NATIONAL FIELD OF THE YEAR

2008 // 2014 // 2019

Scenically nestled in Midtown Atlanta, Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium provides a brilliant backdrop for Georgia Tech baseball and offers one of college baseball’s best atmospheres.

Georgia Tech has had an on-campus baseball field for nearly a century. The original venue was constructed in 1930 and funded by $76,000 in proceeds from Tech’s participating in the 1929 Rose Bowl and was called Rose Bowl Field. In the 1980s, the baseball stadium was named in recognition of A. Russell Chandler III, IE 1967, whose philanthropy made much-needed renovations possible.

Recently, the home of Georgia Tech baseball underwent $14.2 million in renovations, which transformed the newly named Mac Nease Baseball Park into a state-of-the-art, year-round facility.

Phase I of the latest renovation project was a $4.5 initiative that was completed in 2015 and highlighted by the construction of a new locker room for Georgia Tech baseball. At 2,000 square feet, the Mark Teixeira Locker Room is double the size of the Yellow Jackets’ previous locker room and named in honor of the Tech baseball letterwinner, alumnus, philanthropist and three-time MLB All-Star. Phase I of renovations also included upgrades to the Jackets’ lounge area, athletic training room and study room.

Phase II of renovations, a $9.7 million project was completed in just eight months ahead of the 2021 season. It was highlighted by the construction of Champions Hall, a 25,379-square-foot, two-story structure that includes:

• a concourse-level atrium that serves as an iconic point of entry to the stadium on gamedays and highlights the history of Georgia Tech baseball. On non-gamedays, the atrium is converted into a teaching auditorium for Tech baseball and a venue for third-party rentals;
• premium seating areas, including the inside Champions Hall and atop the building on the Mark Teixeira Skyline Terrace, which features iconic views of the playing field and the Atlanta skyline;
• upgraded fan amenities along the third-base concourse, including new restroom facilities, concession stand and an outdoor plaza;
• a new, expanded indoor training facility that features three batting cages, two pitching tunnels and a state-of-the-art player development center, which blends technology and analysis using a pitching lab, hitting area and video room. The facility is adjacent to the Yellow Jackets’ dugout and heated/air-conditioned for year-round use.

Following the latest round of renovations, the entire facility was named in honor of Tech baseball letterwinner Lawton M. “Mac” Nease III, IM 1965. Nease and his wife, Brenda, directed significant philanthropy toward the facility’s latest renovations and expansion.

Mac Nease Baseball Park is the only college baseball facility in the country to be been named “Field of the Year” by the Sports Turf Managers Association three times (2008, 2014 and 2019). It is the only baseball stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference to have ever earned the honor.

At a current capacity of 3,718, the stadium more than doubled in size following renovations in 2002. It features approximately 1,100 chairback seats behind the home plate area in addition to more than 2,500 bleacher seats. In addition to Champions Hall and the Mark Teixeira Skyline Terrace, premium seating areas also include five luxury suites.

Above the grandstand is the press level, which includes ample space for the writers and broadcasters who cover Tech baseball on the local, regional and national level. The main press box has seating for more than 30, while three auxiliary booths can accommodate television and radio crews.