Vanderbilt’s new baseball building rivals some Division I football facilities – The Tennessean
Vanderbilt baseball has completed its new training facilities.
Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Vanderbilt’s new $12 million athletic facility would make some Division I football programs jealous, and it’s not even a football facility.
“It wasn’t meant to be the most luxurious building,” said Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin, whose new office is fully glassed behind the left-field mesh wall and offers the perfect view of Hawkins Field.
“The idea was just to create a home for our kids.”
-
1 of 53 -
2 of 53 -
3 of 53 -
4 of 53 -
5 of 53 -
6 of 53 -
7 of 53 -
8 of 53 -
9 of 53 -
10 of 53 -
11 of 53 -
12 of 53 -
13 of 53 -
14 of 53 -
15 of 53 -
16 of 53 -
17 of 53 -
18 of 53 -
19 of 53 -
20 of 53 -
21 of 53 -
22 of 53 -
23 of 53 -
24 of 53 -
25 of 53 -
26 of 53 -
27 of 53 -
28 of 53 -
29 of 53 -
30 of 53 -
31 of 53 -
32 of 53 -
33 of 53 -
34 of 53 -
35 of 53 -
36 of 53 -
37 of 53 -
38 of 53 -
39 of 53 -
40 of 53 -
41 of 53 -
42 of 53 -
43 of 53 -
44 of 53 -
45 of 53 -
46 of 53 -
47 of 53 -
48 of 53 -
49 of 53 -
50 of 53 -
51 of 53 -
52 of 53 -
53 of 53
Corbin is sincere. The Commodores’ new three-story, 30,000-square-foot baseball training facility has practical purposes for one of the elite programs in college baseball. There are expansive batting cages, a kitchenette stocked with nutritional supplements, a medical training room, a cardio room and an enlarged weight room.
Pro players paid for posh space
But there are amenities unique to Vanderbilt in the new facility, which opened over the summer. It houses a locker room only for former Vanderbilt players and current professional players. In the offseason, it’s common to see as many as 25 major league and minor league players in a given day stroll through the building.
“(The pro players) give me a hard time about it,” Corbin said, acknowledging the size and relative luxury of the facility. “I’m not deserving of a space like this. It’s beautiful. It’s beyond my comprehension.
“They look at it and think, ‘Boy, this is nice.’ But they built it.”
More: David Price makes $2.5 million donation to Vanderbilt
Nearly 250 donors, mostly former Vanderbilt players, contributed to the project. It was capped by a $2.5 million donation from Red Sox pitcher David Price — the 2012 Cy Young Award winner, five-time American League All-Star, 2007 National College Player of the Year and No. 1 overall draft pick, and a Vanderbilt Hall of Famer.
-
1 of 68 -
2 of 68 -
3 of 68 -
4 of 68 -
5 of 68 -
6 of 68 -
7 of 68 -
8 of 68 -
9 of 68 -
10 of 68 -
11 of 68 -
12 of 68 -
13 of 68 -
14 of 68 -
15 of 68 -
16 of 68 -
17 of 68 -
18 of 68 -
19 of 68 -
20 of 68 -
21 of 68 -
22 of 68 -
23 of 68 -
24 of 68 -
25 of 68 -
26 of 68 -
27 of 68 -
28 of 68 -
29 of 68 -
30 of 68 -
31 of 68 -
32 of 68 -
33 of 68 -
34 of 68 -
35 of 68 -
36 of 68 -
37 of 68 -
38 of 68 -
39 of 68 -
40 of 68 -
41 of 68 -
42 of 68 -
43 of 68 -
44 of 68 -
45 of 68 -
46 of 68 -
47 of 68 -
48 of 68 -
49 of 68 -
50 of 68 -
51 of 68 -
52 of 68 -
53 of 68 -
54 of 68 -
55 of 68 -
56 of 68 -
57 of 68 -
58 of 68 -
59 of 68 -
60 of 68 -
61 of 68 -
62 of 68 -
63 of 68 -
64 of 68 -
65 of 68 -
66 of 68 -
67 of 68 -
68 of 68
Price’s nameplate soon will be installed atop his locker in the pro locker room. It will go alongside other current and recent major leaguers such as Dansby Swanson (Braves), Tony Kemp (Astros), Pedro Alvarez (Orioles), Carson Fulmer (White Sox), Walker Buehler (Dodgers) and others.
Wall graphics, large Star-V logos and framed major league uniforms are waiting to be added to finish up the aesthetics of the building, which sits between Memorial Gym and the Hawkins Field wall.
Facility ‘pretty remarkable’ to recruits
Current players say wide-eyed recruits gladly linger in the facility. They see that the team classroom has personalized seats, the batting cages have an overhead viewing deck and the kitchen area can be accessed through a door in the left-field wall.
“(Recruits) seem pretty excited when they see it,” shortstop Connor Kaiser said. “They see this is a good space to grow. It’s pretty remarkable.”
More: Vanderbilt baseball puts high school signees in college summer leagues
Players are just now breaking in the new facility as they prepare to play their intrasquad Black & Gold Series, which begins at 2 p.m. Thursday and offers free admission to the public.
“When you walk around here, it’s like no other (college baseball facility),” first baseman Julian Infante said. “This facility is superior to anyone.”
Why players still use old locker room in fall
It’s difficult to rank facilities. But Vanderbilt’s new building undoubtedly sits at or near the top in college baseball.
Corbin said he never meant to enter an arms race in his sport. He merely wanted the program to grow along with on-field success. Vanderbilt has seven Super Regional appearances, three College World Series trips and the 2014 national championship since Corbin’s arrival in 2003.
When the Commodores reached that first Super Regional in 2004, Corbin said, “We were the have-nots.” Back then, the team used the football visitors’ locker room in Vanderbilt Stadium as its makeshift facility, and there was only one batting cage to share. They upgraded to a new locker room in 2006.
Over the years, Corbin still has required players to dress in that old visitors’ locker room during fall practice to gain perspective before they earn their regular quarters.
More: See Vanderbilt baseball MLB debuts in last decade
“I wouldn’t have known how to envision (this new facility),” Corbin said, breaking in the new press conference room across the hall from his third-story office. “Looking back on it, it’s been great. I don’t take it for granted, that’s for sure. And neither do our players.”
Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @AdamSparks.
BLACK & GOLD SERIES
What: Vanderbilt intrasquad baseball games (six or seven innings each); free admission and open to public
When: Thursday (2 p.m.), Friday (1 p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m.), Oct. 18 (6 p.m., if necessary)
Where: Hawkins Field
Sneak peek at Vanderbilt’s $12 million baseball facility | 0:50
Vanderbilt’s new baseball facility is nearly complete. Take a look at the project as the finishing touches are being applied to a July move-in day.
Adam Sparks
Vandy could dominate the 2017 draft | 1:08
Vanderbilt pitcher Kyle Wright is among the top candidates to go No. 1 overall to the Twins. And his teammate, center fielder Jeren Kendall, is a possible top-10 pick.
Wes Duplantier / USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Tim Corbin reacts after season-ending loss | 0:58
Vanderbilt lost 9-2 to Oregon State in a Super Regional.
Adam Sparks
Will Oregon State pitcher play after past molestation uncovered? | 0:36
Vanderbilt & Oregon State coaches comment on availability of OSU pitcher Luke Heimlich, who pleaded guilty to molesting 6-year-old as teenager.
Adam Sparks
Tim Corbin doesn’t like term ‘adversity’ | 1:22
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin reacts to NCAA Regional title & the challenging year since Donny Everett’s death.
Adam Sparks
Vandy ‘best friends’ loose in Regional final | 0:20
Vanderbilt’s Will Toffey said players handled pressure during NCAA Regional final rain delay because of deep friendships.
Adam Sparks
Matt Ruppenthal’s redeeming Regional win | 0:25
A year after suffering the loss in an NCAA Regional elimination game, Vanderbilt pitcher Matt Ruppenthal got the win over Clemson to clinch the NCAA Regional.
Adam Sparks
Kyle Wright’s 114-pitch performance beats Clemson | 0:40
Vanderbilt pitcher Kyle Wright goes seven strong innings in 9-4 win over Clemson in an NCAA Regional.
Adam Sparks
Vandy beats Clemson in Regional | 1:17
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin reacts after 9-4 win over Clemson in an NCAA Regional.
Adam Sparks
Vanderbilt wins on anniversary of Donny Everett’s death | 1:09
Vanderbilt’s Patrick Raby, Will Toffey & Tim Corbin talk about playing an NCAA Regional game on an emotional day.
Adam Sparks
Tim Corbin pleased with win in Clemson Regional | 0:58
Vanderbilt beat St. John’s 13-4 in the Clemson Regional.
Adam Sparks
Donny Everett’s death: One year later | 1:04
Donny Everett, a former Clarksville High and Vanderbilt baseball player, drowned on June 2, 2016. Both baseball communities have grieved and honored Everett over the past year.
Adam Sparks, Ayrika Whitney/USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Vandy’s Tim Corbin reacts to NCAA Regional bid | 0:58
Vanderbilt baseball made its 12th straight regional. It will play St. John’s to open the Clemson Regional.
Adam Sparks
SEC Tournament honors Donny Everett | 0:43
The SEC Tournament scoreboard featured a “101,” signifying the 101 miles-per-hour fastball Vanderbilt pitcher Donny Everett threw in his last game there before his 2016 death.
Adam Sparks
Vandy optimistic despite quick SEC tourney exit | 1:00
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin still likes his postseason chances with pitchers Patrick Raby and Kyle Wright.
Adam Sparks
Tied games are ‘gross’ says Tim Corbin | 0:52
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin voices his displeasure after a 3-3 tie versus Alabama to end the regular season.
Adam Sparks
Update on Vandy injured 3B Will Toffey | 0:50
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin provides update on junior third baseman Will Toffey, who suffered a left shoulder injury.
Adam Sparks
Zach King’s no-hit relief beats Missouri | 0:46
Vanderbilt freshman Zach King, a Spring Hill native, tossed 5 1/3 innings of hitless relief in a 14-5 series-clinching win over Missouri on May 7, 2017.
Adam Sparks
Vanderbilt’s Patrick Raby, Julian Infante after win over Missouri | 2:00
Commodores won 5-2 over Missouri on Friday.
Vanderbilt blanks Tennessee 1-0 | 1:54
Tim Corbin and Patrick Raby after Vanderbilt won 2-0 over Tennessee.
Julian Infante’s Cuban-American roots | 0:59
Vanderbilt baseball player Julian Infante’s family fled Cuba, settled in Miami and sent him to Nashville to become one of the SEC’s top hitters.
Adam Sparks
Vanderbilt pays tribute to Donny Everett | 1:42
Vanderbilt recognized pitcher Donny Everett, who drowned June 2, 2016, before the Florida game.
Adam Sparks
Vandy to honor Donny Everett Saturday | 1:45
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin discusses a Donny Everett tribute scheduled for April 15, the eve if his birthday.
Adam Sparks
VIDEO: Clarksville honors Donny Everett, retiring No. 14 | 2:10
Clarksville High held a ceremony Monday night to honor pitching great Donny Everett.
George Robinson / USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Chandler Day’s 2-hitter after 1-hitter | 1:15
Vanderbilt pitcher Chandler Day had a career-high 10 strikeouts in an 11-0 win over UT-Martin.
Adam Sparks
Will Toffey’s resurgence as a Vandy slugger | 1:38
Vanderbilt junior third baseman Will Toffey is amid a career year after struggling last season.
Adam Sparks
Vandy suspended pitchers returning | 1:52
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin discusses suspensions & reinstatement of pitchers Drake Fellows & Zach King.
Adam Sparks
Chandler Day nearly gets no-hitter | 0:42
Vanderbilt pitcher had his no-hitter broken up with two outs in ninth inning in a 10-0 win over Lipscomb.
Adam Sparks
Tim Corbin’s take on Kyle Wright’s 0-3 record | 1:43
Vanderbilt has given little run support to ace Kyle Wright in series openers.
Adam Sparks
Vanderbilt baseball 2017 preview | 1:15
Vanderbilt enters the 2017 season with a No. 6 ranking and led by two projected first-round draft picks and a talented lineup.
Adam Sparks
Donny Everett on Vandy’s mind returning to field | 0:54
Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin remembers Donny Everett as Commodores return to Hawkins Field more than 9 months after the pitcher’s drowning.
Adam Sparks
Vanderbilt duo projected as top-10 draft picks | 1:21
Vanderbilt RHP Kyle Wright & CF Jeren Kendall talk about playing the 2017 season as projected Top-10 MLB draft picks.
Adam Sparks
David Price makes $2.5 million donation to Vanderbilt | 1:57
David Price made a $2.5 million donation to Vanderbilt’s new baseball facility.
Joe Rexrode / The Tennessean
About Us
Free Shipping
If your order is $35 or more, you may qualify for free shipping. With free shipping, your order will be delivered 5-8 business days.
