Softball Reception

[BeauCajun]

Great reception today. The jambalaya from NuNu's was great. The turn out was very impressive. They set out 100 chairs and 300 showed up. Great pics and explanations on the new stadium. David Walker did show up and gave a nice speech. And no, he didn't hide behind his fax machine. He's a funny guy behind the mike.

David kind of gave us the background about how the idea of the stadium came about and explained the delays with the latest budget cuts. Financing had to be changed because of the cuts. We weren't allowed to borrow money after the project had been awarded, so we're going back to the Board of Regents and presenting changes in financing to allow the already started project to continue. We'll show them that the project has already commenced.

The stadium project is $2.5mil with a 315 day anticipated construction. 1500 seats in the grandstand with about 1300 covered. Chairbacks behind home plate and bench seating for the balance. Old stands have been moved to the outfield and will be utilized this season and into the future to give us 3000 seats. Plenty of room for concessions and growth. Current dugouts and wall will remain. Scott Farmer gave this part of the presentation. I had to get over to the Cajundome and missed the rest of the program.

Did I mention how good the jambalaya from NuNu's was?

[Jacob81]

What's the latest plans on the stadium construction time table? I'm guessing seating in the outfield and the press box stays at least through the classic, then maybe they get busy from there, or they work on underground through the season then tear down the box and start constructing after the season? I don't mind sitting outfield. I sit there alot anyway. I think it would be cool for the consrtuction to take place during the season, so every game you'll have something new to look at and maybe by the end of the season we'll have something........ really wishful thinking.

I'm ready for soft and hard ball. The bball game tonite was a nice distraction though.

[Jacob81]

thanks for the info, meanwhile I started a pointless post.

[BeauCajun]

_ thanks for the info, meanwhile I started a pointless post. _

Softball threads are never pointless. The program just ran too close the basketball game. Lot of info to present.

[Jacob81]

_ Softball threads are never pointless. The program just ran too close the basketball game. Lot of info to present. _

If you read the other post I started and could shed any light on the time line that would be much appreciated.

[CajunAmos]

They are still awaiting state approval for the new plan they submitted before they can begin. I think the old press box would have to come down fairly soon as the new grandstand will actual extend into the existing parking lot where some space will have to be lost. The way they were describing it, it will extend almost to the current ticket office/shop.

As to getting started, they noted that concrete footings will hopefully begin next week for the stands that will be moving to the outfield. They plan on having an entry with ticket booth to get to the outfield bleacher areas for this year. If they happen to finish the new grandstand in time, he mentioned the possibility of letting ticket holder sit in the new grandstand, but I wouldn't expect that to occur. There will be a new locker room down the left field line, as well as a new covered hitting/pitching facility attached to the indoor practice facility so they can make use of the video machines for teaching purposes.

Needless to say, both Steff and Mike were very excited and emotional about the growth of the program and the new facilities being constructed. I've attached some artist renderings that were at the site, and sorry about the quality and lighting (used my blackberry).

[ImperialCajun]

For those of you who didn't make it, you missed a nice event. Those two coaches and their entourage and team are a class act. Got to see the scrimage and they look loaded for at least the next two years. If the future pitchers are as usual then we are good for the next 4!! NuNu's thank you very much and I will be in to see you soon because you just got a new customer with that Jambalaya!!!!

What was said, the project should be complete before the start of the 2011 season. They are just selling general admission tickets for this season. Please do like I did and send in the same check as before even though you will be sitting in the trees. They need the money for the travel, because without going to those tournaments, no one will know how good they really are.

We do need to start getting the new grand stand sold out with season tickets and get butts in seats so that everyone will know how awesome UL softball fans are and will be intimidated by us and our players. If you build it they will come!!! Everybody out there in cyber space please buy some season tickets and get some friends to also buy and please come to some games they are awesome. I'm a big baseball fan and I'm here to tell you that this is just as good if not better. Talk about bang bang plays and diving catches and amazing pitchers and great students!!! Seeya in the bleachers at the Alfred & Helen!!!!!