Amid the sweltering summer heat, Lipscomb’s campus is buzzing with freshman in attendance for advance, construction workers renovating Fanning and students trying to squeeze in a few hours towards graduation.
With so much happening on campus, one cannot forget that Lipscomb University’s Dugan Field has a new tenant this summer, although they’re not wearing purple and gold.
The tenant is the Nashville Outlaws, a baseball team which is playing all of their home games this summer on Lipscomb’s campus. The Outlaws are a member of the western division of the Prospect League, a 14 team, two-division league, which offers college players the opportunity to play summer baseball while transitioning from aluminum to wooden bats.
The Outlaws previously played their home games at Vanderbilt, but moved to Lipscomb University this summer. When asked why the team decided to begin playing their three month season at Lipscomb, general manager Luke Collier said Lipscomb offered the team a much better location than what they had at Vanderbilt.
“The team likes Lipscomb. People are friendly and help out,” said Collier. “Game turnouts have been around 100 people.”
The turnout is much-appreciated by the Outlaws players and front office, as the team plays a rigorous 56-game summer season. The Nashville fans are certainly having an impact on the team, and as of July 11, the Outlaws are in second place in the western division, three and a half games behind the Quincy Gems.
Many well-known Major League Baseball players have spent time in the Prospect League including Mike Schmidt, Kirby Puckett, Ryan Howard, Jonathan Papelbon and Joe Girardi. Two familiar faces from Nashville are on the team, including pitcher Garrett Franchier from Belmont, and infielder Josh Lee from Vanderbilt
The Prospect League is not a permanent option for players, though. Players can only spend a maximum of three years on the team. In order to be considered, they also must have completed one year of college.
The Nashville Outlaws currently have 21 games remaining this season, with 12 of those games to be played at home. Single-game tickets are $5 for general admission and $7 for reserved seating. Tickets can be bought by calling 615-419-9632.
The team will wrap-up its season on Saturday, Aug. 6, at home. Until then, all one can say is, “play ball!”