Time to Play Ball !!
February 24, 2011 | Baseball, Softball
BullsVison: See How the Baseball Team Feels About the Stadium Opening
BullsVision: See How the Softball Team Feels About the Stadium Opening
TAMPA - The University of South Florida would like to invite everyone to a 'Soft Opening' of its brand new, state-of-the-art baseball and softball stadiums this weekend. With construction on the verge of completion, the USF administration has decided to make all events free to the public from Thursday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, Feb. 26, while offering a sneak peek at the new homes of Bulls baseball and softball.
"This is a great day for USF, its fans and the Tampa Bay community," said Athletics Director Doug Woolard. "So many people have worked extremely hard to get the project to this point and we're excited about sharing it with the public. There is still some work to be done, so bring your wrenches and hard hats, but we think this is going to be one of the best facilities in the nation and we hope everyone will come out and see it this weekend."
This weekend's open house will include the USF - Fairfield Inn and Suites Tampa - North Tournament, which will begin Thursday when the Bulls take on Central Connecticut State in softball's inaugural game. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. The weekend will continue as baseball hosts a three-game series with Elon, marking the inaugural games in their stadium. First pitch for baseball is set for Friday night at 7 p.m.
Remarkably, construction of the new stadium has reached near-completion in less than nine months. While there are still exciting elements to be finished over the next three weeks, including state-of-the-art scoreboards at both fields, a comprehensive graphics package and tributes to the generous donors that helped make this project possible, the new USF baseball and softball stadiums offer a one-of-a-kind design, sure to make the fan experience one of the best in athletics, collegiate or professional.
The new stadiums are part of a unique shared complex that will allow fans to freely travel from one stadium to the other. There is a common entrance plaza leading to a shared ticket booth with concourses that flow outside and in between both parks. Each stadium has two hospitality pavilions, one along each baseline, while a 20-feet-high observation deck is centered between the two stadiums allowing views of both fields. There will also be a dedicated section for USF students. In addition, the stadiums also have shared food and beverage stands, a team store and restrooms.
In a sight to behold, the stadiums are surrounded by a premium landscape design, which includes medjool palms, sable palms, oak trees, magnolia trees and a variety of ground-covering elements, which help to make this one of the most picturesque settings in sports.
In order to be part of this landmark event, fans should use this weekend to explore the new ballparks, which are located directly across Bull Run Dr. from the Sun Dome. Parking will be available in Sun Dome Lots 22 and 6 as well as other areas around campus.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 24
7:00 p.m. - USF Softball vs. Central Connecticut St.
Friday, Feb. 25
8:30 a.m. - Temple vs. Western Michigan
10:30 a.m. - Temple vs. Missouri
12:30 p.m. - Illinois State vs. Alabama
2:30 p.m. - Illinois State vs. Missouri
4:30 p.m. - Alabama vs. Central Connecticut St.
7:00 p.m. - USF Baseball vs. Elon
Saturday, Feb. 26
8:30 a.m. - Western Michigan vs. Central Connecticut State
10:30 a.m. - Western Michigan vs. Alabama
12:30 p.m. - Missouri vs. Alabama
2:30 p.m. - Central Connecticut State vs. Temple
4:30 p.m. - USF Softball vs. Missouri
6:30 p.m. - USF Softball vs. Illinois State
8:30 p.m. - Temple vs. Illinois State
7:00 p.m. - USF Baseball vs. Elon
Sunday, Feb. 27
8:30 a.m. - Missouri vs. Western Michigan
10:30 a.m. - Central Connecticut State vs. Illinois State
12:30 p.m. - USF Softball vs. Alabama
2:30 p.m. - USF Softball vs. Temple
1:00 p.m. - USF Baseball vs. Elon
