Ball State University Athletics
More Chairback Seats Added to Ball Diamond at First Merchants Ballpark
June 22, 2016 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. –Ball Diamond at First Merchants Ballpark has undergone a complete transformation the last couple of years and another enhancement was recently added. Around 200 more chairback seats were installed behind home plate in addition to the two sections that were available during the spring.
“This is another example of how far we have come with the stadium,” head coach Rich Maloney said. “What once was probably one of the worst baseball facilities in the MAC is now one of the best, if not the best, in the league. I would be hard pressed to find something better relative to its size across the nation.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on April 23 in conjunction with First Merchants Bank to celebrate all of the updates to the facility, which include: artificial turf covering the entire playing surface, concession sales area, dugouts, grandstands with chairback seating, graphics, landscaping, perimeter fencing, press box, restrooms, scoreboard and sound system.
The Cardinals concluded the season with a 32-26 record and won the MAC West Division title for the second time in the last three seasons. Over the last four years under coach Maloney, Ball State has produced two MAC Players of the Year, one MAC Pitcher of the Year, four All-Americans, 10 first team all-league players, three Academic All-Americans and won the 2014 MAC regular season championship. Seven players have been selected in the Major League Baseball Draft during that time frame as well.
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