Curious what the wood panels are behind the center field section aswell? Looks like they're arranged to be individualized picnic areas.

Yes, I believe that's what it is. Maybe they'll add tables and chairs?

...Also, I don't understand what they are doing in sections 16 & 18 on either side of dead center field. Tons and tons of work to put in stone risers and artificial turf and then just cover it up with aluminum benches? Why? It looks like they may be removable but what is the point of that?
Just spitballing here, but my best guess is that they will leave the bleachers intact for most games but remove them and make those terraces SRO to increase capacity for sellout games.

Edit: posted my theory before I read further down the thread and saw BoulderSooner's guess, which also makes sense.

Here’s a look of how the scoreboard will look in action.

https://x.com/j_batacao/status/1762989285257417100?s=46&t=bwar-XFVbiAPJAxJhTwfZw

Why with everything at OU are there always multiple shades of red (crimson) ? The OU logo, chair backs are crimson as they should be and look great. The padding all through out the facility that covers the brick is Fire Engine red. Nebraska would love it. Mind boggling.

Why with everything at OU are there always multiple shades of red (crimson) ? The OU logo, chair backs are crimson as they should be and look great. The padding all through out the facility that covers the brick is Fire Engine red. Nebraska would love it. Mind boggling.

To an extent that is going to be hard unless you chose only one material/manufacturer to be the red of your stadium, even that is likely only going to work early in stadium life since different exposer to sun/elements/contact likely will cause differences in color over time on things that looked identical out of the factory.

Why with everything at OU are there always multiple shades of red (crimson) ? The OU logo, chair backs are crimson as they should be and look great. The padding all through out the facility that covers the brick is Fire Engine red. Nebraska would love it. Mind boggling.

I for one think the colors in this new stadium make it look outstanding. My mind is boggled by what a great job they have done. It looks great. Proud to be an alumnus and OU athletic supporter… especially proud of the excellence that is Sooner softball.

To an extent that is going to be hard unless you chose only one material/manufacture to be the red of your stadium, even that is likely only going to work early in stadium life since different exposer to sun/elements/contact likely will cause differences in color over time on things that looked identical out of the factory.
Not to mention that the same color can look different depending on the material. For instance, the hard plastic of the pads reflect light way differently than do the soft fabric most seats are made of. Different day’s, different materials, different applications, different light, all contribute to differences.

I believe that large dirt area down the 1st base line (identified as Fan Plaza on the stadium map) will eventually be covered in artificial turf. Not sure if that will get done before Friday's opener.

Also, I don't understand what they are doing in sections 16 & 18 on either side of dead center field. Tons and tons of work to put in stone risers and artificial turf and then just cover it up with aluminum benches? Why? It looks like they may be removable but what is the point of that?

That was my first thought when I saw that too. Anyway, this is going to be the gold standard going forward for softball stadiums. It is spectacular.

Not to mention that the same color can look different depending on the material. For instance, the hard plastic of the pads reflect light way differently than do the soft fabric most seats are made of. Different day’s, different materials, different applications, different light, all contribute to differences.

this is the correct answer ..

this is the correct answer ..

They don’t match the red in the field paint either but the chairbacks do. Just saying. Oh, and they had them the correct color at Marita Hynes.

Anyway not worth arguing about. Personally I'm old school and like green chairs and pads.

Here's an article about the Scoreboard and it has some photos of how it looks in action. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2024/02/29/ou-softball-loves-field-oklahoma-scoreboard-daktronics-sooners-patty-gasso-joe-castiglione/72776874007/

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Pete, I sent you a private message

Photo from Toby Rowland https://x.com/TRowOU/status/1763317648589226327?s=20

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Shout out to Pete for all the great updates along the way. I know the project isn't 100 percent done but it's been fun watching all the progress. Thanks again.

^

Thanks. I'm getting ready to head down there and will post photos early this afternoon.

I believe that large dirt area down the 1st base line (identified as Fan Plaza on the stadium map) will eventually be covered in artificial turf. Not sure if that will get done before Friday's opener.

Also, I don't understand what they are doing in sections 16 & 18 on either side of dead center field. Tons and tons of work to put in stone risers and artificial turf and then just cover it up with aluminum benches? Why? It looks like they may be removable but what is the point of that?

One thing I keep coming back to is if there is more demand than expected, why place extra bleachers here? Even if temporary, when it seems like could make as much or more seating with temp bleachers behind the fixed seating on 1st and 3rd baseline seating. They would be in general considered better areas to view even have to place with roof supports in mind, most could still be below the roof, and would have better access to concessions/bathrooms.

One thing I keep coming back to is if there is more demand than expected, why place extra bleachers here? Even if temporary, when it seems like could make as much or more seating with temp bleachers behind the fixed seating on 1st and 3rd baseline seating. They would be in general considered better areas to view even have to place with roof supports in mind, most could still be below the roof, and would have better access to concessions/bathrooms.

out field seat are great seats in softball

One thing I keep coming back to is if there is more demand than expected, why place extra bleachers here? Even if temporary, when it seems like could make as much or more seating with temp bleachers behind the fixed seating on 1st and 3rd baseline seating. They would be in general considered better areas to view even have to place with roof supports in mind, most could still be below the roof, and would have better access to concessions/bathrooms.

Probably trying to preserve the prestige of those seats behind the dugouts. Those tickets required an additional donation on top of the ticket price. I think they are also trying to preserve the aesthetics of the concourse because it's pretty unique to have something that nice for softball.

They are actively still working on the bleachers even minutes before the ribbon cutting ceremony. Here's a photo from Eric Bailey

https://x.com/EricBaileyTW/status/1763606265358426379?s=20

https://i.imgur.com/10TdCfK.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/ikABQZX.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/eLexG1F.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/bRfcBjs.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/2ZHHz1h.jpeg

Wow, who works faster, the sod guys or Pete?

If anyone is there, is that courtyard with the mobile big screens permanent? I know originally Imhoff was supposed to be rerouted through the southern lot. Hopefully the city changed their mind.

No not permanent. I’m in the stadium and have tons of photos I’ll add when I can.

How do you build a $50 million dollar stadium and screw up the main camera angle?

The centerfield camera can't be in the batter's eye.

It looks really good on TV!

How do you build a $50 million dollar stadium and screw up the main camera angle?

i guess i'm confused by what you mean... i haven't seen a terrible angle so far

out field seat are great seats in softball
True. When I can get outfield tickets I prefer them.

i guess i'm confused by what you mean... i haven't seen a terrible angle so far

I’ll get over it but it’s a good 10 yards too far to the right. It makes it really hard to tell if the ball is over the plate.

I’ll get over it but it’s a good 10 yards too far to the right. It makes it really hard to tell if the ball is over the plate.

meh its softball... half the time the ref can't tell if it went over the plate or not.

I’ll get over it but it’s a good 10 yards too far to the right. It makes it really hard to tell if the ball is over the plate.

It can't be straight-on. Even in baseball, they don't have them straight-on.

It can't be straight-on. Even in baseball, they don't have them straight-on.

I know that.

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The angle is a little bit toward 3rd from the second example but not enough to be an issue. And not enough that many viewers would even notice.

Tied end of 5. Go ladies. Need to win the first game in our new house!

The crowd just looks amazing. Having a full outfield of fans just makes the stadium look big league.

Great way to welcome the new field!!!!!!!

That was great fun! I’ll post more later.

I didn't even notice until the second game but the outfield bleachers nearest the center had people in them. They got those together in no time.

Flipping around ESPN+ at other games really makes you appreciate what a monster Love’s Field is.

I didn't even notice until the second game but the outfield bleachers nearest the center had people in them. They got those together in no time.

Looking at some press photos after the dedication you can see they were installing them up until pre-game.

I also heard a recap of an interview with Joe C this afternoon where he said there is a spot designated for a Patty Gasso statue. It couldn't be any other way. She brought them from a park that they had to clean up trash from before they played to a national power whose records are amazing. I just hope the statue does her justice. No offense to my school but a couple of the football statues do not look good.

I also heard a recap of an interview with Joe C this afternoon where he said there is a spot designated for a Patty Gasso statue. It couldn't be any other way. She brought them from a park that they had to clean up trash from before they played to a national power whose records are amazing. I just hope the statue does her justice. No offense to my school but a couple of the football statues do not look good.

I hope they name a building or something for Marita too. She’s basically the godmother of modern NCAA softball and made OKC the destination for the World Series.

I also heard a recap of an interview with Joe C this afternoon where he said there is a spot designated for a Patty Gasso statue. It couldn't be any other way. She brought them from a park that they had to clean up trash from before they played to a national power whose records are amazing. I just hope the statue does her justice. No offense to my school but a couple of the football statues do not look good.

Plus her coaching tree seems huge

Has there been any statement on what will happen to Marita Hynes Field. While there are plenty of cases of old fields being demolished or kept around, the proximity of Reaves Park's softball complex could help argument to keep it as a higher tier rec league or tournament field in Norman, around three quarters the seating seems relatively easy to remove to scale down for smaller crowds. Plus OU still used it this weekend for the multiple visiting teams in town to play against each other while OU played others on the new field.

Has there been any statement on what will happen to Marita Hynes Field. While there are plenty of cases of old fields being demolished or kept around, the proximity of Reaves Park's softball complex could help argument to keep it as a higher tier rec league or tournament field in Norman, around three quarters the seating seems relatively easy to remove to scale down for smaller crowds. Plus OU still used it this weekend for the multiple visiting teams in town to play against each other while OU played others on the new field.

There was speculation that the location could be used for football. Long term the maintenance expense might not be worth the upkeep unfortunately.

There was speculation that the location could be used for football. Long term the maintenance expense might not be worth the upkeep unfortunately.

The concept where everything between of the football stadium and golf course being converted to football training and support for the stadium seem more plausible than moving any sort of football practice that far south.

I could see if that happened track and field's replacement facilities getting moved down that far south, though some of the empty fields that are on the other side of a road from Lloyd Noble parking might be better locations for event days.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124d.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124e.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124f.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124g.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124h.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124i.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124j.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball030124k.jpg

Great pictures! As always.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1763954833734893947

^^^ Impressive ^^^

I took my 4 year old to the game yesterday and had a great experience. This was our first ever softball game; I think it may be the best OKC-area sports experience to take young kids to. The place was sold out but I managed to get pretty cheap tickets on a third-party ticket site in the outfield - price was comparable to a minor league baseball game. There are a ton of spots for the standing room only ticket holders to stand and have a great view of the game, so we probably could've done that. The parking in the NE corner of LNC's parking lot is very easy and close to the gate. The legroom in the bleachers is great, concession lines were very short, family bathrooms, etc. Just all around great experience. I think we were sitting around a lot of season ticket holders -- the softball fan base is INCREDIBLY nice and seemed happy, not bothered, that I had a four-year-old in tow. That's not always the experience at other sporting events.

^

All the seats are sold out to season ticket holders but sometimes they sell them through the OU-partner SeatGeek.

I agree it's a great setup with easy parking, quick ticket scanning on your phone for entry, plenty of concessions and restrooms, and just a quality place.

I expect things will improve even more -- especially for kids -- when they get the Fan Zone going on the big grassy spot inside the gates.


Side note: I had a SRO ticket on opening day and would not do that again. All the seats were super expensive (not the case for the large majority of future games) and I just wanted to get inside, see it for myself and take some photos. But it was hard to see the entire field from any of the standing spots and by the time you take the long walk to and from the car, you will be standing for around 3 hours and as things are now, there is nowhere to sit at all -- even near concessions -- for that entire time.

I took my 4 year old to the game yesterday and had a great experience. This was our first ever softball game

John, with all do respect, please don't go to another one until we 4 peat!

John, with all do respect, please don't go to another one until we 4 peat!

Ha, I have not stopped catching grief about this. My four year old was weeks old the last time the Sooners lost!

Ha, I have not stopped catching grief about this. My four year old was weeks old the last time the Sooners lost!

your 4 year old was a 3 year old the last time the sooners lost

He didn't say HOW many weeks! :)

He didn't say HOW many weeks! :)

lol well played

Took these last night; lights were on even though the team is in Lubbock.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball031624b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball031624g.jpg

Some more from yesterday (Saturday).

They continue to install sod. Note they have added some tables and chairs to the 'Fan Zone'; the grassy area down the first base line. The stockade fence beyond the outfield should eventually come down as it was used for construction.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball031624c.jpg

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball031624d.jpg

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball031624e.jpg

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/softball031624f.jpg

What a much-deserved showplace for that program. I remain curious about the long term plan for that fan zone area. It doesn’t make much sense as-is, and regular high-traffic programming on grass seems like a major upkeep challenge.

What a much-deserved showplace for that program. I remain curious about the long term plan for that fan zone area. It doesn’t make much sense as-is, and regular high-traffic programming on grass seems like a major upkeep challenge.

I really expected it to be artificial turf, but the big downside is that it gets very hot.

But I thought they'd put down the fake stuff and then have lots of tents and bounce houses and food trucks... Not exactly sure what they plan to do with all that space, but real grass will be a limiter.