Where should LaTech rebuild baseball stadium

https://www.newsleader.com/story/new...um/3638869002/

Nielson & Caruthers location is not mentioned

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Among those possibilities are the intramural field on Alabama across the street from Joe Aillet Stadium, which is adjacent to the softball and soccer fields, and what's known as the "rugby field" on Tech Drive across the street from the Lambright Intramural Center.
Both of those sites are basically shovel ready.

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Officials with Louisiana's Office of Risk Management said the baseball stadium's maximum insurance benefit is $2.3 million for a total loss, which is only a fraction of the cost of a new facility.

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Looking at the satellite view on Google Maps, it appears the Rugby Field is not nearly big enough. You'd have to remove/reroute the road going into the JAS parking lot and possibly cut into the football practice field to have a nice layout. I don't see that happening.

The intramural field has a bigger footprint, but once you lay out the grandstand structure and other necessities, I don't think it would fit there either.

I agree that the Nielson & Caruthers area should be considered. Take out Railroad Avenue by the tracks and even part of the current Mitchell parking lot if necessary. There is also the area from the Hut.

But my vote is to leave it where it is.

I cant find it but there was an athletics master plan where the current rd coming into football stadium from tech drive was removed. Bulldog drive was made to go from tech drive to alabama along the tree line. softball field was located at the old entrance and rugby field. they could use those plans but put baseball there and move softball where baseball currently is

https://abwarchitects.com/work/academic/master-plan-for-athletic-and-recreation-complex-louisiana-tech-university/

here is a similar plan but the one i saw bulldog drive was extended from alabama to tech dr and the current entrance to stadium form tech drive was removed



edited: https://press-herald.com/la-tech-introduces-master-plan-2020/

i think this is the one i originally saw. this one has indoor practice facility for football. i was wrong on the softball location. i think that was just for the link above

Build back where it is. The dorms out in left field gives ballpark "old time" charm. However, build a modern stadium but will "old time" look, lots of brick! Can build up, a second deck to expand seating and that would leave more of the "down the lines" for other attractions. Like a "beer garden-tailgate area." Also put some kind of permanent bleachers behind the right field wall, with brick and very attractive.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Build back where it is. The dorms out in left field gives ballpark "old time" charm. However, build a modern stadium but will "old time" look, lots of brick! Can build up, a second deck to expand seating and that would leave more of the "down the lines" for other attractions. Like a "beer garden-tailgate area." Also put some kind of permanent bleachers behind the right field wall, with brick and very attractive.

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I'm starting to lean this way after first wanting to start from scratch across the RR Tracks in the old dorms location (current "green space").

We need a few more feet down the lines and that can easily be done with relocation of the grand stands toward Alabama and Tech Drive. We also need seating down the lines along with some seating (or a deck) in the left field area. Keep the traditional area open in right field since we gain some space away from the RR track out there.

Next year does not look promising for play in a new park so let's do it right for the 2021 season.

with the ncaa having a recommended distance to fence and techs being so much shorter than that. would that play a factor into tech getting or not getting a host opportunity. i dont know if that much room could be made up by moving the stands back.

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Originally Posted by johnnyb019

with the ncaa having a recommended distance to fence and techs being so much shorter than that. would that play a factor into tech getting or not getting a host opportunity. i dont know if that much room could be made up by moving the stands back.

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How much more distance do we need?

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Originally Posted by dawg80

How much more distance do we need?

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5 to 30 feet.

Regional and Super Regional hosting opportunities are based on having adequate seating capacity. Once chairbacks were put in, the current grandstand capacity dropped to well under 1,400. The only way to build a stadium with close to the recommended dimensions and have adequate seating (should be looking at 3,000 minimum expandable to 5,000) on the present site would be to knock down the three apartment buildings that were built too close to the stadium in the first place.

The present site would be perfect for a nice 2,000 seat softball stadium with extra parking included.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

5 to 30 feet.

Regional and Super Regional hosting opportunities are based on having adequate seating capacity. Once chairbacks were put in, the current grandstand capacity dropped to well under 1,400. The only was to build a stadium with close to the recommended dimensions and have adequate seating (should be looking at 3,000 minimum expandable to 5,000) on the present site would be to knock down the three apartment buildings that were build too close to the stadium in the first place.

The present site would be perfect for a nice 2,000 seat softball stadium with extra parking included.

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You are suggesting a facility with a price tag of over ten million. Where will we get the money. Remember we took around 4yrs to collect 9mil, half the amount needed for our end zone facility. Floated bonds for the rest, 9Mil or so, with students obligated to pay that off with at least 20yrs to go on that. Cant depend on students for any more and I doubt we could look to the Foundation for help. They loaned the athletic dept 12mil for the press box addition and no one knows when that can be repaid thus Foundation is in no position to loan out more millions without a specific repayment plan. Time for the heavy hitters to ante up or else we will see only a patch job on existing structure and that isnt good.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

You are suggesting a facility with a price tag of over ten million. Where will we get the money. Remember we took around 4yrs to collect 9mil, half the amount needed for our end zone facility. Floated bonds for the rest, 9Mil or so, with students obligated to pay that off with at least 20yrs to go on that. Cant depend on students for any more and I doubt we could look to the Foundation for help. They loaned the athletic dept 12mil for the press box addition and no one knows when that can be repaid thus Foundation is in no position to loan out more millions without a specific repayment plan. Time for the heavy hitters to ante up or else we will see only a patch job on existing structure and that isnt good.

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Up jumps the guy who is clueless and wishes we were FCS and playing the Southland.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

Up jumps the guy who is clueless and wishes we were FCS and playing the Southland.

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I may be clueless but that doesnt stop me from worrying about the situation in which we find ourselves.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

I may be clueless but that doesnt stop me from worrying about the situation in which we find ourselves.

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Right. If we listened to "fans" like you we'd still be playing FCS. You are not capable of thinking outside the box.

WTH are you "worried" about? This is a race with LaLaff not a reflection on your bottom line.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

You are suggesting a facility with a price tag of over ten million. Where will we get the money. Remember we took around 4yrs to collect 9mil, half the amount needed for our end zone facility. Floated bonds for the rest, 9Mil or so, with students obligated to pay that off with at least 20yrs to go on that. Cant depend on students for any more and I doubt we could look to the Foundation for help. They loaned the athletic dept 12mil for the press box addition and no one knows when that can be repaid thus Foundation is in no position to loan out more millions without a specific repayment plan. Time for the heavy hitters to ante up or else we will see only a patch job on existing structure and that isnt good.

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If Tech doesn't invest in a stadium that will meet the needs of the program for the next 50 years, it would be better off to upgrade the Ruston High stadium and play there.

Either do it right, and don't do it at all.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

If Tech doesn't invest in a stadium that will meet the needs of the program for the next 50 years, it would be better off to upgrade the Ruston High stadium and play there.

Either do it right, and don't do it at all.

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What you say is exactly right. This worse than awful moment in time has to be capitalized on in the biggest and best way possible. Not only is the new and improved scale of the facility fundamentally important for all the reasons that so many have said, it’s also essential that Tech’s administration and supporters by way of their futuristic decision making put the programs in need, baseball, softball and soccer on a path of greater expectations and accomplishment. I don’t see that happening by simply rebuilding what was old, too small and too simplistic by making it new again.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

You are suggesting a facility with a price tag of over ten million. Where will we get the money.

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For starters the State's Self-Insured Fund will pay $2.3 million. I suspect FEMA will end up covering the rest. If we get dollars to rebuild the stadium way it was built in 1967-68 (not precast or aluminum or a combination of both) but thick poured concrete I think it would bring $7 million to $10 million. Maybe more.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

Cant depend on students for any more

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Really! Tech students pay almost nothing in students fees for athletics compared to most of our competitors.

Even for projects on campus in the last 30 years like the Lambright Center expansion or Centennial Plaza we ask so little of our students that we have to "value engineer" a project down to get it completed because we didn't want to ask enough of our students to begin with.

Yet, to the credit of our alumni base a proposed student fee hasn't been turned down at Tech in at least 40 years. The only project I've been able to find since the 70s that got less than 60% support of our students was the Centennial Plaza project which came up for a vote in 1992.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

I doubt we could look to the Foundation for help. They loaned the athletic dept 12mil for the press box addition and no one knows when that can be repaid thus Foundation is in no position to loan out more millions without a specific repayment plan.

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Your post suggests the athletic department went to the Foundation and took out a loan as if it were a bank. The reality is the university simply used the Foundation to run the debt through rather than float bonds. Specifically because they intend to pay it off through fundraising efforts rather than use the revenue it's generating, which is going into the operating budget. Part of the press box debt will be paid off through the 125th anniversary fundraising project.

Tech is also in the process of raising funds for an academic support facility for athletics, which will run into 8 figures.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

Time for the heavy hitters to ante up or else we will see only a patch job on existing structure and that isnt good.

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To their credit some of the heavy hitters have stepped to the plate in the past 10 years for at least 3 projects. But you're correct in that if ever Tech needed to come up with a visionary plan and sell it to alums it's now.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

What you say is exactly right. This worse than awful moment in time has to be capitalized on in the biggest and best way possible. Not only is the new and improved scale of the facility fundamentally important for all the reasons that so many have said, it’s also essential that Tech’s administration and supporters by way of their futuristic decision making put the programs in need, baseball, softball and soccer on a path of greater expectations and accomplishment. I don’t see that happening by simply rebuilding what was old, too small and too simplistic by making it new again.

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Well said!

I was gonna post, after last night, we should consider not rebuilding and just let baseball fade into oblivion. But, that is too easy of an out...which our team would muff up by tossing the ball into the concession stand. Anyway, baseball is not about winning...just ask Cub fans! It's about having a team so in the 7th inning you can sing, "it's root, root, root for the home team.." (or for the Dawgies) "if they don't win it's just more of the same!" Or something like that...

So, let's rebuild and all sing along in the bottom of the 7th!

Dream scenario:

10 feet of depth added to all fields. Raise the right field fence to the same height as left field. Extend grand stand at least to the outside edge of the dugouts. Extend seating back 2-3 rows at least all the way round. Build an enclose or at least covered bullpen down left field with permanent but open seating over it. (If not now, they should start fundraising now with intentions to do this in 8-10 years at most)

If that can be accomplished in current location, do it. If not, move to green space across the tracks.

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Really! Tech students pay almost nothing in students fees for athletics compared to most of our competitors.

Even for projects on campus in the last 30 years like the Lambright Center expansion or Centennial Plaza we ask so little of our students that we have to "value engineer" a project down to get it completed because we didn't want to ask enough of our students to begin with.

Yet, to the credit of our alumni base a proposed student fee hasn't been turned down at Tech in at least 40 years. The only project I've been able to find since the 70s that got less than 60% support of our students was the Centennial Plaza project which came up for a vote in 1992.

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You are correct in that our students pay almost nothing, if any, in student ATHLETIC fees. I was referring to the FACILITY ENHANCEMENT FEE the students voted upon themselves 4-5yrs ago of which about $650,000 annually is directed to paying off the bonds sold to allow construction of the end zone facility. I wonder if they would vote to add any more.

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Originally Posted by techman05

Dream scenario:

10 feet of depth added to all fields. Raise the right field fence to the same height as left field. Extend grand stand at least to the outside edge of the dugouts. Extend seating back 2-3 rows at least all the way round. Build an enclose or at least covered bullpen down left field with permanent but open seating over it. (If not now, they should start fundraising now with intentions to do this in 8-10 years at most)

If that can be accomplished in current location, do it. If not, move to green space across the tracks.

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....and hire a coach that can lead us to a regional to host in our new & improved stadium

With insurance $2.3 another $7 to $8 from FEMA, we can bond out $10 million and build something really really nice...

Over 20 years that’s not a heavy debt service....

Hell bond out $20 million and due softball, tennis, soccer and track RIGHT also...

This isn’t rocket science

A story on the new baseball field they are building at Marshall. Hope the link works. https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/02/2...ject-unveiled/

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

With insurance $2.3 another $7 to $8 from FEMA, we can bond out $10 million and build something really really nice...

Over 20 years that’s not a heavy debt service....

Hell bond out $20 million and due softball, tennis, soccer and track RIGHT also...

This isn’t rocket science

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I think funding the athletics academic center has been a thing lately. I guess I get the need for that, but not so much. To me, especially since the tornado changed our reality, we really need to complete/upgrade our fundamental athletics infrastructure. All of our sports deserve a quality field of play and the supporting facilities.

Baseball & softball need to be able to host NCAA regional & super-regional tournaments. Track & field and soccer each need a track/field of play with decent drainage, seating & locker room facilities. (Frankly, our track field is embarrassing and soccer isn't much better). I don't know enough about tennis' situation so will say they also deserve quality facilities.

I really hope our administration will come up with a bold initiative and give us a chance to step up and support it. This terrible tornado could be the trigger to a renaissance.

Tech needs a baseball stadium comparable to Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg and Reckling Park in Houston. Neither of those layouts would come close to fitting on the existing site.

Even if something close to those two parks could be shoe-horned into the current location, any future expansion would simply not be feasible.

Tech leadership needs to think to the future because this opportunity will not come around again.

"If it don't fit, don't force it. Just relax and let it go." - Kellee Patterson, 1977

While I like the atmosphere of the Love Shack, we're landlocked there. Take the opportunity to relocate it where we have land to expand it and make it a premier college ball park.

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Originally Posted by ChuckK3

"If it don't fit, don't force it. Just relax and let it go." - Kellee Patterson, 1977

While I like the atmosphere of the Love Shack, we're landlocked there. Take the opportunity to relocate it where we have land to expand it and make it a premier college ball park.

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Yes Yes Yes Yes

This is exactly what we need to do. Even if we can't play home games next year... GET IT DONE! We have a great softball coach who is getting it done. There is no better opportunity than right now to completely have something new for baseball and softball... NO EXCUSES!!

2500 is plenty of seating for us. We can easily seat 3000+ in the current area. USM stadium sucks!

3,000 permanent is the optimum number

That’s doubling current capacity

Question is do we want to take our time and do it right or do we want to rush just to have something in place for 2020?

That’s the question we should be asking ourselves

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

3,000 permanent is the optimum number

That’s doubling current capacity

Question is do we want to take our time and do it right or do we want to rush just to have something in place for 2020?

That’s the question we should be asking ourselves

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2021 and in the same spot.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

2021 and in the same spot.

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Please no, the thought of that feels like repeating the last 20 years which with the exception of Goff’s last year haven’t been good. I want so bad for a Tech men's team to win a conference championship of some sort. All of this repeated underachieving is becoming unbearable. Maybe, hopefully with a legit NCAA / conference tournament caliber and institutionally proud facility we’ll be a few steps closer to getting a legit coach who can build a real program. What we’re suffering through now sucks.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Please no, the thought of that feels like repeating the last 20 years which with the exception of Goff’s last year haven’t been good. I want so bad for a Tech men's team to win a conference championship of some sort. All of this repeated underachieving is becoming unbearable. Maybe, hopefully with a legit NCAA / conference tournament caliber and institutionally proud facility we’ll be a few steps closer to getting a legit coach who can build a real program. What we’re suffering through now sucks.

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Not sure what building back in the same spot has to do with any of your concerns.

FWIW, as old as our facilities were, we had good facilities compared to our peers.

Any good coach we get will be hired away which is a good thing if your have a guy hiring who knows how to properly replace the good coach.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Please no, the thought of that feels like repeating the last 20 years which with the exception of Goff’s last year haven’t been good. I want so bad for a Tech men's team to win a conference championship of some sort. All of this repeated underachieving is becoming unbearable. Maybe, hopefully with a legit NCAA / conference tournament caliber and institutionally proud facility we’ll be a few steps closer to getting a legit coach who can build a real program. What we’re suffering through now sucks.

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That has absolutely nothing to do with the stadium location - that’s a 98% admin issue

I don’t think most of y’all realize the great scenic value of our present location

I love the scenic value of the present location. And if there was an extra 60 feet available on all sides, this thread wouldn't be needed because site selection would not be an issue. Next best alternative that would at least pay homage to the current site would be in the Neilsen-Caruthers space with the outfield fence toward the railroad tracks.

And if softball were placed in the current baseball location, both programs could have the scenic value.

Can you not see Hale Hall from the Neilsen-Caruthers area? I'll have to drive by there to see. I know the railroad track goes by it. I think I'm leaning towards the Neilsen-Caruthers area for baseball. Softball moving into the old baseball area is a good idea, also. If there is enough room to do a new baseball stadium at the current location then I'm fine keeping it there. However, I don't think there is enough room though.

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Originally Posted by deb025

Can you not see Hale Hall from the Neilsen-Caruthers area? I'll have to drive by there to see. I know the railroad track goes by it. I think I'm leaning towards the Neilsen-Caruthers area for baseball. Softball moving into the old baseball area is a good idea, also. If there is enough room to do a new baseball stadium at the current location then I'm fine keeping it there. However, I don't think there is enough room though.

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Hale Hall should be on first base sight line from that area...

I’m not convinced there is not room enough yet, from a google shot there looks to be in the neighborhood of almost 90 feet of wiggle room from back of structure now to the wrought iron fence that faces west Alabama

I just hope we don’t make a rush to judgement to meet a time line and that we honestly explore all possibilities

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Hale Hall should be on first base sight line from that area...

I’m not convinced there is not room enough yet, from a google shot there looks to be in the neighborhood of almost 90 feet of wiggle room from back of structure now to the wrought iron fence that faces west Alabama

I just hope we don’t make a rush to judgement to meet a time line and that we honestly explore all possibilities

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I'm with you on that. I just want it done right wherever it's at. If we stay in the current location the new stadium will definitely be snug against Tech Dr. and Alabama. I love the scenic value of the current location but I don't want to sacrifice any needed amenities for the scenic value.

Rebuild baseball stadium same spot - looks great there.
Use current parking lot left field side for new indoor hitting, clubhouse, coaches offices, etc, build new grand stands, new & bigger dugouts, use all of space under grandstands for enlarged concessions, tics. Build new outfield fence 20 ft further back than present. New video scoreboard.
Build new softball stadium across from football field house, move soccer to track infield build new turf soccer field. Build new press box & stands for soccer & track dual use. Make area where current softball & half of current soccer field for Parking - baseball, softball & football
Done.

Attachment 14418

Attachment 14419

Here is a great hi-res view of the baseball field and athletic complex courtesy of Louisiana Helicam [360 view]

Use mouse and scroller to move around and zoom in.

https://roundme.com/tour/393430/view/1360521

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

I love the scenic value of the present location. And if there was an extra 60 feet available on all sides, this thread wouldn't be needed because site selection would not be an issue..

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There is plenty of room to get an extra 60 ft, but 60ft down the lines is not needed.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

There is plenty of room to get an extra 60 ft, but 60ft down the lines is not needed.

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Correct...

Leave baseball where it is and snug it up to roadways, much like Frisco stadium we played in last year is set up. B
Baseball can always go vertical if needed to create the proper seating to accommodate growth and post season play.
Move softball to the old Nielsen Caruthers area, would fit very well even without Mitchell being torn down, although it is on the list to be at some point.
Soccer could play on one of the football practice fields or redo/build on the current intramural field.
Parking would be at old softball/soccer which would also help with the campus/student parking situation/problem.

I still think we can upgrade the Soccer and combine it with Track, similar to what UNT did. This would give both sports Offices at their facility along with locker rooms.
It cost UNT $13.6 million in 2017. Soccer can play at JAS until it's complete.

Iowa State has a pretty cool set up with soccer, track, softball.

https://cyclones.com/images/2016/2/1...x_Aerial_2.jpg

That's perfect. You could have shared locker room facilities for all 3 sports - Since Soccer & Softball don't overlap - they could share a locker room. You'd need men's and women's track/cross country. You could have a shared concession facility and coaches offices for all sports. That facility cost them $13 million in 2012

More pics of Iowa State https://rdgusa.com/projects/iowa-sta...sports-complex

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The site configuration of the Complex allows events for all programs to be ticketed in one location and shared concessions, restrooms, lockers, and storage spaces maximizes the use of all amenities of the Complex and significantly reduces single-use spaces.

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Originally Posted by qng001

Iowa State has a pretty cool set up with soccer, track, softball.

https://cyclones.com/images/2016/2/1...x_Aerial_2.jpg

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

I still think we can upgrade the Soccer and combine it with Track, similar to what UNT did. This would give both sports Offices at their facility along with locker rooms.
It cost UNT $13.6 million in 2017. Soccer can play at JAS until it's complete.

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SD: Keep in mind UNT built that whole complex from scratch. We would just have to build a new grandstand with an office, training room and athletes lounge for the two sports along with separate locker rooms for each sport and several visitor's locker rooms.

If you used the footprint of the old track stands the cost would run anywhere from $2 million to $5 million depending upon how nice you wanted to make it. UL-Lafayette had the grandstand in place and added the rest a few years ago. Their cost was around $1.5 million.

Even among the thoughts shared here it seems that a minimization of this opportunity is the majority opinion... settling for less. I’m afraid thats exactly what the Tech decision makers are going to do. They’re going to shrink these ideas down to the smallest thing they can make happen and then sell it the best they can. What we’ll end up with when it’s all said and done is a hollow feeling of what could’ve been. Sure it’ll all be new and look new and then in 5 years the new will wear off and we’ll all be wanting what could’ve been.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

This worse than awful moment in time has to be capitalized on in the biggest and best way possible.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Even among the thoughts shared here it seems that a minimization of this opportunity is the majority opinion..

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So … never waste a crisis?

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Even among the thoughts shared here it seems that a minimization of this opportunity is the majority opinion... settling for less. I’m afraid thats exactly what the Tech decision makers are going to do. They’re going to shrink these ideas down to the smallest thing they can make happen and then sell it the best they can. What we’ll end up with when it’s all said and done is a hollow feeling of what could’ve been. Sure it’ll all be new and look new and then in 5 years the new will wear off and we’ll all be wanting what could’ve been.

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Well, either that, or people really and truly like the old location more than they care about expanded seating.

But sure, maybe it's what you said.

If we stay at current beautiful location a model along the layout of the old minor league Smith-Wills stadium, in Jackson, Miss., would help add seating to left and right field. Just make the adjustment of the field to the north, away from Tech Drive. That slope behind the corporate area was an accident waiting to happen.

Just for reference, this is what the area behind left field looked like back in 2013. Shifting the field would mean reworking this area.


https://i1203.photobucket.com/albums...psrilw66ca.jpg

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Even among the thoughts shared here it seems that a minimization of this opportunity is the majority opinion... settling for less. I’m afraid thats exactly what the Tech decision makers are going to do. They’re going to shrink these ideas down to the smallest thing they can make happen and then sell it the best they can. What we’ll end up with when it’s all said and done is a hollow feeling of what could’ve been. Sure it’ll all be new and look new and then in 5 years the new will wear off and we’ll all be wanting what could’ve been.

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I am really worried that our administration is more than capable of achieving exactly what we expect of them.

https://i1203.photobucket.com/albums...psa6qztjzn.jpg

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Originally Posted by inudesu

Well, either that, or people really and truly like the old location more than they care about expanded seating.

But sure, maybe it's what you said.

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Who said we can't expand seating at the old location? We can easily get to 3000 which is all we will ever need.

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Just for reference, this is what the area behind left field looked like back in 2013. Shifting the field would mean reworking this area.


https://i1203.photobucket.com/albums...psrilw66ca.jpg

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Not a huge undertaking IMO.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

Not a huge undertaking IMO.

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twss

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

Not a huge undertaking IMO.

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Nothing to it unless you add In The costs associated....Straighten the dogleg in the road, move utilities, fix drainage issues, build a retaining wall. I’m sure we have some engineering students that could design all that at no cost.

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Originally Posted by eagle2180

Nothing to it unless you add In The costs associated....Straighten the dogleg in the road, move utilities, fix drainage issues, build a retaining wall. I’m sure we have some engineering students that could design all that at no cost.

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I have never said nothing to it. In the overall scheme of what will have to take place the left-field area is nothing compared to what will have to take place with the demo of the existing structure and all that will follow. For what it's worth the road has no meaning to future settings. The utilities are light poles and possibly a scoreboard. Drainage is always part of any project. You are probably also worried about replacing the flagpole in centerfield

For reference here is centerfield in 2013.

https://i1203.photobucket.com/albums...psnncr82l5.jpg

Is there a date to when the university's on campus media engineer room will be finished or upgraded?

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Just for reference, this is what the area behind left field looked like back in 2013. Shifting the field would mean reworking this area.


https://i1203.photobucket.com/albums...psrilw66ca.jpg

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Just an observation. I'd expect the Fire Marshal to have the final say on any change to this fire lane.

All these suggestions are an important part of this rebuilding process. All excellent ideas. All excellent points.

One thought, however.

Has the administration talked to the one guy in the camp I imagine who's been to most major venues? Many, many minor league parks? Many, many college parks?

Our university is being negligent if they do not interview this one guy and let him weigh in on what we need to do with The Love Shack site.

I wonder what THE NITZER thinks.

Tech should rebuild the baseball field in Bernice ...

where Bulldogs have been scoring homeruns since 1899.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawgpix

All these suggestions are an important part of this rebuilding process. All excellent ideas. All excellent points.

One thought, however.

Has the administration talked to the one guy in the camp I imagine who's been to most major venues? Many, many minor league parks? Many, many college parks?

Our university is being negligent if they do not interview this one guy and let him weigh in on what we need to do with The Love Shack site.

I wonder what THE NITZER thinks.

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He has offered his help, but hasn’t received a call

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

He has offered his help, but hasn’t received a call

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Ah. Well, I've made my suggestion on BB&B, so . . . file that suggestion.

Biggest obstacle to building or rebuilding is where will the team practice and play next year. Impossible to plan, design, decide on final design, quote cost, secure contractor(s), and complete project in less than one year, actually next season starts in 10 mths. So I dont see a scenario where the team can practice and play games other than at the current site while a new stadium is being built. Hard to share with RHS during an on-going high school season. Cant share with ULM for home games since so much of the mid-week schedule is already set in advance. Logistically some work would need to be done at current site to accommodate practice and games next year while the stadium is being built elsewhere. Of course any work to be able to use current site just adds to overall cost. It might be possible to practice at RHS and play some games at ULM, some at RHS and maybe some at GSU. I wonder how this might effect recruiting especially juco recruiting. I think high school kids would be ok since most will red shirt but juco guys come with hopes to play immediately. If only state fair stadium was viable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BruceWillisDawg

Biggest obstacle to building or rebuilding is where will the team practice and play next year. Impossible to plan, design, decide on final design, quote cost, secure contractor(s), and complete project in less than one year, actually next season starts in 10 mths. So I dont see a scenario where the team can practice and play games other than at the current site while a new stadium is being built. Hard to share with RHS during an on-going high school season. Cant share with ULM for home games since so much of the mid-week schedule is already set in advance. Logistically some work would need to be done at current site to accommodate practice and games next year while the stadium is being built elsewhere. Of course any work to be able to use current site just adds to overall cost. It might be possible to practice at RHS and play some games at ULM, some at RHS and maybe some at GSU. I wonder how this might effect recruiting especially juco recruiting. I think high school kids would be ok since most will red shirt but juco guys come with hopes to play immediately. If only state fair stadium was viable.

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Everyone is signed for next season pretty much. Only guys being brought in this late for next season are likely walk-ons.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

He has offered his help, but hasn’t received a call

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Imagine my surprise.

Gross negligence.

I think the old Nielson/Caruthers location could work if you build over the bend in the road where Railroad Ave turns into Westwood or whatever it's called. You'd have to do a lot of dirt work though because of that hill.

I'd prefer to keep it in the same spot. Put home plate closer to the tracks near the apartments so that Tech Dr and Alabama border the outfield. That gives you plenty of room for grandstands behind home plate and some seating down the third baseline, plus a fieldhouse behind all that. You lose, what, 40 parking spaces? So build some new spaces where Nielsen/Caruthers used to be.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BruceWillisDawg

Biggest obstacle to building or rebuilding is where will the team practice and play next year. Impossible to plan, design, decide on final design, quote cost, secure contractor(s), and complete project in less than one year, actually next season starts in 10 mths. So I dont see a scenario where the team can practice and play games other than at the current site while a new stadium is being built. Hard to share with RHS during an on-going high school season. Cant share with ULM for home games since so much of the mid-week schedule is already set in advance. Logistically some work would need to be done at current site to accommodate practice and games next year while the stadium is being built elsewhere. Of course any work to be able to use current site just adds to overall cost. It might be possible to practice at RHS and play some games at ULM, some at RHS and maybe some at GSU. I wonder how this might effect recruiting especially juco recruiting. I think high school kids would be ok since most will red shirt but juco guys come with hopes to play immediately. If only state fair stadium was viable.

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Practices can be held at the new Ruston Sports Complex if RHS is unavailable. Games, however, could not be played there because the fences will only be 300' compared to the NCAA's recommended 400'. I don't know what the dimensions are at RHS.

Quote:

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The recommended distances for outfield fences are 330 feet from the apex of home plate to each foul pole; 375 feet in both right- and left-center field; 400 feet in straightaway center field. If the distance to the foul pole is less than 330 feet, the fence should be rounded out to the recommended distances in right- and left-center field and straightaway center field, if possible. It is recommended that the foul pole be fluorescent yellow for new construction or for the repainting of existing foul poles.

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Games on the other hand???
Option A) Ruston H.S. or Cedar Creek, if dimensions are acceptable.
Option B) U.L.M.
Option C) Grambling

I'm betting Grambling gets new turf baseball field and some of our peeps get a nice tax write off

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qng001

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

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You need some trees in the parking areas :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

I'm betting Grambling gets new turf baseball field and some of our peeps get a nice tax write off

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Or the state appropriates funds on an emergency basis for new turf baseball and softball fields at Grambling. Simple and it buys us until 2021.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Or the state appropriates funds on an emergency basis for new turf baseball and softball fields at Grambling. Simple and it buys us until 2021.

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You really think 2021 if in new location?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qng001

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

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I like it.

Dr. Guice has responded to me and promises the Nitzer will be among those approached for ideas.
Thank you Dr. Guice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qng001

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

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Looks good to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawgpix

Dr. Guice has responded to me and promises the Nitzer will be among those approached for ideas.
Thank you Dr. Guice.

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Sorry I was thinking of someone else who is heavily involved in MiLB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qng001

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

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Awesome! you kept the train passing behind the outfield fence in play.

Oh, given how Nielson was configured, I got to third base just about where 3rd base would be in this set-up. Nice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

Sorry I was thinking of someone else who is heavily involved in MiLB

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Although the Nitzer's input is highly valued as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

I have never said nothing to it. In the overall scheme of what will have to take place the left-field area is nothing compared to what will have to take place with the demo of the existing structure and all that will follow. For what it's worth the road has no meaning to future settings. The utilities are light poles and possibly a scoreboard. Drainage is always part of any project. You are probably also worried about replacing the flagpole in centerfield

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Demo of the existing structure is the easiest part in the whole process. Drainage is always a part....our current track which was redone not too many years ago doesn’t drain worth a damn. I’ve seen water standing on the warning track of our current baseball facility after the turf replacement. Easements, utilities, fire marshal....all these things will be a factor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qng001

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

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Quite a bit of dirt work needed to make that happen. Good bit of elevation change on that site.

Well, if we are throwing out ideas. Turn the current track and football practice field into the baseball and softball complex. Build a walkover Alabama and turn the existing softball and soccer into football practice facilities, maybe even turn the current tennis courts into an indoor practice facility. Move tennis, soccer and track to the old Nielsen , Carothers area. Turn the current baseball facility into intramural fields. Just a thought.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChuckK3

"If it don't fit...we're landlocked there.

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Prove it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qng001

If we do move it to the Neilson/Caruthers area, I did a (quick and dirty) copy/paste job using CSUN Matador's $15 million stadium rendering in our site.

Attachment 14420

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I will lay down in front of a bulldozer before this happens.

Maybe we should build it in Baton Rouge after last night :D

FWIW: The following was sent to students this morning as part of Dr Guice's daily update on the recovery process:

I am pleased to announce that Adam McGuirt has accepted an appointment as
Director of Disaster Recovery and Strategic Initiatives to support us in the
massive damage assessment and reporting as well as planning and oversight of
the repair & reconstruction of campus. Adam has had considerable experience
in working with other entities on-campus and off-campus in planning,
constructing and operating athletics facilities and will bring that
expertise to support us at a campus-wide level.

FYI, some recently constructed college baseball stadiums with their cost/capcities:

Under Construction:
Unnamed Stadium: Marshall, 3,500 capacity, $18-20 Million, opens in 2021
O'Brate Stadium: Okalahoma State, 8,000 capacity, $60 Million, opens in 2020


Opened 2019:
Dudy Noble: Missisippi State, 12,000 capacity, $68 Million
Kentucky Proud Park: $49 Million, 5,000 capacity


Opened 2018:
Brighton Field: Boston College, 1,000 capacity, Was a small part of a $200 Million project
Kentucky Proud Park: Kentucky, 5,000 capacity, $49 Million


2015:
Monongalia County Ballpark: West Virginia, 3,500 capacity, $25 Million, opened 2015
Liberty Baseball Stadium: Liberty, 2,500 capacity, $9 Million, opened 2013
Bart Kaufman Field: Indiana, 2,500 capacity, $19.8 Million, opened 2013
Alexander Field: Purdue, 1,500 capacity, $10.3 Million, opened 2013



Louisiana Lafayette spent $16 million just to renovate!

What about south campus? Lots of land down there. Might be a good opportunity to start expanding university south. Just a thought.

and its a farm...so if we build it they will come :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fletch Fletcher

Louisiana Lafayette spent $16 million just to renovate!

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UL-Lafayette kept the metal bleachers down the lines, which are chairbacked. But other than that they completely rebuilt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawgs2448

What about south campus? Lots of land down there. Might be a good opportunity to start expanding university south. Just a thought.

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Pro: lots of land

Con: disconnects Baseball from the athletic village and main campus. Also this impacts video production. I assume we use the TAC to run our stream.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle2180

Quite a bit of dirt work needed to make that happen. Good bit of elevation change on that site.

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That's okay. Move some dirt and create berm seating!


Werner Park (Omaha Storm Chaser)
https://ballparkdigest.com/images/stories/werner7sm.jpg

Or

Hammond Stadium | Ft Meyers FL
https://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/...ammondberm.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ETxBullDawg

FWIW: The following was sent to students this morning as part of Dr Guice's daily update on the recovery process:

I am pleased to announce that Adam McGuirt has accepted an appointment as
Director of Disaster Recovery and Strategic Initiatives to support us in the
massive damage assessment and reporting as well as planning and oversight of
the repair & reconstruction of campus. Adam has had considerable experience
in working with other entities on-campus and off-campus in planning,
constructing and operating athletics facilities and will bring that
expertise to support us at a campus-wide level.

---

Good move on our part! I think a lot of Adam and believe he'll do a good job in the position.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Historian

UL-Lafayette kept the metal bleachers down the lines, which are chairbacked. But other than that they completely rebuilt.

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It was a complete rebuild of the previous grandstand, but the existing field, drainage system, lighting, fences, bullpens, etc were all left in place. That's a good chunk of the money saved. Starting from scratch is going to get expensive. I think $18-23 million is probably what yall will end up spending.