Clemson baseball to host Fall Ball Fan Fest next month

College fall ball is in full swing for programs around the country. A year removed from a disappointing loss in the Clemson Regional to Kentucky and WVU, the Clemson Tiger baseball program is ready to start their next season.

Doug Kingsmore Stadium will be the host of Clemson baseball’s Fall Ball Fan Fest on October 25, including a 12-inning game against Alabama starting at 1 p.m. Fall Ball Fan Fest will also include backfield games, food trucks, and an early look at the 2026 Clemson Baseball team.  

Tickets are $10 for the general public, and Clemson students have free admission to Fall Ball Fan Fest.

The Tigers finished 45-18 with an 18-12 conference record last season, earning them an opportunity to host a regional. The Clemson Regional did not go the Tigers' way at all, losing two of the three games they played in the Regional.

If the Tigers want to improve in 2026, they must fare better in the ACC. Losing 12 games in the conference is not ideal at all for head coach Erik Bakich and his staff. A better record in the ACC is more than likely one of Bakich’s top goals heading into the 2026 season.

Clemson will return some important players from their 2025 season. Starting with ace and Friday night starter Aidan Knaak will be returning to Clemson. Knaak posted a 9-1 season with a 4.18 ERA in 2025. Knaak added 110 strikeouts while only allowing 29 walks in 90 innings pitched.

After losing Cam Cannarella was taken with the 43rd pick by the Miami Marlins, it became reality that the Tigers would need to replace their best overall hitter. Senior catcher Jacob Jarrell is one of the hitters who has to take a step forward in 2026 to replace Cannarella. Jarrell slashed .263/.387/.515 good for a .902 OPS. The Clemson backstop finished the 2025 season leading the team with 15 home runs, also adding five doubles and 41 RBIs. Going into the 2026 season, Jarrell has to cut down on the strikeouts, as he was second on the team in strikeouts, striking out 67 times in 2025.

Fall Ball Fan Fest is a great chance for Clemson fans to get out to the ballpark and get an early look at how Knaak, Jarrell, and the other Tigers are looking. Playing a 12-inning game against an Alabama team that won 41 games last season, this is a great chance for the Tigers to see a quality opponent during Fall Ball.