M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park
Baseball park at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park is a ballpark located on the South Campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana. It was built in 1979 and currently has a capacity of 6,033, following the renovations/additions of 2016.[1] It is the home stadium of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team. It was also home to the Lafayette Bullfrogs of the Central Baseball League. The facility originally named Moore Field was renamed after University of Louisiana at Lafayette benefactor, M.L. Tigue Moore's death in 1994. It is currently the largest baseball stadium in the Sun Belt Conference[citation needed] and one of the two largest collegiate baseball stadiums in Louisiana.[citation needed]
M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field (1995–2016)
M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field at Russo Park (2017–Present)
The Tigue | |
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 Interactive map of M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field at Russo Park | |
Full name | M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field at Russo Park |
|---|---|
Former names | Moore Family Field (1978–1995) M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field (1995–2016) M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field at Russo Park (2017–Present) |
| Location | 121 Reinhardt Drive Lafayette, Louisiana, USA |
| Coordinates | 30.213619°N 92.041801°W |
| Owner | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Operator | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Capacity | 6,033 |
| Surface | ProGrass Synthetic Turf System |
| Scoreboard | Daktronics HD video board |
Field size | 330 feet (Left field) 375 feet (Left center field) 400 feet (Center field) 375 feet (Right center field) 330 feet (Right field) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1978 |
| Renovated | 2010, 2013, 2016 |
| Closed | May 22, 2016 |
| Reopened | February 2017 |
| Demolished | July 28, 2016 |
| Tenants | |
| Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball (1983–present) Lafayette Bullfrogs (CBL) (1998–2000) | |
History
Since 1999, the Ragin Cajuns have consistently ranked in the top 50 nationally in total and average home attendance, and in recent years at or near the top 10.[2] During the Cajuns’ 2000 College World Series run, they ranked 26th in total home attendance and hosted its first NCAA Regional. The 2014 season had a record 145,589 enter "The Tigue" throughout the team's run to the NCAA Super Regionals.
In 2016, the program sold out of season tickets for the first time in school history with 3,002 available tickets sold.[3] Tigue Moore Field has hosted the Sun Belt Conference Baseball Tournament on five occasions (1997, 2001, 2003, 2008, and 2013), NCAA Regionals three times (2000, 2014, and 2016) and the NCAA Super Regionals once (2014)[4]
Renovations
In 2010, the field was converted from a natural surface to a full ProGrass Synthetic Turf System. Following the 2013 regular season, the scoreboard was replaced with a Daktronics HD video board and LED display.
Following the 2016 season, the grandstand area was demolished, and an entirely new structure was built in its place. Along with full integration with the existing bleachers, new and expanded restrooms and concession areas were built. Also, new terrace areas were added along the first and third baselines, as well as a new club room added in the third-floor level of the grandstand, while 10 new luxury suites were added to the fourth floor. Expanded overhangs over both the grandstand and bleacher areas were built and capacity was increased to 6,033. The projected cost was over $16 million[5] With the renovations, the facility was renamed to the current M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park, denoting the financial contributions by the Russo family for the renovations.
Attendance
| Year | W | L | T | Total | Average | Nat'l rank | Conf rank | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 69 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 132,763 | 4,917 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| 2016 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 129,507 | 4,178 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 2015[6] | 19 | 9 | 0 | 101,626 | 3,909 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| 2014[7] | 32 | 8 | 0 | 145,589 | 3,831 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013[8] | 28 | 8 | 0 | 72,898 | 2,144 | 30 | 1 | 2 |
| 2012[9] | 14 | 13 | 0 | 56,122 | 2,079 | 30 | 1 | 3 |
| 2011[10] | 20 | 8 | 0 | 92,784 | 3,314 | 18 | 1 | 2 |
| 2010[11] | 23 | 10 | 0 | 58,803 | 1,897 | 32 | 1 | 3 |
| 2009[12] | 14 | 10 | 1 | 50,523 | 2,105 | 30 | 1 | 3 |
| 2008[13] | 16 | 12 | 0 | 46,661 | 1,866 | 31 | 1 | 3 |
| 2007[14] | 22 | 2 | 0 | 53,968 | 2,346 | 24 | 1 | 3 |
| 2006[15] | 23 | 7 | 0 | 62,736 | 2,091 | 28 | 1 | 3 |
| 2005[16] | 27 | 6 | 0 | 59,590 | 1,862 | 31 | 1 | 3 |
| 2004[17] | 25 | 6 | 0 | 44,718 | 1,433 | 38 | 1 | 3 |
| 2003[18] | 18 | 15 | 0 | 67,319 | 2,321 | 20 | 1 | 3 |
| 2002[19] | 20 | 8 | 0 | 44,948 | 1,729 | 28 | 1 | 3 |
| 2001[20] | 22 | 10 | 0 | 42,490 | 1,465 | 30 | 1 | 3 |
| 2000[21] | 30 | 3 | 0 | 46,575 | 1,502 | 26 | 1 | 3 |
- All rankings done by average attendance
Gallery
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park exterior
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park grandstand
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park infield
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park outfield
