An artist's rendering of the new Mizzou softball complex looking north.  Hearnes Center will be west of the new stadium.

An artist’s rendering of the new Mizzou softball complex looking north. Hearnes Center will be west of the new stadium.

When talk of expansion and improvements to all University of Missouri athletic fields and facilities began, with their entrance into the Southeastern Conference, Mizzou softball coach Ehren Earleywine stressed the importance that softball not be left behind.  His first choice was to have a new stadium built in a high visible area.  His wish will come true very soon.

Back in February, the University of Missouri Board of Curators approved a new $16,000,000 Mizzou softball stadium project to be built by Lempka Edson Architects (L+E), Overland Park, Kansas.  The location of the new complex will be located just off Stadium Blvd and east of Hearnes Center.

The project will be funded from $13,500,000 in private gifts and $2,500,000 in debt financing.

The new stadium will provide Mizzou softball fans with a “full-view” concourse and outfield plaza, with 1,500 to 1,700 seats, plus an outfield berm that can accommodate an extra 500 to 1000 spectators.  New MU and commuter parking lots will be redeveloped and will be completed by November of this year.

More seating and better parking arrangements will make getting into the park easier for more fans.  The overflow berm seating in the outfield will also help during events such as regional tournaments, when the park must accommodate fans from three extra teams.  The positioning of the stadium will also keep most of the warmer afternoon sun out of the eyes of spectators.

The new softball stadium should be completed by December of 2016, ready in time for the spring 2017 season.