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Illinois Field
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Illinois Field in PDF Format
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Illinois Field, the home of Fighting Illini Baseball, enters the 2005 season as one of the finest collegiate facilities in the Midwest. The 18-year-old ballpark saw its long-anticipated facelift during the 1999 season when lights were installed in time for five night games, and in doing so making Illinois one of only four Big Ten schools with the ability to play night games on its home field. Illinois Field's newest addition features six light poles evenly spaced outside the perimeter of the stadium.
The first night game in Illinois Field history took place on April 27, 1999, a rainy Tuesday evening against Illinois State. After an hour rain delay, the lights were flipped on and Illinois' 1998 Big Ten Championship flag was raised in centerfield. The first pitch was a strike from Illini ace Jason Anderson. Illinois won the game, 7-6, in 10 innings behind a game-winning single from senior shortstop Jon Anderson. Reliever Jimmy Journell picked up the win.
The lights add to the facelift the 18-year old facility received prior to hosting the 1998 Big Ten Tournament and reaffirms the field's status as one of the finest facilities in the Big Ten and the entire Midwest.
A symmetrical stadium, Illinois Field measures 330 feet down the lines, 370 feet to the alleys and 400 feet to center field. The entire complex features a clubhouse complete with lounge, locker room, four batting cages, two bullpens, a 25-person press box and permanent seating for 1,500. Lawn seating provides space for up to 3,000 and was tested to the limits with the record crowds drawn to Illinois Field to watch Illinois play in the 1998 Big Ten Tournament.
Other recent additions to Illinois Field include refurbished dugouts, a remodeled infield, constructed by Chicago White Sox head groundskeeper Roger Bossard, an underground sprinkler system, new infield grass, a drainage system under the infield that will take as much as two inches of rain and be playable within 24 hours, base paths made of water-tolerant clay and a state-of-the-art stereo sound system.
Future additions planned for Illinois Field include seating for up to 5,000. The first game played at Illinois Field took place March 24, 1988. Illinois hosted Western Illinois and won the game, 11-10. Illinois enters the 2005 season with a 240-132 (.645) record at Illinois Field.
