Press release:

The current stadium only holds 1,600, so this new facility will increase that by 2.5x.

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Love's Field Capacity Announced; Seat Selection to Resume in November
September 29, 2023 | Softball

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department announced Friday a final fan capacity for Love's Field — OU Softball's home that will debut in the spring — and that the stadium's seat-selection process will resume this November.

OU Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione said the department and project architects worked diligently to maximize the stadium's capacity. The original capacity projection was approximately 3,000, but the final Love's Field capacity will be 4,200.

"Since the start, we've approached the design of Love's Field with our fans in mind," said Castiglione. "Because we know the demand for OU Softball is sky high, we took great care to increase the capacity wherever we could while maintaining the overall fan experience. We're thrilled with the results, as we've shattered our original expected capacity of about 3,000, now with 3,543 in fixed seating and an additional 657 in standing room. At every home game, we'll now have the opportunity for more than 4,000 Sooner fans to cheer our team to victory in the biggest and best collegiate softball stadium in the country."

The Love's Field seat-selection process for the 2024 softball season will resume in November with those in Groups 2 and 3 whose assigned selection time was not initially available during the first phase of the selection process this summer.

Seats will be selected via an online Love's Field seat map. Groups 2 and 3 members whose assigned selection time was not available during the first phase of the selection process will be assigned a selection time in which they can view inventory and make seat selections as availability allows. Available seat locations are in the outfield reserved sections and require paying only the annual season ticket cost. To maximize capacity of Love's Field, some sections in the outfield have been altered since the original selection process. Those who previously selected seats in these locations that may be impacted by this adjustment will be contacted prior to the selection process resuming in November.

Supporters in both groups will be ranked via Sooner Points associated with their OU Athletics account. Sooner Points accumulate for OU Athletics lifetime season ticket purchases, seat-related giving history and attendance. Assigned selection times and instructions will be provided via email to account holders prior to the start of the November selection process. Groups 2 and 3 are not guaranteed the opportunity to purchase season tickets, as seat locations throughout Love's Field are subject to availability and the selections made by those with earlier assigned times.

Fans in Groups 2 and 3 who have do not receive seat-selection information via email today can contact the Sooner Club at 405-325-8000.

Love's Field will also feature a 10,669-square-foot indoor training center and several team spaces, including a training room, locker room and classroom. It will also have space for a recognition area to showcase national championships, All-Americans and other outstanding accomplishments.

Plans call for the overall square footage of the complex to reach 44,000, compared to 15,168 at Marita Hynes Field, OU's present facility. The team areas will expand from 2,598 square feet to 5,593 square feet and the indoor practice facility will jump from 4,744 square feet to 10,669 square feet.

Head coach Patty Gasso and her 2023 team toured the Love's Field construction site Wednesday afternoon for the first time, and each squad member signed the final light pole before watching it hoisted into place in right center field.

"When we were standing above the outfield looking toward home plate, we were in awe," said Gasso, who has led OU to seven national championships, including six of the last 10 and each of the last three. "It was hard to comprehend the beauty and scope of what we were looking at, considering where we played when I started coaching here. I stood there and reflected on all my years at OU and all the athletes who laid the foundation for this program. I'm reminded of where we started this journey whenever I drive by Reaves Park. Then we stepped across the street to Marita Hynes Field. And now we're on the cusp of having Love's Field — the premier college softball facility in the country — as our home. I'm so grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point, and am incredibly excited for what's still to come."

OU starts its fall competition schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. CT when it plays the first of six Oklahoma Battle Series games at Marita Hynes Field. The Sooners will also host North Central Texas College on Oct. 16 and Seminole State College on Oct. 23, both at 6 p.m.

Individuals interested in giving to Love's Field should contact the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000 or visit TheSoonerClub.com/softball.