Rutgers Approves $10 Million In Softball/Baseball Field Improvements

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — At the Rutgers Board of Governors' meeting, held Tuesday, the school trustee board approved Rutgers making $10 million in improvements to its baseball and softball fields.

Rutgers is part of the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA and, in requesting the funding, Rutgers Athletics said of its baseball/softball fields: "The fields and associated facilities — bleachers, press boxes and dugouts — fall below conditions at BiG peer fields and are in need of improvement. Additionally, the softball field is not currently served by field lighting and as such is not a comparable softball student athlete experience when compared to that of baseball."

In other words, because the baseball field has lighting, the softball field should, too. Adding lighting to the women's softball field will be a big improvement, said the school, as it will give the team more flexibility in scheduling games and playing night games, as the baseball team does.

Rutgers has more than 20 sports teams, and 800 students, participating at the NCAA Division-1 level for men's and women's sports.

The total cost of the project will be $10 million, which Rutgers called a "moderate" investment. Approximately $4 million is available in donor funds, and the balance will be financed by a loan to be paid back by Intercollegiate Athletics.

Rutgers Athletics said it intends to get the work done quickly during a break between seasons.

"The targeted improvements do not increase seating capacity in the bleachers and therefore significant code-driven infrastructure upgrades, the cost of which could be millions of dollars, are not triggered," read a resolution approving the project.

What specifically will be done:

1. The biggest improvement is the softball field will get lighting so night games and practices can be played.

2. Bleacher replacement to improve fan sightlines and accessibility, and to add premium seating, "for an enhanced spectator experience during games." The current seating capacity at both fields will remain unchanged.

3. Making the dugouts bigger to accommodate the coaches, players and more equipment.

4. Press box improvements: Upgraded technology and camera positions will allow the baseball program to meet the needs of the B1G Network and host NCAA Division I media.