News | Major Improvements on Deck at Itchy Jones Stadium this Spring
02/02/2024 | 11:00:00 | Baseball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois baseball fans will notice a difference this spring when they take in the scenery at Itchy Jones Stadium as several improvements have been made ahead of the 2024 campaign.
"The new video board, turf playing surface, batting cage nets and backstop netting truly make Itchy Jones Stadium the best place to play baseball in the MVC and I am excited for the best fan base in our league to see the new improvements this season," head coach Lance Rhodes said.
"These are the type of upgrades that help give our student-athletes a first-class division I experience," Rhodes added. "I want to thank our athletic administration, university, and some great individuals for their financial support in helping make these improvements possible."
"We are grateful for the investment that has been made to elevate the gameday experience for our fans, student-athletes, and coaches. Upgrading our venues with a focus on student-athlete and fan experience continues to be a top priority for us," Director of Athletics Tim Leonard said. "These improvements help transform Itchy Jones Stadium into one of the best facilities in the Missouri Valley Conference as well as the Midwest."
The installation of a state-of-the-art Watchfire video board system in right field is set to be completed ahead of the SIU's first home game on Feb. 27.
Watchfire, a Danville, Illinois-based company partnered with Southern Illinois University and Saluki Athletics to bring a top-of-the-line LED board with a viewing area of 16 feet by 36 feet. Powered by MotionRocket, the new system will have a built-in scoreboard, integrated stats, as well as 4K capabilities.
It is the third Watchfire system that will be installed at SIU as the company worked to bring a brand-new center-hung scoreboard inside of Banterra Center in the fall as well as a video board inside the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium.
The Salukis will play on a brand new FieldTurf playing surface which was installed over the holiday break. The turf is designed for all-weather play, allowing for extra practice time and live action during inclement weather.
Protective netting around the backstop will also be replaced for a better viewing experience as well as batting cage nets on site.
About Watchfire
Watchfire empowers businesses to stand out, differentiate themselves, and create a strong market presence. We have developed an advertising solution capable of delivering affordable, effective, and immediate communication that drives revenue. Every aspect of our display hardware, content management software, and ongoing services are built around giving you the greatest tools available to help grow your business.
About FieldTurf
FieldTurf is a world leader in artificial turf with over 25,000 installations worldwide. Trusted at every level, FieldTurf is at the surface of elite football programs across the country. In the NFL, FieldTurf is the trusted choice of 11 teams. The Falcons, Giants, Jets, Lions, Panthers, Patriots, and Seahawks both play and practice on FieldTurf, while the Buccaneers, Eagles, Packers, and Steelers practice on FieldTurf.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
"The new video board, turf playing surface, batting cage nets and backstop netting truly make Itchy Jones Stadium the best place to play baseball in the MVC and I am excited for the best fan base in our league to see the new improvements this season," head coach Lance Rhodes said.
"These are the type of upgrades that help give our student-athletes a first-class division I experience," Rhodes added. "I want to thank our athletic administration, university, and some great individuals for their financial support in helping make these improvements possible."
"We are grateful for the investment that has been made to elevate the gameday experience for our fans, student-athletes, and coaches. Upgrading our venues with a focus on student-athlete and fan experience continues to be a top priority for us," Director of Athletics Tim Leonard said. "These improvements help transform Itchy Jones Stadium into one of the best facilities in the Missouri Valley Conference as well as the Midwest."
The installation of a state-of-the-art Watchfire video board system in right field is set to be completed ahead of the SIU's first home game on Feb. 27.
Watchfire, a Danville, Illinois-based company partnered with Southern Illinois University and Saluki Athletics to bring a top-of-the-line LED board with a viewing area of 16 feet by 36 feet. Powered by MotionRocket, the new system will have a built-in scoreboard, integrated stats, as well as 4K capabilities.
It is the third Watchfire system that will be installed at SIU as the company worked to bring a brand-new center-hung scoreboard inside of Banterra Center in the fall as well as a video board inside the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium.
The Salukis will play on a brand new FieldTurf playing surface which was installed over the holiday break. The turf is designed for all-weather play, allowing for extra practice time and live action during inclement weather.
Protective netting around the backstop will also be replaced for a better viewing experience as well as batting cage nets on site.
About Watchfire
Watchfire empowers businesses to stand out, differentiate themselves, and create a strong market presence. We have developed an advertising solution capable of delivering affordable, effective, and immediate communication that drives revenue. Every aspect of our display hardware, content management software, and ongoing services are built around giving you the greatest tools available to help grow your business.
About FieldTurf
FieldTurf is a world leader in artificial turf with over 25,000 installations worldwide. Trusted at every level, FieldTurf is at the surface of elite football programs across the country. In the NFL, FieldTurf is the trusted choice of 11 teams. The Falcons, Giants, Jets, Lions, Panthers, Patriots, and Seahawks both play and practice on FieldTurf, while the Buccaneers, Eagles, Packers, and Steelers practice on FieldTurf.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
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