Southern Arkansas has a decent softball complex for what it is. The stands are small (we can easily make larger, permanent brick stands not just a press box.) The size isnt what I’d replicate, but the idea is there. Two sports fields sharing a single nice concession/bathroom building. Batting cage behind this building and takes up no unnecessary space.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit...6_dji_0019.jpg
Similar layout can be applied to a softball-soccer arrangement if you want good bathrooms and concessions available to teams at either sport without having to put one at each.
I would expect something similar on a larger scale if both sports were moved to the old Neilson-Carruthers site. You can't do that today if those same sports were rebuilt where they are now because of the flood area in the creek bed. That's the reason why nothing permanent has been built in that area since the mid 80s (other than some metal bleachers).
This all the way. You see this urban planning around the country now- a shift from spaced out car centered construction to denser walkable areas. Students are not going to go to games if it’s farther. Not talking about dimensions but aesthetics and location, the Love Shack is in a perfect location. Everyone that goes to the Love Shack raves about its location. They love the apartments behind it, they love the railroad track. It feels like a part of a neighborhood; it has charm. People rave about Fenway and Wrigley because of their location, not many people love looking at baseball stadiums in suburbs surrounded by paved parking lots. The Love Shack is distinctly Tech, moving it away from it’s location would be removing a part of culture of campus.
Found this park, UW Husky Ballpark (built 2014). Capacity 2,200. Cost $15 Million. Looks fantastic. I want this (maybe with additional seating).
https://www.srgpartnership.com/work/husky-ballpark
ABOUT HUSKY BALLPARK
The stadium cost approximately $15 million, and includes:
- Seating for 2,200
- Permanent entrance and facade that ties with collegiate feel of other Athletic Department buildings
- Views of Lake Washington
- New Team Performance Center
- New, enhanced scoreboard
- New field turf
- Press box and media area
- Full compliment of public restrooms and concessions
- Husky Authentic – the Official Team Store of University of Washington Athletics, offering unique Husky Baseball apparel and accessories
- Grass berm for students and families
Included in their $15 Million build they have a nice Player Development Building off to the side integrated into the park. This park has turf, new video board, team shop. A very fine venue. If we were to have amenities like UW, the existing Love Shack location is a tight squeeze (TWSS), but probably do-able. I would totally understand if they move it to a more roomier location if we are looking at beefing up the stadium.