CLEMSON — While others may have complained about the new setup for the visitors’ bullpen at Clemson last season, Erik Bakich believes the Tigers have gotten it right.

For years, the visitors’ bullpen was off to the side of the opposing team’s dugout, where pitchers could warm up in relative peace. Ahead of last season, the area that used to be the bullpen was opened up to fans, with pitchers now having to warm up with a sea of Tiger fans right on top of them.

West Virginia head coach Steve Sabins gave a scorching review of the setup after the Mountaineers won the Clemson Regional, saying that “the bullpen thing is bogus at Clemson,” and that the setup makes “drunk frat guys” too close in proximity to the opponent’s pitchers.

“You can get so close, and it’s a net where, as a pitcher is warming up, someone could actually grab a pitcher’s arm,” he said. “And so I’m all for environment, it’s just that as somebody is warming up, somebody could actually reach out and grab an arm.”

That is the kind of reaction that makes Bakich believe Clemson is pretty close to getting it right.

“I think we are hovering over the target when so many opposing coaches bitch about it,” Bakich said. “I think that is great. I think we got something where we are right over the sweet spot.”

That area was a popular spot for Clemson fans during a 2025 season that saw the Tigers go 45-18, make an appearance in the ACC Championship Game, and host a regional for the third consecutive year. It was routinely packed with the orange-clad faithful every home weekend.

Is it possible that a tweak or two is made to the setup ahead of the 2026 campaign? Sure. But don’t expect massive changes to something that played a huge part in the Tigers’ home-field advantage last season.

“Do we need to extend the drink rail? Maybe,” Bakich said. “But are we hovering over the target that we have created a competitive environment that is hostile and gives us an advantage? Hell yes, and I am all for it.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright