The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
New UAB On-Campus Softball Facility Nears Completion
12/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 18, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- There is much excitement surrounding the UAB softball program these days as construction nears completion on the Blazers' new on-campus softball facility.
The facility features recessed dugouts with restroom facilities, bullpens for each team, scorer's platform, ample storage, field lighting, public address system and seating for 350 .The facility will also include a new state-of-the-art scoreboard with video capability with a 13 1/2 x 17 foot screen.
In addition to the field, construction is ongoing on a new 5,000 square foot hitting and pitching facility adjacent to the new complex that will include three pitching lanes, a pair of batting cages and retractable netting that will allow the Blazers to practice under cover during inclement weather conditions.
"We are thrilled about our new facilities and what this means to our program," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend. "The new field, and the hitting and pitching facility, will be great assets to us in continuing to attract top softball recruits to UAB. It's great that we will have our own place to call home and it will be totally first-class."
"UAB has always been supportive of softball and these new facilities re-emphasize the university's commitment to the program and to our student-athletes. The new softball facilities coupled with our department's new weight room, sports medicine & athletic training facility and student-athlete academic center provide our young ladies a complete experience and full complement of resources to be successful on and off the field."
Townsend says she sees the project moving forward with every visit to the new facility. "You can see the progress being made," she said. "Every day you go out there, there's something new."
The new scoreboard at the field will be produced by industry leader Daktronics and will provide game information and video capabilities that will feature LED technology while offering expanded inventory opportunities for corporate partners. UAB Athletics recently renegotiated agreement with its multi-media rights holder and industry leader, ISP Sports, made the state-of-the-art scoreboard possible.
"The state-of-the-art scoreboard and its video capabilities will be a tremendous complement to the new field," Townsend said.
Townsend and the UAB team will christen the new field on Feb. 23 when the Blazers take on perennial power and in-state rival Alabama. "We opened their new stadium in 2000 and the team is thrilled to have a World Series participant like Alabama coming here to play in the first game in our new facility," Townsend said.
