The Left Field Lounge

DAWG61

Redshirt
Feb 26, 2008
10,111
0
0
Seems to me the design that would make everyone happy is a two-tiered deck. The lower deck is for the reserved spots and these are actually big squares that are cubicle like that don't allow walking to and from your neighbors cube because there's a small wall in between and the second tier is a big wide open concourse with community grills and seating behind for general admission Bulldogs that want to freely walk the outfield seating.
 

RocketDawg

All-Conference
Oct 21, 2011
20,496
3,124
113
Elwood, I pretty much agree with you. I'm one of those who was at MSU in the 60s, when the baseball field was essentially a smoothed-down cow pasture with a few seats.

Several years ago on SBW, we went to a game at Dudy Noble. That was my first and last game to attend there, and it was hot as Hades that day. We got GA tickets along the first base line and were in the direct sun. Didn't stay long, and I don't even remember who we were playing. Anyway, I had heard of the LFL but had no real idea what it was, so we decided to venture back that way before heading back to the tailgate and the relative coolness of the shade trees.

I had no idea of LFL etiquette. We just walked up and looked around, even went up to the fence and watched the game for a couple minutes. Nobody gave any challenging looks, but a couple did speak. At any rate, I couldn't believe what I was seeing with the "rigs". To me, most looked like death traps, and at best were the worst looking things I'd ever seen. But people were having fun. It just wasn't for me.

So I certainly can understand your angst at the treatment you received from fellow MSU fans, and especially since you had your child with you. I'm sure every game has fans who have either never been to a game or it's been a long time. Nothing wrong with that, and best I can tell there's no code of conduct other than to be civil, within the law, and not drunk.

But I'm with you ... I won't be sad to see the LFL go. For one, I don't like the so-called exclusiveness of it that you mentioned (but that I didn't openly experience). And another, Mississippi is certainly stereotyped as a centroid of redneck-ism. Why perpetuate that stereotype? There's no reason to.

Can you imagine someone throwing up something similar at Davis Wade? I can't ... thank goodness.
 

57stratdawg

Heisman
Dec 1, 2004
148,782
24,668
113
Right. I don't mind the idea that LFL needs to be more inclusive even though it seems fairly flawed. But, the idea that reducing sq footage by 1/2, seating capacity by 3/4, and increasing the cost 10X is going to make it more welcoming seems off to me.
 

engie

Sophomore
May 29, 2011
10,764
106
63
Right. I don't mind the idea that LFL needs to be more inclusive even though it seems fairly flawed. But, the idea that reducing sq footage by 1/2, seating capacity by 3/4, and increasing the cost 10X is going to make it more welcoming seems off to me.

This is a good point. It's a skybox/club after the reno. Same difference anyway.

People won't need to impose because they'll be able to come enjoy the game themselves. So, IMO, it all works out. I think we see a big spike in student participation/young alumni participation provided the two GA sections are conducive to grilling, drinking, and bringing lawn chairs where you can still see and socialize...
 

jdbulldog

Junior
Oct 27, 2007
2,594
368
83
LOL at this. If I pay for something, Im damn well entitled to it. Problem is there's a growing number of people who think they're entitled to things/areas they didnt pay for and whining they should get it for free on someone else's dime.

Ill gladly be the poster child. LMAO.

Im sure all these posters also wouldnt mind if I take their seat at any sporting event and refuse to get up.

Or maybe park my RV in their front yard.

So you have a deed to this property? Has it been surveyed and are your property corners clearly marked? I think you are on shaky ground as far as the law is concerned. The area in the LFL and one's ticket to a clearly specified seat are two completely different things. Now if you park your RV in my front yard to which I have a legal deed, I imagine we will have a problem.
 

BulldogBlitz

Heisman
Dec 11, 2008
18,605
27,315
113
I would have stopped yelling if you'd have moved. you were in front of my grandma who was in a wheelchair.
 

KurtRambis4

Redshirt
Aug 30, 2006
15,926
0
36
I was always

under the impression that the deck was for people walking back n forth, etc, as well as for people to put their grills.

To me it's absolutely ridiculous to yell at someone that's just walking around on the deck.
 

Xenomorph

Heisman
Feb 15, 2007
16,295
11,066
113
All my energy is now being expended in the effort to not ask about the civics thing.
 

dawgoneyall

Junior
Nov 11, 2007
3,431
210
63
I was going to let this go, but after watching Arizona last night in the College World Series I just can’t help but think about their “amazing experience” in Starkville at the “World Famous Left Field Lounge.” I was also at the Super Regional when Arizona came to town a couple weeks ago and had a completely different experience. And after talking to a number of people, it seems I’m nowhere near the only person who feels the way I feel.

I only get back to campus a couple times a season and I was lucky enough to bring my son for the two games of the Super Regional. We don’t have chairback tickets and I couldn’t imagine roasting in the bleachers with a 7 year old. We decided we would find a place in right field where there’s always room behind the visitor’s bullpen. And that’s what we did. During the game, I decided to walk him through the rigs and see if I could see any old friends. First, the board walk is blocked at numerous points by tables put out by Loungers and makes it hard to navigate, and I know a lot of that has to do with the crowd. As I’m walking, the crowd began to cheer and I hold my son up to see what’s going on. Some jackass looks at me and says, “Hey bud, this area is for the people on this rig.” I politely said I’m sorry and proceeded. I literally walk 3 rigs down and stop again to watch a pitch or two. Some guy, who was grilling, gave me the head-cocked-sideways look of “what the hell are you doing here?”

At this point I’m getting somewhat pissed. Hell, the next rig had a freakin sign that said, “reserved for members of this area only.” We made it around the entire outfield and after being essentially shunned from every area, I came to this conclusion. I’m ready to tear the sumbitch down. Just because you may have a rig out there you pay $200 a year for. Just because you feed an opposing team or broadcasters and billow smoke out of your grill for 3 hours doesn’t make you any more of a fan of Mississippi State baseball than me. The Lounge is essentially a country club you can’t get in to, even though the people out there pride themselves on being the “everyday fan.” Screw you. I’m ready for a way to walk my kids around the field so we can watch the game and not have to look at a ratty old pickup or a self-proclaimed “Redneck Skybox”. You may think it’s cool and others think it provides great fodder for television, but it makes us look as just that, rednecks. It’s kinda like going to the Neshoba County Fair and not having a fair cabin. The locals and cabin owners think it’s cool, but most people realize it’s pretty much hell on earth.

My thoughts are this. I was almost pissed the university was wanting to do something to the Left Field Lounge. But after talking to a few people who tell me what they’re actually going to do rather than listen to a blowhard rig owner tell me his crap, I’m ready for the university to build “their” lounge. One I can walk around the outfield and not think I’m bothering anyone. One that can accommodate more people and actually looks good too. My kids can enjoy the experience and not feel like we’re tied down to our seats.

My message to the rig owners is you can still feel the need to feed opposing fans, players and even the tv guys. But the inclusion will finally be there for Mississippi State fans like me. My suggestion is when they decide to start the outfield, we pile up all those platforms and everyone can bring lighter fluid. I’ll bring the match.

Glad you will be able to enjoy those TWO TIMES per year you attend.
 

57stratdawg

Heisman
Dec 1, 2004
148,782
24,668
113
I think the idea is to get people into the grandstands. That will increases the revenue per ticket, increases the food and bev sales, makes the stadium look full.
 

CochiseCowbell

Heisman
Oct 29, 2012
15,915
15,070
113
if I'm "entitled" so be it. If I'm acting like a dick oh well. Buy a ticket sit in the bleachers or grandstand, I've paid for my season ticket, put my hard earned money, sweat and tears in keeping it safe to sit on so I do have the absolute right to say who can come on my trailer and who can't and so do all the other LFL owners.

This is why I've never been out there. Not because you, or any other LFL'er, are inherent dicks, but because I don't have a connection. I grew up in GA, & after State, still live in GA. We have chair backs. Sure, if hard pressed I know some tentative connections through both sides of family that's been in Starkville & MS for generations. But, far be it for me to impose myself on the work others have put in...not just for that day, but for the season, & multiple seasons.

I can see both sides of this controversial coin. The OP had a bad experience. It happens. A Super was a bad day for him to take a tour, just from sheer volume of people.

We all love the LFL, as DS said, as fans...whether we're out there or not. I won't weigh in on the new stadium debate at all. Here's hoping a middle ground will be found.
 

dickiedawg

All-Conference
Feb 22, 2008
4,608
1,580
113
The takeaway here is LFL sucks on huge sellout type weekends.
Your favorite bar sucks when everyone is crammed in there and the line for the bathroom is 45 minutes, too.
Come back in March and see if your experience isn't 10x better.
 

jamdawg96

Redshirt
Feb 27, 2008
1,523
0
36
My god, the amount of bitching in this thread is nauseating.

It's the Lounge. It's literally the only unique thing we have to hang our hats on. Stereotypes be damned, we get all kinds of good exposure with more games on national TV now. Reckon that might help with recruiting? There have been ******** out there for decades, but if you think the people running those rigs don't earn the right to be a little exclusive on big weekends with all the money and effort to feed and liquor up the thousands of people out there, go 17 yourself. Besides, it's first come, first serve from RCF to the RF foul pole. If you want to pay $10 to get in and set up your own experience, you can do it. Tons of my friends do it. Most of those folks show up when the gates open every damn weekend and are there until long after the game ends. It's tailgating INSIDE of the stadium. Where else can you do that? You just gonna waltz up to the Junction an hour before kickoff and setup your ****? Hell no. Like many people have said, if you want to get in on the party, be nice and strike up a conversation with someone out there. It might not work at the first rig you roll up on, but I guarantee you someone out there will show you a good time if it isn't a Super Regional cluster17.

The new stadium will be great, but the charm of the Lounge will die. I guess all you whiners have something to look forward to.
 

lowbird

Redshirt
Mar 30, 2009
403
0
0
If I see that gay *** Carnegie Hall of baseball sign one more time, I'm gonna shoot my 17n TV with my grandpa's unregistered German pistol!
 

engie

Sophomore
May 29, 2011
10,764
106
63
Besides, it's first come, first serve from RCF to the RF foul pole. If you want to pay $10 to get in and set up your own experience, you can do it.

When was the last time you attempted this?

While it's theoretically true -- there is not a good, average, or decent vantage point to actually watch baseball anywhere on that hill. If you built up the hill 20' and raised the scoreboard plus cut the height on a couple of the RF lounges, maybe...
 

MzTerry

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
97
0
0
When was the last time you attempted this?

While it's theoretically true -- there is not a good, average, or decent vantage point to actually watch baseball anywhere on that hill. If you built up the hill 20' and raised the scoreboard plus cut the height on a couple of the RF lounges, maybe...

jamdawg and I did this for about 10-15 games this year w/ some friends who were local and did it even more than we did - and had an 17n blast doing it. anyone who wanted to join and knew not to (a) throw beer on a player and (b) not yell cuss words loud enough to draw security was more than welcome to post up w/ this. we fed many a stranger this year, and I hope we get the chance to do the same next year.
 

birdawg

Sophomore
Aug 13, 2009
1,002
180
63
So you have a deed to this property? Has it been surveyed and are your property corners clearly marked? I think you are on shaky ground as far as the law is concerned. The area in the LFL and one's ticket to a clearly specified seat are two completely different things. Now if you park your RV in my front yard to which I have a legal deed, I imagine we will have a problem.

Yes. The bill of sale for the lounge spot, plus their ticket would serve as the deed in a Court. It's called evidence of title.

Are you suggesting there's a group that can prove they own the spot more than the rig owner?
 
Jul 29, 2013
211
0
0
More GA seating (berms, standing room) could not come soon enough. The pissed of LFL owners can just get over it. They will still have their spaces in the new stadium but the other 95% of MSU baseball fans will actually have a spot to see the game.
 

Junction John

Redshirt
Oct 22, 2014
3,249
0
0
Do you hate cowbells too? I wouldn't watch anymore games on TV.

I doubt that sign is going anywhere soon. It plays well to a national baseball audience, thus enhances our program's exposure, ergo our coach likes it.

Might as well embrace it.
 

thekimmer

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2012
8,940
3,160
113
It's the Lounge. It's literally the only unique thing we have to hang our hats on. Stereotypes be damned, we get all kinds of good exposure with more games on national TV now. Reckon that might help with recruiting? There have been ******** out there for decades, but if you think the people running those rigs don't earn the right to be a little exclusive on big weekends with all the money and effort to feed and liquor up the thousands of people out there, go 17 yourself. Besides, it's first come, first serve from RCF to the RF foul pole. If you want to pay $10 to get in and set up your own experience, you can do it. Tons of my friends do it. Most of those folks show up when the gates open every damn weekend and are there until long after the game ends. It's tailgating INSIDE of the stadium. Where else can you do that? You just gonna waltz up to the Junction an hour before kickoff and setup your ****? Hell no. Like many people have said, if you want to get in on the party, be nice and strike up a conversation with someone out there. It might not work at the first rig you roll up on, but I guarantee you someone out there will show you a good time if it isn't a Super Regional cluster17.

The new stadium will be great, but the charm of the Lounge will die. I guess all you whiners have something to look forward to.


Very good analogy. The LFL is tailgating inside the stadium and you are absolutely correct nobody should ever, ever assume that they have the right to anybodies stuff in LFL anymore than they would in the junction before a football game. There is a twist here though that makes it a bit different and that difference was at the heart of the original issue. The issue as I saw it was more about somebody getting the stink-eye for pausing on what they assumed was a public walk-way to watch the ballgame. In the junction there are 1000s walking 6 inches outside every tailgate with many even standing nearby for extended periods to watch games at those with TVs. The difference is in the junction the tailgate is completely focused internally so nobody cares about what's happening nearby. In LFL there is the external focus on an ongoing ballgame and the entitlement of the lounger to that 'view' is what the true debate is, or at least should be about.

In any case, I thought that was why those rigs were built so high so that passersby weren't an issue.
 
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thekimmer

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2012
8,940
3,160
113
I wonder if LSU fans get as tired of hearing about LFL as we did about that d*** possum and mullet-boy's mama?
 

hullabaloodog

Redshirt
Jul 10, 2008
1,238
0
0
Fair point. There is a designated walkway in RF that runs down the middle of the deck and getting the stink-eye for stopping to watch a minute of the game there is a little ridiculous. Because of this walkway, the facility manager told us that people with rigs can either pick the fence side or the rig side of the walkway to setup their grill, etc. Not sure what the case is in LF.
 

jdbulldog

Junior
Oct 27, 2007
2,594
368
83
Yes. The bill of sale for the lounge spot, plus their ticket would serve as the deed in a Court. It's called evidence of title.

Are you suggesting there's a group that can prove they own the spot more than the rig owner?

No I am not suggesting that.
 

dawgoneyall

Junior
Nov 11, 2007
3,431
210
63
I was going to let this go, but after watching Arizona last night in the College World Series I just can’t help but think about their “amazing experience” in Starkville at the “World Famous Left Field Lounge.” I was also at the Super Regional when Arizona came to town a couple weeks ago and had a completely different experience. And after talking to a number of people, it seems I’m nowhere near the only person who feels the way I feel.

I only get back to campus a couple times a season and I was lucky enough to bring my son for the two games of the Super Regional. We don’t have chairback tickets and I couldn’t imagine roasting in the bleachers with a 7 year old. We decided we would find a place in right field where there’s always room behind the visitor’s bullpen. And that’s what we did. During the game, I decided to walk him through the rigs and see if I could see any old friends. First, the board walk is blocked at numerous points by tables put out by Loungers and makes it hard to navigate, and I know a lot of that has to do with the crowd. As I’m walking, the crowd began to cheer and I hold my son up to see what’s going on. Some jackass looks at me and says, “Hey bud, this area is for the people on this rig.” I politely said I’m sorry and proceeded. I literally walk 3 rigs down and stop again to watch a pitch or two. Some guy, who was grilling, gave me the head-cocked-sideways look of “what the hell are you doing here?”

At this point I’m getting somewhat pissed. Hell, the next rig had a freakin sign that said, “reserved for members of this area only.” We made it around the entire outfield and after being essentially shunned from every area, I came to this conclusion. I’m ready to tear the sumbitch down. Just because you may have a rig out there you pay $200 a year for. Just because you feed an opposing team or broadcasters and billow smoke out of your grill for 3 hours doesn’t make you any more of a fan of Mississippi State baseball than me. The Lounge is essentially a country club you can’t get in to, even though the people out there pride themselves on being the “everyday fan.” Screw you. I’m ready for a way to walk my kids around the field so we can watch the game and not have to look at a ratty old pickup or a self-proclaimed “Redneck Skybox”. You may think it’s cool and others think it provides great fodder for television, but it makes us look as just that, rednecks. It’s kinda like going to the Neshoba County Fair and not having a fair cabin. The locals and cabin owners think it’s cool, but most people realize it’s pretty much hell on earth.

My thoughts are this. I was almost pissed the university was wanting to do something to the Left Field Lounge. But after talking to a few people who tell me what they’re actually going to do rather than listen to a blowhard rig owner tell me his crap, I’m ready for the university to build “their” lounge. One I can walk around the outfield and not think I’m bothering anyone. One that can accommodate more people and actually looks good too. My kids can enjoy the experience and not feel like we’re tied down to our seats.

My message to the rig owners is you can still feel the need to feed opposing fans, players and even the tv guys. But the inclusion will finally be there for Mississippi State fans like me. My suggestion is when they decide to start the outfield, we pile up all those platforms and everyone can bring lighter fluid. I’ll bring the match.

Best i can get from all the post is "I don't have a place in the LFL so you can't either".
Prick attitude.
 

dickiedawg

All-Conference
Feb 22, 2008
4,608
1,580
113
If I see that gay *** Carnegie Hall of baseball sign one more time, I'm gonna shoot my 17n TV with my grandpa's unregistered German pistol!
Assuming they'll replace the back of the scoreboard with a nice 2016 SEC Champions picture, replacing the tournament champion picture that's there now
 

KurtRambis4

Redshirt
Aug 30, 2006
15,926
0
36
The deck is not

the LFL "property." All they're paying for is their spot for their rig. Now the school lets them, graciously, put tables and grills on the deck, but that's not what it's there for. The deck is there for GA fans, or whoever, to walk around. Which is why it's ridiculous this guy got cussed out by some jackass that thinks they're more important than they really are.
 

HotMop

All-American
May 8, 2006
8,743
7,528
113
I've always wondered about the deck. How is it that the people that own the lounges are allowed to block the deck and/or put up signs stating for 'invited guests only'? The university paid for the deck, my first thought was that it was built to allow those without a lounge to be able to view the game from the outfield. Apparently I was wrong as this is now exclusive property.
 

KurtRambis4

Redshirt
Aug 30, 2006
15,926
0
36
You weren't wrong.

The deck was built for people to walk around. Unfortunately, certain ******** have claimed it as their own.
 

Jacknut1

Redshirt
May 23, 2010
333
0
0
The deck was built for people to walk around. Unfortunately, certain ******** have claimed it as their own.

It was. And i hate the guy had a bad experience. I don't personally have a rig, but I have a close friend who does so i have access when I go to games. It just like anything else. You're gonna have some bad apples in every batch, especially when it's super crowded and hot like that.

Another thing is the "walkway" is pretty narrow and when the games are crowded, the spillover of people from our rig basically fills up the area of the walkway between the rig and the grill. You're certainly welcome to walk through and stop and chat if you want.
 

EminenceBunt

Redshirt
Mar 28, 2016
164
38
28
To start, I am a "member" of a rig in the outfield, so my opinion may be one sided, but here is an analogy for non riggers, see if you can follow along.

Imagine being a member of a private deer camp. To be a member, you obviously must pay a certain amount of money annually to enjoy the benifits of said deer camp. Within this deer camp, you have your own field with your own stand that you have either bought or built. During the offseason you spend time and money to repair the stand as well as growing a food plot. September rolls around and your plots are looking good, so you put out a trail cam to see what is lurking around your area. After reviewing multiple pictures of possums, coons and does, you come across a picture of a monster buck. You hunt your stand all October and November with hopes of bagging the monster buck. One weekend in early December, you are unable to make it to camp, unfortunate because it is during the rut(regional/super regional/SBW). During this weekend, fellow member Billy Bob brings his friend(non-member) to the camp. Said friend hunts your stand, without asking, and kills your monster buck. All your hard work and persistence is ruined because some rando thinks he is allowed to do whatever the 17 he wants without asking. Billy Bob's friend could easily hunt public land(GA bleachers), but hunts your spot instead.

When I am out there every single game rain or shine, from start to finish, and I walk out to my spot during the regional and it is filled with random people, I am rightfully pissed. It is an exclusive area, that's why people pay to be out there rather than in the bleachers. It sucks if you don't have an in and are unable to sit in the Lounge, but newsflash, that's how life works. The saying goes, "you reap what you sow", not "you reap what others sow". That's life and unfortunately our society as a whole has slowly changed to a society of self entitled takers. If you ask to hunt my deer stand, I'll say sure, just don't kill any big bucks(aka don't stand on the fence blocking other members views), but if you don't ask to hunt my stand, and kill my big buck, 17 YOU!
 

woozman

All-Conference
Nov 13, 2004
3,463
2,697
113
Yep, and that's why a lot of the current LFL people won't be there when the new stadium is built. Kinda like how I'm sitting on the lower level 50-yard line for FB games after the stadium re-seating and and the family that had it for 50-yrs is in the upper deck...
 

BoomBoom.sixpack

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
810
0
0
The deck was built for people to walk around. Unfortunately, certain ******** have claimed it as their own.

Putting that deck in made things worse, and no one in the Lounges asked for it. Before that you couldnt see much without being in a Lounge. Putting it in led to people trying to watch the whole game without having a Lounge to watch it from.
 

11thEagleFan

All-Conference
Sep 6, 2015
3,018
1,994
113
Seems to me that a better analogy would be someone paying for premium chairback seats, but thinking that because they pay a lot of money for that seat, that they can lay claim to the aisle too. For what it's worth, my only experience in LFL was in 2008, when I was dating a girl at MSU. We had a blast out there, and everyone was friendly. A few ******** can give anyone a bad rep. And if you seriously gave a fellow MSU alum hell for trying to show his kid one of MSU's biggest traditions, you are truly an *******.
 
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