Directions to Tech Softball Park

From the north or east, take Interstate 81 south to exit 118B, following US 460 west to Blacksburg.
From the south, take Interstate 81 north to exit 118B, following US 460 west to Blacksburg.
From West Virginia, take Interstate 77 south (West Virginia Turnpike) to exit 9. Exit and turn left onto 460 east. Follow 460 east to Blacksburg.
Once in Blacksburg, use the 460 bypass around the downtown area. Follow 460 bypass around the downtown area. Follow 460 to the signal at Southgate Drive (Va. 314). Turn into campus, and proceed one-half mile on Southgate Drive. Turn left onto Spring Road, just before the football stadium. Tech Softball Park will then be on the left.

 

        The Virginia Tech softball team has the luxury of playing and practicing in some of the finest facilities on the east coast. Using the Tech Softball Park, Rector Field House and the Jim "Bulldog" Haren weight room, the Hokies train with the best in preparing to win championships.

The Tech Softball Park is a great complex that just keeps getting better. This past summer and fall, the park was given an overhaul that fans will instantly notice and appreciate.

In May, six poles featuring permanent lights were installed, but that was just the beginning. Starting last winter, an additional 746 permanent seats were installed, bringing the capacity up from 336 to 1,082. The bleachers match the ones that were already in place and now extend down to the end of both dugouts.

The roofs of the dugouts were removed and lowered approximately two feet so the bleachers could be built over top of them. The cost of the project was approximately $900,000.

Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas & Co. from Wytheville handled the project with Tech graduate Keith Storms serving as the project manager for the architecture firm.

The additional seats will allow Tech to be eligible to host NCAA Regional events, something it hasn't been able to in the past. Between the stadium expansion and the $200,000 light project, nearly $1.2 million in renovations have been done on Tech Softball Park since the end of last season.

Other improvements to the stadium over the years include: a new backstop and padding was installed in 2001 to give fans more protection when enjoying a game; in 2005, the old field was torn up and replaced, complete with a modern drainage system and grass apron around the entire field; in 2004, thanks to a generous donation, a new batting cage was installed behind the Virginia Tech dugout, and was moved to by the bullpen this year, giving the Hokies another great tool in helping them achieve their goals. A matching batting cage and new bullpens for both teams were installed in 2006; a scoreboard was installed during the 1998 season, making it easier for coaches, players and fans to keep up with the game.

In 1999, the first set of permanent bench-back seats were added. With the new bleachers added this past offseason, the complex can easily hold up to 1,100 fans and a record 1,977 fans crammed in and around the park for a doubleheader against North Carolina State in 2005.

In 2005, Tech ranked 15^th nationally in average attendance and was 17^th in 2006, averaging 551 fans per home contest. Last year, the Hokies averaged 546 fans per home event, 21^st-best in the country.

The field, which was completed in the fall of 1997, has dimensions of 200 feet down the lines and 220 feet to center field.

Since the Hokies started playing at Tech Softball Park, they have compiled a record of 135-47 (.741), including a 17-0 campaign in 1999, a 20-3 record in 2000, 18-4 in 2001, 16-3 in 2002, 15-6 in 2004 and 12-4 last year.

At the top of the bleachers are three prefabricated, 8-by-18 foot press boxes. Complete with power and phone lines, they accommodate all the needs of the media. The press boxes also have air conditioning and heat, as well as Ethernet cable and wireless connections, which allow for live stats and broadcasts of every home game on Tech's official Web site, hokiesports.com.

On top of the main press box is a camera platform, allowing for video by either team, as well as media covering the event. Two additional press boxes were added at the top of the bleachers during the last phase of renovation, tripling the current capacity.

The main box houses the game operation workers and both SIDs while the other two press boxes are used for working press, radio and television announcers.

When weather doesn't allow for outdoor practice, the team moves into Rector Field House. Located adjacent to the playing field, the field house has an artificial surface, batting cages and ample room for drills. It is also equipped with a training room.

Permanent restroom facilities are also now available for use. On-site dressing rooms, permanent concession stands, a new scoreboard and a plaza are all possible future projects.