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CBProf®

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114 - Beautiful Doug Kingsmore Stadium Address: 114 Baseball Dr

May 9, 2024, 12:01 AM

For decades, Clemon baseball played its home games at Historic Riggs Field. That changed in 1970 when Clemson baseball began playing its home games at “Beautiful Tiger Field,” which was designed specifically for baseball. The field was renamed in 2003 to Doug Kingsmore Stadium (aka DKS or “Beautiful DKS”).

It has been quite a ride ever since!!
(But, as a friendly suggestion, if you show up for a game at Beautiful DKS this season, be sure to bring your heart medication with you.)

Background:

According to ClemsonTigers.com:

Doug Kingsmore Stadium has over 4,500 permanent seats, but is capable of holding 6,272 fans thanks to a hill area down the left-field line that is popular with the Clemson student-body. The stadium attendance record was set on March 6, 2022, when 6,636 fans saw Clemson defeat South Carolina 5-2 and finish the series sweep.

This outstanding fan support from the Clemson community and upstate of South Carolina has contributed to the Tigers’ outstanding home-field record. Clemson has played at Doug Kingsmore Stadium for 54 years and has a winning percentage of 78 percent (1293-373). That includes a 432-154 record (.737) in ACC regular-season contests. The Tigers have had a winning record in all 54 seasons at Doug Kingsmore Stadium as well.

https://clemsontigers.com/sports/baseball/facilities/doug-kingsmore-stadium/

Upgrades:

Doug Kingsmore Stadium has seen steady improvement since its first season in 1970 and is now one of the top facilities in the country. Evidence of its high rating among facilities across the nation has been demonstrated in recent years, when Doug Kingsmore Stadium was named as a site for a regional and/or a super regional in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023.
…
Before the 2010 season, the Thomas F. Chapman Grandstands were built behind the left-field fence, adding 1,000 seats. Chapman, who was a two-time All-ACC pitcher at Clemson (1963-65), gave $2 million to Clemson University, $1 million of which went to the grandstands.

Before the 2013 season, chairback seats were added in the main grandstand, replacing the bleacher seats. The videoboard was upgraded as well. After the 2013 season, the playing surfaced was re-leveled and an upgraded drainage system was installed that can handle multiple inches of rain per hour without pooling of water. Home plate was moved out 10 feet, creating more space behind home plate and shorter distances to the outfield fence.

In 2015, the stadium continued with upgrades, including a new three-story building behind the first-base dugout. It houses a state-of-the-art clubhouse, coaches offices and a player lounge among other amenities. Premium seating was also added behind home plate. In 2016, a berm was created behind the third-base stands and is a favorite among young Tiger fans.

https://clemsontigers.com/sports/baseball/facilities/doug-kingsmore-stadium/#:~:text=Clemson%20has%20played%20at%20Doug,in%20ACC%20regular%2Dseason%20contests.

Player Facilities:

According to ClemsonTigers.com:

Prior to the 2015 season, an entire practice facility was built behind the batting cages. This $9 million addition consists of 20,000 square feet in order to better accommodate the players and provide them with the equipment necessary to properly train and recover.

It consists of many state-of-the-art features that help improve the overall experience of coaches, players, staff, and any potential recruits.

https://clemsontigers.com/sports/baseball/facilities/doug-kingsmore-stadium/

Inside the clubhouse:
Each of these quotes is taken from:
https://clemsontigers.com/sports/baseball/facilities/player-facility/

- Lobby of Legacy:

Upon entering the player facility, you are greeted by the “Lobby of Legacy”. This includes a number of interactive displays for fans to observe and acknowledge the rich heritage of the storied program. It also consists of infographics on All-Americans, major leaguers, national players-of-the-year, conference trophies, College World participant trophies and Gold Glove awards.

Lobby of Legacy:

- Players’ Lounge:

Beyond the lobby is a player’s lounge, complete with an area for student-athletes and other staff to have the opportunity to relax, study, or indulge in a game of Ping Pong.

Amenities include:
- Five flat-screen TVs
- Modern & Comfortable Furniture
- Kitchen
- Ping Pong Tables

Player’s Lounge:

For additional facilities, including Locker Rooms, Coaches’ Office, and Training and Equipment Room, see:
https://clemsontigers.com/sports/baseball/facilities/player-facility/

Success:

According to Wikipedia:

“The Tigers have won 15 conference championships, and have played in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship 36 times, advancing to the College World Series on 12 occasions. With 2,566 wins over 114 seasons of baseball, Clemson ranks 17th all-time in win–loss records and 8th in victories in the NCAA.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Clemson_Tigers_baseball_seasons#:~:text=With%202%2C566%20wins%20over%20114,in%20victories%20in%20the%20NCAA.

Also according to Wikipedia:

“The program has reached the NCAA tournament in all but three seasons dating back to 1987. Clemson has made 12 appearances in the College World Series with an all-time record of 12–24 in Omaha.

The team has a heated in-state rivalry with the University of South Carolina. Mark Etheridge of SEBaseball.com has called it "college baseball's most heated rivalry," and Aaron Fitt of Baseball America has called it "far and away the most compelling rivalry college baseball has to offer." As of March 3, 2024, The Clemson Tigers lead the all-time series 188-145-2.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clemson_Tigers_baseball#:~:text=Clemson%20has%20made%2012%20appearances,of%2012%E2%80%9324%20in%20Omaha.

As for that record attendance mentioned above, according to The Tiger:

Clemson’s Doug Kingsmore Stadium set a new attendance record on Sunday, hosting 6,636 spectators in Clemson baseball’s victory over rival South Carolina.

The previous record, which was 6,524 spectators, was set in 2016’s home game against South Carolina on March 6, the same day as Sunday’s game.
…
The crowd was not the only positive note for Clemson this weekend, as the team swept South Carolina in the three-game series.

https://thetigercu.com/8265/sports/new-attendance-record-set-at-doug-kingsmore-stadium/

Nice!!!

Beautiful DKS has also been the home field for a slew of All Americans, including three National Player of the Year winners:
- P Kris Benson: 1996
- SS Khalil Greene: 2002
- OF Seth Beer: 2016

Streaks:

Clemson was No. 12 in the nation and No. 1 in the ACC in average attendance (4,509) in 2023. It marked the Tigers’ 30th straight top-20 finish in the nation.

The school record for consecutive victories at Doug Kingsmore Stadium (26) was set over the 1990 and 1991 seasons. Clemson won its last home game in 1990, then won its first 25 home games in 1991.

https://clemsontigers.com/sports/baseball/facilities/doug-kingsmore-stadium/#:~:text=Clemson%20has%20played%20at%20Doug,in%20ACC%20regular%2Dseason%20contests.

Also, Nice! And, I vote that the Tigers start a new one of these extended winning streaks over multiple seasons!

Of Note: In 2016, D1 Baseball voted BDKS in the Top 10 nationally and #1 in the ACC. According to Tigernet:

Doug Kingsmore Stadium was voted as the No. 6 ballpark in the nation and No. 1 ballpark in the ACC by D1Baseball on Tuesday. The ratings were based on a survey of coaches and sports information directors at schools across the country.
Some of the comments from voters included:

• “Great atmosphere and really took a step forward with the new player facility addition.”

• “College town, the cooker is smoking in right field, great surface, great fans.”

• “All-around great.”

• Great playing surface.”

• “With the new renovations, it is now in the conversation of the best park in the country.”

https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-baseball/news/doug-kingsmore-stadium-voted-1-acc-ballpark-24222

The stadium is named after Doug Kingsmore. Kingsmore was a former baseball player and, subsequently, a member of the Clemson Board of Trustees. According to Clemson News:

“A former baseball star, Kingsmore played at Clemson from 1952-54 as an outfielder, becoming the first Tiger in history to hit 10 home runs in a season. In his third season, Kingsmore was a co-captain who led the ACC in multiple categories, including home runs and runs (25) scored that year, batting average (.371), RBIs (27) and slugging percentage (.742), earning first-team All-ACC honors and leading Clemson to its first-ever ACC Championship in any sport. Following his collegiate career, Kingsmore played three years of professional baseball for the Baltimore Orioles organization before transitioning to a successful business career.

Following a $1 million donation to the athletics department in 2002, and in recognition of his significant contributions to the baseball program both on and off the field, Clemson’s baseball stadium, formerly known as Tiger Field, was renamed to Doug Kingsmore Stadium.”

https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-university-mourns-the-passing-of-trustee-emeritus-doug-kingsmore/