|
xxxxxLion
Stadium is a modern, attractive playing facility that equals or
surpasses the finest playing fields to be found at the community college
level in this part of the state. Custom designed and engineered from
the ground up, the outfield is sodded with a special heat-resistant
turf. It has excellent drainage and an underground sprinkler system.
Click HERE for photo of first pitch
being thrown out for first home game in the new facility.
xxxxx "Big Green," the outfield
fence, is of double heavy-guage steel with reinforcing struts to
withstand the strongest northern Texas winds. Trimmed at the top in
yellow, the wall is 8 feet high from both corners to center field, where
it rises gradually in straightaway center to a height of 14 feet. In
left field is the 10-inning electronic scoreboard
provided by Coca-Cola™, a major donor of the funds used to construct
the NCTC Baseball/Softball Complex of which Lion Stadium is a part.
xxxxxA major contribution of funds to finish
the facility came also from the NCTC
Athletic Boosters, Inc., an organization which is largely responsible
for establishing the college's varsity intercollegiate baseball program.
The Boosters also provided the funding for construction of NCTC's Indoor
Batting Center which is near the stadium.
xxxxxHere's more about the amenities of
Lion Stadium (click on the links for photos, and keep in mind many of
these shots were taken before the field was completely finished):
- Concrete-block dugouts are at ground
level and are 50 feet long. They are both equipped with water foundains.
At the end of each dugout is a 10-foot-long equipment shed.
- Adjacent to the playing field itself are two permanent batting
cages on cement pads. They are 12 feet high and measure 15 feet
by 75 feet.
- There are four bullpen mounds.
- Dimensions of the field are 325 feet down the left
field line and 325 feet down the right
field line; the alleys are 365 feet; and it is 390 feet to the
14-foot-high wall in straightaway center. At each corner is a 20-foot
foul pole emblazoned with "NCTC Lions."
A warning track extends from dugout to dugout, and there are grass
baselines. Click HERE for overall view
of game-ready field from behind home plate and HERE
from center field. (Aerial photographes were taken with the assistance
of Parker Electric.)
- The custom-built aluminum bleachers
(3 units) will seat 500 spectators behind the 20-foot
backstop which rests atop a 3-foot concrete wall extending from
dugout to dugout.
|
Indoor Batting
Center
xxxxxCancelled practice due to bad weather
is never a problem for Lion baseball players, thanks to their modern
Indoor Batting Center. The facility, located
just a stone's throw from Lion Stadium, was built with funds donated
by the NCTC Athletic Boosters Club.
Housed in this great facility are:
- Two carpeted batting cages measuring
15 feet by 75 feet, with pitching machines,
where -- rain or shine -- Lion players can work on their batting
technique.
- Two indoor pitching mounds on carpeted surface.
- Players Lounge, carpeted, which features
cable television, lounge furniture, ping-pong table and foosball table
- State-of-the-art video equipment (VCR,
video camera, microphone) for analyzing
swings and pitching mechanics.
- Coaches' offices, restrooms, storage area, water fountain.
|
