New look for a new season
With the Javelinas baseball and softball season getting ready to start at the end of January, Javelina Athletics is adding some new renovations to both fields.
The NCAA rules committee passed a new rule in September saying padding must begin not higher than 1 foot off the ground and extend to the top of the wood, concrete or brick or 6 feet from the ground, whichever is shorter. This is required for any field hosting NCAA softball competition.
“Softball is getting mandatory padding due to new rules,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Ruben Cantu said.
Along with adding padding, Javelina Athletics is redoing the fence and touching up on the scoreboard. Head softball coach, Orlando Salinas made sure to add a “batter’s eye” to help improve the visibility of the ball when coming out of the pitcher’s hand on the mound.
“We’re making these little improvements, and the field is really going to look nice,” Salinas said about the renovations.
Javelina Athletics has been in contact with both head coaches to make sure all needs are being reached.
“It’s good because we got together, and that’s the unique thing about this campus. We’re all on the same page and we’re all moving together forward. We’re excited for the improvements and for the future,” Salinas said.
Cantu also noted that the baseball field is getting a new scoreboard along with a pitching clock with the new rules in place for baseball.
“It’s always a positive impact. Anytime, the players can see progress going on around your stadium and it’s been long overdue for some of these renovations. And with the new administration, with the new president, and a brand new AD, they understand the need for renovations and improvements. They understand that it’s an arms race in our conference,” Baseball Head Coach Jason Gonzalez said. “There’s been a lot of schools that have made a lot of improvements along the way, and we’re kind of in the catch-up phase of it right now. So, the administration has done a very good job of addressing some of the needs and wants, and we’re excited about it.”
The baseball scoreboard should be finished and up before the new season starts.
Both baseball and softball look forward to the new renovations and new look it will bring to the programs.