University Field Gets Facelift
3/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2006
University Field Renovation Pictures
If you're heading out to a Mizzou softball game this year, don't expect to see chain linked fences, old grass, and a field plagued by drainage problems. Instead, University Field - home of the Tigers - will be sporting a $325,000 facelift.
"It's a pretty field," Mizzou Softball Coach Ty Singleton said. "I'm thankful for the fact that we can be on it and I'm hoping long term that it is going to be a big step forward."
The gigantic step in renovation couldn't have been taken without the collective strides of many individuals who backed the construction. An anonymous donor gave $350,000 to the project.
"There's a gentleman that would like to remain anonymous, but we are thankful for him and his generous donation." Singleton said. "The reason this project was done is because of him."
The donation and the renovations are already paying immediate dividends for the Mizzou softball team. "We get an opportunity to practice on our field in February, we really haven't been on our field before March, in the past." Singleton said.
The newly renovated University Field will feature a new sand-based natural turf surface to improve the drainage system. Drainage problems were the main reason for the renovation and have given Singleton - a native of the Pacific Northwest and no stranger to rain - plenty of headaches in past seasons.
"Anytime we would have rain on a game day or the day before, we had no way to keep from canceling the game. We were just at the mercy of the climate." Singleton said. "This will allow us to tarp the field, keep the water off the field and have some sort of defense against bad weather. Our field in the past, everything drained onto the infield, we had no defense against bad weather."
Playing at a disadvantage has hurt the Tigers in past seasons. Singleton mentioned that poor field conditions due to bad weather forced the Tigers to cancel their game against Kansas and play two games in the unfriendly confines of Lawrence, Kan.
Competitively, the Tigers will look to turn their weaknesses into strengths entering the 2006 season. Adjustments will have to be made for the Tigers, as the new field now features deeper power alleys or larger gaps. Singleton says he believes that the deeper outfield should be an advantage for the Tigers, using their speed to cover it.
New bullpens down the foul-line will allow the Tiger's and fans to scout opposing pitchers.
The extreme makeover for University Field couldn't have come without the heavy help from many gifted field surgeons. The scoreboard, which had been placed in left field; was moved to center, by Septagon Construction and Mid-Missouri Electrical. Central Concrete provided concrete and block work and local area photographer Tim Brown was instrumental in networking and making project connections.
University Field will also feature a new dark black wood outfield fence, donated by Kas Carlson of C&C Construction. Carlson will also help in the placement of a spectator seating berm to be placed behind the left field fence.
Learning how to play against the new outfield fence will be a lesson in itself for the Mizzou Softball players.
" It's a great quality fence, as hard as cement." Singleton said. "The ball will ricochet off of it. With the old chain link fence the ball would just die, now you have to be ready to play the action off the fence."
While winning may be the first priority for MU softball, Singleton said that the competitive advantages won't be the only reasons to come watch the Tigers at University Field.
"I think this will be a much more enjoyable place as a fan to watch a game." Singleton said. "It will be a much more intimate setting. I think there's going to be many more opportunities to see the game from different angles and I think it's going to create a home field advantage."
In addition first and third base foul-line field seating will now be available, putting you right in the action.
"A line shot down there and you'll need to be aware." Singleton said.
Finally, the dugouts of University Field, formally painted white and red, were repainted Mizzou `Black and Gold' with the help of Rodney Kaiser, Jerry Cummings, Mike Vogan and John Pizzitola. The change in the dugout motif is expected to add more home flavor to the park, reminding fans that they're in Tiger country, instead of Nebraska.
"It really changed the look. It's much more appealing to the eye and much more Missouri." Singleton said.
Will new fences, new seats, new turf and a new atmosphere add up to big things for the Tigers? Singleton thinks so.
"I think it's going to be a real fun spring. As long as our young pitching matures, it could be a really special year."
A special year could be exactly what's around the corner for the Mizzou softball team, which hopes to forge a new legacy in a park that may redefine the Big 12 definition of `home-field advantage.'
Written by Josh Fowler
