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Mizzou Baseball broke in the millennium with a new $2.1 million facility, consisting of a new stadium, scoreboard and improved fencing and lighting. The stadium was the final major project on the west grounds of the Sports Park at Mizzou.
In 2014, Mizzou unveiled the newest phase of the Taylor Stadium expansion to help give its student-athletes a top-notch facility with all the amenities of a major league clubhouse. The major $4 million commitment included a new locker room, coaches offices and improved seating surrounding the field. The enhanced facility is one of the top baseball venues in the nation and gives players all they need to succeed on-site.
A state-of-the-art locker room, modeled after many big league locker rooms, along with a team room, an auditorium and training room were added on-site at Taylor Stadium. Also, increased bleachers were added down the left field line and the old bucket seats were replaced with new seat-back stadium seats in order to enhance fans' comfort.
Prior to the 2017 season, Mizzou also unveiled the new "Break Time Lounge" down the left field line. The Break Time Lounge is a premier, luxury seating area that will be open every game. The new premium seating area has beer available for purchase and a sundeck with tables and chairs and premium, covered seating. Specialty menu items not found at the traditional Taylor Stadium concession stands are also for sale in the Break Time Lounge.
Additionally, Mizzou offers group seating options for single games in the Break Time Lounge. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $15/person and groups of 25 or more pay just $10 a person for access to the club. In addition, the nook down the left field line is also available for rent on a single-game basis with a separate bar.
Taylor Stadium, officially named Ralph and Debbie Taylor/ Phi Delta Theta Stadium at Simmons Field (or Taylor Stadium at Simmons Field), was constructed to accomplish a variety of goals set by the baseball coaching staff and The University of Missouri's Department of Athletics.
The ultimate goal in the construction of the stadium was to create a fan-friendly facility and to encourage a family ballpark atmosphere. The stadium boosted seating capacity to 2,200, and allowed fans to enjoy many features, including a better view of the playing field, an expanded concession area and improved restroom facilities. The stadium even cut down the amount of wind that reaches patrons and provided them with some of the most relaxing and satisfying experiences in the Midwest.
Another goal was to create an aesthetically pleasing facility. The stadium is composed of red bricks, green metal roofs and black steel, along with block and drivit - the look of a traditional American baseball stadium that is sure to survive the test of time. The look also accompanies the look of other recently constructed Mizzou Athletics facilities.
The stadium also provides a comfortable game-day working area for coaches, officials and maintenance personnel. It also has impressive meeting rooms and plenty of storage.
Finally, Taylor Stadium was designed to be able to host an NCAA Regional, which the Tigers accomplished in 2007 in the first NCAA postseason action at Mizzou since 1965. Extra seating was added for that event, allowing for crowds that exceeded 3,000 individuals.
Taylor Stadium at Simmons Field, contracted by Crawford Construction Inc. and designed by Peckham & Wright Architects Inc., became a reality after Ralph and Debbie Taylor of Prairie Village, Kansas, presented a gift of $1 million to the University in 1998 to spark funding for the project, which broke ground in June 1999. Ralph Taylor, an MU alumnus, has a long-standing relationship with the University and its athletic department.
Another generous offer was made by the family of Michael Haverty. Haverty's son Mike was an All-Big Eight pitcher for Mizzou during the 1993-94 campaign.
Capacity
3,031
Surface
Kentucky Bluegrass (OF) and Baby Bermuda (IF)
Dimensions
340' (LF), 400' (CF), 340' (RF)
McArtor Baseball Facility
The University of Missouri Department of Athletics and the Mizzou Baseball program officially opened the McArtor Baseball Facility in during the 2010 season.
The new addition, which is located in the left field corner of Taylor Stadium, houses three FieldTurf batting lanes, with dirt pitching mounds in two of the lanes. In addition, the building includes a team room and conference room.
The facility was named in honor of Gene McArtor, who is a former player, coach and administrator at Mizzou. As a player at Missouri, McArtor won all-conference and all-district honors as a first baseman from 1961-63. He played on two Big Eight Conference championship teams and two squads which advanced to the College World Series. He served as team captain as a senior.
Press Box
The media covering Mizzou Baseball work in the press box. Taylor Stadium provides a professional, spacious and comfortable workplace for writers, broadcasters and members of the MU Department of Athletics. A clear view of the field from an elevated workplace awaits members of the working media.
The enclosed, heated press box, which sits 52 feet off of the ground directly behind home plate, is accessible by elevator.
The press box contains a press room, three broadcast booths and a control booth. Photographers also have access to a balcony on either side of the press box for filming games.
Camera Locations
In addition to the balcony locations that can be used for filming, photographers also have access to camera locations located above the end of each dugout. These decks are approximately eight feet off the ground and give photographers a clear view of the entire playing field.
Clubhouse
Members of the Mizzou Baseball team and coaching staff have a secure and spacious area to prepare and dress for all home games.
The clubhouse, which is located within the stadium under the main seating area, is accessible both via tunnel from the home dugout and from the outer concourse. Restroom facilities, a game-day coach's office and a dressing area are all available for the members of the home team at Taylor Stadium.
Umpire's Room
Gameday officials also delight in Taylor Stadium's facilities. Umpires have their own lockerroom located in the stadium next to the Mizzou clubhouse.
Concession/Novelty Area
Refreshments are available at a concession area on the stadium's outer concourse, which is located behind the main seating area, during all home Mizzou Baseball games. The expanded facility offers patrons a variety of snacks to enjoy during Mizzou games. An area dedicated to providing patrons with a place to purchase a variety of items - everything from clothing to soft drinks - is available on the concourse on the first-base side of the stadium.
Dugouts
Not only do fans have a much better view at Taylor Stadium, but players and coaches also have a better look at the action with the construction of more spacious and higher-sitting dugouts.
The dugouts, which are 56 feet long and 11 feet from front to back, offer both home and visiting players the amenities of professional teams' stadiums. Visiting teams, in addition to the extra space, can also access their own restroom from the visiting dugout. Members of Mizzou's Baseball team can access their clubhouse from the home dugout via a tunnel.
Ticket Booth
Mizzou Baseball fans can enter Taylor Stadium from a formal gate with a ticket booth. The area, which is the entrance for both fans and media, was designed to match the look and feel of the rest of the stadium.
Scoreboard / Sound System
The sights and sounds of Mizzou Baseball are amplified with the addition of the stadium's scoreboard and a dynamic stadium sound system.
The scoreboard contains a dot-matrix message center, line score and personalized team names - all guarded by a nearly invisible protective net.
One of the more exciting features of the complex is the dynamic sound system. Speakers are located throughout the stadium and will keep those away from their seats tuned into all the action. The main speakers are located inside the scoreboard to give the crowd a true stadium sound.
Playing Surface
The actual playing surface is handled by the grounds crew at Mizzou, led by Director of Turf Management Josh McPherson, and the Tigers' coaching staff.
The dimensions of the symmetrical playing surface are 340 feet down the lines, 375 to the power alleys and 400 feet to center field.
The field was resurfaced in 2012 with a new type of Bermuda grass called Latitude 36, the first of many changes with the resurfacing project. Simmons Field at Taylor Stadium was named 2011 College and University Baseball Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).
