Smith Stadium: Home of Appalachian State Baseball
Smith Stadium, the home of Appalachian State University's baseball team, stands as a testament to continuous improvement and dedication to providing a top-tier experience for both players and fans. From its initial construction to recent renovations, the stadium has evolved into a modern facility that fosters a competitive environment and enhances the overall atmosphere of Mountaineer baseball.
Construction and Development
The construction of Smith Stadium was a phased project, beginning in the fall of 2006 and culminating before the 2009 season.
Phase 1 (Spring 2007): The initial phase focused on establishing the essential elements of the playing field. This included the installation of the Beaver Field playing surface and the construction of team dugouts. Additionally, the Don and Pat Phillips Indoor Hitting and Pitching Facility was completed, providing players with a dedicated space for training and development, regardless of weather conditions. The Mountaineers were able to host 12 games at their new home that season, marking a significant milestone in the program's history. The first contest ever played at the facility was on April 10, 2007, resulting in a 6-1 victory over Gardner-Webb.
Phase 2 (Prior to the 2008 Campaign): The second phase centered on enhancing the fan experience and providing essential team amenities. Permanent seating areas and the Beaver Clubhouse were erected, offering comfortable and convenient spaces for spectators and players alike. The Mountaineers played their entire home slate at the ballpark, posting a 13-11 mark at home.
Phase 3 (Prior to the 2009 Season): The final phase focused on completing the stadium's infrastructure and ensuring a welcoming environment for all attendees. The stadium's entrance, concourse, and concessions/press box facility were completed, providing fans with easy access to amenities and enhancing the overall game-day experience.
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Key Features and Amenities
Smith Stadium boasts a range of features and amenities designed to create a first-class experience for players and fans:
Beaver Field: A state-of-the-art AstroTurf Diamond Series playing surface, installed before the 2020 season, that allows for consistent play the same no matter the weather conditions and for games to be contested following weather that would leave most natural surfaces unplayable. Beaver Field was named in honor of Donald C. Beaver in 2007. A two-time App State graduate, Beaver has served on the App State Board of Trustees, Appalachian State University Foundation Board and Walker College of Business Advisory Council.
Chairback Seating: Prior to the 2015 season, chairback seating was installed for 827 fans in Smith Stadium’s permanent seating areas, which added to the fan experience by eliminating bleachers.
Recent Renovations (Before the 2020 Season): The stadium underwent significant upgrades, solidifying its position as a premier baseball facility. A new AstroTurf Diamond Series playing surface was installed, ensuring consistent playability regardless of weather conditions. New black wall padding was added for player safety, and a fan deck in right-center field was created to provide an enhanced viewing experience. New dugout benches were also added.
Home-Field Advantage
Smith Stadium has proven to be a significant advantage for the Mountaineers, fostering a winning tradition and creating a challenging environment for opposing teams. The team enjoyed a remarkable 19-game home winning streak from March 22, 2009, until March 20, 2010, which was the nation’s longest home winning streak until it was snapped nearly a full year after it began.
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Comparison to Other Stadiums
The quality of Smith Stadium is such that it has been recognized alongside some of the top baseball facilities in the nation. In fact, it joined three SEC stadiums in the Final Four of College Baseball Nation's top baseball field contest. This recognition highlights the commitment of Appalachian State University to providing its baseball program with a first-class home.
Other Athletic Facility Enhancements at App State
Appalachian State University has demonstrated a commitment to upgrading its athletic facilities across various sports.
Kidd Brewer Stadium: The facility opened as Conrad Stadium on Sept. Conrad Stadium opened in honor of former University trustee and R.J. Reynolds executive William J. Conrad Stadium was renamed on Sept. 3, 1988 in honor of Kidd Brewer, one of the most successful head coaches in App State football history. Thanks to philanthropic funding through A Mountaineer Impact, Kidd Brewer Stadium had a new and improved look in 2017 and is now part of the of the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex, The video board display increased to three times the size of the previous board with 2,500 square feet to feature 13HD technology from Daktronics. App State set single-season school and Sun Belt records with an average home crowd of 34,734 in 2023, with the 2024 average of 34,623 falling just short. In 2022, App State set single-season school and Sun Belt records with an average home crowd of 33,566. App State’s impressive crowd support included 31,061 fans at a Wednesday win against Coastal Carolina - the biggest regular season crowd for a college football game on a Tuesday/Wednesday since App State joined the Sun Belt in 2014 - and 28,377 for a Thursday game vs. Marshall. A Thursday season opener vs. ECU in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium was officially an App State home game that drew 36,752 fans, the Kidd Brewer Stadium debut vs. Wake Forest’s visit to Boone in 2017 attracted a then-record crowd of 35,126. With the construction of the $50 million north end zone facility, removal of the track and installation of new turf, The Rock had a new look in 2021, as the end zone facility opened for fans before a November 2020 game against Georgia State.
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