The Southeastern Conference rarely rushes to make a decision.
The league watched patiently as the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences launched television networks. A partnership with ESPN enabled the SEC to launch one of the most powerful cable networks, paving the way for a financial windfall for each of the league’s 14 institutions.
If anything, the SEC has proven it knows how to make money, it knows how to win championships, and it knows how to make the right decision.
With that being said, fans of SEC baseball are waiting patiently for the league to make a decision about which city will play host to its annual baseball tournament.
For a 19th-straight season, Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama, played host to the tournament. Texas A&M defeated Florida 12-5 Sunday to win the championship game of the 12-team, six-day, double/single-elimination event.
The contract between the SEC and Hoover ended Sunday. For several weeks in May, administrators toured other venues, including minor-league parks in Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, and Jacksonville. The Met has served as host for 20 of the last 21 tournaments.
It was projected by many who follow the sport that the league would confirm a return to Hoover during the SEC tournament. The fact that an announcement wasn’t made might not bode well for Hoover. More than likely, the league will announce its plans this week at the conclusion of its spring meetings in Destin, Florida.
The SEC has been in a similar situation, and has looked around each time the contract (usually five-year terms) is about to end. However, there is no compelling reason for the SEC to move its baseball tournament from Hoover.
This year’s tournament drew a record 150,064 fans. The championship game — between teams located more than 1,100 miles combined from Hoover — drew 8,352.
The tournament received a huge boost from six days of good weather and lengthy tournament runs by Ole Miss, LSU, and Mississippi State. Alabama making the tournament field also boosted interest.
However, the tournament won’t anywhere near that type of success at the box office at any other location.
The Hoover Met lists its capacity at 10,800. However, it isn’t uncommon for tournament sessions each season to top that capacity. From 1988 to 2012, the Hoover Met (then known as Regions Park) also was home to the Birmingham Barons, a Class AA franchise of the Chicago White Sox.
The Barons wanted a smaller stadium and to move downtown. Beginning with the 2013 season, the Barons moved to Regions Field, an 8,400-seat stadium in downtown Birmingham. The SEC found a dilemma on its hands since the Birmingham Barons had a large say in field maintenance and the league could move in and play for a week in a frequently-used facility.
After a shaky 2013 tournament, the city of Hoover made a committed effort to ensure the Hoover Met was still up to playing host to the event on an annual basis. Hoover High School also plays some games in the stadium, but it no longer is used for high school football.
Hoover won the last open bid in 2011. Since that time, the stadium has received a new sound system, and a new video boar. Large screen televisions have been installed on the concourse and renovations have been made to the restrooms. The stadium recently had its parking lot repaved.
The stadium also has one of the premier media setups. Most minor-league parks have limitations for media since the parks are designed for minor-league teams with small followings. The recent renovations at the Hoover Met include press seating for more than 150, five radio booths, a television booth, and enclosed sky-box seating.
AutoZone Park in Memphis has been widely considered the front-runner if the tournament relocates. Home of the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds, AutoZone provides more downtown entertainment options. However, the logistical nightmares of parking and media accommodations are staggering.
In Nashville, First Tennessee Park opened last season. Home of the Class AAA Nashville Sounds, First Tennessee Park lists its capacity at 8,500. Zephyr Field in Metairie, Louisiana, lists its capacity at 10,000. It opened in 1997. The Class AAA New Orleans Zephyrs play there. The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville lists its capacity at 11,000. The Class AA Jacksonville Suns play there, as well as the Jacksonville Armada FC of the North American Soccer League.
All seem to be viable candidates. Each one seems like it would add something unique to the occasion. It is unclear if the SEC would settle for a one- or two-year arrangement or if it is looking for a long-term commitment.
The Hoover Met is centrally located and has proven more than capable of producing a top-notch sporting event. The SEC is doing something very well. The Hoover Met has added to the rich tradition of the nation’s best baseball league. Clearly, a potential change in venues isn’t a money grab. Each year, the league essentially prints money in Hoover.
All we can do now is sit patiently and hope the SEC makes the right move. Almost always, it does.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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