Michigan State Baseball And Softball Fields Getting Lights
Michigan State Baseball And Softball Fields Getting Lights
MSU baseball slated to host nine night games, MSU softball to host seven.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Thanks in large part to an anonymous contribution of near $1.4 million from a Spartan alum, Michigan State University announced that lights will be installed at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, the home of MSU baseball and Secchia Stadium, the home of MSU softball, in preparation for the upcoming 2019 season.
“This is an exciting enhancement to McLane Stadium at Kobs Field and Secchia Stadium, and will improve what are already excellent venues for college baseball and softball,” MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman said. “Having lights will not only bolster the student-athlete experience, but will allow our baseball and softball student-athletes to still attend their classes during the day and then play games at night. We are excited about the opportunity to improve the atmospheres at Spartan baseball and softball games.”
The LED lights will be identical to the lighting system currently at Spartan Stadium, home of Spartan football, and DeMartin Stadium, home of Spartan men and women’s soccer, as well the Breslin Center, home of MSU men and women’s basketball, Munn Ice Arena, home of Spartan hockey, and the Duffy Daugherty Indoor Practice Facility, utilized by MSU football and a majority of MSU athletics teams. Michigan State will be the first baseball and softball teams in the Big Ten Conference with this type of lighting system by Musco Lighting.
“This is a game-changer for our program and it’s something that we’ve wanted to do for a while now, and fortunately, we now have the opportunity to get that done,” MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. “Special thanks to our Board of Trustees, Bill Beekman, Greg Ianni, Chuck Sleeper and their staffs for all their hard word in making night baseball at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field a reality starting this spring. We’ve seen the exciting environments that our soccer programs have had from the lights and the atmosphere for the student-athletes and the fans, and we’re looking forward to showcasing a beautiful facility and a great atmosphere after the sun goes down this spring. Playing at night and having the option to play later in the day gives us a lot more flexibility with regard to class time and with regard to weather. It enables us the assurance of finishing a game, and in a very competitive conference where every game is extremely important, the ability to finish a game and not have it stopped or halted because of daylight is extremely important.”
MSU baseball will host nine games starting at 5 p.m. or later, while Spartan softball will host seven.
“This is unbelievably exciting for Michigan State softball. Lights at Secchia Stadium will be a game-changer for our program,” MSU softball head coach Jacquie Joseph said. “Our players deserve the opportunity to play and finish every scheduled game. This affords us the flexibility to schedule when our fans can watch; both on TV and in person. I am beyond grateful to the Board of Trustees for approving the plan, Bill Beekman and Greg Ianni for their work on this project, the Spartan Fund and the lead donor who made this project possible. We’re extremely excited to play under the lights this spring and can’t wait for the outstanding atmosphere it’s going to create for our fans in making games at Secchia Stadium even more exciting.”
Joseph and the Spartan softball team open the 2019 campaign on Feb. 8 in Florida, with their home-opener slated for Thursday, March 14 vs. Western Michigan at 4 p.m. The first night game at Secchia Stadium is scheduled for Friday, March 22 vs. Penn State at 6 p.m.
Boss and the MSU baseball team begin the 2019 season on Friday, Feb. 15 in New Orleans, before opening the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, March 20 vs. Central Michigan at 4:05 p.m. The first night game at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field is slated for Friday, April 5 vs. Indiana State at 6:35 p.m.
Complete Michigan State baseball and softball schedules are available at www.MSUSpartans.com.
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