The center field batting eye has been blown down, sections of the outfield fence are gone, and the scoreboard has collapsed onto the outfield.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4-9F8jXsAAXNVc.jpg
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The center field batting eye has been blown down, sections of the outfield fence are gone, and the scoreboard has collapsed onto the outfield.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4-9F8jXsAAXNVc.jpg
I’ve been watching on the radar. I’ve been looking at pictures on Facebook. Some major damage. I hope everyone is safe.
Classes are cancelled today. Damage assessment still underway on campus.
Apparent major damage around Mitchell with cars blown around in the adjacent parking areas.
Seeing pictures of trees uprooted around GTM.
It’s pretty bad.
Major damage to several businesses along I-20.
Softball stadium has damage also with debris blown into the press box.
So I’m in Phoenix for the week. This just happened this morning in Ruston?
Wow, two confirmed fatalities. My son and his fiancé live just east of Hillcrest Elementary off of 167N. I have not been able to contact them yet.
Prayers for everyone there. We live further north off of HWY 33. Don’t know if there was any damage out that way yet.
Winds hit 107 mph, that's an F1 tornado and winds equaled to a Cat 2 hurricane.
Who is your son? Have you reached him? I have a friend who lives on Belcara behind Hillcrest. He may know him.Quote:
Originally Posted by glm47
Amazing there weren't more injuries, hotel at 167 and I-20 had roof ripped off. From the drone video it looks like it was a low-hanging funnel cloud, i.e. a tornado not actually on the ground, at least in that portion of Ruston shown in this video clip. Often tornadoes will "skip," will be on the ground then lift, back on the ground, lift...As the video shows trees severed about halfway up it appears the tornado was not on the ground there.Quote:
Originally Posted by SicemDawgz
A large portion of the precast concrete roof over the stands collapsed as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by FriscoDawg
Took screen capture of the drone footage from WXChasing [Facebook]
https://www.facebook.com/wxchasing/v...3Mjk2MTE3NDU4/
Attachment 14412
Attachment 14413
Both facilities are done for the season.
Softball has it's last home series this week. I wonder if they will play it at Grambling. I think they wrapped up their season.
Baseball is on the road against Rice, Northwestern State, Old Dominion, LSU. Their next home series is WKU on May 10.
Grambling & ULM are both away or season over for Baseball & Softballs remaining home games.
The damage I have seen close to the interstate is consistent with EF2 to MAYBE EF3 damage. One of the gas stations has no roof and partial wall failure. One of the apt./hotels lost a roof. I suspect we will see the final rating come in that ballpark unless there is some damage that hasn't been shown.
Will the love shack be rebuilt in time for wku? This could be used as a huge fundraiser for all of Ruston. #rally4Ruston. Saddened by all the pictures shown. Prayers for all involved.
@corydiaz_tns: #LATech AD Tommy McClelland said its highly unlikely soccer will be playing in its stadium come August. Also said it’s a possibility that softball and baseball teams could be playing their games elsewhere in 2020. @latech @LATechSports #LATechQuote:
Originally Posted by Gladzilla
Interesting quoteQuote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
Yeah, not like it couldn't be rebuiltin time.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
That is interesting. I can see not playing the rest of the year there of course, but next year too...?Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
How is not having either field ready for the 2020 season even possible?
@Tulane? kiddingQuote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
Cause it's TMac dealing with things.Quote:
Originally Posted by DurDog
[Video]
Full interview
Louisiana Tech Athletics Director Tommy McClelland on Storm Damage | KSLA
Louisiana Tech President Les Guice on storm damage | KSLA
It may be totally unfair to say this because I don’t know the details like what the Tech officials do but my first reaction is that it would be absolutely unacceptable not to play baseball and softball at Tech next year. Getting the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters back on their fields has to happen. Our programs must not go homeless!
If they completely rebuild both facilities...Quote:
Originally Posted by DurDog
Even if that's what happens, if we can build the football press box in 9 months, we can build two new complexes in 9 months (allowing three months for the bid process)
The question was asked of Tommy if the campus had ever been through anything like this. The only thing that comes close in the last 50 years would be the May, 1989 flood. It practically destroyed the softball field, as the water caused sinkholes throughout the old Pugh's Creek bed. It also destroyed the plumbing to the restroom facility and the electrical system in the stadium. The flood in 2000 also caused a lot of damage, but not of the same magnitude as May, 1989.
The 1989 flood also swamped several dozen cars parked in the Neilson Dorm lower lot, as well as cars parked on the road behind the dorm. It also caused severe flooding in Neilson Dorm, both to the first floor as well as upper floors as water made its way up through the AC system. It did other less severe damage around campus, as well.
Is there anything we can do to start up a donation collection? The quicker we can get started on this, the more funds we can raise to specifically help rebuild.
With everything the athletic department needs to take care of immediately, an outside group like this might be ideal for getting something started.
Baseball is one thing. Softball and Soccer are another. Both sit in the creek bed with all the problems that's brought over the decades. If they had a choice and the money rebuilding elsewhere would be the better alternative. That may take some time.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
Caruthers & Nielson former sites!Quote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
@latechalumni: Again, thank you for all the support in the aftermath of the tornado that affected @LATech and Ruston. If you would like to donate, you can give at ltu.al/disasterrelief. Your help is greatly appreciated!Quote:
Originally Posted by 96bulldog
Coming from the view of someone in sports architecture, the damage to the baseball stadium is the most significant. Softball and Soccer are both primarily simple structures that can be put back together pretty quickly.
Baseball will be more work. The roof structure at the Shack is older (you can see cracks in the supports on the outside of the building from the concrete settling), and will have to be extensively tested before they can begin to consider repairing it, or removing it entirely and building something new. That could take months. Tommy saying 2020 is probably giving a worst case scenario, can it be sooner, possibly, will it be 2020, there is a chance.
Just don't go cheap and go for an erector set looking grandstand like FAU.
As of today it's about 10 months until the start of next baseball season. The baseball stadium would have to be tested to make sure it's structurally sound. That takes minimum of a month to get someone to come in and test and make a decision. Now we are at 9 months. A plan has to be made on repairing it if not replacing it. Then it has to go out for bid and there is either a 30 or 60 day wait on that. Now we are down 6/7 months. If repairs only need to be done. 6/7 months is possible to be ready for next spring. If its not and has to be rebuilt. 6/7 months would be pushing it. Hopefully it can be repaired. This also has to include fence and scoreboard replacement. Im not even going to include if money would hold up the project. Fingers crossed
Thank you! That's exactly what I wanted.Quote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
Or USM or LaLaffQuote:
Originally Posted by qng001
I'd love for us to be able to build a nice soccer stadium and softball stadium with a building for offices/locker rooms between the two.
The facility could also have restrooms/concessions built in that would be accessible to both stadiums.
Maybe something similar to Freedom Fields at First Baptist Bossier.
https://bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.c...2406447238.png
http://bossierpress.com/wp-content/u...8/IMG_9556.jpg
Just wondering...Are these facilities covered by any kind of property insurance that Tech would be able to receive?
It is sad this happened.....but Tech should use this opportunity to demolish the softball, baseball, track and soccer facilities and start completely over with facilities.
Nothing less than state of the art facilities should be erected and they should be the pride of north Louisiana.
The indie football practice facility and soccer complex need to go where the current track is now.
Anyone that thinks the Love Shack can be saved is in denial - the place was in need of major structural work before the tornado.
Also, the new press box structure will have to be evaluated.
And we need a board of alumni to run this process - we have plenty of finance, accounting, engineering, construction, surveying, attorneys, etc that need to manage this for Tech.
Otherwise, we will end up with facilities worthy of Southland Conference status.
Self insured through the state.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpaceDawg
It's been discussed on campus for the past 10 years. It's the answer, and everyone knows it. But a couple of administrators on Tech's campus have been against it, because it infringes on the greenspace/intramural fields that have been discussed for that space for the last 25 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
I'm working with some higher ups at my firm about trying to get something worked out to reach out to the University about providing services. If anything, just to assess damages to the sports facilities. I would love to work with the University to rebuild as well. We will see where this goes.Quote:
Originally Posted by faninmonroe
Does anyone know whether or not we had insurance on the baseball and softball facilities? If so then we will be in good shape and can move forward at a fast pace. If not, where do we get the money and how long will it take to raise he funds.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
Based on this they may not have to go through a formal bid process.https://www.doa.la.gov/orm/PDF/State...V 04.19.17.pdfQuote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
Regarding insurance. Go to the property section on page 3 of 11. This is an older document, but I believe the amounts are similar today.
https://www.doa.la.gov/orm/pdf/rfp/S...FY 2014-15.pdf
Unless you rebuild exactly what was there before, you need to have time to draw the design and get it permitted. You say the pressbox at Aillet was built in 9 months, but do you know how long the design and logistical planning took before they even started the excavation of the footings in the parking lot? That stuff takes time.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
I didQuote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
Yep new would take 15-18 mthsQuote:
Originally Posted by techfreak
The Love Shack is land locked with little room for expansion which is needed.
I hope we go bigger & better !!
I hope all of our facilities benefit from better!
Hey, I know a great firm in Monroe chunked full of alumni. Really hoping they put in a bid.
We could make a soccer/track & field facility like UNT
https://meangreensports.com/facilities/?id=19
Can the baseball field be moved closer to the apartments? How far down could we move the Halo exactly?
Certainly we have some Plan B ideas laid out and ready to be given to an architect and implemented if we must replace/rebuld a facility. If not, shame on us.
likeQuote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Dawgpix
Dimensions are already 5-30 feet shorter than NCAA standards. The rule book says fields should a minimum 400 feet to center, 375 to the power alleys, and 330 down the lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gladzilla
I'd rather see money spent on a totally new facility than trying to repair, especially since it looks like the major repairs needed may take close to as long as new construction.
I have no expectation that any plans for a new stadium have ever been seriously considered before. And with the grandstand pushing 50 years of use, those plans should have been in place long before now.
If we go new I hope it matches the style of the Joe’s additions just to have a coherent style across athletic spots.
Put softball where baseball is now. Find a new and roomier home for baseball, even if it has to be away from campus a bit.
Include a modern scoreboard with video replay capability. Have ample room for grilling, tailgating, outfield berm, etc. Look at what they did at Miss. State and ULL for fan-friendly ideas.
It's a shame the City of Shreveport let Fairgrounds Field get run down an unusable. It sure could be handy now.
Gross.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorm Fridge
Use the same site if at all possible. I think the scene, apartments, train, is not replaceable. Can we move it towards Tech and Alabama a bit, giving more room for the field, use the parking lot space for locker rooms, concessions, bathrooms, ticketing?
Also, I'm not engineer but I don't see how the damage caused warrants totally ripping it down.
I think the area where Nielson & Caruthers would be perfect. It wouldn't have the apartments, but you could have the train.
Also, according to the Master Plan, all three buildings in that area are destined for demolition. We could place the Softball and Soccer/Track facilities there as well. We could build a nice concession/restroom facility for use with all three.
Move Baseball/Softball/Soccer/Track to that area, the Indoor Facility could go where the current track is.
Turn existing Baseball/Soccer/Softball areas into intramural fields.
https://i2.wp.com/i1081.photobucket....size=608%2C455
I like the idea of backing it up more towards Alabama, makes the most sense then maybe add outfield bleachers if you're far enough from the tracks.
the OF bleachers can be like Miss St used to be, that would be a solid grilling area.
From a quick look, using the same site is an option, but to grow the seating bowl in any significant capacity, I don't think it can be done where the ballpark is sitting right now. The first base side of the ballpark is only ± 12' from the sidewalk on Tech Drive. There is plenty of room on the homeplate side, ± 92', and the third base side, ± 87'. In theory, if you started from scratch, you could rotate the ballpark about 5 degrees and get more room on all three sides to increase the seating capacity of the main seating bowl. This would shorten the left field foul line a few feet, but would allow you to deepen the right field corner as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by touchdown123
https://imgur.com/WtVGSdv
https://imgur.com/WtVGSdv
https://i.imgur.com/WtVGSdv.png
The damage to the roof could have impacted the stability of the seating bowl structure below it. It will hall have to be thoroughly tested. There really isn't much use in trying to "fix" concrete structure. If the damage is extensive enough, it may be cheaper to rip it down and start over than trying to fix the damage. https://imgur.com/WtVGSdv
I like that idea can we have the center of the bowl match up wit in line with the alabama/TECH drive corner. So it's more aesthetically pleasing? Just center it up and have move it back 10-20 feet.Quote:
Originally Posted by bulldog009
1st Base and 3rd base bleacher space is a must.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hawkins_Field.JPGQuote:
Originally Posted by Dawgpix
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hawkins_Field.JPG
Hawkins Field on the Vanderbilt University campus can be used as a great tool to learn from as it's also land locked.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...kins_Field.JPG
Some of you would advocate moving Fenway and Wrigley out to the 'burbs just to provide more creature comforts for fans.
There is a group that is trying to resurrect it, Play Ball Shreveport, but they haven’t yet received a lease from the city. It will cost lots of $$$ to make it game ready.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorm Fridge
Exactly. The only way this could be done where the ballpark is currently positioned would be to add unsymmetrical seating, so it would be more seating on the 3rd base side. You could potentially add a couple of rows behind the first base dugout, but I don't know how many, I would have to have more accurate measurements of how close it is to the road, and how it would sit on the side of that hill, giving thought to accessibility standards. 3rd base side would be a lot easier, you could basically add another section or 2 of the same seating that is currently built. You would just have to rearrange the entry to that side of the ballpark a little to work around the added seating. If the bullpens could be moved, you could add seating where they currently sit along the 3rd base line.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgpix
Yeah, that would be ideal, if it was started from scratch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gladzilla
i know this is way out there thinking. IF (a big IF) the stadium was moved to another location, which i hope it doesn't. I would like to see the current baseball field become intramural field. They would have the turf foundation which would be a huge plus for the students and put some type of historical marker (statue, fountain, ect...) with the love shacks history and date of tornado. Just a thought. All around its going to be a rough situation. Praying for the best outcomes for the city, university, and the community.
Could still be moved back in sections without starting from scratch.Quote:
Originally Posted by bulldog009
As far as the Fairgrounds goes, i've read where it would take 1M just to get the playing surface back up to par. 1.5M would be on the low end to get it back up and running again.
There are ideas laid out, but "ready to be given to an architect" is another story.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgpix
I've had this discussion with individuals on campus and with various boosters since 2014. As I said previously in this thread we have individuals on campus who are hell bent on not allowing athletics to move anything south of the railroad tracks. Yet most of the really good ideas discussed on campus over the past decade involve just that.
We don't know yet. But some of what was said yesterday indicated that the concrete that fell onto the stands acted like a wrecking ball. There is damage to the concrete structure of stadium. Is that worth fixing if it means problems down the road that means constant upkeep for decades to come.Quote:
Originally Posted by touchdown123
Does anyone have an update on suddenlink service ?
There is damage to the concrete in the seating bowl but how much is the question.Quote:
Originally Posted by bulldog009
Looks to me like the area across West Alabama from the TAC would work well. Somewhere east of Penny Lane to or past Scot Rd. Plenty of room for a nice ball park with plenty of seating and expansion room. Proximity to parking between the TAC & JAS. Would be across the road from where they may put the athletics academic center.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pe...!4d-92.6603072
Yes I know it's a hill. That's why we have earth moving equipment. And depending on the actual topography and where you place it, maybe there's not that much to be done. But I think it would make a great location.
Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I would be curious if you made a few changes to this setup. Leave the field where it is but move the stadium closer to the field.Quote:
Originally Posted by bulldog009
We have more distance between home plate and the backstop at J.C. Love than most of our competitors. Nitz talks about all the time.
What if the screen began roughly where the back edge of the LaTech logo is now located? How close would that put the dugouts to first base and third base? Would that give us room to simply extend permanent covered seating down the first base and third base lines or at least to the edge of the dugouts closest to the outfield wall? Would that give us enough room to expand seating back towards the intersection into an elevated section? Maybe an upper deck that spanned the center section and the two adjacent sections.
Of course!Quote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
So looking at your question - NCAA rule book shows the following as the typical field dimensions, with 60' radius to the backstop -
https://i.imgur.com/bOS42A9.png
But baseball dimensions are fluid and dependent on the situation. So that isn't set in stone. However, there is a minimum distance you typically don't want to go under, as it begins to negatively affect play. When I was working on the new Texas Rangers Ballpark, we ended up bringing it in to about 40' and there was a lot of push back from the team because of how the ball will play off of the backstop.
The Shack is already at 60' to the backstop -
https://i.imgur.com/ZZu4eLK.png
That logo being 30' would be entirely too close. The line of that warning track may be a slightly better option, but it would have to be a call made based on how the team wants the ballpark to play.
I don't know what the current bowl dimensions are, but a typical tread in a bowl is 2'-9" deep. So if they moved the back stop in 10', you could theoretically add 3 rows of seats. If you moved it in 15', you could add 5 rows of seats.
*Disclaimer - I am getting these dimensions on the images from from my software, which I am calibrating based off of where homeplate and first base should be (90' apart). They may be off slightly*
My extreme and unpopular suggestion would be build the baseball stadium on Hideaway Park. We would have plenty of parking using the stadium lot and also Argent Pavilion. Our guys can try to hit it out of the park into the pond/lake.
ATF would oppose. They love having a centralized student drinking area. Less walking, more ticketing.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
or our football sideline stands or the softball stands
Really, UL-Lafayette's BB and WSB look like erector sets? When have you last been there?
I like concrete stadiums or grandstands. Metal stands feel cheap and uncomfortable.
BlasphemyQuote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
I'm surprised that Tech hasn't bought the land across from the TAC. It would be great for athletic expansion.
Attachment 14415
According to information from our staff used on the Rice broadcast, the structure has been condemned.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
Also mentioned was that the WKU series will be played at the Ruston High stadium.
I thought Ruston High played in the city rec park on the south end of Ruston. Isn't all of that still under construction for the new, huge city rec project?Quote:
Originally Posted by FriscoDawg
I guess more to the point is, where am I supposed to go for next weekend's games?
1) They do.Quote:
Originally Posted by tenacious_dog
2) It was the last time I was in Ruston.
3) Norfolk. Tech doesn't play at home again until two weeks from tonight.
I haven’t read all the post on here nor will I. A lot of the concrete roof is gone. I worked at Tech for almost 35 years and that concrete has been deteriorating for a long time. That being said I see no way that they cannot replace it all.
Now that being said the most important thing is all the people that have lost everything. The pictures you have seen on the news do not even to begin to show the just how bad it is. The Barnett Springs area is total devastation. Yes it’s sad what has happened to the sports complexes but in no way is that as bad as to the families that have lost everything.Tech Athletics is on the bottom of the list . Shane Griffin
Shane: I think we all agree that the most important thing is the people who were impacted. At the same time please don't take offense if we're discussing Tech athletics or the facilities impacted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Darbonnedawg
Both the baseball and softball seasons are moving forward. The state is going to move forward with its assessments of Tech's facilities, and Tech officials are going to have to make decisions in a relatively short period of time that will impact Tech athletics for decades to come. Many will have an opinion on it.
At the same time, you might have been impacted by this in so many ways. Directly or indirectly. I would encourage you to comment or at least read this board and keep us with Tech athletics, as well. I was impacted by both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. I made a mistake in the days and weeks after Katrina by not bringing more normalcy into my life. It was a dramatic help when I did.
Overwhelmed by Support! Tech students coming through. From TMAC's Twitter feed:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5KgY6aXoAEIqKm.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5Kx0OBXkAEggpr.jpg
Clean up effort volunteers this morning meeting at JAS. From Dr. Guice's Twitter feed:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5Kiy0IWwAEkcef.jpg
From the Tech softball page. Senior Weekend. The picture says it all.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5K-oCjWkAAWsuV.jpg:large
What a turnout for the work day today! It was/is amazing to see all of the support the campus and city have. Right now, it is kind of slow going because the power lines are down, the trucks are working trying to get power restored, and debris is everywhere. It is awesome to see the students, alumni, and community come together to help each other. I had seen the pictures of the baseball complex, but hadn't realized most of the apartments around there were damaged in some way- either windows out, the roof, etc. That said, there is nothing wrong with moving on- that's what you have to do. We all should be helping where we can, but life goes on- and sports is a part of that.