February is such a fascinating time for college baseball with all the hopes and dreams of a new season. News trickles in from around the country – some teams were playing on Jan. 30th! Division I started with much fanfare on Fri. Feb. 13, and the rest started in late February and early March.

The Baseball Collegian hit the road to watch some early games, but also to see how teams prepare to start their season. Over 10 days down south, we saw 17 teams from Florida to Georgia to South Carolina, as they all began their journey.

On the day before their season began, the University of South Carolina team was loose and joyous for the season ahead. Legendary coach Paul Mainieri (national champion winner at LSU) was beaming with excitement for the new season. His knowledge and experience in the game is something that can continually be learned from, and combined with hitting coach Monte Lee, (former head coach at Clemson), there is certainly exciting things ahead for the Gamecocks.

Down in Florida, while Jacksonville and North Florida were playing instrasquads, across town was a Div. II doubleheader between Florida Memorial and Edward Waters University at a secret great find: Henry L. Aaron Field. Located in a neighborhood, this former Negro Leagues stadium has a statue of Buck O’Neil, the first African-America coach in in the Major Leagues. The stadium is officially called J.B. Small Memorial Park, and has an old-fashioned covered grandstand and is a great place to watch a game.

Great fields are everywhere. Savannah’s Grayson Park is the home of the Savannah Bananas, and while not an amateur team anymore, they are such an exciting opportunity not only for fans, but for former college players who truly love the game. Grayson Park exudes history with its brick walls and clean sightlines.

Only an hour away is Georgia Southern with a gorgeous stadium and a blue monster scoreboard in right field. After visiting, you can why all-time coach Jack Stallings stayed there so long to win over 850 games.

Three hours away across the plains of Georgia is Macon and the Mercer University campus. Their bright orange colors makes all their fields glow, and their cozy baseball stadium is a beauty and right on campus.

Atlanta is a different level of bustle than Macon, as tucked into the middle of the big city is Georgia Tech. Their baseball field receives top billing with their field in the center of it all between classroom buildings and fraternity row and the skyline of Atlanta beyond the outfield fence. It’s fun to watch batting practice with the exit velocities on the big scoreboard, especially when a ton of guys were hitting them into the trees in right at 105+ and 425+.

Across town, Div. III Emory had their own opening day against Huntingdon (Ala.). Their field is an excellent place to watch a game, be it up close or on the hill down the left-field line.

Athens, Georgia has to be one of the best college towns in America, with clubs and restaurants right across the street from the campus of the University of Georgia. Foley Field has seen some legendary baseball, and the fraternity houses on the hill in right afford a unique place to watch a game.

Down on the coast, Charleston Southern (located on the northern outskirts of Charleston) is a small school, but has a real good vibe to watch a game. Opening day featured Bucknell and you could tell both teams were thrilled to be actually playing games.

In downtown Charleston, The Citadel gets to play at Joseph Riley Park – “The Joe” – on the waterfront. Also the home of the Charleston Riverdogs, the Yankees Single-A team, the stadium is first-class pro-level all the way and was a great place to watch February baseball under the lights against Liberty. It’s also the home of the Roland Hemond Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame.

All good trips come to end, and the College of Charleston is a great place to finish. While their campus is downtown, across the huge bridge into Mt. Pleasant is a beautiful complex. The baseball field is right next to the softball field, so there was tons of action and energy as the College of Charleston hosted Rutgers for opening weekend A great place to watch a game.