College baseball, MSU style

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Henry Pilkington and his buddies were perched on top of an ugly, broken-down, faded yellow van outside the left field fence watching their beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs play Clemson on Friday.

And they weren't alone.

The entire outfield fence at Dudy Noble Field looks like the infield at a NASCAR race where fans erect all manner of homemade contraptions on top of RVs and trucks in order to view the game in style — Starkville Style.

Indeed, this venue is unique in college baseball where thousands of devoted fans haul dilapidated vehicles into place behind the fence and construct viewing platforms on top to watch the action.

It's probably part of the reason Clemson fans were upset about having to come here to play in the NCAA Super Regional.

To give you some perspective, Mississippi State's baseball stadium officially seats 7,200 fans. But the attendance for Friday's opening game was 12,620 — the largest in the history (since 1999) of super regionals.

"This is called the Left Field Lounge," said Pilkington, who was hosting more than 20 friends Friday afternoon. "The history of it is that when the park was smaller, people used to pull their trucks up to the outfield and watch the game for free.

"But as the ballpark grew, they put up a fence and now we all have designated spots. It's been going on for about 25 years and is quite a sight to see."

Sports Illustrated has dubbed MSU the best place to watch college baseball and this tailgating-cowbell-football-atmosphere is the reason why.

Head Start Van

The Left Field Lounge started along the left field fence and quickly spread to cover the entire distance around the outfield. And like most things that form in the fertile minds of fanatic fans, this concept would soon turn into a revenue stream for school officials who needed to get a handle on the impromptu party.

But, considering it's one of the best seats in the house, it's pretty affordable.

"We pay $150 a year," Pilkington said. "So it's a great deal."

There are, however, some rules.

Each vehicle must be brought in on "Move-In Day" in February when they are ceremoniously hauled through town in a gaudy, Mardi-gras style parade and deposited in their respective spots where they must remain until the season ends.

This year, with the Bulldogs trying to earn a spot in the College World Series, the party has been extended into June.

Officially, alcoholic beverages are not sold or allowed inside a college baseball stadium. But, unofficially, I was offered several cold beers as I toured the outfield complex.

Things are kind of loose out behind the fence.

When asked exactly what kind of vehicle he had under the platform, Pilkington, a beer wholesaler, said, "This is a 1970-something Head Start van."

The old yellow van had obviously seen better days. A tow bar on the front bumper was proof of its retirement.

So, Has it ever run?

"Not since I've had it," Pilkington said.

Baseball tailgate

Farther down the outfield fence we met Mike Moseby, a real estate developer, who was grilling steaks, much to the delight of his guests who sat atop an old Ford truck that had seen better days.

"This is just an old pickup truck we converted into a rig and we can hold up to about 50 people," said Moseby who said he comes to every home baseball game. "We have a lot of fun out here."

It wasn't so much fun for the Clemson Tigers, however. They lost the first game of this best-of-three series, 8-6.

"The fans here are very into it," Clemson coach Jack Leggett said after the loss. "They're good baseball fans. They're good fans to play in front of."

But were they intimidating?

"It's a good college baseball atmosphere," Leggett said. "I think it spurs them on, but it didn't affect us."

Phil Silva and his group of rowdy Bulldog fans out in right field might disagree. They were hanging all over an old silver step-van that did not arrive under its own power.

"This is a unique spot in college baseball," said Silva, who has served as the Bulldogs' football manager for 24 years. "Some people tailgate for football, but we do it for baseball, too. Nobody else does it like this."

Silva said the old van was circa 1960 and was once used to haul football equipment.

"It's the best kind because it's made out of aluminum, so it ain't gonna rot," he said. "Without a doubt, this is the number one spot in the country for college baseball. This is what it's all about."

Reach Ken Burger at 937-5598 or kburger@postandcourier.com.