Ball State Unveils Baseball Stadium Improvements Including Largest and First All-Digital Videoboard in Mid-American Conference
March 08, 2024 | Baseball, Cardinal Varsity Club
MUNCIE, Ind. – When the Ball State Cardinals open their 2024 home schedule this weekend and open their Mid-American Conference slate vs. Eastern Michigan, a new, state-of-the-art Daktronics videoboard will decorate the view behind left-centerfield. In front of the new video display and surrounding the field is new fence padding adorned in premium graphics that highlight the Cardinals baseball success – MAC championships, MLB first-round draft picks and NCAA appearances.
Ball State, currently 9-4, returns this weekend to the Ball Diamond at First Merchants Ballpark Complex for the first time since winning the 2023 MAC Tournament and making its fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Under the leadership of 19th-year head coach Rich Maloney, two major gifts allowed completion of both projects – the videoboard and the new padding. The Daktronics videoboard is the largest scoreboard display in the MAC, and the league's first all-digital scoreboard for baseball.
"We are thankful for two very generous gifts that afford us a state-of-the-art videoboard which will enhance our player and fan experience," said Maloney, whose Ball State teams have won more than 30 games 17 times. "This is a big step towards our dream of completing our stadium. This gift continues our progression in celebrating our great baseball tradition and the value our university puts on the future of Ball State Baseball."
Daktronics installed the new audiovisual system in time for the 2024 home season, which is scheduled to begin Friday against the Eagles. It features an outfield video display that measures 18-feet high by 32.5-feet wide and a Sportsound 1500HD audio system.
The padding and decor, installed by Sport Graphics of Indianapolis, accents a visual facelift that showcases the success of the Cardinals program.
The new videoboard, located adjacent to the former scoreboard, will be used in a variety of ways to boost the gameday experience.
"As we work to enhance our baseball and softball facilities, the new videoboard at Ball Diamond will add an exciting feature to our baseball fan experience," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and fans who support the vibrant future of our Ball State baseball program."
Maloney and the Cardinals play seven consecutive home games over the next two weeks, including next week's conference series against Bowling Green.
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Ball State, currently 9-4, returns this weekend to the Ball Diamond at First Merchants Ballpark Complex for the first time since winning the 2023 MAC Tournament and making its fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Under the leadership of 19th-year head coach Rich Maloney, two major gifts allowed completion of both projects – the videoboard and the new padding. The Daktronics videoboard is the largest scoreboard display in the MAC, and the league's first all-digital scoreboard for baseball.
"We are thankful for two very generous gifts that afford us a state-of-the-art videoboard which will enhance our player and fan experience," said Maloney, whose Ball State teams have won more than 30 games 17 times. "This is a big step towards our dream of completing our stadium. This gift continues our progression in celebrating our great baseball tradition and the value our university puts on the future of Ball State Baseball."
Daktronics installed the new audiovisual system in time for the 2024 home season, which is scheduled to begin Friday against the Eagles. It features an outfield video display that measures 18-feet high by 32.5-feet wide and a Sportsound 1500HD audio system.
The padding and decor, installed by Sport Graphics of Indianapolis, accents a visual facelift that showcases the success of the Cardinals program.
The new videoboard, located adjacent to the former scoreboard, will be used in a variety of ways to boost the gameday experience.
"As we work to enhance our baseball and softball facilities, the new videoboard at Ball Diamond will add an exciting feature to our baseball fan experience," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and fans who support the vibrant future of our Ball State baseball program."
Maloney and the Cardinals play seven consecutive home games over the next two weeks, including next week's conference series against Bowling Green.
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