The 2025 Georgia baseball season is set to bring a remarkable transformation to Foley Field. The team's recent announcements have set in motion a series of changes that are set to enhance the fan experience and support the growth of the program. Associate Athletic Director Tanner Stines shared insights into these developments with The Red & Black.

Georgia's Home and Visiting Dugouts: A Strategic Shift

Georgia is flipping its home and visiting dugouts, with the visiting dugout now located along the first base line. This strategic move allows the Bulldogs to be closer to their new facilities, including a pitching lab, home bullpen, hitting facility, and in-game player technology. These facilities are currently under construction as part of Foley Field's $45 million renovation project.The change creates a significantly different fan experience. Visiting fans will no longer congregate around the main entrance and home bullpen off Rutherford Street. Instead, they will have a view straight over the top of the home bullpen. This alteration is expected to add a new dimension to the game and engage fans in a different way.However, the Georgia student section overflow area will still wrap around the bullpen in right field, which will now be home to the visitors. This setup is designed to create a more hostile environment, especially when the opposing team has a reliever warming up in late innings to try and close a game.

Student Section and Conference Rules

For SEC games, the regular student section will mirror that of previous years. It will begin at the first base corner above the aisle and stretch down the foul line, ending before the visiting dugout. This is in accordance with SEC regulations that prohibit students from sitting behind opposing dugouts. For non-conference games, all seating will be general admission.Stines explained that placing the opposing bullpen in right field allows the Bulldogs to circumvent the conference rule. This flexibility in seating arrangements showcases the team's commitment to providing the best possible experience for both fans and players.

The 2025 Georgia Baseball Fund (GBF) Campaign

In addition to the reseating project, Georgia has launched its 2025 Georgia Baseball Fund (GBF) campaign. Similar to last year, fans can participate by donating a minimum of $50 per seat to be a part of the 2025 Powerhouse Package, which includes 20 games.Once the donation deadline passes, fans can then select their seats. Appointment times will be determined based on both The Georgia Bulldog Club priority point total and consecutive years of baseball season ticket purchased on the same account. This process is similar to the football season ticket process, ensuring a fair and organized allocation of seats.The profits from the GBF campaign will help support Georgia's "growth efforts" in an era that incentivizes athletes playing collegiate baseball. Stines emphasized that this is a better proposition for players than going to play minor league ball. The experience is better, along with education and brand management. From a marketing standpoint, players are getting drafted higher out of college if they perform well.

Ticket Requests and Priority

UGA Athletics will not accept any new ticket requests for the 2025 season until the 2024 Powerhouse Package members have an opportunity to claim their seats. Stines stated that at least 75% of Georgia's season tickets are sold through the Powerhouse Package, and there is an "ever-growing list" of about 1,000 people that have expressed interest.This approach ensures that current season ticket holders have the first chance to secure their seats, providing them with a sense of loyalty and exclusivity. It also allows the team to manage ticket sales and seating arrangements more effectively.

Field Improvements and Fan Benefits

Athletic director Josh Brooks previously announced that the grass in Foley Field will be replaced with turf at the request of head coach Wes Johnson. This change is expected to bring several benefits. It will enable more efficiency for the Bulldogs, who lose about "4-5 hours of available practice time having to pause to do grounds work."From a fan's perspective, it will decrease the amount of weather delays. Georgia can now play through "a lot of rain," as long as there is no lightning, because "a turf field is never going to get saturated the way a natural grass field will." This means that fans can enjoy more games without the interruption of weather delays.

Renovation Timeline and Season Start

Stines mentioned that the estimated completion date for Foley Field's renovations is Feb. 1. The Bulldogs begin their season on Feb. 14 at UNC Wilmington, and their home-opener is set for Feb. 20. This tight timeline ensures that the team is ready to hit the ground running and showcase the new facilities to fans.In conclusion, Foley Field's 2025 makeover is set to be a game-changer for Georgia baseball. The reseating project, the launch of the GBF campaign, and the field improvements all contribute to a more exciting and engaging experience for fans and players alike. As the renovations progress and the season approaches, excitement is building among Bulldog fans.