SEWELL - THOMAS  STADIUM

" Home of the Crimson Tide "

a.k.a  "The Joe"

N.C. Morgan Construction of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is responsible for the recent additions at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The $4 million expansion project gives the Tide one of the finest home facilities in all of college baseball.

The project, which was completed prior to the 2001 season, involved extending the grandstand down the right-field line. The addition of 2,000 seats raised the stadium capacity to 6,571 seats. The bench seats that filled the upper level of the grandstand were moved to the new addition.

Chairback seats, similar to those in the lower level, were installed in the upper level.

The stadium also received three new ticket booths, five new concession stands and five new restrooms for men and women. Two "hawker" stands were added to allow for concession sales in the grandstand.

Sewell-Thomas Stadium has been the home of Alabama baseball since March 27, 1948 and during its 56-year existence the ballpark has seen numerous changes and improvements. The most noticeable is the addition to the permanent grandstand and the addition of bleachers down the left field line.

An elevator was recently installed to the press box. Artificial turf has been installed behind home plate to reduce wear and tear on the field during batting practice. The field has been graded and sodded with Tifway 94 grass.

A drainage pipe was installed along with a new irrigation system. Green padding was placed along the interior of the grandstand and outfield wall, and the warning track was expanded to 15 feet.

The players and coaches also benefited from this project. Coach Wells moved his team to the first base dugout. The Crimson Tide players, who used to dress in Coleman Coliseum, now have a clubhouse and locker room in the stadium.

The expansion also included three indoor batting cages and pitching machines, a meeting room, training room, equipment room and coaches offices.

Sewell-Thomas Stadium originally opened in 1948 as a 2,000 seat facility, which drew many overflow crowds in the 1950s and 1960s. The original opening day was postponed one day due to heavy rains, but the Crimson Tide managed to open its new ballpark in fine fashion with a 5-2 win over the Bradley Braves in the first game of a doubleheader.

Right-hander Clarence Flack pitched the Tide to victory in the 1948 season opener, while Marvin Blemker notched the save out of the bullpen.

Dick Dill recorded the ballpark's first-ever hit, while Jack Rutledge clouted the first home run at Thomas Field.

The stadium was renamed Sewell-Thomas Field in 1978, honoring former Alabama football and baseball standout and Major League Hall of Famer Joe Sewell.

In 1991, a permanent grandstand was opened and the name of the facility was changed to Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The project cost $2.1 million and was completed by Wesley Construction of Talladega, Ala.