The “Right Field Roost” consists of 40 assigned areas behind the right field
wall and down the right field foul line,
where fans can park their vehicles and tailgate, socialize, watch good college baseball
and support the hometown team.
This area began as an informal gathering
place where fans brought their grills to cook-
out when Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field
opened in 1985. By the late 1980s, it became
such a popular area, that it was organized by
former Head Coach Hill Denson and spots
were assigned and sold on a season basis.
The Stephen Lane Hatten Memorial
Grove serves as a
living memorial to
former Golden Eagle
Stephen Hatten, who
lost his long battle
with cancer on May
2, 1998.
The Grove is
located behind the Rogers, Thames and
Welch Baseball Center just inside the main
entrance to Pete Taylor Park.
Hatten, a Hattiesburg High product who
signed with Southern Miss in 1992, was
diagnosed with leukemia about the same
time he decided to attend Southern Miss.
He missed his entire freshman season while
battling the disease, but came back in 1994
to play in five games as a catcher for the
Golden Eagles. That summer, the cancer that
had been in remission returned, spelling an
end to Hatten’s playing career.
Despite his battle for life, Hatten
remained in school and graduated with hon-
ors. In 1997, he received the R. J. Bishop
Mississippian Award, the University’s highest
student honor given annually to a student
who endures and overcomes hardships in
pursuit of a degree from Southern Miss.
