SEWARD, Neb. – Fans who attend Concordia University baseball and softball games this spring will notice obvious upgrades at the Plum Creek Park diamonds. Thanks to donations from six private organizations, brand new scoreboards were installed at both the city baseball and softball fields. The $15,000 in fundraised money contributed by the Concordia athletic department stood out as the single highest donation to the scoreboard project.
Concordia Director of Athletics Devin Smith sees the donation as not only a benefit to Bulldog student-athletes, but also to the entire Seward community that enjoys the amenities of Plum Creek Park.
“We’re very thankful for the use of the fields and the opportunity to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience,” Smith said. “We’re pleased with the partnership we share with the city of Seward and Seward High School. Plum Creek Park is a hidden jewel in the state of Nebraska. We’re blessed and thankful to play a large role in the improvements that will benefit Concordia and local athletes.”
The new scoreboards display both the Concordia and Seward High School athletic logos while also offering the score by inning as well as total runs, hits and errors and will be easier to read during games featuring bright sunlight.
The new scoreboards have been well received by head baseball coach Ryan Dupic and head softball coach Todd LaVelle.
“The scoreboard is beautiful,” Dupic said. “You walk in and that pops out at you right away. It’s a significant upgrade from the previous one. If you’re a fan, player or parent and you walk in, you want a nice baseball setting. The scoreboard is part of that.”
Other aesthetic changes to the Plum Creek Park baseball field were made by the city of Seward. The former backstop was removed in place of a brand new roughly four-foot high brick wall complete with blue padding behind the plate. In addition, the backstop netting now rises higher above the ground with the intent of trapping more foul balls. Said Dupic, “I really like the brick backstop they put in. It has a nice old-school feel. All of these things just create a better environment for baseball.”
Over on the softball diamond, Concordia spent another $2,500 for padding on the backstop wall and $900 to enhance the speaker system.
“It’s an awful nice gesture on Concordia’s part,” LaVelle said. “The things that they’re doing to spice up Plum Creek Park are great and make the girls feel appreciated. I know the new scoreboard has a lot of bells and whistles. It’s definitely a great addition to our field.”
Over the past six years, the Concordia athletic department has provided the city with $18,000 in operational funds for the use of Plum Creek Park for practices and games. During their seasons, Bulldog baseball and softball teams help to groom and maintain the fields.
Dupic’s baseball squad will make its 2016 home debut at the remodeled Plum Creek Park on Saturday (March 19) when it welcomes Grace University for a 1 p.m. doubleheader. LaVelle’s softball team is slated to begin its home schedule on Saturday, April 2 when Briar Cliff pays a visit for a 1 p.m. twin bill.