J. C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park

J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park is a baseball stadium in Ruston, Louisiana, United States. It is the home field of the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs college baseball team.

J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park
"Love Shack"
Jclovefield
Former namesTech Stadium (1971–1982)
J. C. Love Field (1982–2008)
LocationRuston, Louisiana
Coordinates32°31′49.80″N 92°39′05.47″W
OwnerLouisiana Tech University
OperatorLouisiana Tech University
Capacity2,100[1]
Record attendance3,311 (2017 vs. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball)
Field sizeLeft Field – 315 ft
Left-Center Alley – 370 ft
Center Field – 380 ft
Right-Center Alley – 350 ft
Right Field – 325 ft
SurfaceField Turf
Construction
Opened1971 Reopened 2021
Renovated2016
Tenants
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball (1971–present)

History

The facility features a seating capacity of 2,100 much of which is chairback seating. Prior to the 2016 season, artificial field turf was installed to replace the natural grass playing surface. The ballpark also boasts large picnic and viewing areas beyond the outfield wall that are very popular with Tech fans and the "Right Field Rowdies" cheering section. In 1997, a then school-record of 3,251 fans attended the Bulldogs' game against eventual national champion LSU.

Old stadium at night with old softball field.

On May 22, 2008, the facility was rededicated as J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in honor of Tech legend Pat Patterson.

The stadium was the sight of one of the greatest comebacks in college baseball history during the 2006 season. Down 12–6 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th to #3 Mississippi State, Tech scored seven runs on eight singles and one walk to win the game 13–12.[2]

On March 15, 2017, a new attendance record was set in a game against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, at 3,311 [3]

Rebuild

During the early morning hours of April 25, 2019, an EF-3 tornado destroyed the facility, deeming it unplayable for the remainder of the season. The 2020 season was played at Ruston High's baseball field before its cancellation in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The stadium was demolished during the spring of 2020 and construction began on a new stadium in the summer of 2020.

The first game at the new J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park was Friday, February 26, 2021. Tech beat Southern University 9–2. Fans were not allowed inside the stadium due to ongoing construction, but hundreds watched from beyond the left field wall.[4]

Total capacity of the facility is 2,100. There is a fixed seating capacity of 1,322 permanent chair back seats, as well as a first base turf berm area for fans to bring chairs. Extending down the right field line is an area for tailgate tents and there is also a grass berm beyond the right field fence that is the home of the Kennel, the student section.[5]

The stadium walls are all padded in Tech blue. The outfield wall varies in height with it being 12’ in left field and dropping to 8’ in right center (315’ left, 380’ center, 325’ right).[6]

The pressbox level features four suites, a radio booth for both home and visiting teams, scoreboard productions, TV production and a booth for the writing press.[7]

The scoreboard is a Daktronics scoreboard featuring both a video screen and a fixed digit scoreboard. There is an additional auxiliary scoreboard in the stands so the fans in the outfield can see the game updates.[8]

Notable Games

In the new re-built J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park, the Bulldogs have tallied wins over the #1 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks and the #4 ranked Ole Miss Rebels.

Louisiana Tech hosted an NCAA Division I regional for the first time June 4–6, 2021. North Carolina State won the regional championship, defeating Alabama once and Tech twice.

Tournaments Hosted

Conference Tournaments: 2021 (CUSA)
NCAA Regional Tournaments: 2021

Attendance Records

Top 10 Largest Crowds at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park

Rank Attendance Opponent Year Winner, Score
1. 3,311 UL-Lafayette 2017 Tech, 6-5 (13)
2. 3,251 LSU 1997 LSU, 13-1
3. 3,154 Arkansas 2007 Arkansas, 4-2
4. 3,125 LSU 1991 LSU, 13-6
5. 3,076 Arkansas 2007 Tech, 9-2
6. 2,536 UL-Monroe 2007 Tech, 3-2
7. 2,375 LSU 1987 Tech, 5-4
8. 2,220 Rice 2016 Tech, 4-3 (15)
9. 2,138 Arkansas 2007 Arkansas, 6-2
10. 2,095 UL-Lafayette 2016 Tech, 6-2

See also

References
  1. "J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park".
  2. "LATechSports.com Official Athletic Site". M.latechsports.com. 2006-04-04. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  3. "Late-game magic: Tech wins a wild one over UL Lafayette". Thenewsstar.com. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  4. "Bulldogs Open New Love Shack in Style With 9-2 Victory Over Southern". latechsports.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  5. "J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park". latechsports.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  6. "J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park". latechsports.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  7. "J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park". latechsports.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  8. "J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park". latechsports.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.

32.529845°N 92.651278°W / 32.529845; -92.651278

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