New Field Is Big Hit For Softball

The boss needed someone to keep an eye on softball Saturday, so I made some fairly poor clothing decisions for the weather and drove to the brand-spanking-new UNC Softball Complex.

Tucked, or perhaps nestled, behind the UNC General Administration building is the complex that has two fields -- one a perfect gem. As I walked up the gravel driveway I thought how the North Carolina student government could use the softball team's field to its advantage.

Next time Molly Broad and Co. propose a tuition increase, student government can send the gals with metal bats to "negotiate."

My own personal amusement aside, the new complex has been a long time coming. Softball was one of the teams I covered my freshman year, and damn, Finley Field was sad.

The chain-link fence keeping the players from the fans could've come from any playground anywhere. It just didn't look like a Division I team played there -- of course, barring the UNC logo.

The new field looks incredible, and it's not finished yet. There is still $1 million plus left to go. According to the Education Foundation pamphlet I found on a table next to the temporary press box, there's need of $400,000 to complete the seating, entry plaza and walkways. Right now, temporary benches teeter when you sit down. The entry plaza is an opening in the chain-link fence. The walkways are red clay and gravel.

The artist's rendition of what the complex will become is amazing. It puts Boshamer Stadium -- probably my favorite venue at UNC -- to shame.

I think what impresses me the most about this new complex is what it represents -- a huge commitment to the softball program.

UNC already is as committed as it gets to women's sports, but this complex could be a giant advantage for the team.

Fast-pitch softball has only been played for seven years in North Carolina high schools. Parks and recreation teams only beat the high schools by a couple years.

Consequently, there is not a lot of homegrown talent for softball. Six of the 17 players on the team are from North Carolina. Much of the team comes from the softball stronghold -- California.

Western colleges and universities tend to be the best softball programs in the nations. When the new complex is completely done, UNC coach Donna Papa will have a huge lure to snag blue chip talent.

Venues can be very important when it comes to recruiting. Mack Brown got the state-of-the-art football center so he could get big talent. Henry Stadium gives North Carolina field hockey an edge over its biggest rivals, Maryland and Old Dominion, because their venues aren't nearly as nice.

The softball venue -- it will get a name when someone ponies up enough money for the honor -- has the beginnings of greatness. The field is cut out of a hill so spectators look down at the field. Right now, the sod has taken root and the grass is lush enough in places so that fans can sit on the hill and watch the game.

Two of the most important features of the complex are the lights and the outfield fence. Games at Finley Field used to get called because of darkness. That won't be happening at the new park.

The outfield fence is cool. It's suspended from the top so that a player can run right into it and bounce back. When North Carolina catcher Natalie Anter jacked a home run against Virginia on Saturday, the Cavs outfielder didn't have to worry about smacking her body against a pole as she tried to steal a run from UNC.

The pamphlet urges donors to help the team "hit a home run." Right now, they've hit a double, and they're waiting for someone to bring them home.

Rachel Carter can be reached at racarter@email.unc.edu.