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Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Opened in 1993, Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Robert M. Lindsay Field is home to Tennessee baseball. The facility has undergone renovations in 2010 and 2018 and is in the midst of a nearly $100 million multi-year renovation project to transform it into one of the premier college baseball venues in the country.
The New Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Plans for extensive renovations to Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Robert M. Lindsay Field were announced during the 2022 season. Lindsey Nelson Stadium is set to become one of the premier college baseball venues in the country with improved player development areas, more seating for Vol Nation, wider concourses, more concession stands and restrooms and new luxurious premium sections.
The new home of Vol Baseball will aim to provide a world-class experience for current and future Volunteer student-athletes and fans alike. Tennessee baseball held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the ongoing renovations on Nov. 17, 2023.
Below is an update on what fans can expect to see during each phase of renovations over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
What to expect from Lindsey Nelson Stadium in 2024:
- Construction will progress throughout the entirety of the 2024 season.
- Prior to the start of the season, fans will see:
- 900+ new, permanent seats along left field that replace the 546 temporary seats in this location.
- 120+ new, permanent premium field level seats along the first base line & 130 new, permanent premium field level seats along the third base line. These seats are as close to the action as a fan can be and are a larger, more comfortable seating option.
- Down the left field line 35+ New 4Topp tables will be added in a tiered seating section down the left field line to connect the third base line with the outfield porch area.
- Fans will see temporary concessions & restrooms in the new seating options along the third base line, as this area will remain an active construction zone throughout the season.
- Utility work along Pat Summitt Drive and along fraternity row will continue throughout the 2024 season, to prepare for all future upper-level expansions for the 2025 season.
What to expect from Lindsey Nelson Stadium in 2025:
- Lindsey Nelson Stadium is set to be one of the premier college baseball venues in the country.
- An updated entry way off of Pat Head Summitt for all fans, an additional entry at the Pat Head Summitt & Todd Helton intersection and a dedicated student entry gate along the first base line.
- All existing restroom and concession areas will be renovated along with several new concession concepts introduced around the park. Each will offer multiple options for dining during games. A new bar in left field will be available to all fans.
- Down the first base line, accessed from the concourse and overlooking the home bullpen and field will be new standing-room-only (SRO) tiered platforms. Additional locations around the concourse are planned for SRO viewing as well to help create the most intimidating environment in all of college baseball.
- A new mezzanine level will be added that contains a relocated and expanded press & working staff area.
- On the mezzanine level new seats will be added to the top of the existing seating bowl next to the press box in addition, 2 larger SRO or group areas will be added to each side of the mezzanine level. These areas will have dedicated space for food service and table seating.
- Above the mezzanine level a new club & suite level will open. The suites will include outside seating, and additional drink rail and lounge seating inside. These will have ample counter space for food service and refrigerators and induction warming areas for convenience.
- The club will feature wider seats. The interior of the club welcomes fans with generous seating areas and a dedicated kitchen for fresh food offerings. The new club will be serviced similarly to the new Lower West Club in Neyland Stadium. 2 bars on the club level will ensure short waits for a beverage between innings.
- An expanded MVP Club with a large bar, more dining space, and a new kitchen will serve an increased capacity behind home. This club will also be serviced like the lower west club in Neyland Stadium.
- At the conclusion of all construction for Lindsey Nelson Stadium, fans will have new concourse from the Left Field Porches to the Right Field Student Area. At this time, capacity will grow over 7,750 at the conclusion of the construction project, but as construction continues & concourses & SROs are finalized the goal will be space for over 8,000 in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
More information on the ongoing renovations and ways to Give Your All for Tennessee baseball can be found by clicking HERE.
Previous Renovations
Lindsey Nelson Stadium underwent a major renovation prior to the 2019 season to convert the playing surface from natural grass to field turf. Carolina Green performed the work on Robert M. Lindsay Field. The 126,000 square-foot surface that was installed is a product of FieldTurf, which is the industry leader in artificial turf. The state-of-the-art field turf is the first of its kind and has been designed to feel and play more like a traditional baseball playing surface.
Player's Perspective: Lindsey Nelson Stadium
The new surface provides the ability to host more tournaments that will positively affect commerce by bringing more people to campus and Knoxville. Additionally, the ability to host camps without compromising the playing field will allow the staff to form closer relationships with the baseball community and others around the state of Tennessee. More community service activities and alumni events will now be able to take place on the field as well.
Along with the field conversion, work was also done to the outfield wall, bullpens, batting cages and Tennessee's locker room, increasing its size. More work was completed to enhance player amenities underneath the stadium during the 2022 offseason. Tennessee’s locker room was completely redone, highlighted by the addition of brand new, state-of-the-art lockers for all players. The weight room was also renovated and updated with new flooring and equipment. The program’s video analytics and scouting room was updated as well, doubling in size.
Prior to the start of the 2022 season, the MVP Room located underneath the stadium directly behind home plate underwent a complete renovation that included new floors, furniture, signage, paint and wall graphics to give MVP ticket holders a first-class premium area to visit throughout the game.
In 2006, the University of Tennessee unveiled a plan to transform Lindsey Nelson Stadium into a premier baseball facility that would enable the Vols to compete at a championship level.
The Campaign for Tennessee Baseball was created in a phased approach. Phase I was completed in time for the 2009 baseball season. This phase included $400,000 improvements to the field and expanded seating down the first base line.
A new team locker room, club area, weight room, and training room were also constructed to enhance the facilities used by players to prepare for games. Phase I also included new coach and administrative offices and a plaza above the right field line seating to provide an easy gathering space for fans and additional concessions and restrooms.
Phase II renovations were completed for the 2010 season. This phase included the construction of 370 MVP Field Level seats, which are designed to bring fans closer to the game than ever before while also providing a meaningful contribution to the Campaign for Tennessee Baseball.
Located directly behind home plate, these seats feature chairback seating with cup holders and access to an interior club room where fans can enjoy refreshments prior to and during the game. New batting cages were also constructed along the right field line with a playground above the cages for children to enjoy during the game. This phase also included improvements to the visiting team locker room and a brick facade on the field interior.
Weight Room Photos Indoor Hitting/Pitching Facility Photos Time Lapse of Field Renovations
About Lindsey Nelson
Legendary sports broadcaster Lindsey Nelson (center) is a Ford C. Frick Award winner and spent 17 seasons as the New York Mets' play-by-play announcer.
The University of Tennessee's baseball facility is named in honor of one of the school's most distinguished alums.
The late broadcasting legend Lindsey Nelson, a native of Columbia, Tenn., began his storied association with his alma mater in the late 1930s as an undergraduate.
He served as a student assistant to legendary Tennessee football coach Gen. Robert R. Neyland, started the Vol Radio Network in 1949 and later assumed the post of sports information director in 1951.
Nelson moved to the national network level in the 1950s, announcing college football and professional baseball for the Liberty Broadcasting Network.
The staggering list of sporting events broadcast by Nelson on radio and television includes the World Series, the Davis Cup, the Masters, the National Open, the Rose, Cotton and Sugar Bowls, the NFL Championship Game, the NBA Championships and the NIT Tournament.
His ties to baseball are legendary as he served as the New York Mets' lead broadcaster for 17 seasons and as the voice of the San Francisco Giants for three campaigns.
He was named National Sportscaster of the Year on five occasions, and has been inducted into no less that 12 halls of fame throughout the nation.
Nelson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1988, the New York Mets' Hall of Fame at Shea Stadium, the State of New York Sports Hall of Fame, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in Salisbury, N.C., the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame in New York City, the Mutual Broadcasting Hall of Fame in Nashville, the East Tennessee Hall of Fame for the Performing Arts in Knoxville, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame in Baton Rouge, La.
Ground Rules and Field Information
Ground Rules:
1. The field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is completely enclosed. The only way a ball can leave the field is in the dugout area, over the fence or through the gate.
2. Dugout Limitation: Any ball that rolls over the top and into the dugout is a dead ball. All of the tartan lip is live. If the ball hits any part of the dugout, it is a dead ball.
3. The foul poles, flag pole, light standards and videoboard are all outside the park.
4. The backstop does not have any apparent holes, but the padding has spaces that the ball can lodge in, which would result in a dead ball and book rule applied.
Field Information:
Capacity: 5,548
Surface: Field Turf with Traditional Dirt Mound
Dimensions: L-320, LC-360, C-390, RC-360, R-320
Fence Height: 10.5 feet
First Game: Feb. 23, 1993 - Tennessee 14, East Tennessee State 5
Largest Crowd: 5,086 vs. Oklahoma State, May 28, 1995
Directions to Lindsey Stadium
From McGhee Tyson Airport: Turn north on U.S. Highway 129 leaving airport. After crossing the Tennessee River bridge just outside of Knoxville, exit onto Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow road until Food City Center is visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at stoplight. Follow Chamique Holdsclaw Drive to stadium area.
From I-40 east (from Nashville) and I-75 north (from Chattanooga): Follow I-40 and I-75 to I-40/I-75 junction in west Knoxville. Continue on I-40 east to U.S. Highway 129 south. Follow 129 south to the exit for Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow the road until Food City Center is visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at stoplight. Follow Chamique Holdsclaw Drive to stadium area.
From I-40 west (from Asheville, N.C.): Follow I-40 west to the James White Parkway exit. Follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Food City Center is visible. Turn right onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at stoplight. Follow Chamique Holdsclaw Drive to stadium area.
From I-75 south (from Lexington, Ky.): Follow I-75 south to I-275 south just past Merchants Road. Follow I-275 to I-40 east. Exit I-40 east onto James White Parkway and follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Food City Center is visible. Turn left at stoplight. Follow Chamique Holdsclaw Drive to stadium area.
Campus Maps
