Tartt Field - West Alabama
History
Located along Lake LU in Livingston, AL, Tartt Field is a great example of a mix of a classic baseball field with sparks of modern technology. With a recent move to turf, an updated scoreboard, and a new lighting package, Tartt has gone through an upgrade while not fully shifting, as the seating behind home plate is still old-school bleacher style.
Atmosphere
With West Alabama sitting undefeated during my visit, the fans were locked in on the game. Being seated towards the geographic center of the Gulf South Conference, visiting fans also traveled well, forcing the Tiger faithful to stay engaged in order to keep that home field advantage. Like mentioned above, the seating is all general admission bleacher style, though there were a handful of fans who brought lawn chairs. In left field, there is seating for student organizations, and the students there keep engaged. In right field, there is space for trucks to pull in, leading to some tailgating just on the other side of the fence.
Concessions
Tartt has a small concession stand, featuring ballpark favorites and Coke products. The concession stand is staffed by students, and at any point a different organization may be raising money as they staff the stand under the press box behind the bleachers.
Access
Sitting just off I-20, Tartt Field is relatively easy to get to after getting off the interstate. I-20 connects Birmingham and Jackson, MS, though it's closer to Birmingham for anyone coming out of town. There are limited hotels in Livingston, though Tuscaloosa, AL and Meridian, MS are both an easy drive in either direction of the interstate with more hotel and food options. Once you get to campus, parking is free adjacent to the stadium, and even at a busy game there were plenty of close options.
Final Thoughts
Tartt Field is a nice, simple field with little flashes that show the direction the program is headed. In a historically competitive conference for both facilities and on-field talent, West Alabama is seated to be able to continue to cultivating a winning culture in both departments.
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