SEC Baseball Tournament Looking to Move from Hoover?

[BulldogBlazer]

I'm biased since I live in Hoover but this would be a real shame to see 18 years of SEC Baseball Tournament tradition in Hoover come to an end. Attendance is at/near all time high at 132,000 last year and Hoover (admittedly late) has been making improvements to the Met. Love seeing this town overtaken by MSU Bulldogs every year ... well, most years.

https://www.seccountry.com/sec-news/sec-baseball-tournament-reportedly-looking-for-new-home

 

[dawgstudent]

Kendall Rodgers didn't want to be too hot in NOLA. The main thing they have to figure out is the RV parking.

 

[The Fatboy]

I wouldn't mind if they followed the barrons downtown. They have a beautiful park down there for those who haven't had a chance to see it.

 

[BulldogBlazer]

Regions Field is great, one of the best minor league parks, but I don't think its an option since the SEC tournament falls during the Barons regular season. Hopefully the SEC is doing this as leverage to get Hoover to make major improvements to the Met - that's what happened in 2011 the last time the tournament was bid out.

 

[WayboDawg]

I don't see why the SEC Tournament can't rotate it's site every year. There are plenty of great venues across the south that would make excellent hosts, and you could always keep Hoover in the mix for old times sake. Some good sites off the top of my head are Autozone Park in Memphis, Biloxi's new minor league stadium, Mississippi Braves Stadium, or heck even the new stadium the Atlanta Braves are building.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

I know it would be a shame to folks in the Birmingham/Hoover area to see it move, but nobody except for Birmingham folks really like having it in Birmingham every single year. It's been loads of fun, but people are ready for a change. Personally, I have liked going to Hoover for the tournament, but I'd also like to see it move around.

As long as it's not in Memphis.

 

[missouridawg]

They should rotate this thing to Houston, NOLA, Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta. Screw tradition.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

When Mike Slive was Commissioner, he stated if I recall correctly that he felt it would be best if the SEC had cities that were considered to be home locations for tournaments and championship games. This was at about the time Nashville won the rights to host the great majority of the men's basketball tournaments in the next few years. He specifically mentioned that it was great that Atlanta was seen as the home of the football championship game and Hoover as the site of the baseball tournament.

 

[patdog]

Wow. I'll believe it when I see it. But the facility is falling way behind others in the region and without a minor league team, it's hard to see it ever catching up. As for moving the tournament to Regions Field, the fact it's the Barons home field won't affect it at all. They played the SECT in Hoover for years when the Barons played there. It's easy for the Barons to just have a road trip that week. I think overall attendance is going to take a big hit if the tournament moves though.

 

[RocketDawg]

One thing Birmingham has going for it is it's central location to most of the SEC schools. Nashville might be a good place to move to.

What are they doing with the Hoover stadium now that the Barons have moved out? Is it even going to continue to exist? When the Huntsville Stars left town for Biloxi, there was lots of talk about razing the stadium and building a new one downtown to attract a new team, and perhaps even the SEC tournament one day. Haven't heard anything on that situation recently.

 

[dawgdoug1962]

All stadiums with existing teams playing at the same time of the season will make scheduling impossible....no way around it IMO. Those minor league teams have no concern for the SEC tourney....Memphis Redbirds changing their game schedule would affect every other team that they play....huge domino effect....

I don't see why the SEC Tournament can't rotate it's site every year. There are plenty of great venues across the south that would make excellent hosts, and you could always keep Hoover in the mix for old times sake. Some good sites off the top of my head are Autozone Park in Memphis, Biloxi's new minor league stadium, Mississippi Braves Stadium, or heck even the new stadium the Atlanta Braves are building.

 

[patdog]

Hoover High School plays a lot of their big football games at the Met. Don't think they play every game there, though.

 

[OleMissLogo]

In my opinion, the conference is just calling a bluff by the Met to get the Met to agree to a higher payout to the conference.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

or heck even the new stadium the Atlanta Braves are building.

If it MUST move this gets my vote for purely selfish reasons of proximity.

I've never been to Hoover for the tourney. I get why most of y'all like it there from a distance standpoint. It seems a long haul for UF, USCe, Arky, Vandy, A&M, UK, Mizzou, & even LSU for that matter. Question to those who frequently attend, which teams generally bring the most fans?

 

[esplanade91]

The Sounds' park is fantastic.

 

[BulldogBlazer]

If it MUST move this gets my vote for purely selfish reasons of proximity.

I've never been to Hoover for the tourney. I get why most of y'all like it there from a distance standpoint. It seems a long haul for UF, USCe, Arky, Vandy, A&M, UK, Mizzou, & even LSU for that matter. Question to those who frequently attend, which teams generally bring the most fans?

When State was going deep in the tournament a few years ago, it was almost like being at Dudy Noble. LSU always has a lot of fans and they seem to stick around even if LSU loses early. Vandy, Alabama, and Auburn bring a lot of fans since they are close.

 

[00Dawg]

The problem with Regions is parking. It's nowhere near what is required for the SECT, particularly RV's.
There are locations in the areas that could be purchased and converted, but since they didn't have the foresight to do that ahead of time, I doubt they have the funds now.

 

[patdog]

It seems a long haul for UF, USCe, Arky, Vandy, A&M, UK, Mizzou, & even LSU for that matter.

UF - not gonna bring fans no matter where the tournament is played, so it really doesn't matter how far the tournament is from Gainesville.
USC - not that much further than from Jackson to Hoover. They are the only school in the East that draws for baseball, so Hoover is probably the most convenient site for them
Arky - Everywhere is gonna be a long haul for them other than Fayetteville or Memphis.
UK - see UF
Mizzou - See UK
LSU - only viable venue any closer for them is New Orleans or Houston, but Houston is a very long haul for everyone but A&M and LSU. Their fans will travel no matter where the tournament is held anyway.

 

[Cherokee]

They should rotate this thing to Houston, NOLA, Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta. Screw tradition.

That's glue-sniffing crazy. Tradition matters. Houston don't give a rip. B'ham not perfect but it makes sense.

 

[msudawg12]

Really wish they'd move downtown to regions field as stated above. The Met accomodates large crowds but really isnt that great of a facility anymore

 

[HD6]

Considering....

the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers leave the Staples Center for over a week each year for the Grammys, I think a minor league baseball team can schedule a week long road trip without much headache.

 

[johnson86-1]

the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers leave the Staples Center for over a week each year for the Grammys, I think a minor league baseball team can schedule a week long road trip without much headache.

And the Bulls and Blackhawks go on two-week road trips to accommodate the circus (or at least they did until recently; not sure about now).

The only way the Barrons will be a problem is that if their stadium deal gives them the right to compensation if a stadium conflict forces them on an extended road trip, then it might make it less likely for Hoover to get outbid for the SEC tournament.

 

[KurtRambis4]

The MBraves already do this

They leave for the high school baseball tourney.

 

[patdog]

The only way the Barrons will be a problem is that if their stadium deal gives them the right to compensation if a stadium conflict forces them on an extended road trip, then it might make it less likely for Hoover to get outbid for the SEC tournament.

A week isn't even close to an extended road trip for a minor league team. It's an ordinary road trip. Only problem with Regions bidding for the tournament is they said when they built the stadium they wouldn't bid to take the SECT away from the Met. Not sure if that's binding or not, or if the prospect of seeing it go to New Orleans if Regions didn't put in a bid might change it.

 

[Bane.sixpack]

RV parking is the key here! People come and stay at the Met for the whole week.. I don't think they want this tournament moved into a big city period.. the only other stadiums that come close are New Orleans and the new minor league park out east of Atlanta Coolray Field.. which is the real threat IMO..

That said, it is not leaving Hoover! And shouldn't! It will definitely not move downtown to Birmingham, this is a family event not a craft beer drinking festival!! I don't think Hoover will let it go, they are pumping millions of dollars into some huge sportsplex out by that stadium, they will do the same for this tournament

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/12/hoover_will_build_70_million_s.html

 

[Bane.sixpack]

One thing Birmingham has going for it is it's central location to most of the SEC schools. Nashville might be a good place to move to.

What are they doing with the Hoover stadium now that the Barons have moved out? Is it even going to continue to exist? When the Huntsville Stars left town for Biloxi, there was lots of talk about razing the stadium and building a new one downtown to attract a new team, and perhaps even the SEC tournament one day. Haven't heard anything on that situation recently.

Huntsville messed up by losing that baseball team.. should have been making plans for a downtown stadium years ago!

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

The Spurs have a road trip for almost a month every year, while the San Antonio rodeo is in town. I think they've managed...

The teams don't own the venues, and the venue owners are always looking for extra cash, especially minor league baseball stadiums. Given the option to move some minor league home games (still keeping the same number) and add a well-attended week-long tournament, I'm sure they'd be all over it.

 

[Bane.sixpack]

The problem with Regions is parking. It's nowhere near what is required for the SECT, particularly RV's.
There are locations in the areas that could be purchased and converted, but since they didn't have the foresight to do that ahead of time, I doubt they have the funds now.

Correct! The SECT will never be played at Regions Field

 

[TankOwens]

curious, have you been to a game at Regions Field?

 

[Ishmael]

RV parking is the key here! People come and stay at the Met for the whole week.. I don't think they want this tournament moved into a big city period.. the only other stadiums that come close are New Orleans and the new minor league park out east of Atlanta Coolray Field.. which is the real threat IMO..

That said, it is not leaving Hoover! And shouldn't! It will definitely not move downtown to Birmingham, this is a family event not a craft beer drinking festival!! I don't think Hoover will let it go, they are pumping millions of dollars into some huge sportsplex out by that stadium, they will do the same for this tournament

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/12/hoover_will_build_70_million_s.html

I've never understood why RV parking matters so much in this. Memphis would be a great location at a great downtown ballpark with plenty of parking garages blocks around it. The only drawback I've really heard to Memphis is RV parking would be further away. The fans would still come, just not in RVs parked as close. So what?

 

[Bane.sixpack]

curious, have you been to a game at Regions Field?

About 12

 

[Bane.sixpack]

I've never understood why RV parking matters so much in this. Memphis would be a great location at a great downtown ballpark with plenty of parking garages blocks around it. The only drawback I've really heard to Memphis is RV parking would be further away. The fans would still come, just not in RVs parked as close. So what?

Because so many people come in RVs and stay there.. in addition, Hoover has literally everything needed nearby....restaurants, hotels.. and, it's SAFE!

 

[Apoplectic_Objurgator]

Birmingham Sucks - move it to pensacola

Because so many people come in RVs and stay there.. in addition, Hoover has literally everything needed nearby....restaurants, hotels.. and, it's SAFE!

at least you get some time at the beach instead of the mall when not playing

hell biloxi would be an improvement over bham

 

[Bane.sixpack]

at least you get some time at the beach instead of the mall when not playing

hell biloxi would be an improvement over bham

***** we got craft beer

 

[patdog]

I doubt Pensacola needs the tourism revenue on Memorial Day weekend enough to even submit a bid.

 

[Ishmael]

Because so many people come in RVs and stay there.. in addition, Hoover has literally everything needed nearby....restaurants, hotels.. and, it's SAFE!

That's not actually an answer. It's just a description of what happens.

People with rvs can go to games elsewhere, and ticket sales would be just as good in any number of other cities, even if rv attendees had to walk a little further.

And downtown Memphis around Autozone park also has everything needed nearby - hotels, restaurants, and actual tourist attractions - and despite what people like to generalize about all of Memphis, the area around the ballpark is safe.

 

[Bane.sixpack]

That's not actually an answer. It's just a description of what happens.

Sure Sparky

And in case you haven't noticed, the actual SEC tournament IS the attraction.. that's the great appeal of this thing.. you obviously have never been have you muslim boy

 

[HD6]

Yeah I'm going to ban you for that.

 

[dawgphd]

RV parking is the key here! People come and stay at the Met for the whole week.. I don't think they want this tournament moved into a big city period.. the only other stadiums that come close are New Orleans and the new minor league park out east of Atlanta Coolray Field.. which is the real threat IMO..

That said, it is not leaving Hoover! And shouldn't! It will definitely not move downtown to Birmingham, this is a family event not a craft beer drinking festival!! I don't think Hoover will let it go, they are pumping millions of dollars into some huge sportsplex out by that stadium, they will do the same for this tournament

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/12/hoover_will_build_70_million_s.html

C'mon who wouldn't want to park their RV in downtown Memphis?

 

[fireworks4jeffy]

Autozone Park or Bust.

I'm biased since I live in Hoover but this would be a real shame to see 18 years of SEC Baseball Tournament tradition in Hoover come to an end. Attendance is at/near all time high at 132,000 last year and Hoover (admittedly late) has been making improvements to the Met. Love seeing this town overtaken by MSU Bulldogs every year ... well, most years.

https://www.seccountry.com/sec-news/sec-baseball-tournament-reportedly-looking-for-new-home

The RV's are cool and all, but I don't think it's a deal breaker if a new site can't accommodate them.