Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/115608
2013 FURMAN UNIVERSITY p BASEBALL Fluor Field FLUOR FIELD AT THE WEST END I n addition to Latham Stadium, its on-campus home, the Furman Paladins also play several home games each year at Greenville's spectacular Fluor Field at the West End, one of the country's premier minor league ballparks. Furman will play nine regular season games at Fluor Field this spring, including early season contests against Michgian State, Northwestern, Miami (Ohio), and Cincinnati in the annual First Pitch Invitational. In addition, the Paladins will entertain South Carolina and Clemson, and also face USC Upstate and Davidson in the facility this season. Furman served as co-host of the 2010 and 2012 Southern Conference Baseball Tournaments at Fluor Field — experiences that earned rave reviews from fans and league officials, who decided the annual event should return to Greenville's West End again this year. The Paladins played the first collegiate game in Fluor Field history on May 16, 2006, when they took on South Carolina in front of 6,155 fans — the largest crowd at the time to ever witness a Furman home baseball contest. Opened in 2006 and located at the corner of South Main and Markley Street in Greenville's vibrant downtown, the intimate, 5,700-seat facility was named 2006 Ballpark of the Year by Ballparks.com. It serves as home of the Greenville Drive, the Single A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The popular facility also plays host to numerous civic functions and concerts, including a 2006 performance by Grammy Award winning artist Edwin McCain. Modeled after Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, West End Field boasts its own "Green Monster," a 30-foot high wall in left field equipped with a manual scoreboard. Dimensions all around the outfield wall are the same as Fenway Park, including "Pesky's Pole" in right field. A 15x20 video screen in located in right field. Stadium features are numerous and include the Coca Cola Dugout, Upper Deck, Picnic Pavilion, and popular 500 Club that pays homage to all major leaguers who have hit 500 or more home runs in their careers. An extra-wide concourse and three concession stands at the back of the grandstand add to the overall fan-friendly experience, as does a sponsored children's play area and grassy knoll in the left field corner. The exterior of the ballpark, echoing Greenville's textile past and rich baseball tradition, includes over 500,000 bricks reclaimed from former mills. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson grew up in Greenville and played for Brandon Mill, one of the city's many textile teams before turning pro. His home, which recently opened as a museum, is located just across the street from Fluor Field. 4