Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/79115
2012 FURMAN PALADINS p FOOTBALL FLUOR FIELD AT THE WEST END I n addition to Latham Stadium, its on-campus home, the Furman Paladins annually play several home games at Greenville's spectacular Fluor Field at the West End, one of the country's premier minor league ballparks. Furman played nine games at Fluor Field in 2012, including early season contests against Michigan State and Miami of Ohio in the an- nual First Pitch Invitational, as well as clashes with 2010 & '11 national champion South Carolina and Clemson. In addition, the Paladins played four Southern Conference Tournament games at Fluor Field in late May, among which were wins over Western Carolina and SoCon regular season champion Appalachian State. Furman served as host of the 2009 Southern Conference Baseball Tournament at Fluor Field — an experience that earned rave reviews from fans and league officials, who decided the annual event should return to Greenville's West End in 2012 and in 2013. The Paladins played the first collegiate game in Fluor Field history on May 16, 2006, when they faced 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 is 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. Fluor Field At The West End 75