Schroeder Park

Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park (formerly known as Cougar Field) is a baseball park in Houston, Texas. It is the home field of the Houston Cougars baseball team. Several iterations of the ballpark have existed. The current stadium holds 5,000 people, and opened for baseball in 1995. With a 1,500 square foot Daktronics video board, Schroeder Park features the second-largest scoreboard in college baseball. Since its opening, Schroeder Park has hosted several notable college baseball events.[3] In February 2016, the University of Houston announced that, as a response to a large donation to the baseball program, Cougar Field would be renamed Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.[4]

Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
Location3100 Cullen Blvd
Houston, Texas
United States
Coordinates29.7267°N 95.3452°W / 29.7267; -95.3452
OwnerUniversity of Houston System
OperatorUniversity of Houston
Capacity5,000[1]
Field sizeLeft Field: 330 ft (100 m)[2]
Center Field: 400 ft (122 m)
Right Field: 330 ft (100 m)
SurfaceNatural grass (1995–2014)
FieldTurf (2014–present)
Construction
Broke ground1994
OpenedFebruary 22, 1995
Renovated2013
Construction cost$30 million USD[1]
Tenants
Houston Cougars baseball (NCAA) 1995–present
Texas Arrow Heads (Pro Cricket) 2004

History

Prior to 1961, the Cougars played at Buff Stadium. The original baseball stadium named Cougar Field was built roughly in the same area as the current one. Before 1968, it existed where Hofheinz Pavilion is today. To make room for the then new basketball arena, Cougar Field was moved next door.[5] This iteration of Cougar Field stayed in the same location until March 29, 1994, when it was demolished in preparation for the establishment of the UH Athletics/Alumni center.[5] To finish the rest of their season's home games, the Cougars played at Texas A&M University's Olsen Field and crosstown Rice University's Cameron Field.[6][7] After a multimillion-dollar donation from Cougar alumnus and San Diego Padres owner John Moores, the current stadium was built throughout the remainder of the year, and had its first game on February 22, 1995.

In late 2013, Houston, citing national competitiveness in recruiting, changed Schroeder Park's playing surface from natural grass to artificial turf.[8] In September 2015, Houston announced a new 20,000 square foot clubhouse and player development center to be constructed for Schroeder Park.[9] In October 2015, a new Daktronics video board with 1,500 square feet of space replaced the original one, and Schroeder Park became host to the largest scoreboard in college baseball.

Events hosted

Since its opening in 1995, Schroeder Park has hosted several notable college baseball events.[3] In, 1999, 2000, 2015, and 2017 an NCAA Regional was hosted at the ball park. Also in 2000, Schroeder Park was home to an NCAA Super Regional. In addition, the 2004 and 2010 Conference USA baseball tournaments were both hosted at the ballpark.

In 2014, the USA Baseball 18U National Team held trials at the ballpark.[10]

Features
Schroeder Park's former Philips Vidiwall scoreboard
Schroeder Park stands and press box during a game

Schroeder Park is a scaled-down version of a major league ballpark.[3] Until October 2015, it featured a scoreboard with a Philips Vidiwall LED video screen constructed by Spectrum Corporation.[11] It was replaced by a Daktronics video board, known as the "Sanders-Gutierrez Scoreboard", which is the second-largest in college baseball (behind only Arkansas' Baum Stadium).[12] Schroeder Park seats up to 5,000 spectators, with most of the seats covered by a canopy roof.

For players, in addition to locker rooms, there are facilities for indoor batting practice, storage, and laundry.[3] Schroeder Park's press box seats 28, and has booths for television and radio coverage.[3] The field is made of artificial turf, which can increase the running speed, but can also increase injuries as compared to natural grass.

Attendance

Source:[13]

Year W L Total Average
2015 26 8 58,648 1,832
2014 25 8 44,409 1,345
2013 23 9 34,959 1,092
2012 11 14 24,284 1,011
2011 13 14 30,696 1,136
2010 12 17 34,479 1,231
2009 12 16 30,134 1,116
2008 24 6 33,338 1,112
2007 11 14 27,899 1,116
2006 22 4 30,407 1,170
2005 16 14 40,971 1,366
2004 18 12 43,001 1,433
2003 17 9 23,252 895
2002 21 5 35,631 1,370
2001 15 11 19,715 758
2000 23 12 49,690 1,420
1999 24 11 34,143 976
1998 23 10 25,927 786
1997 21 8 13,920 480
1996 21 12 17,687 536
1995 15 14 18,031 622

In 2010, the Cougars ranked 45th among Division I baseball programs in attendance, averaging 1,262 per home game.[14]

See also

References
  1. Holderfield, Jeff. "New Cougar Field Opens Today at 4 P.M." Archived 2008-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  2. 1999 Division I Baseball Regional Pairings and Site Breakdowns. NCAA. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  3. Cougar Field. UH Athletics. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
  4. Cougar Field renamed. UH Athletics. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  5. Scholl, Daniel. "Dreams, Days Gone by Mark of Era" Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  6. Wizig, Jerry. "Cougar Field Stories Abound". Chron.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  7. Carssow, Ryan. "Only Memories Will Remain of Cougar Field" Archived 2008-08-30 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  8. "Houston Baseball to Turf Cougar Field". Houston Cougars athletics. November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  9. Duarte, Joseph (September 30, 2015). "UH releases rendering for new baseball facility at Cougar Field". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  10. "18U: Blue one-hits Red in 12–4 victory" (Press release). USA Baseball. August 24, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  11. Scoreboards. Spectrum Corporation. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  12. Duarte, Joseph (April 16, 2015). "Largest scoreboard in college baseball to be installed at Cougar Field". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  13. "University of Houston Athletics :: UH Cougars :: Official Athletic Site". www.uhcougars.com. Retrieved 2015-04-19.
  14. Brian Foley (January 6, 2011). "2010 NCAA Baseball Attendance Leaders". Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
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