CLEMSON — Erik Bakich heard loud commotions throughout Clemson baseball 's shutout win against Georgia .
Whenever a Bulldogs pitcher threw a ball, Bakich said loud cheers from participants in Doug Kingsmore Stadium 's new standing-room-only section startled him, and he couldn't be more proud of how far the ballpark has come.
"To know that we have an area now that used to be the most opposing team friendly area that you could possibly have with the biggest visiting team bullpen in the history of college baseball to now having that as prime real estate for our students, fans, better amenities and just to be closer to the action, I just think that's cool for the fans," Bakich said April 22.
Bakich has big dreams for Clemson baseball, looking to lead his team to its first College World Series since 2010 and national championship after reaching the NCAA super regionals last season. Yet, his off-the-field vision for the program is greater.
The 6,584-person turnout vs. Georgia fell short of Clemson's record of 6,891, which it set Feb. 28 against South Carolina, but it was a step toward Bakich's ultimate goal. He wants Clemson's home games to average 10,000 fans like some SEC schools after the Tigers set the 2024 ACC record and single-season program record for fans with 5,060 per game last season.
"I don't envision Clemson being just a place where people come in to spectate the game," Bakich said. "I look at them instead of spectators, look at the fans as participants in the action. ... In order to be that participant that wants to spend their money and wants to do something that they see the value of their entertainment dollar, it's got to be entertaining."
Clemson has taken small steps toward this goal, adding new amenities and fan engagement activities at the stadium. Clemson has allowed the sale of alcohol at sporting events , and it has expanded capacity at its ballpark.
Inspired by its exhibition game with the Savannah Bananas in November, Clemson has added stadium entertainment with between-innings events like a military appreciation tradition , stolen-base challenges, tricycle races and a light show during night games.
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In honor of the Masters on April 13, two people competed in a mini-golf competition. With the Bananas coming to Clemson to play in the Tigers' football stadium on April 26, three participants attempted to race on stilts, a signature of one of the Bananas' players.
Children who attend the game can also lead stretch groups between innings with Clemson players, can participate in the national anthem on the field and can run the bases after select games. All of these ballpark additions are to create a better environment for Clemson's baseball team and its fans routinely.
"It was awesome. We brought the cannon out there from the football games," pitcher Lucas Mahlstedt said about the celebration used for the first time vs Georgia after each Clemson score in the 3-0 win. "Both student sections packed. You even saw the area by the visitor's bullpen, which was absolutely packed with fans, and then, obviously, you got all the fans up by Jervey. It was a really special atmosphere."
Bakich eyes greater growth for Clemson. He views Truist Park, where the MLB's Atlanta Braves play, and the Battery Atlanta, a sport, entertainment and retail plaza, as an inspiration for what Clemson baseball can be.
The Braves have in-between inning entertainment like the "Beat the Freeze" race, and the Battery Atlanta consists of shops, restaurants, concert halls and other retail locations that surround the 41,084-capacity ballpark.
Bakich has pointed out the outfield area outside the ballpark is primed for additions that can make Clemson baseball games better. He hasn't figured out the costs, but he wants fans between Atlanta to the Upstate to Charlotte, North Carolina, to visit Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
"We just want that type of environment, where it is so much fun to be at a Clemson baseball game that people are dying to be here, and I think there's a huge opportunity for growth," Bakich said. "What we already have is really good, but I think we can do better."
While passionate about expansion, Bakich recognizes Clemson's play on the field will contribute immensely to these plans. Under Bakich, the Tigers have hosted two NCAA regionals and are on track for another this season . Clemson hosted an NCAA super regional last season but lost in that stage.
"There's, obviously, another level we can get to of on-field success, and with that being said, there's also another level of surrounding-the-field success that we can grow to as well in terms of amenities for the fans and just the fan experience here," Bakich said.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson baseball: Savannah Bananas inspire fun at Tigers' games
