OrthoGeorgia Park - Facilities - Mercer University Athletics

OrthoGeorgia Park

Mercer Baseball vs. UNCG (April 29, 2017)

ORTHOGEORGIA PARK AT CLAUDE SMITH FIELD QUICK FACTS
Opened: 1962
Renovated: 2017
Dedicated in Honor of: Former Mercer Baseball Coach Claude Smith
Capacity: 1,500
Stadium Dimensions: LF: 330 | LC: 370 | CF: 400 | RC: 350 | RF: 320
Surface: Natural Grass
Inside of the Stadium Map: Click Here

OrthoGeorgia Park at Claude Smith Field is located adjacent to the University Center with the spires of the UC providing a picturesque view of the facility over its third base-side profile. Newly renovated in 2017 with an expanded capacity of 1,500, it has never been uncommon for many fans to make camp on the raised embankment running from the right field line to center field in a picnic-like and tailgate-like atmosphere.

The renovated facility opened in 2017 and features premium chairback seating behind home plate. OrthoGeorgia Park also includes new dugouts, concession and restroom facilities, press box and camera positions for ESPN3 and other television broadcasts, two open-air suites, a ticket booth and the M. Diane Owens Entry Plaza.

Large parking lots located beyond the outfield fence are available for spectators and there is a 101-room Hilton Garden Inn on the university-owned land adjacent to the stadium.

The stadium originally opened as Bear Field in 1962 marking Mercer’s first on-campus ballpark. Prior to the 1962 season the Bears played at Willingham Mill Field located behind the former Lanier High School. The stadium first opened on April 3 as the Bears registered a 5-4 win over Erskine. Other opponents to visit Bear Field that inaugural season included Davidson, Valdosta State, Berry, Georgia Southern, The Citadel, Piedmont, Oglethorpe, North Georgia and Georgia Tech.

Bear Field played home to Rob Belloir, the first baseball player to be drafted as he was selected in the eighth round by the Cleveland Indians. Belloir helped set the stage, along with legendary head coach Claude Smith, as Mercer began a stretch of five consecutive 30-win seasons in the 1970s.

The name “Claude Smith Field” would be adorned upon the ballpark on May 7, 1977 as Claude Smith retired as head coach of the Bears with a school record 405 wins as Mercer’s skipper.

The facility underwent a renovation in 2003 with upgrades including indoor batting cages, a new drainage system and a laser-leveled field.

Located close to Interstate 75 and adjacent to most of Mercer’s athletic facilities, the lights at OrthoGeorgia Park act as a beacon to draw the baseball faithful to the Bears’ home park.