A project 10 years in the making is transforming the South Dakota State University baseball and softball fields on the northeast side of campus.
Crews have been working since August to install synthetic turf at both facilities, and officials say the fields will be ready for the 2025 seasons. The cost of the project is $2.4 million and is privately funded.
“The No. 1 goal was to do everything we could to be able to play (outside) longer in the fall and earlier in the spring, and allow us to have home games that were scheduled and to increase the number of home games,” said Jeff Holm, senior associate athletic director in charge of facilities and operations. Holm said that this renovation has been in the conversation for 10 years.
The weather has not been kind to the softball and baseball teams, and officials say the synthetic turf, rather than the natural surfaces, will allow the teams to play in difficult conditions.
The synthetic turf is expected to allow the teams to practice outside later into the fall and get outside earlier in the spring. The turf will allow games to be played despite some of the challenging weather circumstances in a northern climate, according to a press release put out by the university.
Last year, the softball team played just five regular season home games in a season where they played 55 total games. The baseball team played 12 regular season home games last season, with 49 total games. Holm is hoping that those home game numbers increase because of these renovations.
“It’s a game-changer for us,” softball coach Kristina McSweeney said in the news release. “There’s not much more of a bigger impact for our program . . . We are excited to have the ability to get on our field sooner and prepare for opponents. The installation of the turf will be able to take us to the next level.”
The renovations also will benefit the Jackrabbits’ recruiting, according to McSweeney, which will help the team stay competitive.
Baseball coach Rob Bishop, in the university’s press release, said, “Completing the full field with turf will positively impact every area of our program at SDSU. We will be able to play more home games in addition to having more consistent practice conditions in the fall and spring.”
A lead gift from Kevin and Cynthia Moriarty, along with a significant gift from GeoTek Engineering helped pay for the softball field renovation cost, according to the university’s press release.
The money given by the Moriarty family is the largest single gift in the history of the school’s softball program. In honor of the donation, the softball field will now be known as Jerald T. Moriarty Field. Jerald is Kevin’s late father, who was a 1961 graduate of SDSU.
Other donations were given towards the installation of turf at the baseball team’s Erv Huether Field. One SDSU alum, who chose to remain anonymous, provided the lead gift, according to the athletic department. Three alums of the program, Clark and Dorie Sendelbach, Charles and Linda Elhoff and Jimmy and Amber May also provided impactful gifts, according to university officials.
The donations for the turf at Huether Field also are the largest gift for the baseball team in regards to a single project, according to the athletic department.
Junior baseball infielder Luke Luskey from Greene Isle, Minnesota, said the team will be positively affected by these renovations. He hopes it leads to more donors and success for the program.
While these renovations are underway, there have been changes to both teams’ practices.
Alivia Bollen is an infielder on the SDSU softball team. The Lincoln, Nebraska, native said driving to Southbrook Softball Complex and moving equipment has been the biggest change to adapt to.
“[There are] lots of moving parts in order to practice every day,” Bollen said.
Bishop said that the renovation will no doubt help recruiting, but it will also enhance practice quality and day-to-day efficiency. With the end in sight, all parties involved look forward to how this will impact both teams’ spring season.
