It doesn’t have a “Left Field Lounge” like rival Mississippi State, and it isn’t the most well designed ballpark, but Ole Miss offers a unique setting of its own. There’s always solid attendance and a great atmosphere, with fans tailgating on the outfield hills and students heckling from there, too – the Swayze Crazies.

12. Sewell-Thomas Stadium – Tuscaloosa, Alabama (U. of Alabama Crimson Tide)

Featuring one of the strongest season-ticket bases in the country, and rabid fans, ‘Bama’s another place to be in the SEC, though its ballpark design is basic and nothing special. What gives it character is the fans packing this small park, and tailgating big time on weekends.

13. Reckling Park – Houston, Texas (Rice University)

Who says college baseball can’t draw in big cities because there are too many other things to do? This prestigious private university on the outskirts of downtown Houston has less than 3,000 undergrads, yet averages more 4,000 per game! With an intimate, urban park offering skyline views, it’s no wonder fans pack this ballpark, home of the 2003 National Champs.

14. Pete Taylor Park – Hattiesburg, Miss. (U. of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles)

Serving it up and dishing it out, this ball yard is all about the fans that come out year after year to tailgate and cheer on the Eagles. The “Right Field Roost” is equipped with barbecue grills while the school is equipped with among the most loyal and enthusiastic fan bases.

15. Turchin Stadium – New Orleans, Louisiana (Tulane University Green Wave)

The Green Wave are back home on campus, as the shiny new Turchin Stadium has debuted.

16. McKethan Stadium – Gainesville, Florida (University of Florida Gators)

With the mammoth football stadium as the left field backdrop, the Gators championship spirit is everywhere, including at the ballpark, which features a strong fan following validated by the school’s regular place among the nation’s leaders in home attendance.

17. Dan Law Field – Lubbock, Texas (Texas Tech University Red Raiders)

Their former men's hoops coach was known as “The General” and their ballpark is known as “The Law.” But it’s “The Hecklers” who you don’t want to mess with because “The Hecklers” mouth always wins. Known throughout college baseball, they are often imitated, but can never be duplicated.

18. Clark-LeClair Stadium – Greenville, North Carolina (East Carolina University)

Welcome to the Pirates “Jungle” where Southern hospitality meets Pirate loyalty at a shiny new ballpark. They’re loud, they’re proud and they help draw close to 3,000 per game.

19. Baylor Ballpark – Waco, Texas (Baylor University Bears)

A still fairly new ballpark has come with new found success for the only private university in the Big 12. Incredibly well-designed, the red brick and exposed green steel beams mesh with the other buildings on Baylor’s attractive campus. The fan atmosphere is also very good.

20. M.L. Tigue Field – Lafayette, LA (University of Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin Cajuns)

It really isn’t much of a ballpark, but it is one unique place to catch a ballgame because of the fans, mostly alumni – and the food and drink. Come to pig out and bark out, with the “top row guys,” Vic the Peanut Man, Louisiana barbecue and beer by the pitcher (yep, they sell brew by the pitcher). If this place ever drew more students, it would climb up the Top 20.

21. Mark Light Stadium – Coral Gables, FL (University of Miami Hurricanes)

You can bypass the Marlins and find a better fan atmosphere at the home of the four-time National Champion ‘Canes where there’s some noise and plenty of history and tradition.

22. Russ Chandler Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia (Georgia Tech Univ. Yellow Jackets)

Beware the “Star Wars” theme, which can only mean someone with the Rambling Wreck is on deck, as their teammates sway their arms from atop the dugout trying to ignite a rally.

23. Goodwin Field – Fullerton, California (Cal-State Fullerton Titans)

Who says all SoCal fans are fair weather? Ok, so maybe most are, but the Titans mock the stereotype, drawing more than 2,000 per game, and 2,000 knowledgeable and loyal fans. The four-time National Champions have a strong fan atmosphere, making Goodwin a win-win.

24. Sunken Diamond – Palo Alto, California (Stanford University Cardinal)

Perennial attendance leaders in the Pac-10 and having sent 70 plus players to the Majors, this is also one of the prettiest settings for a game on one of the nations prettiest and smartest campuses. First opening in 1931, it’s also one of the oldest college ballparks still in use.

25. Cougar Field – Houston, Texas (University of Houston Cougars)

New York. Boston. St. Louis. How about giving Houston some TLC as one of America’s best baseball towns? From the Astros to Rice to the Cougars, fans come out and love baseball. Cougar Field doesn’t draw as well as Rice, but the ballpark on this side of town is still nice.

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: (some 15 more schools for a total of 40, in no particular order but for at least one compelling reason or another): University of Southern California Trojans Dedeaux Field (for its well-designed ballpark, museum down the first base line, record 12 National titles and record 97 players to the Majors – so where are the fans?); Long Beach State Dirtbags Blair Field (for their Dirtbags nickname and style of play and historic ballpark that once hosted Spring Training); Pepperdine Waves Eddy Field Stadium (for the view of the Pacific far beyond the outfield – and Pamela Anderson when she shows up at the home of the 1992 National Champs); Fresno State Bulldogs Pete Beiden Field (for its good atmosphere, good design and program history on display); Oregon State University Beavers Goss Stadium (for its quaint, simple design and growing fan base); Arizona State Sun Devils Packard Stadium (for its good crowds and the program’s rich history); Brigham Young University Cougars Miller Park (for its one of a kind design, stunning scenery, and loyal fan base, the attendance leaders in the Mountain West Conference); University of Hawaii Rainbows Les Murakami Stadium (for its great history and uniquely Aloha feel); Oklahoma State Cowboys Allie P. Reynolds Stadium (for the orange-clad Pokes fans who keep the ballpark lively); University of Oklahoma Sooners L. Dale Mitchell Ballpark (for its committed core of fans and strong tradition); Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s Frank Eck Stadium (for a solid crowd and a view in the distance from the first base side across the field of Touchdown Jesus); Ohio State Buckeyes Bill Davis Stadium (for its sharp design and Buckeyes fans that make it so much fun); University of North Carolina Tar Heels Boshamer Stadium (for its tar heel blue clad fans and that a revamped ballpark is coming soon in 2009); University of Georgia Bulldogs Foley Field (for its quaint, tight-knit ballpark and enthusiastic supporters); and Auburn University Tigers Plainsman Park (for its unique and intimate ballpark design, creating feelings of yesteryear).

How The Rankings Were Calculated: First and foremost, each of the Top 25 must offer a unique experience – an experience where one exits the ballpark with a big smile and says, “Now (or Wow), that was fun, that was a little different.” And whether it’s the fan atmosphere, the ballpark seating or design, or a combination of both, plus history and tradition, these are some of the key qualities that make up the ones you’ve just got to see with lots of unique character – and why.