[CheapSeats]

Will the softball team be in the new stadium this season? I may get out there to watch, usually from the CheapSeats.

[PAmedic]

hmmm. doesnt sound like it:

The Lady Flames face Hampton in the home opener, Feb. 26 at Liberty Softball Field, marking the earliest home date in program history.

http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm ... 87&TeamID=

that was from Oct of last year tho, so who knows.

not sure the old baseball field could be converted that quickly- seeing as the team may still need it until the new park opens or beyond

[BJWilliams]

The plan as I had heard it was for the softball team to play at the current Liberty Softball Field and the old baseball stadium will be converted for softball use this year and they will begin play in their new home in 2014 (I think I heard itd take a year to get the field repurposed and all the facilities and equipment moved from the old field to the new field and facilities)

[ballcoach15]

I hope we get in the new stadium this season. the current softball field is the worst I have ever been to for fans watching th egame.

[BJWilliams]

It wont happen this year ballcoach...the new baseball stadium isnt even finished enough for the team to practice on so they are going to need it in the short term...Im sure that the softball team wont mind one more year over by Dorm 32...and besides, by moving in in 2014 instead of rushing to get in for 2013, they can use it as a recruiting tool

[logic]

I thought the new plan was to remodel the current softball field and turn the baseball field into academic buildings? I thought I heard that on a YouTube video Jerry Jr did with the radio station.

[Sly Fox]

I don't recall one way or the other. But Worthington Field is some prime real estate on campus that is certainly worthy of consideration for any number of different projects.

[logic]

Skip ahead to 2:00 mark. This whole interview is a goldmine of information. It does make sense to use the current Worthington Stadium for academic space as it is near the academic hub already and has access to somewhat decent parking with the ROT LOT and the commuter lot behind the track not too far away.

I vote once again for a stand alone business school, and while we're at it, we should beef up our finance department and start an entrepreneurship major. For as much emphasis as we put on finances here, one would think a stand alone, top notch, tech savvy, premier business school would be one of the first academic structures built. Imagine the return when our wealthy business alumni start giving back.

T. Boone Pickens is an extreme example and has donated more than 500 million to OSU, some 400 million of that to athletics alone.

[Sly Fox]

Unless we plan on a petroleum engineering program, I don't see many T. Boones coming out of LU anytime soon. But I can tell you that those types of engineers have awesome income potential and there are openings aplenty here in Texas.

[Purple Haize]

Unless we plan on a petroleum engineering program, I don't see many T. Boones coming out of LU anytime soon. But I can tell you that those types of engineers have awesome income potential and there are openings aplenty here in Texas.

But if we produced more MegaChurch pastors we'd be rolling in the dough even more! Vision man, vision!

[BJWilliams]

Kinda sad for the softball team on that one because though it isnt a revenue generating sport, it would really have been a shot in the arm to get a major upgrade in facilities without having to make a ton of changes to the stadium to make it softball ready.

[PAmedic]

listened to the Chancellor's interview on that student radio show...

I guess I see the point in keeping centrally located usable space for academic buildings, but it is a shame that softball is likely to be relegated to some back corner/former parking lot with no facilities.

[BJWilliams]

Agreed PA...I looked through the sports list and of the teams offered, only swimming and softball have not had some new facility built for them in the last 5-7 years

[alabama24]

I guess I see the point in keeping centrally located usable space for academic buildings, but it is a shame that softball is likely to be relegated to some back corner/former parking lot with no facilities.

When the new dorms are built, it will make much more sense.

[Purple Haize]

I guess I see the point in keeping centrally located usable space for academic buildings, but it is a shame that softball is likely to be relegated to some back corner/former parking lot with no facilities.

When the new dorms are built, it will make much more sense - circa 1978.

FIFY

[alabama24]

When the new dorms are built, it will make much more sense - circa 1978.

FIFY

RDRR.

Seriously though… When the new dorms are built, you will probably have more students attending a girls softball game when the field is RIGHT NEXT TO THE DORMS.

[BJWilliams]

If you recall, the softball fields are literally right next to 31 and 32 and 27 and 28 are literally a minute away so unless more of them sit on the hill behind the first base dugout I dont think youll see that much of a bump from students (of course having limited bleacher space does skew things somewhat)

[alabama24]

If you recall, the softball fields are literally right next to 31 and 32 and 27 and 28 are literally a minute away so unless more of them sit on the hill behind the first base dugout I dont think youll see that much of a bump from students (of course having limited bleacher space does skew things somewhat)

I recall. I lived in dorms 31 & 32. I saw some softball games. If I had been on the hill, I would not have.

I do think there will be a "bump" when you have all those new dorms (and hence students) over there.

[logic]

Kinda sad for the softball team on that one because though it isnt a revenue generating sport, it would really have been a shot in the arm to get a major upgrade in facilities without having to make a ton of changes to the stadium to make it softball ready.

IMHO it wouldn't need a ton of changes to still get that shot in the arm. One could build a clubhouse, training room, office space, batting cage, etc., on the current site in little time. Look at the Worthington clubhouse...it literally does look like a house, siding and everything. It wouldn't take a lot of time or money to replicate that at the current softball field and for the love of all things aesthetic, please, brick anything new at softball, no more house or industrial siding on campus!!!

[BJWilliams]

Id actually agree with PA as well. The softball program probably is the next one to get a hard look, especially if they are planning to do some form of upgrade to the facilities in the next year or so

[PAmedic]

oh no

[Eighty]

I hope they do give the softball program a hard look. Imagine driving on campus as a recruit and proud Dad.. you see the amazing lax/FH area, you see the stadium, new track, football practice field (with another one coming), a baseball facility that would rival any NCAA program in the country. You look around and no softball... you drive by a gym that seats almost as many as my local NBA team and they have extra practice floors for WBB and MBB.. When you finally find the softball field you discover your locker room is a construction trailer... there is no team room.. there is no video room, there are no video cameras for swing analysis.. there is no indoor facility.. the field facilities look like they are +20 years old. Seriously, they just got lights last year. Now, toss in that you are in Lynchburg, VA.. not Charleston or myrtle beach..

Coastal's facility is not a vision, that may turn out to be a parking lot or another academic building. So, while it's easy to blame the coaches, I can assure the softball recruiting landscape has changed, especially in the past 12-24 months. Programs are recruiting sophomores now and facilities and amenities do make a difference in a 14-15-16 year olds mind (along with dear old dad).

I do believe the coaches should be evaluated every few years. Please don't get the wrong message. On a side note, what kind of coach do you think you could recruit when you show them their new office is in a double wide and their pitching/hitting practice area will usually thaw around March...

*** caveat*** first time post.. long time listener.. please be gentle...

[Sly Fox]

I appreciate the perspective and welcome to the board!

There is no question that softball has gotten the short end of the facilities stick thus far. A nice season in 2013 could bring it back into the collective mindset.

[PAmedic]

Couldnt agree more EIGHTY.

and welcome aboard

someone on that staff should be SCREAMING for facility upgrades if they haven't been already

disappointed to hear that the planned conversion of the existing Worthington Field (over to softball) probly aint happening

[SuperJon]

Could it be that we simply don't care about softball?