Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Traditions
Abe Martin Field
Serving as home of the Salukis since 1964 is Abe Martin Field. As squad members will attest, there's no place like home on game day.
Over the past 36 years, SIU has fashioned a 579-230-3 record for an impressive .716 winning percentage.
One of the reasons for the Salukis' success has been the support of the home fans. Though no official attendance figures have been kept, crowds as large as 4,000 have swarmed in and around Abe Martin Field. The overflow of crowds settle on the hill behind the first base dugout to form SIU's unique "Hill Gang."
Located south of the SIU Arena, the ballpark features an aesthetic natural grass field, a brick backstop and an electrical scoreboard. The field is completely surrounded by fences, including a newly constructed, eight-foot high outfield wall. The symmetrical surface is 340 down the foul lines, 370 in the power alleys and 390 to straightaway centerfield.
Improvements to "The Abe" continued in 2000, as the entire outfield was resurfaced with Bermuda grass during the summer of 1999.
Most recently added to Abe Martin Field, however, was a five tunnel, outdoor, carpeted batting unit. The hitting complex, which opened during the spring of 2000, sits adjacent to the field.
The field was named on April 30, 1972 in honor of Glenn "Abe" Martin, who retired in 1971 after 33 years of service, including 19 as head baseball coach.