The Billiken Sports Center - Baseball
Saint Louis University baseball competes at The Billiken Sports Center on the University campus. The facility opened in 1990 and originally was used for soccer, field hockey and intramurals. In the summer of 1991, a baseball diamond was added to make The BSC more versatile. The first baseball game at the facility ended in a 7-3 Billiken victory over Washington University on March 2, 1992. Dimensions for the baseball field are 330 feet down the lines, 365 feet in the alleys and 395 feet to center. Seating for baseball is 1,000 with space for additional seating. A chain-link fence was built during the 1994, and each sideline now features a true bullpen and batting cage. A new outfield fence was put up in 1999. Until the summer of 1999, The BSC boasted the second-largest artificial surface in the world. Now, after extensive renovation, the soccer, baseball and softball fields are a natural surface. Part of the renovation included adding a warning track in the outfield of the baseball diamond, and a softball diamond was added as well.
Also near The BSC is a nature area with two ponds stocked with wildlife indigenous to St. Louis and Missouri. A recreational putting green also is available for use by students, faculty and staff. The field at The BSC is truly the finest facility Billiken baseball has ever called home. Before 1992, Saint Louis played at Sauget Field in Sauget, Ill. Before that, the Billikens played at Musial Field, which was located where the soccer field now lays. For a long time before the opening of Musial Field in the mid-1960s, Saint Louis played its home games at Forest Park. Located on the University's midtown campus, The Billiken Sports Center is minutes from downtown St. Louis. The baseball field is one block south of Lindell Ave. and two blocks east of Grand Blvd. Parking is available adjacent to the field at the Olive Garage for the University's standard event parking fee.
|
|
