Schroeder Park

Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park (formerly known as Cougar Field) is a baseball park in Houston, Texas. It is the home field of the Houston Cougars baseball team. Several iterations of the ballpark have existed. The current stadium holds 5,000 people, and opened for baseball in 1995. With a 1,500 square foot Daktronics video board, Schroeder Park features the second-largest scoreboard in college baseball. Since its opening, Schroeder Park has hosted several notable college baseball events.[3] In February 2016, the University of Houston announced that, as a response to a large donation to the baseball program, Cougar Field would be renamed Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.[4]

Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park

Location	3100 Cullen Blvd Houston, Texas United States
Coordinates	29.7267°N 95.3452°W
Owner	University of Houston System
Operator	University of Houston
Capacity	5,000[1]
Field size	Left Field: 330 ft (100 m)[2] Center Field: 400 ft (122 m) Right Field: 330 ft (100 m)
Surface	Natural grass (1995–2014) FieldTurf (2014–present)
Construction
Broke ground	1994
Opened	February 22, 1995
Renovated	2013
Construction cost	$30 million USD[1]
Tenants
Houston Cougars baseball (NCAA) 1995–present Texas Arrow Heads (Pro Cricket) 2004

History

Prior to 1961, the Cougars played at Buff Stadium. The original baseball stadium named Cougar Field was built roughly in the same area as the current one. Before 1968, it existed where Hofheinz Pavilion is today. To make room for the then new basketball arena, Cougar Field was moved next door.[5] This iteration of Cougar Field stayed in the same location until March 29, 1994 when it was demolished in preparation for the establishment of the UH Athletics/Alumni center.[5] To finish the rest of their season's home games, the Cougars played at Texas A&M University's Olsen Field and crosstown Rice University's Cameron Field.[6][7] After a multimillion-dollar donation from Cougar alumnus and San Diego Padres owner John Moores, the current stadium was built throughout the remainder of the year, and had its first game on February 22, 1995.

In late 2013, Houston, citing national competitiveness in recruiting, changed Schroeder Park's playing surface from natural grass to artificial turf.[8] In September 2015, Houston announced a new 20,000 square foot clubhouse and player development center to be constructed for Schroeder Park.[9] In October 2015, a new Daktronics video board with 1,500 square feet of space replaced the original one, and Schroeder Park became host to the largest scoreboard in college baseball.

Events hosted

Since its opening in 1995, Schroeder Park has hosted several notable college baseball events.[3] In, 1999, 2000, 2015, and 2017 an NCAA Regional was hosted at the ball park. Also in 2000, Schroeder Park was home to an NCAA Super Regional. In addition, the 2004 and 2010 Conference USA Baseball Tournaments were both hosted at the ballpark.

In 2014, the USA Baseball 18U National Team held trials at the ballpark.[10]

Features

Schroeder Park's former Philips Vidiwall scoreboard

Schroeder Park stands and press box during a game

Schroeder Park is a scaled-down version of a major league ballpark.[3] Until October 2015, it featured a scoreboard with a Philips Vidiwall LED video screen constructed by Spectrum Corporation.[11] It was replaced by a Daktronics video board, known as the "Sanders-Gutierrez Scoreboard", which is the second-largest in college baseball (behind only Arkansas' Baum Stadium).[12] Schroeder Park seats up to 5,000 spectators, with most of the seats covered by a canopy roof.

For players, in addition to locker rooms, there are facilities for indoor batting practice, storage, and laundry.[3] Schroeder Park's press box seats 28, and has booths for television and radio coverage.[3] The field is made of artificial turf, which can increase the running speed, but can also increase injuries as compared to natural grass.

Attendance

Source:[13]

Year	W	L	Total	Average
2015	26	8	58,648	1,832
2014	25	8	44,409	1,345
2013	23	9	34,959	1,092
2012	11	14	24,284	1,011
2011	13	14	30,696	1,136
2010	12	17	34,479	1,231
2009	12	16	30,134	1,116
2008	24	6	33,338	1,112
2007	11	14	27,899	1,116
2006	22	4	30,407	1,170
2005	16	14	40,971	1,366
2004	18	12	43,001	1,433
2003	17	9	23,252	895
2002	21	5	35,631	1,370
2001	15	11	19,715	758
2000	23	12	49,690	1,420
1999	24	11	34,143	976
1998	23	10	25,927	786
1997	21	8	13,920	480
1996	21	12	17,687	536
1995	15	14	18,031	622

In 2010, the Cougars ranked 45th among Division I baseball programs in attendance, averaging 1,262 per home game.[14]

See also

• List of NCAA Division I baseball venues

References

1. Holderfield, Jeff. "New Cougar Field Opens Today at 4 P.M." Archived 2008-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
2. 1999 Division I Baseball Regional Pairings and Site Breakdowns. NCAA. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
3. Cougar Field. UH Athletics. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
4. Cougar Field renamed. UH Athletics. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
5. Scholl, Daniel. "Dreams, Days Gone by Mark of Era" Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
6. Wizig, Jerry. "Cougar Field Stories Abound". Chron.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
7. Carssow, Ryan. "Only Memories Will Remain of Cougar Field" Archived 2008-08-30 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
8. "Houston Baseball to Turf Cougar Field". Houston Cougars athletics. November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
9. Duarte, Joseph (September 30, 2015). "UH releases rendering for new baseball facility at Cougar Field". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
10. "18U: Blue one-hits Red in 12-4 victory" (Press release). USA Baseball. August 24, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
11. Scoreboards. Spectrum Corporation. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
12. Duarte, Joseph (April 16, 2015). "Largest scoreboard in college baseball to be installed at Cougar Field". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
13. "University of Houston Athletics :: UH Cougars :: Official Athletic Site". www.uhcougars.com. Retrieved 2015-04-19.
14. Brian Foley (January 6, 2011). "2010 NCAA Baseball Attendance Leaders". Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.

External links

• Ballpark info