University of Virginia Library

Baseball Field Plans

By Steve Giannini
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Lambeth Field's baseball
diamond is going to follow the
same fate as the track in being
fazed out within the next couple of
years. Because of the growing
student body and the deficiencies
of the old diamond the move will
be necessary. Undoubtedly the
designation of Lambeth Field for
residential colleges had something
to do with the planned move.

The new field will complete the
complex west of University Hall.
After the track facilities are
completed in time for the '70
season, Mr. Steve Sebo, Athletic
Director, hopes to have the baseball
diamond begun and completed in
time for the following year.

Most of the responsibility for
getting the field built will rest on
the Athletic Department. Some
timely cooperation from the
Planning Department will also help.

The land up on Copeley Hill will
need some further grading before it
will be suitable for a baseball
playing field. Conveniently,
approximately 100,000 cubic feet
of earth is needed for the new art
center, now under construction,
and the new drama center on Carr's
Hill.

Dirt will be moved in such a
fashion to permit a baseball field to
be built on the resulting
topography. From there on the
whole responsibility rest on the
Athletic Department to get the
field seeded, and the various
equipment set up. Funds will come
from the Athletic Department.

With the completion of the
baseball diamond the complex,
including the track will be finished
except for further improvements as
the money is available. Mr. Sebo
made some predictions for the
baseball program. He said Sunday
games may be played in order to
get larger student crowds, and,
although lights are not proposed for
the present, their addition in the
future could bring night games.
Both of these scheduling
innovations have met with general
success in the schools where they
have been employed.

Besides the realized need for a
baseball field, there may be a real
future need for a new football
stadium. Now Scott Stadium is the
smallest stadium in the ACC.

Mr. Sebo speculated on some
aspects of the prospects for a new
stadium, but he emphasized that it
was only speculation. There are no
plans at the present for a new
stadium.

However, growth may bring
about some definite plans.
Projected enrollment for the
University is 15,000 in 1980. This
not only means that there will be
more students attending football
games, but that the academic
facilities these students will require
will have to expand also. The
Engineering School has only the
land behind it to use for more
buildings and the other sciences will
most likely use that general area,
too.

Mr. Sebo said the University had
some land on which better stadium
sites could be chosen. He stated
that somewhere close to the new
interstate would be an ideal
location.

If this new stadium is to be
built, Mr. Sebo envisions something
of the 42,000-47,000 size.

Whatever, it appears as if some
further plans will come from the
Athletic Department in their
program to keep in pace with their
needs and the University's needs.