HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – For many decades, there has been one dream for Marshall Baseball: that being an on-campus field to call home.
On Friday afternoon, that dream is no more. Instead, Jack Cook Field becomes reality as Marshall Athletics christens the new home of Marshall Baseball with the start of a three-game series against Manhattan at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Friday’s contest is the culmination of many years of discussion and planning, as well as extensive implementation over the last 23 months as the vision for Marshall Baseball came to life with several key groups from the university, athletic department, community, state, alumni and donor factions all coming together for one common goal: building Marshall Baseball a home that everyone can be proud of and benefit from.
“I hope we all let this ballpark be a reminder of what we can accomplish with perseverance, collaboration and a shared vision,” said Christian Spears, Marshall’s Director of Athletics. “No doubt, Jack Cook Field is the well-deserved home for Marshall baseball, but it should also be a beacon of community spirit, unity and hope for generations to come. This is what we can accomplish when we all come together!”
Gates for Friday’s contest will open 60 minutes prior to game-time and fans are reminded to get there early to take in a special on-field ceremony before the contest, featuring Marshall’s “VIP Starting Lineup” – a group of Marshall representatives, dignitaries, and donors that, without them, the Marshall Baseball Project would not have been possible. That on-field ceremony is scheduled for approximately 2:30 p.m.
“Of all the feelings I could experience on this important day for our university, pride has to be front and center,” Marshall President Brad D. Smith said. “Pride in our outstanding athletic department and university staff for their dedication to this project. Pride in our donors and friends for their years of support. And pride in our community for believing that this day would come. Regardless of the score on Friday, we’ve already won!”
Triton Construction helped build the state-of-the-art facility, which features artificial turf throughout and has a standing room capacity of 5,000 fans. Dimensions are 300 feet to left and right field and 400 feet to center field. It is 375 feet to left-center field and 365 feet to right-center field.
In addition to the field itself, the Alex Lawrence Clubhouse has been constructed in behind the left-field fence and will serve as the permanent home to the baseball team, fit with locker room space, meeting rooms, a player’s lounge, an indoor batting cage and coaches’ offices.
The Victoria Farley Softball Facility also has been built down the first-base side, which will not only serve as a home for Marshall softball but will also serve as the ticket office and information center for Marshall Baseball and Softball games.
It is all part of an amazing project that Triton Construction and JDS Development completed in 14 months behind the direction of John Farley, Chairman and CEO of Triton Construction, Derick Foster and Steve Ellis, partners of JDS Development, and Kemp Holmes, Senior Superintendent of the Jack Cook Field and Marshall Baseball Stadium project.
“I have constructed hundreds of infrastructure projects across the country, but as a proud Son of Marshall, none has been more personally satisfying than Marshall’s baseball stadium – Jack Cook Field,” Farley said.
For a detailed list of information pertaining to Jack Cook Field, please check the Know Before You Go release. There is also an information center on-site at the ticket window, located at the Victoria Farley Softball Facility.
Friday’s home game is the first of 27 scheduled home dates at Jack Cook Field in its Inaugural Season.
Opponent Overview
Marshall Baseball (1-7) opens its new ballpark – Jack Cook Field – with a three-game series against the Manhattan Jaspers (3-3), which starts on Friday.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: Game 1, Game 2, Game 3
Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @HerdBaseball
START TIMES
Game 1, Friday, March 1 – 3 p.m.
Game 2, Saturday, March 2 – 3 p.m.
Game 3, Sunday, March 3 – 1 p.m.
Calin Smith leads The Herd with a .417 batting average to start the season with 10 hits in 24 at bats, including a double and a homer, with six RBI.
Starting off where he finished last season, Owen Ayers leads the team with 12 hits, with a pair of doubles and a team-leading two long balls, with six RBI.
Caden Kaiser also has 10 hits this season with a team-high seven RBI.
On the bump, Bryce Blevins has allowed just two earned runs in 8.0 innings across three relief appearances.
Drew Harlow earned his first win of the year last weekend against Michigan State. The senior right-hander went 5.0 innings, striking out five Spartans and allowing just three runs on three hits in the victory.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan is 3-3 to start the season, getting swept against the then-ranked No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide during the opening weekend and sweeping the Norfolk State Spartans last week.
Daniel Perez is hitting .478 in the team’s first six games with 11 hits in 23 at bats while scoring five runs.
Out of the bullpen, Greg Shaw has thrown 7.0 innings on the bump, registering eight strikeouts, and allowing just five hits. Shaw has one save in two appearances.
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall baseball, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall baseball team.
Par Mar is the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Marshall baseball team. Par Mar is the official convenient store of Marshall Athletics.
For all the latest information about Marshall baseball, follow @herdbaseball on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
—HerdZone.com—