ATHLETIC BUSINESS - The University of South Carolina replaced its outdated softball stadium with a larger facility that accommodates 1,400 people — approximately double the previous facility’s seating capacity. An assortment of seating options range from enclosed rooms to traditional outdoor seats.

Once inside, fans are greeted with a panoramic view of the field before descending to their seats. With an excellent view of the field from all angles, visitors won’t miss the play on the field even when they are at the concessions stand, heading to the restrooms or hanging out in the stadium’s many places to socialize.

On the ground floor, student-athletes and coaches have access to player locker rooms, changing rooms, showers, coaches’ support areas, meeting rooms and training facilities. The stadium’s innovative dugout uses a deep overhang to shield team members from inclement weather while maintaining visibility to the field. Concrete pads in the dugouts are raised to field level and aligned with first and third bases to accommodate baseline cameras. In accordance with a new field requirement, baseline netting spans from home plate to first and third bases.

Brick, durable precast concrete and silver metal elements keep the stadium true to the Athletic Village’s architectural character, while natural daylight illuminates many of the stadium’s interior spaces, as well as its 4,000-square-foot batting cage.

See the original story here.  Read more about the award-winning stadium here.

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