Casey Hughston blasted two home runs into right field in Alabama’s 8-0 win over Stephen F. Austin State University on Feb. 22. Before the 2014 season, those baseballs would have bounced off the pavement of the parking lot between Sewell Thomas Stadium and Coleman Coliseum. In the game against the Lumberjacks, however, they sailed into a sea of outstretched arms, thanks to the new outfield seating created by the Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza.

The freshman outfielder from Mobile tossed his bat aside and trotted around the bases. As he made his way around first base, he threw both arms in the air, pointing toward the raucous right field section.

“It’s awesome,” Hughston said. “I love it out there. They bring a lot of good atmosphere for us and make it more fun for us to be here and play.”

The right field plaza was built during the offseason and was created to commemorate the non-football championship-winning teams at The University of Alabama. Each sport is represented, along with the current head coaches from gymnastics, softball and men’s and women’s golf, who are immortalized in bronze.

(See also “Alabama baseball claims series v. Saint Louis“)

On the opposite side of the plaza, facing the baseball diamond of Sewell Thomas Stadium, is a free admission sitting area for Crimson Tide baseball fans and students.

Alabama gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson said she had the baseball team in mind when the plans were drawn up for the plaza in her name.

“Anything that energizes your fans and your student body, it makes a difference for your team,” Patterson said.

And it has made quite the difference.

Since the first home game of the season against Saint Louis, the right field section has been crowded with fans and students. They can come out to the game without worrying about a ticket – or in students’ cases, an ACT card – and enjoy an afternoon or evening of baseball. They can bring tents and chairs and simply kick back in the outfield grass.

Justin Ulmer, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering, sat in a lawn chair as Alabama warmed up to face Stephen F. Austin. His border collie, Sydney, sat at his feet, as dogs are welcome to attend the games.

“It’s just a different environment, different feeling than sitting up in the stands. There’s people out here obviously enjoying themselves, unlike up there,” Ulmer said, pointing to the student section along the third base line. “It just kind of looks like squares sitting together.”

(See also “UA baseball team sees expectations rise for 2014 season“)

One of the rules of the outfield that separates it from the actual stadium is that alcoholic beverages may be consumed but only in disposable cups. Glass is not allowed in the area, so drinking directly from beer bottles and cans is prohibited.

This rule, however, has turned some of the attention away from the actual game and turned the terrace into a tailgate party.

Fittingly, the fans in the section have been called various nicknames, but the Right Field Ragers has emerged as the team and fan favorite. They are loud. They are annoying to opposing teams. And they are at the game to have a good time.

“In the outfield, we can kind of misbehave a little more and be a little more obnoxious and rowdy,” J.B. Costello, a sophomore majoring in public relations, said.

But not every student feels that way.

Allender Doggett, a sophomore majoring in social work, said the rowdiness brought about from alcohol makes it hard to enjoy the game.

“It was fun,” Doggett said, “but you almost couldn’t watch it because there were so many people just standing up.”

Still, the large mass of fans in right field has been behind the team in every game this season.

Two UA students, Costello and Maggie Owens, started a Twitter account for the right field seats called Right Field Ragers (@BamaRightField). It has gained more than 2,000 followers since it was created at the start of the season. The baseball players tweet at the account and about the fans who fill the newly formed section.

“It’s really nice to see the players are so supportive of us, as much as we’re supportive of them,” Owens, a senior majoring in management, said.

The Crimson Tide players and coaches feel the same way about their outfield cheering section. They feed off its energy and even benefit from its loud cheers that force opposing right fielders to drops fly balls.

“It’s been outstanding,” Alabama baseball coach Mitch Gaspard said. “You can’t say enough about the outfield terrace and what they’re providing. They’ve really changed the total atmosphere of the ballpark this year. I know myself, I appreciate it, and our players appreciate it as well.

“It looks like they have a hell of a time out there.”

(See also “Alabama baseball reloaded for 2014“)