Since head coach Tony Vitello took over the Tennessee baseball program in 2017 and resurrected a speedy rebuild, the demand for tickets to home games has been off the charts. The university has responded with its own rebuild.
Lindsey Nelson Stadium is undergoing a $95.8 million renovation that is expected to nearly double the capacity by 2025. Construction is ongoing this season, but many new elements have already been put in place.
Attendance for last week’s home opener against UNC Asheville was 4,699, which set a program record for a home opener, breaking the previous record of 4,550 in 2023. Last Saturday, the Vols set the program’s single-game attendance record with 5,127 fans watching them play Albany, surpassing the 5,086 from 1995 against Oklahoma State.
The records are certain to be broken next season when the renovation is complete. Capacity will grow to more than 7,750 at the conclusion of the construction project with a finalized goal of space for more than 8,000 in LNS.
The produce on the field has warranted the increased attention. The Vols are currently ranked No. 5 and coming off their second College World Series in the last three years.
UT has recorded 48 of the 50 highest single-game attendance in program history since the start of the 2021 season. The Vols sold out 23 of their 38 home games last season and posted an attendance of over 4,000 in all but one contest. Their average attendance of 4,369 was a new program record and ranked 10th in the nation.
Along with allowing more fans to attend games in the future, Tennessee wants to make its home field advantage even more pronounced as the SEC expands next year with Oklahoma and Texas joining the fold.
The updates to LNS this season include more than 900 new permanent seats along left field, more than 120 new permanent premium level field seats along the first base line and 130 new permanent premium field level seats along the third base line. More than 35 new 4Topps-brand tables will be added in a tiered seating section down the left field line to connect the third base line with the outfield porch area.
“It’s just kind of a gratifying feeling for all the time and planning and the work that’s been put into that,” Vitello said before the home opener. “Now what’s gonna be even better is seeing fans actually in those seats and filling this entire stadium. That is gonna make it, if you’re an opponent, wait until you see the visitors bullpen. They’re gonna deal with some stuff like you wouldn’t believe. They’re surrounded everywhere.”
Improvements noticeable
Tennessee opened the season by winning the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Vols went 2-1, with victories over Texas Tech and Baylor. Once they returned to Knoxville to begin a 15-game homestand, the Vols were impressed with the improvements made at LNS.
“It was changing every day. To leave for five days was so cool. It was almost like the Christmas period where we were gone for a couple weeks,” Vitello says. “We came back today and everybody was staring over at that left field side”
The plans for 2025 are even more extensive. They include updated and additional entries, including one dedicated to just students. All restrooms and concessions areas will be renovated and new concession concepts will be introduced around the park, including a new bar in left field.
New standing-room-only tiered platforms are planned to overlook the home bullpen down the first base line. New seats will be added to the mezzanine level and larger group areas will be added. New club and suite levels will be opened above the mezzanine level. An expanded MVP Club with a large bar, more dining space and a new kitchen will serve an increased capacity behind home plate.
To help ensure the stands are filled and more people get to experience games, Tennessee season ticket holders have the option of donating their nonconference tickets this season if they can’t make it to a game. UT will distribute the ticket to military and local charities in the Knoxville area.
Working for deep run
The Vols were picked by the SEC coaches to finish second in the Eastern Division of the conference behind Florida. Pitcher Drew Beam and infielders Billy Amick and Christian Moore were named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Amick is in his first season at UT after transferring from Clemson, where he earned first-team all-ACC honors in 2023 after batting .413 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 42 starts.
“When we saw him across the way, in scouting him, we weren’t very comfortable when he was in the box,” Vitello said. “He’s someone who’s always hit, but he seems to be progressing in a lot of areas and that includes hitting.”
With talented returners and impactful newcomers, the Vols are hoping to put together another deep run this season that will keep the fans streaming through the gates at LNS. The old saying, ‘If you build it, they will come,” has never been more appropriate than what UT baseball is witnessing.
“I think the kind of Rubik’s cube for this team will not be, how do we kind of come together as a group and start kind of all pulling in the same direction or whatever it might be,” Vitello said. “It’d be more just, what’s the right recipe, who belongs where and are guys willing to put their personal wants and their ego aside a little bit to fulfill this role.”