Baseball holds the heart of the Mississippi State University family around this time of year — especially this year.
2016 marks the sport’s 50th year at Dudy Noble Field and the first time in school history the Diamond Dawgs earned a national seed in the NCAA tournament.
The national honor and potential for postseason success have Bulldog faithful celebrating.
Dudy Noble Field has seen record attendance topping 15,000 in recent years. Families, students and alumni come from near and far to cheer on their Bulldogs.
Its atmosphere draws fans as much as the baseball does. This is no truer than in that storied spot just beyond its outfield wall.
The stadium’s renowned Left Field Lounge epitomizes the cheer of the Maroon and White faithful, offering the ultimate baseball tailgate.
Despite its name, the Left Field Lounge runs the entire length of the outfield. A boardwalk lines the outfield fence, creating a cheering stage for fans. To this platform, spectators attach lofts, some constructed from tin and some formed with wood, many big enough to hold almost an entire college baseball team. The lofts attach to the wooden platform or may sit atop RVs or pickup trucks.
Many of these lounge areas claim names: Power Alley Dawgs, Diamond Dawgs and Redneck Sky Box are just a few.
Families and friends lounge in the lofts on lawn chairs, built-in wooden benches and even seating resembling former bus benches. Barbecue grills and coolers wait nearby and electric fans blow strong, stirring the air and easing the summertime temps.
The atmosphere of the Left Field Lounge embodies America’s pastime.
Bulldog fans showed up in force, cowbells in hand and decked in Maroon and White, for the weekend series.
True to form, the Left Field Lounge proved as lively as usual.
Steve Taylor, 61, of Starkville, said he grew up attending Mississippi State baseball games in the Left Field Lounge. As a State graduate, he said the tailgating “only gets better with time.”
Taylor works the grill, serving hamburgers and sausages in his lofted lounge. He said three or four generations participate in his tailgate, and of those generations, 23 families are represented.
Starkville attorney Charlie Winfield, 44, leads the tailgate of which Taylor is a part and said they have occupied the same spot in the Left Field Lounge since 1986.
For him, the tailgate is reminiscent of a family reunion.
“You have a chance to reconnect with friends you only see during baseball season,” Winfield said.
Many loyal Left Field Loungers remember tailgating beyond the outfield before State fans created their giant lofts.
Tim Chamblee, 57, of Starkville, said he used to haul a tailgate to Dudy Noble each game, but the sturdier lofts now rest outfield for the entire season.
Both Taylor and Chamblee have held stadium seats for years but prefer the Left Field Lounge for its laid-back, family friendly atmosphere.
“Once you sit up there (he says while pointing toward the stadium) and then you sit down here, you don’t wanna go back,” said Ward 3 Alderman David Little.
Innings pass in MSU’s game against Southeast Missouri State Friday, and the relationship between the Left Field Lounge crowd and the players on the field surfaces.
When MSU outfielders run to their positions, a loyal fan tosses an outfield player a baseball. The players warm up with the ball and throw it back. This same fan and trailer have gone through those motions for years.
With MSU flags waving high above the lounge, spectators huddle against the outfield fence.
As State hits a second home run in the game, cowbells clang loud enough to be heard a mile away.
MSU has been dubbed one of the best places to watch college baseball by Sports Illustrated.
As this special place illustrates, Mississippi State, its fans and Bulldog Baseball continue to “ring true.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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Related Photos
Left Field Lounge patron Steve Taylor tends to the grill Friday. Photo by: Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff
Mississippi State University fans celebrate a home run during the NCAA Regional game played against Southeast Missouri Friday. Photo by: Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff
MSU fan Henry Hamill rings a cowbell Friday. Photo by: Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff
Members of the Over the Hill Gang in the Left Field Lounge watch the NCAA Regional Friday. Photo by: Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff
