TigerBait.com - New facility excitement

February 11, 2009

William Weathers
TigerBait.com Managing Editor

The army of workers scattered throughout LSU's new Tiger Park on a blustery Tuesday afternoon, still hard at work, told the story of the school's race to the finish for Wednesday's season opener.

For ninth-year LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard watching the $12.1 million project mushroom out of the ground on Skip Bertman Drive is the culmination of a dream that was hatched in her Broussard neighborhood nearly 50 years ago.

"I was playing baseball across the street in a lot when I was five and getting punished because we made our own field," Girouard said during Media Day activities. "We had sunken dugouts, cut out the grass (infield) and did a chicken-wire backstop. I've been sort of building ballparks my whole life and this one. ? we did it right."

What Girouard's referring to is her new home field of 1,289 seats with an outfield berm to accommodate another 1,200 which is scheduled to debut Wednesday at 6 p.m. when No. 21 LSU (3-2) hosts McNeese State.

"I think there's going to be a lot of nerves but I think it eventually turns into adrenaline," LSU junior pitcher/outfielder Kirsten Shortridge said.

The season opener for LSU represents a milestone for the program which was brought back in 1997 following a 16-year hiatus after the sport was dropped.

At the heart of LSU reinstating softball was a Title IX lawsuit that implored the school to not only bring back the sport but add soccer as well. Girouard, then the successful softball coach at UL-Lafayette, testified in the lawsuit on the behalf of LSU, asking the school for a full allotment of scholarships, competitive budget and facility to play.

When Girouard brought UL-Lafayette to play against LSU the first sight of the original Tiger Park left a lot to be desired but the Tigers went on to win 87 percent (338-51) of their games played there over the last 12 years, included in that was reaching the program's first College World Series in 2001.

"When I first came as an opponent I was shocked at that park," Girouard said. "The first words out of my mouth was, 'this was LSU, they could do so much better'."

There was talk of a new softball stadium in 2006 until the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the soaring costs of labor and supplies effectively shelved the idea until the school officially broke ground Oct. 9, 2007 on the new facility that puts LSU on par with some of the nation's best.

"There are stadiums in the country that are bigger, maybe seat a little bit more," Girouard said. "But there's no question in my mind that this stadium has the most character, is the prettiest and classiest and meets every need from the fan to the student-athlete, bar none. I think when people get in it tomorrow night they're going to be blown away."

The state-of-the-art facility is both an architectural marvel consistent with LSU's color schemes, arches, bricking and yellow-specked roofing that covers the clubhouse as well as a haven of comfort for both the fans and players.

All of the seats are angled toward the playing field that features an open concourse with concession areas with video monitors. The majestic scoreboard in right field contains a fan-friendly message center with vibrant graphics.

From a player's perspective the facility has a spacious locker room, team lounge, a video room with theater-style chairs along with an outdoor deck overlooking the playing field and indoor batting cages.

"We're getting to play in it but we're very thankful for how successful the people in the past have been so that we can play in this new stadium," LSU sophomore third baseman Jessica Mouse said. "We want to make sure we do them proud and go out there and have fun and make sure the crowd is enjoying the game also."

Because of the commitment LSU made on the behalf of women's athletics Girouard is having the head coach of every female sport at the school take turns throwing out first pitches. The evening will also feature a tribute to former players that range from the school's first team in 1979 to both of the program's two World Series teams in '01 and '04.

They'll have quite a sight to see when they arrive at the stadium.

"It's a crown jewel," Girouard said. "It absolutely hit a grand slam."

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