LSU will allow full capacity at its baseball stadium for the remainder of the regular season, beginning with Friday’s scheduled game against No. 1 Arkansas.
The decision follows a proclamation Tuesday from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards that the state can return to 100% capacity at outdoor sporting events. The capacity at Alex Box Stadium is 10,326 and the Tigers have enjoyed one of the SEC’s best home-field advantages through the years.
LSU (25-15, 6-12 SEC) is 19-10 at home this season, and 2-7 at home in SEC play.
"We are excited about the opportunity to welcome our fans back in full force this weekend," LSU athletics director Scott Woodward said in a statement. "This move is another positive step for our campus and community. I want to thank our fans that have patiently waited and abided by the protocols we had in place since our return to competition in the fall.”
LSU has gradually increased attendance since it was capped at 25% capacity to begin the season. The Tigers’ largest home attendance this season was announced at 5,031 for a March 20 game against Mississippi State.
According to The Advocate newspaper, LSU will no longer require face coverings at its home games after Edwards lifted a statewide mask mandate Tuesday. LSU will also permit tailgating outside its stadium.
LSU is the third SEC West baseball program to move to full capacity this season. Ole Miss and Mississippi State have each announced three-game weekend attendances in excess of 33,000, including for Arkansas’ series at Ole Miss on April 10-11.
The Razorbacks (32-7, 13-5) swept Mississippi State and were 2-1 at Ole Miss. Arkansas also won a nonconference series at Louisiana Tech in March and at South Carolina last week when attendance was capped at 3,350.
Arkansas plans to increase its capacity to 66% for games during the month of May at Baum-Walker Stadium, but Razorbacks athletics director Hunter Yurachek said last week that full capacity is not planned at Arkansas’ home games until football season begins in September.
In addition to the Razorbacks’ baseball team, Arkansas’ men’s and women’s track and field teams and softball team is scheduled to compete at LSU this weekend. With a 1 1/2-game lead in the SEC standings, Arkansas’ softball team has an opportunity to clinch the conference title in its final series of the regular season.
“It's going to be a great sight to see our fans pack Alex Box Stadium, Tiger Park and Bernie Moore (Track Stadium) this weekend,” Woodward said.
How big the crowds are this weekend in Baton Rouge might depend on the weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance for rain Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“I hope the weather cooperates and I hope our fans will come out and enjoy themselves,” LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri said Tuesday following a 7-0 victory over Grambling State. “You know, it was fun being at Ole Miss this weekend and having big crowds. It just felt normal — life felt normal again in the SEC.”