Nebraska Investing In Baseball

October 8, 2010
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The University of Nebraska is less than a year away from joining the Big Ten Conference, and the school has a new facility planned for its baseball and softball teams.

Outside Nebraska's Hawks Field

NU Athletics has submitted a proposal to the Board of Regents for approval of a capital improvement expenditure for an indoor practice facility at Haymarket Park to be used by the Husker baseball and softball teams.

NEBCO, Nebraska’s public/private partner at Haymarket Park, will be responsible for the construction in accordance with the Haymarket Park agreements, while the athletic department will be responsible for the financing of this $4.75 million project.

The new indoor practice facility will include batting cages, pitching mounds, a turf system suitable for infield practice and a netting system for live hitting. The proposed 22,000 square-foot practice facility would be located at Haymarket Park, east of the Bowlin Softball Stadium and north of the Hawks Baseball Field.

Haymarket Park does not currently have indoor batting cages, and the Nebraska baseball and softball teams must use the indoor practice facility provided within the Hawks Championship Center. The addition of on-site batting facilities will enhance Nebraska’s opportunities to host regional baseball and softball tournaments in accordance with NCAA guidelines.

Understanding that the Board of Regents will not meet to vote on the proposal until October 15, Athletic Director Tom Osborne met with the media Friday to discuss the financing of both building projects. “No state appropriated funds will be used for either facility,” he said.

The university also plans to make improvements to Memorial Stadium, the home of the Cornhusker football team. That project is estimated at $55.5 million.

(Release & staff report)

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