Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
McWhorter Stadium
114 Baseball Dr
Clemson, SC 29634
Year Opened: 2020
Capacity: 2,116
The Orange and Regalia
Softball at Clemson debuted in 2020, and the Tigers got off to a strong start with a 5-1 record – unfortunately the season was cut short by COVID-19, limiting the Tigers’ inaugural season to just 6 games.
The abrupt end to the 2020 season did not seem to adversely impact Clemson, however, as in their first full season in 2021 they went 44-8, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season championship with a 22-5 conference record. Since that time Clemson has firmly established itself as not just one of the top teams in the ACC, but also one of the top teams in the national scene.
Food & Beverage 4
McWhorter Stadium has one main concession stand located on the upper level of the concourse, directly behind home plate. It has somewhat of a condensed menu, but does offer a bit more than just hot dogs and typical snacks.
Entrees include hot dogs, burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and BBQ sandwiches. Nachos, peanuts, and chips are also available, along with an assortment of candy. Frozen Fanta is also a popular choice at this stand, and chili can be added to any of the entrees.
A second concession stand, dedicated to snacks, is tucked under the concrete walkway along the third baseline – while this stand sell snacks and Coke products, it is the shaved ice that is the featured item here, where fans can add their own flavoring. Alcohol is not served at Clemson athletic events.
There is not much that will blow your doors off, but concessions at McWhorter Stadium do offer more than the typical ballpark choices.
Atmosphere 4
McWhorter Stadium has a very open, modern feel to it. The large press box is topped by a massively large canopy that provides a great deal of shade for the area behind home plate. The stadium’s purple hued seats are also perfectly complemented by the orange trim of the dugouts and the Clemson trademark paw prints. The immediately recognizable paw logo is also prominently displayed on the natural grass in short center field.
The in-game presentation is as would be found at many other softball and baseball stadiums around the county; despite there not being a designated stadium host, there are a handful of interactive games such as the cap shuffle, as well as reminders of fan promotions on the scoreboard.
When it comes to seating options it largely depends on your desired experience – seats in the grandstand tend to hold the Tigers most ardent supporters, who hang on every out as possibly the most important at bat of the game. The outfield berm, on the other hand, has more of a social atmosphere, but fans there are still into the game, and roar in approval for Clemson hits, runs, and big plays. Despite the large awning there is not a lot of shade at McWhorter Stadium, but fans looking to get out of the sun often find themself standing along the walls of the softball facilities on the first base side of the field, or on the concourse behind home plate.
Neighborhood 5
Clemson, South Carolina is a quintessential college town, where the university is the center of most of what goes on in the area. College Avenue, the hub of activity on weekends, and the scene of much of Clemson’s nightlife, is located just about a mile from McWhorter Stadium. Situated near the northern edge of campus, this area is heavily populated with an array of bars and restaurants, making it a popular destination for both pre and post-game gatherings. During the spring, as days lengthen and temperatures rise, College Avenue buzzes with visitors exploring its shops, bars, and dining spots.
While College Avenue has the highest concentration of popular establishments, The Esso Club, a renowned Clemson watering hole, is just a short stroll from Clemson’s athletic neighborhood, which McWhorter Stadium is part of – the rest of the athletics complex includes baseball’s Doug Kingsmore Stadium , directly behind the softball stadium’s grandstand, while just across the street are both Littlejohn Coliseum and Memorial Stadium.
Fans 5
Clemson softball packs the stands with standing room only attendees, averaging over 1,800 fans per game, which is impressive given McWhorter’s stated capacity is just a touch over 2,100. The 1,800 fans per game puts the Tigers in the Top 10 nationally in attendance, and nearly double that of the next closest ACC rival.
However, it is not just that the seats and concourse are full, but a sea of tailgating chairs also surrounds foul territory, from left field around to the scoreboard in right field. And if that was not enough, a pair of rambunctious fan groups, “Cagle’s Corner” and “The Deep End”, are there keeping the tailgating going throughout the game, taking down celebratory beers and rattling cowbells in response to big plays. It is not just their boisterous nature, but also their unwavering support of Clemson softball that adds so much to the atmosphere here at McWhorter Stadium; these two groups also fly several boat dock flags in support of Tigers players.
Clemson softball fans definitely comes with passion and an enthusiasm to get behind their Tigers, which helps create a top-notch experience.
Access 3
Located just about 15 minutes off I-85, Clemson’s campus is easily accessible for fans traveling from Charlotte or Atlanta, with a drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours from each. Once on campus parking is readily available around the stadium.
There is plenty of free parking in the lot just outside the main gates for fans with mobility challenges, with additional general parking in Jervey Meadow, just beyond the right field confines of the stadium.
McWhorter Stadium has two entry points: a main gate at field level just to the third base side of home plate, and a second, more discrete entrance through a gate and up a short flight of stairs. However, if traversing the stairs to the main concourse is too much, or the long ramp too far out of the way, there is also an elevator at the base of the press box that fans can use to access the top of the seating bowl.
Attendees will also find a rather wide walkway that runs from just beyond first base down the third baseline. Several of Clemson’s games are standing room only though, so even with a wide walkway navigating can get a bit crowded. And while the concrete walkway ends as it nears the outfield wall, the grassy outfield berm has been well worn down so much that there is a path. Take caution, though, as the hillside is rather steep, and the large crowd there can make it a bit of a challenge to navigate.
Return on Investment 4
Walk up tickets for general admission start at $10, which is consistent with ticket prices for many other of the higher-level collegiate softball programs in the county. However, when factoring in free parking, $10 to get in is a pretty reasonable rate; tickets on the secondary market might even be available for $1 before fees are added.
Even if tickets do not appear to be available online, berm seating is typically available on a walkup, day of game basis.
Concession prices are also kept pretty well in check to where it encourages fans to buy food, rather than simply lament the inflated stadium prices.
Extras 3
Given the popularity of the outfield seating and berm, inclines have been placed at the base of the fence, to allow fans who want to watch from that vantage point a bit of a boost to peer over the top of the outfield wall.
The ambiance outside the stadium is every bit the top-notch college sports experience as you will find anywhere else in the country – the hoots-‘n-hollers big rig whistles from the two fan support groups especially add a lot of festivity to the atmosphere, playing off the idea of baseball’s “Cheap Seats” and “The Cajun Café”.
In an ode to their university and in unison with the fanbase, the entire team lines up along the first baseline following the game to sing the school’s alma mater with the fans in attendance.
Final Thoughts
The Clemson softball program, athletic department, and the Tigers fan base all deserve a lot of credit for where the softball program stands today; the fans for their undying devotion to Clemson athletics, the athletic department for investing seemingly unconditionally into the program, and the softball staff and players for growing a culture that has translated to such a high level of success on the field in such a short amount of time.
When looking at both conference and national rankings, it is hard to believe that Clemson softball is a program still in its infancy – walking into McWhorter Stadium it would feel as if the Tigers have been fielding a softball program since the ACC started crowning a champion in 1992. What Clemson has done in establishing itself as a perennial Top 25 softball programs in four seasons is nothing short of amazing.
Comments