A ribbon-cutting ceremony for several pieces of a five-year $14 million project to enhance Baggett Stadium and Bob Janssen Field, including an improved entryway to the two facilities, was held Friday morning.
The improvements in 2022 included a new ticket office, fencing and landscaping along with upgrades to Ozzie Smith Plaza, a new brick facade backstop at Baggett Stadium and replacing the padding that encompassed the entire fencing at Bob Janssen Field.
All are part of ongoing improvements to Cal Poly's baseball and softball stadiums that will occur annually.
"The improvements to the Cal Poly baseball facility over the past five years has elevated our player and fan experience tremendously as well as setting the standard for facilities on the West Coast," said Mustang baseball coach Larry Lee. "We are extremely fortunate to have such great support from our donors."
Added softball head coach Jenny Condon, "Our alumni hitting facility is a game changer to our program. Having the ability to train any time regardless of the weather has been a big asset to our team, especially the hitters. We're grateful that our alumnae stepped up and made it happen for us. They are the reason we have gotten upgrades to our facility.
"The new outfield padding not only makes our stadium look better, but it's also made it safer to play in the outfield," Condon added. "We're excited about continuing to make upgrades to Bob Janssen Field and moving forward in our quest to build a new state-of-the-art clubhouse similar to the Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse."
The project began with installation of new bleachers, the removal of more than 20 poles behind home plate and the addition of backstop netting at Baggett Stadium along with a covered batting cage at Janssen Field, all in early 2018.
Videoboards for both baseball and softball were installed prior to the 2019 season. Additional improvements at Bob Janssen Field included improved safety netting in 2021. Baggett Stadium added The Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse in the fall of 2020. The Hoffman Press Box, a new batter's eye and sound system were installed prior to the 2021 season.
Other improvements at Baggett Stadium include a padded backstop, backstop netting and new left-field line fencing. Future improvements include replacing the chair back seats and new fencing down the right-field line.
Master planning has been completed for future improvements to the Sports Complex, including a softball clubhouse and press box, improvements to concessions and seating between the playing venues and other upgrades that will continue to make both facilities among the finest on the West Coast.
Friday's ceremony included former baseball players David Mossman and Jason Novi along with softball standout Kelley Lashley, all members of the Athletic Directors Council, which is meeting this weekend on campus. AD Council Chair John Ronca, former Mustang baseball player and 2022 Athletics Honored Alumnus Jason Maas, and ex-softball star Angie Simon, who is one of this year's Honored Alumni (College of Engineering), also were in attendance at Friday's ceremony.
Original source can be found here.
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