Joe Miller Ballpark is a baseball venue in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States. It is home to the McNeese State Cowboys baseball team of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference. Opened in 1965, the venue has a capacity of 2,000 spectators.[1] Its record attendance came one May 2, 2000, when 2,191 spectators saw McNeese State defeat LSU 4–3 in 11 innings.[2] The facility was renovated in 2005, 2007, and 2008.[1] Not to be confused with Joe Miller Field, which is McNeese's softball venue.
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| Location | Common Street and Contour Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30°10′22.6″N 93°12′48.2″W / 30.172944°N 93.213389°W |
| Owner | McNeese State University |
| Operator | McNeese State University |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Record attendance | 2,191 (May 2, 2000, vs. LSU) |
| Field size | 330 ft. (LF), 375 ft. (LCF), 400 ft. (CF), 375 ft. (RCF), 330 ft. (RF) |
| Surface | Natural turf |
| Scoreboard | Daktronics |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1965 |
| Renovated | 2005, 2007, 2008, 2014 |
| Tenants | |
| McNeese State Cowboys baseball (Southland) | |
Renovations
editIn 2005, a Daktronics scoreboard with a message board was installed. In 2007, a new outfield fence was built after the old fence was destroyed by Hurricane Rita. In 2008, new chairback seating (behind home plate) and bleacher seating (along the first and third baselines) were installed. Additionally, the infield was laser-leveled and wheelchair accessibility was improved with new ramps to the venue's seating areas.[1]
In 2014, the first part of a multi-phase upgrade began with installation of infield turf. According to the project announcement, "...The new surface will make up the entire infield and foul territories and includes the batter's area and baselines. The only dirt on the field will be the pitcher's mound..." Joseph T. Miller, Sr. presented the McNeese Foundation a check for $300,000 to help finance the infield turf project. Future planned upgrades announced include a new entrance court and ticket booths, elevated deck seating, VIP seating, and new fencing.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Cowboy Diamond". McNeese Sports. McNeese State University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "LSU vs. McNeese State (May 2)". LSU Sports. Archived from the original on 2014-10-13. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Cowboy Diamond getting facelift with turf installation". McNeese State University. December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
External links
edit- Cowboy Diamond photo gallery at mcneesesports.com