Baton Rouge, LA

Lagniappe. That that little extra. The part you didn't expect but are pleased to have. And when it comes to tailgating at Alex Box Baseball Stadium, well folks that's what we have now. Lagniappe. A gift to the fans from a baseball team that had virtually been written off after a less than extraordinary start to their season.

The excitement was palpable this weekend as the streaking tigers bulldozed their way through the NCAA Regional Tournament. And the tailgating was as hot as Blake Dean's bat. All around "The Box", the flag's were fluttering, the grills were smoking and the jambalaya pots simmered in a sea of purple and gold.

As usual, the legendary hospitality of the fans was apparent at every turn. Strolling tent to tent, we enjoyed the company of people who bleed purple and gold. The hot, humid air carried the sweet sound of laughter, the chanting of fans, and the aromas of good food. From simple burgers on the grill to more elaborate dishes such as deer tenderloin stuffed with jalapenos and cream cheese, the variety of food was amazing.

Every tent had a story. Groups noted the many years they had been planted in the same spot, serving up their savory recipes and celebrating the home team. Each had memories of Alex Box that will be retold to future generations.

But future generations will have their own stories and they will involve a new stadium. Said to be a world class facility, it's opening will mark the end of an era and a new beginning. So this weekend, the celebration was as much about the place as the team. Alex Box Stadium will be missed.

Fans have but one more weekend to send it off in style. The team is doing it's part. The NCAA Super Regional will begin on Friday. Winning means a trip to Omaha for the College World Series. Regardless, it will be the last opportunity for fans to tailgate at "The Box". So load up the grill, throw the big black pots and ice chest in the truck and join the party as we say "Buh Bye to the Box".

And if you need any more incentive than that, just click the image below and take a look at our slideshow.

The crowds were large and enthusiastic. The crowds were large and enthusiastic.

Derek Domingue mans the grilled sausage. Derek Domingue mans the grilled sausage.

Hans Bergman prepares pork and sausage jambalaya. Hans Bergman prepares pork and sausage jambalaya.

Bergman's jambalaya was looking good and that pot's been around for more than one tailgate. Bergman's jambalaya was looking good and that pot's been around for more than one tailgate.

John & Leslie Beyl and Daryn Powell show up with all the right tools. John & Leslie Beyl and Daryn Powell show up with all the right tools.

John Beyl's rig has been used to win more than one BBQ competition on the Kansas City Barbecue Society Circuit but today it's just for fun. John Beyl's rig has been used to win more than one BBQ competition on the Kansas City Barbecue Society Circuit but today it's just for fun.

And that, my friend, is barbecue done right! And that, my friend, is barbecue done right!

And to pull those big BBQ pits, it's a custom "Tiger Truck". And to pull those big BBQ pits, it's a custom "Tiger Truck".

Inside the truck, you will find the "Ticket Counter". That's a lot of tickets. Inside the truck, you will find the "Ticket Counter". That's a lot of tickets.

For toodling around campus, a custom bike. For toodling around campus, a custom bike.

Dan Cambre stirs the pot for his tailgating crew. They've done this a few times! Dan Cambre stirs the pot for his tailgating crew. They've done this a few times!

We guess if you occupy the tailgating spot long enough, you need to put up a mail box. We guess if you occupy the tailgating spot long enough, you need to put up a mail box.

Calvin Robbins and O.J. Cole have been to a few of these before. Their burgers were drawing a big crowd. Calvin Robbins and O.J. Cole have been to a few of these before. Their burgers were drawing a big crowd.

What's a tailgating party without games? This one involves cups, a ping pong ball and....... uummhh, you've probably seen it before. What's a tailgating party without games? This one involves cups, a ping pong ball and....... uummhh, you've probably seen it before.

Bradley Lemaire dishes up his specialty, pastalaya. Bradley Lemaire dishes up his specialty, pastalaya.

Bradley Lemaire shows us how they serve it up in Forked Island, Louisiana. Bradley Lemaire shows us how they serve it up in Forked Island, Louisiana.

Earl Puls and crew are ready to dig in! Earl Puls and crew are ready to dig in!

Josh Rawson and friends serve it up hot! Josh Rawson and friends serve it up hot!

John Guillory and crew show off their version of the Tiger Truck. John Guillory and crew show off their version of the Tiger Truck.

We noted there's plenty of room for additional BCS Championship footballs on the Guillory's Tiger Truck. We noted there's plenty of room for additional BCS Championship footballs on the Guillory's Tiger Truck.

The interior of the Guillory's Tiger Truck is like a rolling museum. The interior of the Guillory's Tiger Truck is like a rolling museum.

We hope the Beyl's and Guillory's get to race their truck's to Omaha this year. We hope the Beyl's and Guillory's get to race their truck's to Omaha this year.

Nic Viguerie boiled up a big pot of crawfish for his tailgating crew. Nic Viguerie boiled up a big pot of crawfish for his tailgating crew.

Mike Serio had the crawfish ready for the pot. Mike Serio had the crawfish ready for the pot.

Mike Serio's crew was one of the liveliest. Everyone was full of spirit and passing a good time. Mike Serio's crew was one of the liveliest. Everyone was full of spirit and passing a good time.

David Lemoine cooks up deer roast, deer sausage, deer tenderloin, chicken, and the coup de gras..... "deer bullets", venison tenderloin wrapped around cream cheese stuffed jalapenos. David Lemoine cooks up deer roast, deer sausage, deer tenderloin, chicken, and the coup de gras..... "deer bullets", venison tenderloin wrapped around cream cheese stuffed jalapenos.

David Lemoine's Deer Bullets area ready to go on the grill. Venison tenderloin wrapped around cream cheese stuffed jalapenos. David Lemoine's Deer Bullets area ready to go on the grill. Venison tenderloin wrapped around cream cheese stuffed jalapenos.