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Oklahoma

OU softball's Love's Field set to hold 4,200

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo09/29/23BPrzybylo
Syndication: The Oklahoman
OU softball head coach Patty Gasso. Photo credit: Nathan J. Fish - The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network.

The original goal for OU softball’s Love’s Field was around 3,000. Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione announced Friday that number has been smashed for the new home of OU softball in the spring.

Capacity – 4,200.

“Since the start, we’ve approached the design of Love’s Field with our fans in mind,” said Castiglione in a press release. “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 seat-selection process for the 2024 season will continue in November.

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.

To get an idea of what Love’s Field will be, it’s not just the capacity. 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 the team got to tour the construction site Wednesday afternoon for the first time.

“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.”

The capacity for Marita Hynes Field was just under 1,400, and the reported record for a single-game attendance was more than 2,100.

OU begins fall ball next Wednesday, with the Oklahoma Battle Series at Marita Hynes Field.

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