keep a little more distance between fans and opposing pitchers so there’s no possibility of a fan making contact with an opposing pitcher.
“Are we hovering over the target that we’ve created a competitive environment that is hostile and gives us an advantage? Hell yes, and I’m all for it,” Bakich added.
Simple changes. Big reactions.
Doug Kingsmore Stadium is and will continue to be one of the toughest and loudest places to play in college baseball. One simple change at a time.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, download our apps.
Copyright 2025 WHNS. All rights reserved.