Buckeye Reporter

Steller Field, the home of Bowling Green State University’s baseball team, is undergoing its first significant renovation in several decades. The project includes the installation of a new turf field and lighting system. Steller Field originally opened in 1964.

Nathan Anderson, BGSU senior athletic director for fundraising and development, said, "The conversations for turf have been going on for a long time…In northwest Ohio, having the ability to practice and play on a turf field is key to our success. The conversation really started, probably seriously, about two-and-a-half to three years ago, but for the last two years, we have really been hitting the ground running and trying to make this project come to reality, and it has. So, we're excited about that."

The cost of the new turf and lights is approximately $3 million. According to BGSU officials, more than $3.1 million has been secured through gifts and pledges over the next three to five years.

BGSU Vice President for Athletics Strategy and Director of Athletics acknowledged donor support in an email sent July 23: "I want to recognize that many hands have lifted our boat and helped us reach our goal. I want to specifically thank Paul J. Hooker '75 for his $1.5 million transformational gift that got us to the finish line. In total, pledges and gifts to this project are now at $3,115,707."

Maumee Bay Turf is handling installation of the new playing surface; they previously installed turf for other university facilities such as the marching band practice field. Musco Lighting is responsible for installing the stadium lights.

While funding has been secured for these primary improvements, BGSU continues efforts to raise an additional $300,000 for further renovations including upgraded fencing along outfield and foul lines, custom padding on outfield fences, new batting cages as well as updated equipment and technology.

Anderson explained current progress: "We're currently in the phase of doing the full turf field and lighting. So that's happening; we have the funding to move forward with the project. Then there's some additional items that we'd like to include in this phase of the project," he said. "It makes sense if we can get it done in this first phase. We want to do it now while there's construction going on as opposed to doing it later in a second phase when costs...go up...That's what we're chasing down now."

He also noted appreciation toward alumni support: "We would have loved to do this project a year ago...Sometimes it doesn't always work out...we have great supporters like Paul Hooker who is lead donor...It's all about timing," Anderson said.

The last upgrades at Steller Field were made in 2012 with a new scoreboard and backstop; prior major changes included bleachers and press box additions completed in 2002.

Reflecting on previous conditions at Steller Field compared with planned improvements Anderson stated: "You talk to guys like Orel Hershiser...and a lot of what it sounds like is—the field they played on in [the] 70s–90s is relatively [the] same as what our teams have been playing on...[now]. I'm sure there's little things here...but I don't think that field has had a major renovation like this in a long time."

Looking ahead after completion Anderson hopes alumni will continue their involvement: "The alumni piece of it is not just fundraising...We want our alumni...to be part of [the] current program...[and] come meet head coach Kyle Hallock...[and] be part of great things going on with BGSU baseball..."