ST. PETER, Minn. – It may be more than two months until preseason practice begins and the first significant snowfall has yet to blanket the Gustavus campus, but those sentiments have done little to diminish the excitement for the upcoming Gustie baseball season as the program embarks on its first year playing on a completely renovated field.
For over 100 years, Gustavus baseball has played its home games on natural grass, but starting in the spring of 2018 the Gusties are moving into the next generation of baseball facilities with their brand-new synthetic field turf, which was entirely donor-funded.
“Our mission is to build a championship baseball program,” Head Coach Brad Baker said. “The renovated field helps us recruit top-rated student-athletes to come to Gustavus to help us reach our goal. The project was made possible largely through anonymous donors who believe in Gustavus and the baseball program we are building.”
Ground was broken on the renovation project in late May this year with the removal of the natural turf. Throughout the summer, crews worked to remove all the grass, infield dirt, and fencing around the field, and on Aug. 23 the first rolls of SPRINTURF were placed on the field. The first week of September marked the completion of all the field work and the turf was ready for the first fall practice on Sept. 7. Ground work on the spectator areas continued throughout the fall, including installation of the 36-foot-wide scoreboard in left field, and by the end of October the first phase of the field renovation project was complete.
“Phase one has actually turned out far better than any of us could have anticipated,” Baker said. “We are thankful to all who helped renovate our field; from the donors to the architects, vendors, and all of the Gustavus people who have been a part of this project.”
Phase two of the $1.5 million donor-funded project will include a covered grandstand and pressbox, among other amenities, to make the Gustavus baseball field one of the best facilities in Division III.
“Phase two has been designed and is simply waiting on funding,” Baker said. “We are recruiting student-athletes who share our vision. We believe these young men will receive an incredible education, have a great baseball experience, and will be a part of the Gustie network for the rest of their lives.”
The first game on the newly renovated Gustie Baseball Field is March 17 in a non-conference matchup against Mount Marty.
Gustie Baseball Field renovation facts:
- Surface: SPINTURF Ultrablade DFE 42 on entire field (including home plate and pitcher’s mound)
- Multi-use surface: soccer practice, club sports, and intramurals use it as well
- Open to community: the field will be available to rent for local baseball organizations
- Dimensions: left foul pole – 315, left-center – 365, center – 390, right-center – 365, right foul pole – 320
- Elevated spectator areas directly behind home plate and down the right field line
* The baseball field has been in its current location since 2007 after construction of the football field replaced the former location of Myrum Baseball Field.