ANDERSON, S.C. – From its' groundbreaking in August, 2014 through the Trojans' first win on the field in late January, 2016 to the addition of a state-of-the art video board prior to last season, Anderson's softball complex continues to rival any softball venue in the southeast.
"The old Smethers Field, which was behind the Abney Athletic Center and shared between soccer and softball, was rough grass and dirt and was at the bottom of the South Atlantic Conference softball facilities," says Anderson head coach Tommy Hewitt. "But with much sweat equity put into it by our facilities and grounds people it grew to be maybe being in the top four softball facilities in the SAC."
FieldTurf began by installing approximately 47,000 square feet of synthetic turf on the field, including 82 tons of silica sand and 106 tons of rubber infill. The field includes turf batter's boxes and pitching circles and has a drainage system that runs completely around the inside perimeter of the field. Both the home and visitor's bullpens and batting cages are turf. FieldTurf was installed at the stadium to give the Trojans a field to play on regardless of weather conditions.
The dimensions of the field are 200 feet down the lines and 210 feet to center field, with an eight-foot outfield fence. Directly behind home plate is a 1,600 square foot fieldhouse housing the coaches' offices, press box and hospitality room with central heating and air conditioning, along with laundry facilities, rest rooms and a concession stand. The fieldhouse also features both wireless and hard-wired internet, along with big-screen televisions throughout the building for viewing the games via video streaming.
With a seating capacity of 500, including 234 chair back seats and a lighted gathering area in front of the concession stand and a sound system featuring six outside speakers, Trojan fans and players continue to experience a perfect venue for NCAA softball and enjoy a first-class facility.
Both spacious dugouts are sunken and extend more than 33 feet down their respective baselines, while measuring 14 feet wide and feature water fountains and individual restrooms. For ease of communication, both dugouts are also equipped with bullpen phones.
"I remember President Whitaker telling me not to worry because the new softball complex would be much better than what we currently had, and oh my goodness, did he come through with his promise," added Hewitt. "I feel humbled and blessed to say - in my opinion - we have the very best softball facilities in the conference, in most Division II schools and some Division I's."
The facility is lit with state-of-the art Musco Lighting around the complex and is equipped with computerized scheduling that can be controlled by both computer and/or a cell phone app. The parking lot is lighted and is large enough for nearly 50 vehicles.
The Trojans defeated Lees-McRae, 9-1, on Jan. 31, 2016 in the inaugural contest on the new field and have posted a stellar 95-27 (.779) home record over their first five seasons at the complex.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE AU SOFTBALL COMPLEX TAKE SHAPE in 2014 and 2015
