Stanky Field - University of South Alabama

Sec Box18, Row A, Seat 2

History

Mobile has a rich history when it comes to baseball - Satchel Paige and Hank Aaron were both born in the city. But another name associated with Mobile and baseball is Eddie Stanky, the long-time head coach of the South Alabama Jaguars. Stanky Field opened in 1980, and even over four decades later, the stadium stands the test of time. With a turf field and upgraded facilities, Stanky Field honors its heritage while also offering some of the best amenities in the Sun Belt Conference.

Atmosphere

South Alabama has a few highlights that make the atmosphere come alive, even for a midweek game with a late start when Women's Basketball was also playing on campus. In the outfield, right field has stands that seem to be where the students set up. There were multiple on campus organizations highlighted the night I was there, and that seemed to be where they hung out. In left field, though, is Kit's Korner. This section is reserved for only former Jaguar players, making it a unique standout of the field.

Concessions

South Alabama has two concession stands, one on each base line, and features mostly your normal fare. A couple highlights are the Conecuh dog, and a few beers and seltzers from local breweries. I recommend the Pink Delicious Hard Seltzer from Fairhope Brewing Company if it's in the rotation while you're there.

Access

Admittedly, getting to campus leaves a little to be desired. Mobile traffic can be brutal, and no matter what direction you're coming from, you've got a decent drive between getting off the interstate and getting to campus. Once you get to campus, there's street parking close to the stadium and a large parking lot just a short distance away. Just leave yourself plenty of time to get there with traffic, and you should be fine.

Final Thoughts

I will always have a special place in my heart for Sun Belt Conference stadiums, as an alum of one. Outside of that, the detail of having a reserved section for former players and a ring of honor honoring past teams (the tile at the bottom being a baseball, no less) makes this stadium a nice mix of history and looking forward to the future.